Shashank hopped into the Borivali slow local as soon as it halted on Charni Road Station and grabbed the best window seat in the first class compartment, overlooking the station. His wife, Archana, waiting for the slow Bandra local, with her pink umbrella in her hand, waved him goodbye. She was looking exceptionally beautiful today, thought Shashank. Maybe because she wore the lovely emerald green salwar kameez which he gifted her on her last birthday! Or maybe she looked beautiful every day. Maybe, he’s got too busy in her life to notice that. Suddenly he realized how lucky he’s to have a wife like Archana who’s pretty, full of life and not nagging at all. He decided he’ll call her right away to tell her the same. But he changed his mind and thought, let me wait till the evening. I’l tell her when we meet…after all, I wanna see the smile that’l at once come across her face when she hears it!
Due to a team meeting that went on for hours, Shashank left his Malad office almost 30 minutes late. His daily ritual of returning to his Amrutwadi home with Archana from Charni Road won’t be possible, he realized. As his train neared Mahim, he got a call from Archana who asked him why he was late. Explaining his problem, Shashank persuaded her to not wait for him and instead head for home. But Archana reminded him that they both are supposed to go to CP Tank for some crockery shopping and hence she would wait for him. Realizing that Shashank would take another 25 minutes to reach Charni Road, she told Shashank that she’s heading to Khau Gali (see pic) near Panchratna-Roxy Cinema as she was damn hungry.
Shashank immediately got off as soon as 7.07 Churchgate slow local stopped on Charni Road and headed towards Khau Gali. As he was swiftly walking on Charni Road bridge, he saw a flush of activity at the Saifee Hospital gate. Before he could think or assume what could be the reason behind it, he got a call from Mehul, a colleage who informed Shashank that news channels are showing about a blast at Opera House. Shashank froze. He didn’t hear what Mehul said later on. He hung up and ran towards Khau Gali. He then tried consoling himself. After all, Opera House is a huge area and the blast could have happened anywhere. But his worst fears came true when he saw ambulance, police, mutilated bodies and injured people where his wife had said she’l be going to-Khau Gali!
There was still a faint smoke around. He tried searching for Archana. She was nowhere. He called her. Her cell phone was unavailable. He saw a pot-bellied constable nearby. Trying his best to control his tears, he asked, “Have you seen my wife? Archana’s her name. 28 year old.” “Go to Saifee,” the constable advised and ran to his senior who had called him. Just when he was about to do so, an old man advised Shashank otherwise. “I saw some 2-3 injured women being taken in a car to GT Hospital – or was it St George? – by a doctor who happen to pass by when blasts happened”.
Without wasting a moment, Shashank came out on the main road and tried to find a cab. There was a jam on the street possibly because of the explosions as news channel vans, ambulances, police vans were all either stationed or tried to enter the area of blast. Finally, he spotted an empty cap. “GT Hospital”, Shashank said and got into the cab. “Saahab gas khatam ho gaya hai”, informed the cabbie. Shashank shouted, “Arre meri biwi ko hospital le ke gaye hai…blast mein zakhmi hui hai…Chalo!” But the insensitive cabbie wasn’t interested. Shashank was all set to box his ears when another cabbie came from behind and said “Sahab, I’l take you to GT Hospital. If you don’t find memsaab there, I’l take you to George. And don’t worry, I won’t charge a single paisa from you!”
Shashank couldn’t help but hug the cabbie. Both then raced towards GT Hospital, located almost 1.9 kms away.
TO BE CONTINUED TOMORROW!
