Written by Dhruv Ganesh
Photo by Sam Eve
“The one thing I love about Christianity,” he said, “Is that Jesus rose from the dead, you know? It’s one thing for one person to see, but for so many people to see… That has to mean something, right?”
How did I get myself into this conversation again? Right, the lights. I’d gone back to the university music room to switch them off. He saw me coming out, curious how I’d managed to open the door. I showed him my little trick, second day on campus and already acting like a regular. Then, like an idiot, I mentioned that the hi-hat and crash cymbals were missing, so I was leaving
instead of practising. He perked up. “I’m a drummer too.”
Curiosity got the better of me. I asked when he started.
“My mum says I was about two. But I was eleven when I really began. Used to
practise during school lunch breaks. Same here, when I was at uni. You probably know when you first wanted to drum, right? For me, I never had that phase, because I always knew.”
I was impressed. A stranger starting a conversation so easily and a proper drummer, not a beginner like me who still needs hand-holding.
“I can send you some good links,” he said. “What’s your Instagram?”
If I’d known what was coming, I wouldn’t have given it.
“Do you listen to Christian gospel music, bro? What religion you was raised?”
“Uh…” That should’ve been my cue to leave. “I was raised Hindu, but I’m not
religious.”
“So you atheist? Agnostic?”
“Yeah. I don’t believe.”
“That’s funny, man, ’cause I got curious about the existence of God. Started looking into the Big Bang Theory and…”
The rest blurred. I think I slept with my eyes open.
“…The Bible literally says if Christ hasn’t been raised, your faith is futile. Other
religions don’t have that, which is why I love Christianity…God forgives you for your sins. Even if you don’t believe, that guilt you feel after doing wrong, that’s proof He’s real…”
Then his voice softened.
“…If it weren’t for God, I’d be dead by now, mate…The past week’s been rough, but God’s helped me…I have to stay alive now because of Him, you know what I mean…”
And suddenly I felt sorry for him. Underneath the preaching, he sounded like
someone clinging to something that kept him breathing. We weren’t that different, after all. Somehow we drifted into talking about work. Surprise, he’d graduated in the same course I’m doing now.
“Look, I even started my own clothing and shoe brand.” He showed off the crisp logo on his hoodie and trainers. “Trying to build my entrepreneurial skills, you know? Did a year of PR in corporate, wasn’t for me. Now I’m job-hunting. Market’s tough. I always tell people to have a Plan B.”
And I still hadn’t learned my lesson. “Yeah, I’ve got a rough Plan B, but no clue how I’ll pull it off.”
“Can I pray for you, mate?”
Honestly, I could use all the help I could get. “Sure. Thank you.”
I thought he meant: I’ll pray for you next time I’m at church, but it ended up with him pulling me into a hug and praying on the spot.
“Dear God. Please give my friend the strength to find his path. Even if he doesn’t believe, show him meaning, purpose. Make Yourself known to him, Lord, show him a sign. Guide his way…”
His eyes were closed, mine stayed open, wondering if I was in an elaborate prank or a fever dream.
“…and help him with his Plan B. Thank you, God, for making me meet this human, for letting me talk to him. I love him, and I want him to live a full, healthy life. Amen.”
“Amen,” I murmured, mostly out of reflex.
He stepped back, smiling. “I love you, man. See? God works in mysterious ways. He knew I had to meet you, talk drums, talk faith. And, it weirds people out, but if I love someone, I tell them.”
I smiled too. “Yeah, you should express yourself.”
When we finally parted, I checked my watch, not because I was late, but because fifteen minutes had somehow felt like forty-five. Later, when I told a friend about the whole bizarre encounter, they warned me to stay
away from “the crazy ones.” But I think I missed something. He was genuine.
Not that his sermon made me want to run to a chaplaincy, if anything, it pushed me further away. Still, the way he said he ‘loved’ me. Not romantically, just openly. It hit harder than I expected. I’d been in an unknown country for over a month, coping alone, trying to look fine. Maybe I needed someone to say that, even if it was anyone.
Because we shared the same best friend.
Death.
Now I’ve got unopened DMs from a Christian rapper with “Christ” in his username. He was right about one thing: I needed a lot of help.
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