SERIAL KILLING

Set around February 2007 this story begins with the speculation of whether I have an upset stomach or not. This is on the night of the journey to Mumbai for an International conference. I wish I had accepted the advice of a dear friend of mine, to have some lime juice to be on the safer side. Ok, it wasn’t as bad as you are thinking, but I was left with that growling feeling till the early hours of the next morning lying helplessly on the SL (side lower) berth. I looked at my 10-minutes-ahead watch expecting to be somewhere close to Bandra but was horrified that we hadn’t even entered Mumbai. Ever so slowly, the so called Express train chugged on and we finally reached Bandra around 10:00. Four hours late.

By the way, the conference was supposed to commence from 9:30 am, which it did; I was told later. After a sumptuous breakfast and a shower at a friend’s place a look at the watch told me “You are 2 hours late”
Anyway I thought now that we have the friend’s car, we’ll be there shortly. But no.....the car had to break down when we were almost there at IIT. Sincere attempts by “Driver bhai” (that’s what my friend calls him) didn’t impress the Indica V2, and finally we had to take an auto for the remaining journey.

On reaching the conference, I realised it was lunch time.......like it was very difficult to guess. Anyway, I went to collect my conference kit......”Oh we are so sorry, we’ll let you know by evening” “For now we can only give you the ID card”......late late late very late

The remaining session was done and it was time to head to another friend’s house for an evening snacks thing. The mode of conveyance.....auto....and guess what on our way back this auto breaks down at the exact same location where the car had broken down earlier in the day. I knew it was coming when I recognized the steep incline despite the darkness as THE SPOT. But fortunately after a hundred attempts by the poor rickshaw guy, the engine started whirring and took us to our destination. I was happy thinking finally the day has ended, without the slightest idea of what was in store. Like the 20 minute walk to the residential block like a donkey laden with goods wasn’t enough, our room was on the third floor. I made a promise to myself to travel light forever and ever. even if it means wearing the same clothes on the second day. And on reaching there with a “Phew”, we see the door is locked. My friend tells me “Whoever leaves last, has exclusive ownership of the room” Thankfully the building had a terrace (any terrace just enchants me....probably because none of the houses that I’ve lived in ever had one) So after gazing at the stars and the adjoining super luxurious Hiranandani apartments, the mosquitoes announced that it was time to get indoors.

Into the room, but no place to sleep. I had just had enough. Rushed to the neighbouring room, picked up an abandoned mattress. Up it went on my shoulders and into the other room. I attempted to write a few lines in my book, but the dim lit room and mosquitoes, and the thought of being late again made me shut my eyes.....and off I went into a deep slumber.