MUMBAI MANIA
My name is Sahaj Sharma and for the last 10 years, I have been working as the Head, Operations Manager in a multi-national company at Vikhroli, Mumbai.
A few years back, I permanently relocated to Kharghar, Navi Mumbai from Manali (Himachal Pradesh), leaving behind my loving old parents, my beloved dog, my childhood friends, my apple orchard business, my hometown comforts and, above all, my peace of mind.
Being still single at the age of 36 reflects my obsession and ambition towards my profession. The foremost reason for all my break-ups in the past was the lack of quality time in relationships. I guess my goal in life is far more important to me than marriage.
I believe that without compromises and sacrifices, no one ever becomes successful in this harsh practical world. My wish list is so long that no sooner one dream is fulfilled than the other begins. My current obsession is to buy my own big luxury Villa in Kharghar, Navi Mumbai.
Due to the hectic work schedule and high workload, I am not even able to give enough time to my parents. Moreover, apparently due to the so-called generation gap, my equation with my parents is not that great either. I hardly get time to talk to them and even when they call, our topics of interest never match.
For my arrange marriage, my parents have selected a beautiful Himachali girl – named Muskaan who is our next-door neighbour in Manali and has been waiting for our marriage since last three years. However, I am still not sure about this marriage. She is a nice traditional educated girl, but eventually I plan to get married to a modern like-minded partner who can understand and adjust with my fast-paced ambitious lifestyle.
Anyways, enough about my personal life; let me now share with you why I love Mumbai, a city of dreams with a fast-paced lifestyle, where everyone is on the run to be somebody special, to achieve something extraordinary. Like lots of others in this city, I too want to become someone special who is beyond the league of ordinary crowd. For me, the best part about this city is its amiable and pliant people and its ability to fit all shapes and sizes.
At work, my colleagues describe me as an ambitious, informative, inspiring, self-motivated, humorous and alcohol-loving person. I like controlling my life all the time and also dictate the lives of individuals around me by pushing them to their limits.
One of the most critical milestones of my career is going to be announced tomorrow in the quarterly “Reward & Recognition Event”. This much-awaited promotion from the Head, Operations Manager to the Vice President (Operations) is the most important occasion of my life for which I have sacrificed everything. I always coveted this powerful seat of authority in my office.
I am already prepared with my speech for tomorrow’s event. It’s 03:30 in the night and I am still not able to sleep due to over-anticipation.
Nevertheless, goodnight folks! See you tomorrow!
At last – the dream day is here…and I am all set for the Reward & Recognition function which is about to begin in another 10 minutes at a five star hotel. Finally, they announced my name…Ladies and Gentlemen – let’s give a big round of applause…for our new Vice President (Operations) Mr. Sahaj Sharma – I would like to invite him on stage now…
During my speech, I could clearly see very few happy faces as most of my colleagues are shocked and jealous. Cut throat competition and crass jealousy is making this moment unbearable for them.
But who cares! Tonight is my night, so cheers guys!
Today is Friday followed by a happy weekend ahead so I will party as if this is my last day on the planet earth as “work hard, party harder” is my work-life motto.
During the party, I received few calls from my mother, which I immediately disconnected, as I was immersed in my moments of glory and celebration of my success and I also wanted to surprise her the next day with this great news.
Later, I got so drunk that the last thing I recall is a black out. Post that, like every Friday night party, somebody dropped me back to my flat. Who and how, I really don’t remember?
Next day, the moment I got up, I checked my phone and I was shocked to see 75 Missed Calls which included my mother, neighbours, relatives and friends. I called up my Mom but her phone was switched off. So, I called on my home landline, Muskaan answered the call and informed me that my parents had died last night in a car accident on their way to our apple orchard. She asked me to come back immediately to Manali to fulfil my last responsibilities.
I immediately boarded a plane from Mumbai to Bhuntar Airport, Kullu via Chandigarh.
Life is an unpredictable roller coaster ride; what we imagine never happens, and what happens is beyond our imagination.
Only a few moments back, I was all set to pleasantly surprise my parents; instead, life chose to give me the biggest shock of my life.
Shun Yo 