Life in Mumbai Thrills but Kills

Today was the last day of Ravi in Mumbai. It stopped raining. His train was late by 8 hrs and we decided to utilize this. Making it a blessing in disguise, we moved to our usual Giregaon Chopatti to get a Gola and some Pani puries. Life suddenly asked many questions to me, I was not sure what I was feeling. I was not happy, may be I was not ready to accept the fact that Ravi won’t be with us in Mumbai from tomorrow. The feeling was different; I didn't felt so even when my first crush walked away. (Please don’t let your imagination grow, let me make it straight that I’m straight).

After our usual routine we decided to make a small (Big) walk across Marine Drive. The cool breeze was mesmerising and I was feeling good. We kept on walking toward the other end of marine drive and our minds wanted to walk but our legs denied. I just don’t know how I’ve made even this stretch of 2km walk after an exhausting day of apartment search in Mumbai.

We rested our-self on the sides of Marine Drive. It was so relaxing and refreshing. Then my eyes were on a smart kid who was walking towards us. He was in black Jeans and red and blue stripe t-shirt. I could sense something was wrong with the kid. He was also not happy like me, oh God is he crying?? He came and sat next to us. He might me God; just help me to look at the beautiful girl sitting next to us. Now it is easy for me to look at her, making her feel that I’m looking at the kid. Somewhere down my heart, I had a feeling that something is wrong with this kid. Oh! God is he a human bomb jut sitting next to us and nobody with him. But his red eyes and sad face said me something else.

The girl I was staring suddenly became Mother Teresa and extended her helping hand toward the Kid. She asked him what happened and where is his family. I wanted to yell to her to move away from the kid, as he may be potential human bomb. Sea breeze went through her hair covering her face, She was looking awesome in moon light (Sorry street light). How can I miss a chance to hit her? I also as a Gentleman tried to offer my helping hand. The kid was so confused and had no idea where he comes from and where he was going. He knows no address or any phone number.

We were all trying to help him by asking him lot of question. But he was getting more and more confused, or was he acting. Oh God! My mind has so corrupted and its not ready to accept innocence. I was expecting a sexy girl to come out from some where and say this is a TV show and you have been shot with hidden cameras and shower me with lot of gift vouchers, which I’ll never use in my life. But nothing of such thing happened.

Now how to trace him back to his home if he is really genuine? We asked him about his school and decided to get the principal’s number and then trace this boy back. Hail Just Dial. But the idea was not easily accepted, there were arguments and counter arguments for this notion. Then the kid tried to remember some phone number. 996761…… He got the first six digits but still four numbers missing. We asked him to try harder.

This took me back to my 7th grade where I was supposed to call my father in regard with an accident that happened to my younger brother (Will explain about this in some other blog). I just couldn't recollect my dad’s number. But I needed it badly and the tension and pressure to rush my brother to hospital made it even worse. I just couldn’t remember the number. Those times we don’t have mobile phones and I told my class teacher I can’t remember the number but will be able to dial the number. But again the phone deceived me. The school phone was an old fashioned one and had no key board but circular dialling ones. It was too much for me; I just took a paper and drew the key board on it and then touching each number by my finger read out the number aloud. 612301 (I still remember this number).

How did you reach here, are you Gujrati, ya Marwadi, Who came with you, the girl was asking the kid and I woke up from my memories. I took out my mobile and handed over to the Kid and asked him to dial the number, taking lessons from my experience. I was feeling so great and was proud to impress the beautiful lady. Kid typed 996761…… Oh god this logic is also not working. Why am I getting into all this trouble? I tried to help the kid again and I reduced to my knees and slowly started speaking to the kid. I didn’t notice a guy in hid 30s, well built and in jeans and shirt walking towards me. I was busy trying to decode something from the kid. Suddenly I heard that sound that I’ve heard lot of times in James Bond movies.

I now realized that I’m on Gun Point and the man has taken the kid to his side and ready to shoot me. For a second I thought I was in a dream and he will shoot me and I’ll wake up from the dream like inception. But nothing happened. By the time I could realise what was happening, the girl has already explained everything to him and he walked back to his bike. When he was walking back, he shouted back two words, Thank You. (Thank You for not shooting me)

I wanted to hit that girl but, now I wanted to get away from this place now. We walked fast to the nearest ATM and then towards Churchgate station. Life in this metro is always eventful. They say night life is fun, it is really adventurous these days.

Mumbai Night life Thrills but Kills …… Oh it is raining again.. Run Forest Run. Run for your life, but life changes here in seconds (Not just a Docomo Ad.) Once I reached Churchgate station all drenched in rain, I felt so normal and had no tension. I forgot was on point blank 10 mins back. This is Mumbai and people come back to Leopold Café in hours after 26/11. Life never stops for anyone in this city of opportunities.

Goodbye Kiss

Don't be dismayed at goodbyes. A farewell is necessary before you can meet again. And meeting again, after moments or lifetime, is certain for those who are friends. ~Richard Bach

“You can shed tears that he is gone,
or you can smile because he has lived.
You can close your eyes and pray that he'll come back,
or you can open your eyes and see all he's left.
Your heart can be empty because you can't see him,
or you can be full of the love you shared.
You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday,
or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.
You can remember him only that he is gone,
or you can cherish his memory and let it live on.
You can cry and close your mind,
be empty and turn your back.
Or you can do what he'd want:
smile, open your eyes, love and go on.”

Sonam Tashi, life took a different turn but those memories will be cherished for life long. You have been there for me for everything. Secrets were not secrets between us. Your paintings that had all those hidden meanings, which I used to mock suddenly, became more relevant for me. Life can take you away from me but not your smiling face and all those nigger things u did. You were not a friend who would come to bail me out of the Jail or one who will sympathise me, but one who will be sitting next to me in the cell saying “We are screwed nigger.” Time spent with you will be always cherish able. You were hard like a rock during our hard times.
I’ve never met ur better half in real. But I’m sure you would have made her feel, she was the luckiest wife in the world. Life has been very unfair to your 8 month old baby boy.
You were one of those individual who make life looks so simple. Those philosophical talks we shared, those counter strikes we played all played back again as if it was done yesterday. Cyborg will always be eternal. It’s been years I’ve met you but somehow today everything comes back as a flashback to me. As you have said, tears are not for an artist, when your customers get emotional on your creation, you get money and if they shed a couple of tears you become a great artist.
You may or may not be a great artist but certainly a great friend. I’ve not shed tears for you, as tears are for the one who is dead. You will always live in my memories.