Right vs Good

Today, after gym, I booked a Rapido ride home.

A few minutes later, the driver called. “Madam, there’s a lot of traffic. It’ll take some time to reach.”

That was a kind thing to do. Hardly anyone calls to tell you they’re running late.

I stood there for a few seconds, heavy bags on my shoulder, tired from the workout. Then I spotted an auto nearby. I got in and cancelled the ride.

On the way home, the guilt kicked in. How could I do that? How could I cancel on him when he was being honest? How could I treat him like this when he was stuck in traffic, trying to reach me? I kept replaying it.

Here’s what bothered me most. If he had stayed silent, I would have waited. His honesty is the very reason he lost the ride. He did the right thing, and he paid for it.

Yes, I was tired. Yes, my bags were heavy. And technically, I did nothing wrong. Cancelling is allowed. I played within the rules.

But that’s the thing about rules. They only tell you what you’re allowed to do. They don’t tell you what’s good.

Being right is about what you’re permitted to do. Being good is about what the other person deserves.

He deserved a few minutes of my patience. I didn’t give it.

Next time someone is honest with me, I want to reward it, not punish it. Because if honesty keeps costing people, they’ll stop being honest.

And that’s a world none of us want to wait in.