No, no this is not my 26th post (though actually blogger displays this as my 26th in my dashboard, since I haven’t published 4 other posts yet). This is about the date, the 26th, which I surmise from what I found is the unluckiest number for India. I had this doubt ever since the Mumbai blasts occurred on November 26, 2008. My mind immediately went back to the tsunami, which also occurred on December 26, 2004 (I witnessed it firsthand in fact).…

The last rays of the winter sun fell on the window beside me when my cell phone started ringing. It was Akhilesh. “Hello papa? When are you coming home? It is almost six o clock!!!” He was almost screaming into the phone. “Just leaving office, beta.” I replied. I had forgotten that it was the last Wednesday of the month. “Sorry beta had some important work. Will be there in twenty minutes.…

The time was exactly 11 PM when the phone rang. Its shrill ring filled the house and I rushed and picked up the receiver before mom and dad could wake up. “Hello?” My voice was very sleepy. “Hello. Can I speak to Mr. Anantharaman? I’m his friend Rajan speaking.” “I’m sorry. It is the wrong number.” I replied, camouflaging my irritation as far as possible. “Oh I am sorry. Please forgive me.…

“Eat something and go!” My mom shouted from the kitchen. “No, ma. It is already late! I’m leaving. Bye!!” I shouted back and as I went out through the front door, I tripped on the carpet and almost fell down. Unfortunately, my mom happened to see this. “Come inside, sit down, and drink water. It is a bad sign if you trip when you are going out.” she told me.…