I woke up with the sound of lightening.It was pitch dark outside n I could hear the rain too, ferocious as ever.I had a look at the watch on the opposite wall through the dim lights… 4:30.The sky rumbled again.6:00. Another rumbling at 7:00.Only this time it was mom.I woke up,rubbed my eyes n looked outside.It was a heavy downpour.I waited for mom to leave the room,changed sides on the bed, n dozed off again.After another few minutes,I was hiding beneath the pillow.Finally,the alarm clock,the cellphone,my mom and lightening,combined forces to wake up the sleeping giant.

       A few minutes later,I was on the streets.The water was already shoe-high n I almost walked back home.But then,something struck me...the trauma of last years downpour…the famous 26^th of july…everybody was stranded and had a story to tell,n the almighty kept me stranded at home with nothing to narrate!! “Today’s my day”, I smiled.

    The first leg of my journey consisted of reaching the station.There was no auto to be seen anywhere in the vicinity.I happened to meet one of my “soccer friend” on the way.She was with her grandpa.(She used to play football with us but she’s grown up now and hence retired).A brief hello,and I moved ahead.A few paces down,I boarded a rick but stopped him as soon as he turned the accelerator.I asked him to wait, sprinted back to ask grandpa if I could offer him a lift.But that ******* autowallah(fill in the blank with appropriate foul language within ur vocabulary limits) sped off,leaving me n grandpa behind!! Finally I had to part with grandpa to find another rick after a 10min walk,which left me drenched from head to toe.

   Upon reaching the station I realized I was the only one with a big smile.Pop came out the cellphone… “Kya yaar,where’s you? Still sleeping…Ha ha ha.I’m toh stranded yaar,at the station.Bahut paani hain…train bhi bund hain.I’m drenched from head to toe.No no,I have to go.Huh,they’re showing it in the news…Achcha.Theek hain,lets hope I reach.Ok.Bye.” It felt good.Real good.Then I began to call people from different locations on the platform.Called up at home from the newspaper stall,another friend from the chaiwallah,n my boss right from underneath the announcement speaker.(She should know I’m at the station n not home).Now I was relaxed,feeling absolutely at home admist thousands of fellow commuters and rising water levels.

   After a little bit of strolling here n there,looking concerned,changing platforms,ogling at chics with assets  disproportionate to their known sources of incomes, and sms’ing a few more friends,I decided to head back.As I stepped out,I heard a loud horn…a war cry...that of an elephant raring to attack its enemy... A chill went down my spine.The trains began moving…

…I was caught in a dilemma.Should I board the train,manage to make it to the office and prove myself to be braver than I really am and rise in the eyes of my compatriots n seniors,or end the adventure then and there.I boarded it.The train began moving at a snails pace .Then it stopped.Finally, i was  feeling completely stranded!!! The train moved again,this time a bit faster,but not more than an earthworms pace.A few starts and stops later,it gave out another warcry...that of an wounded elephant.Then it halted. What followed is anybody’s guess.I reached office an hour before it  closes.My boss fired me for being crazy.Collegues at home cursed me.Mom rumbled again…I’ve just got back home with an empty stomach,full bladder and extreme headache and cold.N thank God,it’s a Sunday tomorrow.

[The author is an inactive member of the disaster management committee. Infact,is a disaster in himself.Please do not try this outside home.Travel safe…at ur own peril !!!]