Flashback

Today morning as usual was running across the over bridge at Goregoan station to get into the 9 am local train. While running, got a glimpse of this man and woman walking hand in hand. When it’s just twenty seconds for the train to leave I usually run like a bullet towards the train. In split seconds I bumped into the couple.
I dashed the lady and both of us jolted back. I now sense “stares” at me from all directions. The lady was blind with a stick in her hand and the man holding her tight.
I could see all the people around judging me; I sunk into the ground beneath me and FLASHBACK.
9th standard, all students scoring more than 75% were taken to St. Xavier’s School in town for a science exhibition. I was very excited; Lorraine and one another teacher accompanied us to the exhibition. It was also my first Mumbai local train journey without family.
I got up early excited put on my uniform and reached school. Everything, from the train vendors, to the people travelling and the fighting women in the train seemed exciting to me.
We reached Churchgate station and were walking towards the school. When suddenly I hit an old man and his stick fell down. He was too old to pick up the walking stick. I was standing there watching him struggling to pick up the stick but I just walked away.
I saw my friends helping him out. All of them and the teachers gave me the worst look ever. I can never forget that.
I feel so lost sometimes- I don’t know why I did not help that man. I did not have fun at the exhibition that day.
Today I was reminded of that day….