'It feels wonderful to be alive:Juhi Chaw

'It feels wonderful to be alive'

Back from Phuket after the tsunami struck, actress Juhi Chawla-Mehta recounts her experience

My family — that is my husband Jay and my two kids and I — had gone with a large group to Phuket, Thailand, and were staying at a resort. It was early that morning when the first effect of the earthquake was felt. The bed shook violently. But I thought it was just Jay trying to be discreetly restless — trying not to wake me up. I kept on sleeping.
It was much later that we heard that it was the quake. We were astounded by the tsunami that followed. The invisible hand of God must've protected us, how else to explain it? There were stories filtering in of hotels washed away, of people stranded. And at our hotel, even though the huge waves struck, we were spared.
I got calls from our friends Zeba and Rajesh Kohli whose hotel too, had been struck. They managed to text message us that they were taking refuge behind a large mountain. At our own hotel, people were having breakfast by the seaside when someone noticed the sea recede — a warning that a tsunami was about to build up and strike. Then the flood waters kept rising. People moved from the first level of the resort to the higher levels. Thankfully our room was at the back and high enough.
I must say that the Thai authorities were quick to respond. Phone lines were restored ASAP. The locals began providing food, transport and basics to those stranded. There were warnings that there could be more waves or quakes, but Jay and I decided to stay on. I mean, if something had to happen, it could happen anywhere. So we said a prayer and stayed on. The hotel made arrangements for a quiet dinner and floating deeyas to create a mystical evening — we all prayed when the candlelights went up in the sky. A prayer for those less fortunate. The only times we were fearful was at night, when fears tend to run riot. Of course, I refused to leave my babies alone after that. I made sure they were always with me. All this makes us value what we all have. It just feels wonderful to be alive. As told to OMAR QURESHI

THANKFUL: Juhi Chawla Mehta