Volunteering & getting to know Gowri.
The following weeks brought a rhythm and warmth into Eeshwar’s life that he hadn’t realized he’d been missing. Between battling Bangalore’s notorious morning traffic, which could turn a thirty-minute commute into a ninety-minute ordeal, and debugging stubborn code late into the night, Saturdays at the temple became a sanctuary. And yes, he had to admit to himself, Gowri was a big reason why.
She had a way of drawing people into conversation without making them feel pressured. While arranging marigold garlands for the deity, she’d ask about his week, genuinely listening to his answers. During prasadam distribution, she’d share funny stories about the regular devotees, her laughter infectious and genuine. She seemed to have an endless supply of small jokes and observations that made even the most mundane tasks feel lighter.
“See that uncle in the blue shirt?” she whispered one Saturday as they sorted through donated clothes.
“He comes every week and tries to convince everyone that his homemade pickle is better than the temple’s. Last week he actually brought samples.”
Eeshwar found himself looking forward to these moments, these small windows into her world. For someone who had always struggled with small talk, he discovered that conversation flowed naturally with her. She had a gift for finding the interesting thread in any topic, for making him feel like his thoughts and observations mattered.