Alone In The City

“We wish you a very pleasant stay here or a happy onward journey “.

The announcement woke her up. Her flight was about to land in the city of dreams of India- Mumbai. On arrival she collected her baggage and booked a taxi online to her pre booked hotel-The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel. Till today, she only have seen the city in pictures or videos.

She checked into her room which she requested to accommodate her specially at the time of booking i.e. Room no. 406. She got freshened up and sat down on a chair in the tiny balcony adjoining the room admiring the breath-taking view of the Arabian sea and The Gateway of India. Then she dragged down in the memory lane.

– You can’t imagine Alicia, how beautiful this place is. So crowded yet so amazing. You know, here people say, this city never sleeps. I am loving it.

– “Is that so Alex? Then why don’t you settle down there? And forget our engagement. You lost me. ” said Alicia with a crooked smile.

– Hey! You know that I love you. And my world revolves around you and only you. I will be back soon. And don’t be stressed as brides do not look beautiful when stressed. Okay, bye babe. I have a meeting in an hour. And after that I have to catch a very long, tiring flight to my gorgeous bride to be. Love you.

– Love you too Alex. Come soon.

That was the last call between Alicia and her fiance Alex.

A cool breeze brought back Alicia’s attention. She wiped those rogue tears which made her cheeks wet often by dropping against her will.

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This is the hotel where he stayed, this is the room too. And this is the same balcony where he video called her for the last time.

What happened? How did this happen? So far, she couldn’t believe that everything had ended in a jiff. Her tears have not dried yet.

Thing was, that day Alex never caught the tiring, long flight to Seattle, back to home , to Alicia. As on that unfortunate day this city was painted red by some lowlife, selfish, monstrous terrorists amidst so many chaos, so many scary screams, some shattered dreams, some scattered relationships and some desolation of families. That day was scary i.e. 26/11, the day of Mumbai attack.

When Alicia saw this in news, as if the ground was snatched from under her feet. Her dreams shattered, her heart screamed out loud. Alex was no more. She had lost him to some cheap communalism.

Today, she stood in the same room and pictured that awful day in her mind. She just wanted to feel her love for the last time. She just wanted to savour the feelings for the rest of her life. Deep in her heart, she desperately wished for Alex to be with her.

Today, she was all alone in this city trying to feel the last presence of him in the air of Mumbai. Perhaps, she was in search of some closure.

It was eleven in the night. A Bollywood songs was playing from a road side vendor nearby.

“In my city, I am alone,

मैं ही न जानु के मैं हूँ कौन,

I love you lady, please be mine,

जो हाँ तू कर दे, then I will be fine…”