All That Glitters

“Life in Mumbai is difficult”, I had been warned by many in my village when I decided to relocate with my wife and three children. I realize my mistake now.

I had a decent house in the village, a few acres of ancestral land for farming, some cattle and a peaceful life. But I had always been attracted to big-city life. I had heard stories about people making it big in the Metros and living a better life than that in these small, backward villages. But now I realize, there is always a price to pay for your ambitions. I do odd jobs here. My wife does the chores in 4 to 5 houses daily. We live in a tiny dingy room in the filthy slum. My children have not even been enrolled in any schools since I do not have sufficient money for it. All the money that I had bought with me has been spent on daily needs, food, the deposit for the room and rent. We are struggling to adjust with the people here. The extreme shortage of water is the worst of all. I travel daily for long hours in overcrowded locals to reach the office where I work as a cleaner while struggling to not lose my grip and fall overboard the train.

But all these struggles were going to pay back soon. I got my first payment today and I was happily returning home from the 7:35 pm local. I struggled, as usual, to get on the train and made some place for myself pushing the people ahead, in the densely populated second-class compartment. I stood there patiently for the next 2.5 hours, breathing heavily, sweating, yet eagerly waiting to return to my wife and children and show them the hard-earned money which will end our misery. But God had some other plans.

I got off the train at my station and started walking. That is when I realized my wallet had been stolen. It had all the money I had earned, along with some extra pennies, and my mobile phone too. I did not know what to do or whom to blame. I saw the overcrowded train leave the platform, as I stood there in despair.

“Life in Mumbai is difficult! It is not all glittery as you have heard of. Your struggles will never end, and you will not be able to make ends meet amidst the rising prices and demanding lifestyle of the city”, I recalled all the words of my well-wishers from the village.

Yes, I feel they were right. With a heavy heart, I walked back home, with no answers for what happened today and having no clue how to face my family and shatter their expectations.