AK Afridi : Le Fin

Alright! I can now conclude the Afridi story. Its been three months since the $40 to charity that went off in the direction of a sense of trust I had in the Pashtun/Pathan tribes, and I havent heard from dear old Abdullah Khan Afridi. What started off as a request for $20 went as far as $35 and finally I gave away $40 to help the guy with the subway instead of walking in the December cold. Some saw naivete while others altruism. I for myself reasoned out that there was enough reason to trust that man to call me back if not for the money then for the sake of honour. He did seem honourable and probably is.

Three months on, those who laughed at my 'stupidity' feel vindicated while some others have pointed to the infinite possibilities of what might have happened. Everything from the guy never reaching a good financial position to return the money to my subsequent departure to India a week later. It does seem plausible that during the month that I was gone to India Afridi may have tried to get in touch with me several times and after 35 days of incommunicado gave up. It is also likely that he was just another conman who made off with my sympathy and money, though it does seem unfair to malign the man without knowing his true intentions.

It is amply clear that I am less willing to believe the second possibility. I argued in favour of taking a chance and that I may have fooled myself into being conned. I have decided to retain my faith in people despite it all.

There is some goodness left in this world.