The Dark Day ever........

While going through the old newspaper cuttings this morning, I saw the case of 26/11/08; the felon is now under trial. 26/11, the night to be forgotten, the night that can only make the spine chill. Though nothing happened and he is enjoying the Royal Treatment from Govt. of India...

I still remember the incidents during that dark night and the luck which helped me get away from the scene of disaster. I wish everybody out there was just as fortunate.

26.11.08: Generally I do not have any fixed time to leave office especially then when I’m too engrossed in my work even if there are no submissions. Our weekly meeting for an upcoming project was rescheduled for the interiors team. The meeting took almost entire day to get over and left us exhausted. After the meeting I decided to sit down and start formulating the changes as discussed. I saw my watch it was almost 6.30 p.m. the office started getting empty. I decided to continue with the work as we had made some plans for the weekend which I wanted to abide by.

Formulating changes for 23 buildings was not one night’s work. Until a phone call from my Father at 9; I did not realize what the time was. He told me to go home early as he had been getting some abnormal vibes for the entire day. Without any intention to hurt him I started to pack my things and leave. When I opened my bag to keep my spectacles I realized that I’m not carrying any novel for my journey back home. It was that very morning when I had told Nishant that I was unable to sleep for past few nights as I was reading a book which had described black magic and riots and I have been seeing blood everywhere. It was he who had asked me not to read the book again and must have taken it out from my bag.

When I left the office premise it was almost 9.25 pm. It was a quiet night and surprisingly not many people on road. My friend had left office at 6.30 to join her room mates at Colaba hostel for a treat. I decided to call up Nishant for having dinner together before I could go home.

I suddenly saw many people rushing from Kala Ghoda area towards VT station; I did not understand what was happening. Usually I walk down to Churchgate station. I decided I should walk fast as things seemed quite weird. When I reached fountain I felt something was wrong. Without thinking further I hurried towards station. Once I reached the junction of station I heard a noise coming from a distance. It sounded like an explosion. Without being able to locate anything I thought it must be some marriage function happening nearby. I went in boarded my train and called up Nishant to ask if he was done for the day. A lady rushed inside the train saying that there’s gunfire and explosions going on everywhere. Somebody was shot dead at Leopold’s. My heart skipped multiple beats on hearing this. My friend was out and she usually goes to Leopold’s for dinner. I tried calling her but she was unreachable. I then remembered my boss was supposed to go to Taj to attend the wedding of an esteemed celebrity’s son. I tried his number but he too seemed to be out of network.

When my train reached Dadar, I heard people talking about the massacre already happening which took away all peace of mind I had. Only those thoughts came pouring in my head which were the same as I got while reading that book. I started fearing. Things were out of control. It was when my phone rang and I saw my office number blinking on my phone. I answered the call, it was a colleague who just escaped death by an inch on his way towards VT station and he had returned to office for staying back the entire night. I started shivering. I called up Nishant and met him outside his office at Malad. We thought of eating and going back to our homes. On the way to restaurant I told him what had happened. He dropped me home and I turned the television on after entering my home and saw the fiasco happening. My friend called me to say she heard the blast at Hotel Trident as they were strolling down at Nariman point sea side. It was almost the same time I heard the explosion before entering Churchgate station. The escape of the terrorist made us only fear. I sat in front of TV throughout the night seeing and panicking and unable to move.

It was the same face of that terrorist I saw in news paper this time with guilt in his eyes. It reminds of the most disastrous night I have ever had in Mumbai. I pray to God everyday to not even let anyone go through such a night again. The fear in his eyes today doesn’t seem to relate to his face that night which was shown on TV when he was killing people at VT station…if he was just composed he wouldn’t have been here in a different country being punished . After all he is also a human only if he had valued life he would have been doing something else for himself and his family in his country. Is fate decided this way? If so, then why? In Gita it is said that God resides in us, in every birth we take step more towards Him is this the way to reach Him? All questions jumbled up in my mind and we say whatever happens is for good…no that night was not good, soldiers who lost their lives, people who died those who got trapped in the hotels was not good. The day if somehow could have been removed from the calendar would have been good.

Until that day...

Like everyday my day started with a rush to reach office as early as possible. For me office timing has never been any kind of issue as my day starts before office hour starts and ends far beyond any time restrictions. My Mother has been threatening me everyday for coming home and every day she tries new ways of convincing me to apply for a leave. My friends started saying that I am a machine and I under go no wear and tear.

Life had never been simple for me especially in Mumbai and adjusting as per the culture of the city I lost something called Myself...in the hustle and bustle. It was work in my mind all the time. My regular habit is to buy a cup of coffee from Churchgate station and walk outside..enjoy the sun for a few moment and then get going. I prefer walking down till my office at Fort.

At the footpath opposite to the Bus stop on Vitthaldas Marg, I realized someone was unable to take a step ahead. I turned back and my eyes caught a red and white stick and then a woman behind it. Her stick was stuck on the manhole cover and she was unable to move ahead. She was blind. I hurried up towards her and helped her stick out. Before I could even leave her and proceed she grabbed my left arm saying- Will you pass by the Canada Bank opposite to Church.

I said "yes".

"Lets hurry" she said.

I had no heart to deny helping her and I felt why should I . She is going the same way i have to and above all her spirit to be on time was something that touched my heart.

She must be in her mid thirties and she worked in bank. She walked matching my pace not letting her lack of eyesight keeping up with speed the world is heading forward. Her face showed how poised she was. When I told her that we are going to cross the road at Flora Fountain she instructed me to walk only when the green man signal was on..
"You young people only want to run , follow the traffic rules" she said.

She was swift in her movements. When we reached the Church I told her that we are about to reach the Bank. She stepped up on the first step and said "Thank you" and she moved inside the building.

I stood there for sometime saluting her courage and thinking how brave she was. My feelings that I had since the day I am in this city till date seemed nothing before her struggle. Where everyday is a new challenge for her. She taught me several things in that ten minutes of time which I did not learn in last two years.

She taught me to trust people.. like the way she trusted me and grabbed my arm..She left me speechless..She left me with a drop rolled out from my eye..