The day began with me waking up and rushing to the TV looking for the update on Taj/Oberoi/Nariman terrorists fiasco.. It seemed status-quo to where v left at night before v slept...
Further during the day, all discussions revolved around which channels we saw during the previous day as offices were closed.. colleagues quoted the media channels and their various desparate attempts to keep the viewers glued to their respective channels...
Around lunch-time, some colleagues were frantically running and talking on fones.. appeared to be some fresh gun shots fired at CST Stn.. this was followed by more rumours of some more gunshots and bombs at various other locations and hotels.... I also did my 'civilian duty' by smsing about 10 odd near-dear ones who were expected to in and around those 'gunned' areas.. Well, at the end, it all happened to be a rumour and I, a part of the grapevine!!
Soon it was 3 pm and a mail from HR Dept came for a sanctioned "Early Leaving" keeping in mind the problems in the city.. I started thinking whether to use the local trains.. But..would that be safe?? Can't there be gunned men seated in the train waiting to open fire on unknowing passengers or maybe bombs planted under the seats..
So I thought to wait in the office till 6 for my contract bus ..(at least, only the stations and hotels have been targetted and buses might be safe!!).. As most of the colleagues were leaving, we wished each other a 'Happy and Safe Journey' back home.. And no body saw the intended satire in the wishes... Maybe that was an 'apt' good-bye greeting!!
I chose to leave office only minutes before the scheduled bus time.. Didn't want to risk standing on the road and getting a bullet shot from a speeding vehicle!! Also I decided to avoid the window seat in the bus for reasons explained above...
Now I am back home..watching channels seeing the ongoing battle between the terrorists and our brave soldiers..be it the Army, police, NSG, RAF etc etc.. Channels show the increasing count of the deceased civilians as well as the soldiers...And i sit back and ponder over cup of tea -
"I am safe for the day.. My family, friends are also safe today.. Now lets pray for another day tomorrow.. Every day is a battle..for mere survival.."
God Bless All..
Regards
Sunil
p.s. Couldnt think of any preaching or spiritual ideas.. My mind is just not prepared for any.. I am just too happy (or rather contended) to survive one more day !! Hoping all this to end soon.. to be followed by the over-used and much-politicised term/jargon of "The Undying Spirit of Mumbai" ;-)
