Chapter 1

Craaaaaaaaaash...Boooom!!!!!

"Urghh, go away!!"

I flail my hands wildly, trying to shut off that annoying alarm on my mobile phone, shrieking its head off. I mentally kick myself for keeping the phone far away on my dresser so that I have to get up to shut that nuisance off.

Craaaaaaaaaash...Boooom!!!!!Craaaaaaaaaash...Boooom!!!!! again and again!!

'Why on earth did I choose that irritating sound? Oh yeah! I hate it so much, that I want to get up and turn it off.'

It seemed like a very smart idea then, but now when I want a few more minutes of shuteye, I just loathe my 'brilliant idea'.

I groggily get up, reluctant to get away from my cozy bed. I glance at my plain black wall clock hanging on a plain white wall. I need to get some color on those walls to liven it up, maybe some colorful paintings or artwork, like I see in all those glamorous home decor magazines.

'For that, you need to earn money, you idiot. And for that you need to get up and go to work,' I chide myself mentally. I push aside the other niggling thought that I have, since I moved to this house, the one about not being able to stay here much longer.

I finally get up from my bed and switch off that darn alarm and head to the bathroom.

Sitting at my tiny dining table cum workstation sipping my sweet ginger tea and I scan the newspaper, I make note of the main headlines and business news to summarize for Nivedita Shoora, my boss who is too lazy to read it herself.

I finally register the noise from the bustling life outside my house, the people up and about in full swing in a city that never sleeps. "How do they do that?" I mutter to myself, "Haven't these people heard of taking things slowly?"

I shake my head as I look out the window of my apartment and see frantic movement everywhere. It's only around seven in the morning and cars are already lined up bumper to bumper, honking incessantly.

People crossing the streets running between the slightest gap afforded by the oncoming vehicles. Bikers weaving their way between cars, never reducing their speed. The vegetable vendors pushing their carts head on toward the traffic, without batting an eye.

The oppressive humidity in Mumbai is staggering. The fan doing little to alleviate the heat except to move it around - one's own personal sauna.

It's been a little over six months since I moved to Mumbai and just about a month into this cozy little apartment and I am still struggling to get fully used to big city life. I let out a long sigh.

Life has a funny way of turning our lives upside down. A few years ago, I would never have imagined myself, living alone in a big city like Mumbai.

Friends, games, whispered gossips, the roads of my hometown flash before my eyes. I shake myself from my reverie. "That's it! Tarana, enough is enough! There's no point in remembering the past. Those days are gone," I remind myself, washing my cup through tear filled eyes.

Blinking away unshed tears, I shake off the last remnants of nostalgia and head off to the bathroom to shower and change.

I debate if I should tie my hair, in a bun or plait. Its thick and almost straight, typical Indian black with a hint of brown, reaching a little above my waist.

Given the soaring humidity of Mumbai, leaving my hair open would frizz it up so much that people would assume I was electrocuted. I decide to do a simple side plait.

I look at my reflection in my mirror. I am wearing a light brown kameez, with a black salwar and matching dupatta and sensible black flat sandals. Accessories comprise of tiny brown plastic earrings and a metal bangle.

I complete my look by applying some kajal to my eyes and a little bit of Vaseline on my lips to keep them moisturized. I am satisfied with my look, which is as plain as one can get. I don't like calling attention to myself, so I always choose to wear muted colors, anything that will help me blend in the background.

Stepping out of my building, the loud sounds of the city assault me. Everyone seems to be shouting to be heard above the din, ironically creating even more noise. I am already a wet, perspiring mess in less than 5 minutes of leaving my house. The stifling humidity hits me hard against my face, as I trudge my way to the bus stop.

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My heart is beating fast, my eyes dilated, adrenaline coursing through my body, fists closed. I am ready to fight - fight to enter the already crowded BEST bus. Pushing, shoving, pulling, yelling, all part of the daily routine of entering a public transportation in Mumbai at peak hours. I succeed. Hurray! Wonders of wonders, I even manage to grab a window seat in the nick of time. Today is my lucky day!

Fifteen minutes later I stand outside the gates of my office building - DeGlobal Corporation, a twenty storey glass and steel structure, surrounded by lush, landscaped gardens and high walls, standing majestically aloof in the posh business district of Bandra-Kurla Complex in Mumbai. As I enter the office complex, I smile at the elderly watchman sitting at the entrance gate "How are you Gopal uncle?" Gopal uncle smiles benignly, with the famous Indian side to side head bobbing motion, which in this case means he is fine/great/doing alright. I nod an acknowledgement, hurrying quickly as I enter the building, mere minutes before the official start of the working day.

I clock in using my ID card, now hung around my neck like a proud medal won in a sporting event and square my shoulders as I push the door open. Another day, another challenge. Here I come!

Craaaaaaaaaash...Boooom!!!!!

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A/N

Here goes my first chapter of my first attempt. I would really appreciate your votes, feedback and comments. I know you may find the first chapter cliched but I promise the following chapters will get more interesting.