The Gate

It was 7:12am. I had 8 minutes to reach the bus stop, that is, if I dont want to miss the bus. It usually takes me 9 mins. I wud hav to hurry today. I have everything I need. I dont think I wud need anything today. But still, I am carrying what I carry with me everyday. My bag with its assortment of papers, files, everything I hav dumped in it for sometime now. My mobile, its fully charged.Good. I lock my house. Check the time. 6 mins. Run down the stairs. Its empty, as it always is at this time. I hurry out of the building. I see the dhobi ironing some clothes. He looks up and smiles at me. I smile back. “Hurry up, sir. Think you r running late today!”. I nod to him and move on. I have seen him every single day, in the same place, for the last 2 years. I never give my clothes to him. We still greet each other everyday. The street looks deserted than usual. I walk along in haste.

The clothes are hanging out to dry. They r fluttering slightly in the early morning breeze. I still cant believe these people wash their clothes so early in the morning. I always see them and wonder y. My steps have quickened. The empty cases are lined up next to the electricity post. They wud have contained packets of milk sometime ago. Now they r all gone. As always. Empty. Neatly stacked. I feel my pulse quicken. The one place I look forward to every morning. It will be there just around the corner. I can see the terrace of the building already. One of the biggest houses I have ever seen. And then it comes up…..

The gate. The most ornately designed gate I have ever seen. The gate would be easily 12 feet high at the centre. The gates joined at the centre in an arch which curled up. It had equally spaced vertical lines. The lines had round objects that looked like jugs placed around them. These jugs formed a beautiful pattern. It was that of a small garden with a beautiful flower at the centre. The gate was so wide that one could not easily see the entire pattern the first time. I had passed it several times before I realised this. The gate was always closed. I have never seen anyone walking through that gate in the 2 years that I have been around.

Something was different today. I did not notice it immediately because it was something my mind rejected initially. One of the gates was open. It was pushed slightly inward. I had always wondered which way they opened, as the hinges were craftily hidden. I stood there in the middle of the road staring at the open gate. Millions of thoughts racing through my mind. One stood out. Why was the gate open? I dont know how long I just stood there staring at the open gate. When I realised I was getting late, I already was. But I slowly walked away from the place towards the stop. I had missed the bus. It did not matter. The gate was open.

I took the next bus. I dont know when the bus came or when I got in. I did not realise that the place I usually sit, 2nd seat from last, window was already taken. I sat somewhere, my mind was still on the gate. Why was it open? Of all the days, why today? I bought my ticket. 3 rupees 75 paise. What do I do now? Do I go ahead? Everything was going on smoothly. I had everything sorted out yesterday before I went to sleep. I had planned the entire day. But I did not expect this to happen. Now I was late for work. I have never been late to work before. I have never seen the gate open before. I saw the images of the city racing by. I hardly noticed the Insurance hoarding I wud see everyday. I did not know when the temple passed by. The bus came to a stop. It was my stop. I got up and pushed myself through the throng of people and got down. I looked up at the building ahead of me. My office. It was 17 stories tall. I walked towards it. I looked at my watch. 8:03. I was late for work. By 3 mins. No, 5 mins. It will take me 2 mins to reach my office on the first floor.

I climbed the stairs. Why were they open? My cubicle was at the far end of the floor. I saw people bent over their tables, on the phones, rapidly typing, busy people…..busy at work. Nobody even noticed I was late. I walked slowly to my desk. A little too slowly. I dont know y, but everything seemed to be happening in slow motion. I saw Mrs.Baid at her desk next to me. She was on the phone. She looked up at me and smiled as I walked past her. I smiled back. I reached my desk and placed my bag in the corner. I looked up at the clock on the wall. It was 8:05. I turned on my computer. I had a lot to do today. Today. I kept thinking about the gate. Ravi came with my cup of tea at 10 and he placed it on my desk. I went out for lunch at 12:30. Was back at my desk at 1:15. Chatted with Mrs.Baid for 15 mins. Her maid was sick again and hadnt come. She had to do all the work today.

The first day I moved into the apartment, I unpacked all my stuff and went around for a stroll to familiarise myself with the place. After walking a few mins I came across this huge gate. I was really amazed by it. It was so huge, yet so beautiful. I wondered what lay behind the gate. I stood there for sometime, hoping someone would come out and I would get a peek. But noone did. After that, whenever I used to pass the gate, I wud hope that someone wud come out that gate. I never saw a soul. And today, the gate was open.

I heard Mrs.Baid’s voice asking me something. I looked at her. I dont know what I answered. But she seemed happy with my answer and she walked back to her desk. I sat down and got back to work. When I looked up it was 5pm and there was a cup of cold tea lying on my table. People were leaving the building. Mrs.Baid turned up reminding me it was 5. I always left at 5. I told her I will be staying for some more time. She frowned at me and left saying goodbye. I looked up and said, Goodbye. I leaned back in my chair. I had another 3 hours to kill. I knew my mind will go back to the last 2 years. I did not want to think about them. I tried not to, But I cudnt stop myself. But there really wasnt anything to think. I had lived the same day again and again. It was like watching a scene in a movie, rewinding it and watching it all over again.

I had thought about this all week or was it all month. I really dont know when the thought actually came to my mind. But it did. And then everything made sense. It took me a month to realise what was right. Or rather, what was wrong. It took me a day to realise what I had to do about it. Was it yesterday? It feels like ages ago. But the decision had been made. I know what I had to do now. The building will be empty by 8. I jus have to take the lift. It had all been so clear yesterday.

But the gates were not open yesterday. They were today. Why do my thoughts keep going back to the gate? I closed my eyes.

I opened my eyes. My eyes rested on the clock on the wall. It was 7:58. I got up suddenly. I felt a moan ripping through my throat. My lips mouthed a No. It is not going to be today. It is not going to be ever. The gates are open. I have to see whats beyond the gate. I am not going to die today.

The gate is open.