My emotional interactions with Mumbai.

Sorry Buddies!

Life at Mumbai is so fast that sometimes I need to pinch myself to realize that all parts of my body are together. There are high chances that one hand can leave the other, if it gets a bigger and/or better opportunity!

Today, I am relatively free. So just trying to recall past 6 months that touched me. 11-3-11 had been Black Friday with Japan and the World witnessing worst ever disaster. I too had a disaster that day. I broke something- won't discuss it much.

But two things that touched me a lot.
1. I stay in a house that is at the junction of road parting Dadar(w) with Prabhadevi. Siddhivinayak Temple is within 5 min. of walk. I take my dinner at Enclave-JSW guest house, since its only 10 min.walk from my house. So normal routine is reach home in evening. Freshen up and walk to Enclave for dinner and come back.
Prabhadevi is in Central Mumbai, and counted among poss areas of Mumbai, with many billionaires living here. Sensational example is Dipika Padukone. Somewhere I saw the banner "Rajashree Productions Ltd." also.
You can see 100's of beggers around Siddhivinayak Temple. Worst part is kids below 3 years of age also beg. I always get confused if they are begging money, or food? Also perplexed if I should give some money and promote begging, or should not give money- and become a heartless soul.?? May be I am an emotional Fool.

2. Last week, it so happened that I had some work at office, so was late for home. After taking dinner, I drove to home. At the signal of Siddhivinayak (story revolves around this Temple only!) I was waiting for the red light to turn green. Suddenly a kitten appeared from somewhere, and came near my Bike's Tyre. Traffic was stopped, so I gave it a gentle push, so that it can run to the other part of road. It did run, but went and stopped under a car. My heart stopped for a moment. I didn't realize that there developed a co-ordinate bond between her and me. And the signal become green. Suddenly all vehicles raced to cross the signal. I was watching the car and kitten like a deaf. She came out safe. I stopped my bike, and put the red indicator on. Then I signal the traffic behind me about the situation and started guiding the kitten on crossing road. Seems either it was a bad day for me, or for the kitten, she suddenly took a left turn and a speeding car from somewhere came and hit her...
Car's back wheel hit her in Head. She was crying loud, and I was motionless, helpless. With all grief, I started my bike and crossed the signal. Suddenly another car came and cross over her to end her last cry. It hit me hard within emotional heart. Whole night I was restless. It was like I could save her. Sometimes I was thinking that second car should have come earlier, or may be if hitting wasn't avoided, the 1st car should have hit her to ensure killing her completely. I was not in position to even imagine the kind of pain she might be experiencing...
Either Mumbai is ruthless, or I am useless. Or may be Mumbai doesn't need those who are of no use, or those who can not run with Mumbai. Winners are only those who runs faster than average pace of Mumbai and Mumbaikar's.