The cab was waiting at the traffic signal for the last turn to office. Just I was fishing for my purse in the backpack, I noticed a woman in dirty clothes perched precariously in the narrow space next to the signal. She looked haggard and tired. Needless to say, there was a baby in her arms. I kept telling myself not to look at her because that would start me up on the usual internal debate – whether to give her some money or not. Paying means encouraging beggars but does not paying mean that the baby will not get any food? Even if I pay who is to know that the person who has made the woman beg won’t take it all way and still leave the baby hungry? Was the baby really hers or was brought on rent? I have wondered for long if I should keep any dry biscuits or some small eatables with me so I can hand over the same to these people instead of money. But from past experience I know that I end up eating all that. So that’s of no use.

I was suffering like this when suddenly the woman noticed me staring at her. In a moment, she stood up and came up to the window. I was dumbfounded. For lack of a better word, I would call it professionalism. She noticed an opportunity and didn’t waste a minute grabbing it.

This time I didn’t hesitate. I guess pity went flying out the window when I shook my head firmly, refusing to pay her. She moved to nearby cars. But as my cab started to turn, I couldn’t erase from my mind the look of utter exhaustion that she had on her face when I saw her leaning against the signal. That had been genuine.

So was I wrong in not giving her some money? Can life, for once, have answers for some questions?