EVERY DAY, MY JOURNEY TO WORK STARTS with the 7.02 a.m. metro train at Mumbai’s Ghatkopar.
I get a seat without having to rush. The trick is to walk to the front of the train as the compartments there are rather empty. I am feeling cold. There is no clutter. The sky is grey.
Seems like the sun is still sleeping like countless others. As it rises, so do my fellow Mumbaikars. Rushing to work, aligning with the rising sun.
I can still see a few trees. Most hills near Asalpha are covered by houses but a few are left untouched. Guess nature has its own rules. I feel a warmth as I look around – most of my fellow passengers are low rung office staff rushing to open their offices, get it ready for their managers and bosses.
Meanwhile, a few students are completing their homework. If they are accompanied by a person of the opposite gender, then I see them chatting animatedly. Nature has its own rules.
Most offices will start by 9 a.m., today like most others. By then most of Mumbai would have woken up and would be dreading the crowds, traffic and work. I am now reaching my destination.
I will open the office today. It makes me very happy when I do that. My office boy struggles on Mondays. Guess Sunday makes us feel more tired.
It’s amazing to see the difference. I just crossed the Western Express Highway signal. Traffic actually stopped to let me pass and nobody honked. It’s at these times that I like Mumbai and don’t mind continuing staying here. Guess nature has its own rules.