Shashank had to leave his cab almost 200 meters from the GT Hospital gate as numerous police and media vans had blocked the road completely. A sea of crowd welcomed him as soon as he reached the gates. Cops, commandos, small-time netas, mediapersons, people looking for their relatives…all sorts of people one will find after a catastrophe were present. But it was way too crowded, observed Shashank. And that was because of 2 reasons, he found out. Firstly, another bomb had exploded at Zaveri Bazar and all its victims were directed to GT. Secondly, the state opposition leader has visited the hospital to meet the victims! So concerned were the authorities with his visit that people were barred from entering the hospital for the next 30 minutes!
That’s so insane, thought Shashank. The kin of those victims possibly inside the hospital and marooned outside also echoed Shashank’s thoughts. There were also blast victims waiting to get treated. They created a ruckus and demanded to enter the hospital building. However, the cops refused. However, when the hullabaloo refused to die down, only the victims were allowed to enter at first. As soon as they were taken inside, Shashank too slipped. The cops realized and told him to stop but he ran inside.
Another army of crowd greeted him inside. Somehow, he got the info about the spot where the list of victims and deceased is put up. He took a quick glance on the injured people’s list. No mention of Archana. Hesitatingly, he then looked to the dead people’s list. No mention of Archana here as well! Whew! Without wasting a moment, he ran towards the exit.
“Memsaab wasn’t there? No problem…let me take you to George”, said the kind-hearted cabbie as Shashank sat inside. He wanted to reach St George Hospital before that stupid opposition guy comes there with his army of supporters. Suddenly, Shashank realized how his life has changed in the last 60 minutes. Just an hour ago, life was going great. God, why you have to do this, he asked. "Wish Archana had not gone to Khau Gali. Wish I was not late. Wish I had not attended that boring meeting. Wish I could see her lovely face soon!"
More trouble awaited Shashank outside the gates of St George Hospital. It so happened that the home minister of the ruling state party landed at the hospital some 15 minutes before. The saffron party, also in the state opposition, arrived there moments later demanding that the home minister should leave hospital premises immediately as their government has failed each time to stop a terror attack. This resulted in a scuffle between the supporters of two parties. Police just looked on and were starved of sufficient manpower to stop them.
Shashank tried maneuvering through them but was pushed behind. He tried again but was again futile. He didn’t know what to do. Tears started flowing down his eyes. Just then his sadness and helplessness gave way to anger and rage. Charging like a bull, he ran towards the exit, hurting many political workers on the way. Some followed him to take revenge, Fortunately, Shashank got lost inside the crowd.
“Archana. 5’ 6”. 27 year old”, answered Shashank when an attendant asked him who he’s looking for. The short-height-ed guy thought for a moment and then answered, “One such person has been kept in the last room of the corridor. “Cool”, said Shashank, “Is it the general ward?”. The attendant hesitated and then answered, “No. It’s the…err...morgue”.
TO BE CONTINUED TOMORROW!
