The Choice
Today’s message was contributed by one of our subscribers, Prajakta Khalatkar. She shares her experiences of the Mumbai floods and the insights she has gained.
The Choice
It was 26th July 2005. Mumbai was completely drenched in rainfall. The deadly torrent of flood was as though determined to swallow all lives.
In the heavy monstrous winds of storm, I found myself moving on a blank road. It was all full of water, running madly like an uncontrolled disaster. Heavy downpour was accompanied with havoc, the path ahead was not to be seen, no support to hold on to. People were all panicky, not finding any place to hide, to rescue their lives.
I, along with many others, who were stuck in the flood, were trying to find the way back home. For me, it used to be hardly 10 minutes to walk home from this place. But today, it seemed far away to me, as far as the North Pole. I anticipated that if I keep standing here, slowly with the rise in the water level, I would get washed away in the flood. Water was gushing towards me; I had all at stake and nothing to hold. But I decided to walk ahead, determined that I wouldn’t quit until my last breath.
As I moved ahead, the water level rose to my waist. I was walking on the divider of the road, hoping to be a little comfortable on a height. Suddenly, my foot slipped, and I was back on the base. I feared the presence of open manholes, which I had seen on the road when it wasn’t flooding. Lots of thoughts occupied my mind. The faces of all loved ones, all my unfulfilled dreams, all my pending tasks, everything.
I was seeing death in front of me, with its jaws wide open. A cold current moved through my body and I felt this is the end of my story. Tomorrow, probably my family would find my dead body floating in some river nearby. The entire trauma passed through my eyes like a horror movie. I felt I could move no more. I was tired. I could no longer push myself ahead. I could feel the force of death pushing me into the flood.
I had nothing, just a moment with me. I looked at the sky to see if I can see the presence of almighty anywhere. My glance was accompanied with my silent prayer, which was seemingly the last one in this life span. Just then, suddenly something inside me said –
“You have the choice!”
Instantly, somehow, I decided! I would survive! I would not get carried away! I am mightier than this negative force! Far superior to this!
And….Yes! I got my energy back; a ray of hope was there. I placed my foot a little ahead, unaware of what was there. To my surprise, I was moving ahead, my feet were able to find the space to step further. I could see the way ahead, to my home and then I didn’t look back until I reached home!
Those two hours of my life still play their role in the dark hours of despair. When nothing seems to go my way, at the end of all possible unfruitful efforts, something still says,
“You have the choice!”
And just then, I find that what put me on hold stands meek and weak in front of my mighty soul!
Prajakta Khalatkar lives in India. She is a software engineer as well as a talented poetess. You can read her poems at her blog: http://prajaktablossoms.blogspot.com .