Saturday, June 12, 2010

A black spot

Monday, August 6, 1945


I was at Hiroshima port for booking a ticket to Australia. It was necessary for safety of my family. As an ex-military officer, I knew something is gonna go wrong. And I think they knew it too. America gave us a warning. But nobody listened. I got fired instead for protesting against attacks. Well, may be its for good. I thought I'll shift to Australia with my family n live in peace for a few years. 


So there I was talking to people at Hiroshima port and I heard noise. I looked above and saw a small black spot far away above main city. Wait, I know what it was, It was an Atomic Bomb. Yeah, there was nuclear attack on Hiroshima city. My city... 


Almost automatically, I ran and jumped in the water. My skin burned. I knew it'll affect less in water so I started swimming. There was no hope for my family. They are all dead. For sure. and I'll be dead too, unless I go as long as possible from this place. Hiroshima port is far away from actual city. but not far enough. The fact that my skin got burned by the flash means It's sure gonna affect me. No point in turning back. No transports gonna help. Reaching nearby island was the only option.


Focus. Keep swimming. Focus. I kept saying to myself. I swam n swam n swam of hours.. and finally I reached Miyajima island. I was exhausted. I don't remember what happened after that but I think I lost my conscience and people helped me. They heard my story. They gave me food. They gave me place to stay. They gave me cloths. They gave me some money. They were so helpful. 
At night, I cried a lot.. for my family.. friends.. relatives.. neighbors.. They were all dead... and for no reason.. just like that..


Next day, I called my sister who was living in different city. Now she was my only relative. She asked me to come to her place. And made me say yes. I thanked all people who helped me and took a boat to Kyoteijomae. I decided to go to Kurokawa by train and then after that by bus via express highway. It was horrible journey. more than a days journey and nothing to do. I remembered the blast again and again. I was not sure if I should call myself lucky. No family, no home, no money is actually like a punishment. I didn't touch newspapers. They were all full of one and only one thing - atomic bomb at Hiroshima.


I reached my sisters house in the evening. I told her whole story.. again..   But this time it was not that painful. Staying with someone you know really helps. Lets forget it for now. There's always a new day. I ate dinner with that thought in my mind. I said good night to my sister and was about to go to my bedroom, I heard a loud sound. I looked out of window. 
It was August 9 at around 10:45 at night. I was looking out of a window of a house in Nagasaki city. And I saw a black spot in the sky... Again... And this time it was right above me...


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[obviously fictional. I don't know if the details are perfect. sorry if somethings not correct.]
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For tomorrow is another day
well that is what we always say
but does optimism always help?
Oh life's such a delusional play...

- Indrani


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Edit2: Abhijit told me there's a guy who survived not just one but both the blasts.. http://goo.gl/x6E0 interesting read..

5 Comments:

Indrani said...

for tomorrow is another day
well that is what we always say
but does optimism always help?
Oh life's such a delusional play

we never know what life holds for us, do we?

Praj ~ said...

Wow! I'm adding it to my post :)
Without asking.. but m sure you'll say yes :)

Salil said...

hhhmmmmm....
the paradox of survival....life is such a bi*ch sometimes!
niiiceeee! well written. :-)

@abhijit - bhari link ahe ti!

@Indrani - OMG! that is bloody brilliant! This is so going to be my next status message!

FrostBite said...

@Praj...nice piece man...keep writing!

@Indrani....you are frigging amazing...where did that quartet jump out of?

Sagar Joglekar said...

nice man ... Loved your post ... Well written :)