When the Ground Moved below Manesar


It was close to 2AM at night. The cricket match between India and South Africa was coming to a conclusion. The tail-ender, Ashish Nehra hit a four and India won the match. A few seconds later, the earth vibrated in celebration. It was a celebration of victory, a rebellion against the established order.
I noticed the earthquake while I was sitting on my bed with my laptop open. Diptendu was lying on his bed, and listening to the match update from me, as it happened. There was an earthquake alright. It wasn’t registering in my mind. Then we both got out of our beds and went out. And the next thing that I knew, the hostel corridors were filled with inmates all risen from their slumber with the same apprehension and excitement.
Sourav Ghosh exclaimed, “The glass was shaking.”
Subhodipda joked around, “Show’s over now everyone go to bed!”
Anya came from her floor all excited, “There’s been an earthquake, an earthquake!” It was more an expression of extreme joy of feeling something novel rather than an apprehension of an earthquake. I was only thinking that it could have been worse and we could all have been razed to the ground. Call it wishful thinking.
“The institute building could have fallen apart, why didn’t it?” someone said, but I don’t remember who it was. There was too much euphoria about experiencing an earthquake. It was the first for me as well, and it was sure a unique thing to feel. It shook the shell and broke the pattern that was deep-rooted in our minds. Then again I have to accept that in the lackluster life of the scientist such an unexpected phenomenon is a welcome break. How ironic, isn’t it?

Comments

  1. UnknownJanuary 19, 2011 at 9:24 AM

    u guys sure find interesting ways of keeping urselves amused!! kuddos :P :D

    ReplyDelete

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