How to hold on for dear life-chapter 1
It was eleven p.m. on a cold December night in Mumbai and I found myself somewhere I had never been before. It is not a metaphor for my psychological state, though it would be apt. I had a postcard given to me by my friend ( if you could call him that...anyways more of that later) when I was in Shimla. it had the picture of the sea link in Mumbai. When I saw that postcard I knew I wanted to be in this city. That was the moment I fell in love with Mumbai. I have been here for about a year now and knew almost every place. It isn't because I am big on adventure or travelling but because I can't afford a car, when you walk a lot you know a lot more about a place than people in their big cars. I am walking towards the sea link now the one of very few places I have not seen in this city.
I was searching for my happy place in the city and knew it wouldn't be instant, but I was hoping this place could do it. It was dark, the skyline was lit up in the background, and although the new buildings along the docks created a different image from my old postcard, the reflections of the lights in the dark ocean still seemed the same. It had all the right elements of the post card.
Apart from one thing.
A lone man, dressed in black, clinging to the outside of the bridge. He looked down at the ocean below. A small crowd had gathered there. They were standing looking at the man on the bridge. I joined them in their shock, thinking just one thing "NOT AGAIN".
Someone had called the police and they were discussing how long it would take them to arrive, and how they might not get there on time. They were all debating what to do. I looked at the man on the bridge and thought about the countless lives that would be impacted by his need to end his pain, his inability to see another way out.
Suddenly adrenalin pumped through my body and there was no other decision I could make. I had no choice: I had to save the man on the bridge.
'Hello' I called gently, not wanting to give him a fright and send him into the water.' Please don't be alarmed I am not going to touch you'.
He turned to look at me, then his eyes went straight back down to the ocean.' My name is Nandani', I said talking slowly, steady steps towards him. 'Don't come any closer' he shouted, his voice revealing his panic.
'Okay I am staying here, keep focus I don't want you to fall' I said. "FALL?" he looked up quickly and down again. Do you think I care if I fall? Do you think I got here by accident?'
'What's your name?' I asked.
"Leave me alone" he snapped, then added gently "please" even in distress he was polite. 'I don't need your help.'
'I do like to talk to you.' I moved tiny bit closer.
'Please go away. I want to be on my own. I didn't want any of this. I didn't want a scene, I just want to do this. On my own. I just... didn't think it would take so long.' He swallowed.
'Look, nobody is going to come near you unless I say so. So there's no panic, no rush, you don't need to do anything without thinking it through. We have a lot of time. All I ask for you is to talk to me and yeah I would like to know your name.'
There was nothing from him. A wave of emotions rushed through me and I wanted to cry, I wanted to break down and cry. I wasn't able for this. I was on the verge of giving up and returning to the small crowd of spectators to tell them I couldn't do it, that I didn't want to be responsible for another victim, when he spoke.
"manik."
'Okay' I said, relived he was engaging with me.' I want to help you manik' I added. 'There is no point' he replied casually.' Give me a chance to show you that even though it may feel like this is the only option, there are many more. Your mind is so tired now let me help you down. Then we can look at the choices. They may be hard to see at the moment, but they do exist. For the time being though let's get off the bridge.'
'Sorry.' His fingers loosened on the iron bars, his body leaned forward, away from the railing.
'Manik!' I dashed forward, pushed my arms through the railings and wrapped them tight around his chest, pulling him back so hard that he slammed into the railing. I buried my face in his woolly jacket, squeezed my eyes shut and held on tight. I waited for him to pull away, wondered how I would keep my grip on him, knowing that I wouldn't be able to for long if he used his strength to resist me. I waited for a spectator to come running and take over. I was out of my depth, what did I think I was doing? I squeezed my eyes shut, rested my head on the back of his head; he smelled of aftershave, clean, like he had just taken a shower. He smelled alive, like someone who was on his way somewhere, not someone who had been planning of jumping of the bridge. He felt strong and full of life too. I held on to him determined never to let go. What had made him want to end his life was the thought on back of my mind.
so there it is... the first chapter⭐️ and that is all i have written till now... please let the likes and comments keep coming it is encouraging and special😳...and all your feedback is so important😃
Edited by vihaa - 10 years ago
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