Life is a challenge for all; only the magnitude of the challenges varies from person to person. While you were bickering about no power and internet during the storm, I was literally fighting a battle for my survival. If you can see the natural disaster through my eyes, a street dweller, I am sure you will only be more grateful to the Almighty for the life you have been given.

I was not always like this, I too had a home, but the wheel of my fortune took such a turn that now I call the streets and the pavements my home. As a routine, I sit at various spots along a particular road. Though no one talks to me, God is kind to me, for I find food every single day without fail. I think the people around here are very kind so someone or the other gives me something to eat once during the day. I eat some of it during the day and save the rest for the night.

Like every other day, I was sitting on the roadside, with no one to disturb, and not many people were seen on the road either. I do not know what is happening these days; I do not see the streets crowded or many people on the streets. The schools are also closed, but never mind. It means it’s easier for me to have my makeshift home entirely to myself. So, that day, as I gazed at the sky, which was one of my daily activities, I saw clouds gather. I love the rain, so I was happy that it was going to rain and I could clean myself.

As time passed, it grew darker and darker, and strong winds started to rant and rave. It was day time, but looked like the night. Understanding that it would rain for a long time, I knew I had to change my position. Slowly and clumsily I got up, picked up my bag of the remaining food and began walking towards a shade under a shop. By the time I could reach the spot, something went into my eyes; I was trying to get it out while walking, but I could barely walk. So there I was down on my fours. I felt like a baby crawling my way to the place I found.

By the time I reached my shelter, it had started pouring, and the wind was wreaking havoc right in front of my eyes, I kept moving under the shade, but it was not helping. Getting wet was not a problem, but I was feeling scared for I saw things being hurled from one place to another. From nowhere a big piece of some hard plastic came and struck me on the head.

I yelled in pain, but there was no one except my street dog, Golu, who heard it. This time it was not the hardened hearts of the people, but the sound of the wind that prevented my voice from being heard. I knew I had got a cut; I was bleeding, I held my head and sat down, Golu my faithful pal licked my wound, it gave me some relief. The dog that was so long howling and whining because he was afraid of the storm too now forgot his fear and tended to my bruise. I smiled even in that moment of destruction.

Just beside the shop where I was trying to take shelter, there was the garage of a house, but the main gate was locked. I presumed at that time that was the best place to find refuge but could see no one. Gathering courage and holding the fresh wound with one hand, I walked to the gate. The pain was intense, but I banged the gate with all the strength left in me. There was no response, and the wind kept getting stronger. To help me, Golu kept barking loudly as well. The rain was now hurting, and I was shivering. Trees kept breaking here and there, and the loud sounds of the thunder were very horrifying. That day, perhaps after a decade, I said a small prayer asking for protection for Golu and me; and the gatekeeper came. He unlocked the door and let me and Golu in. I was more than thankful but could not utter a word. By the time we went inside, it had become too dark to see outside. I settled in one corner, and after giving himself a thorough shake, Golu came and sat beside me. I requested him not to make any noise since we were inside someone else's property. He obeyed. We both sat there wet and trembling in fear and cold. We sat up all night; I felt like a soldier at a war site. The sound of things breaking, shattering, being ripped off; still rings in my ears.

The gatekeeper suddenly appeared and said that it was almost dawn, the storm had weakened and the rain almost stopped. In a very sorry voice, he told me that I should leave as soon as day breaks; else the residents could get upset. I smiled and thanked him for giving me and Golu shelter for the night.

I left at the break of dawn, but what I saw outside was unimaginable. I had never before seen such a level of wreckage. I did not know whether to thank God or to get more angry. I somehow found another spot and went and sat there with Golu. I felt so overwhelmed that I hugged him and cried that day.

The storm had destroyed practically everything, but thinking of the kind of danger I was exposed to and yet survived was something that I could not absorb. Within a few minutes, I met three angels in the form of three boys. They came up to me and asked me to go along with them. Not knowing who they were I refused, but they insisted. Not being able to drive them away I demanded that they should allow Golu too. They agreed and took me to a nearby government school.

Since the schools were closed, they said I could stay there for some time till the mess on the roads was cleared. They had some clothes, food and empty water bottles for me. There was a tube well on the school ground where I cleaned myself and filled the bottles. Like always, I shared my food with Golu and then we felt a little comfortable.

Living on the roadside and streets for years I had lost the value of life, I only thought it was a burden and waited for it to end soon. But this storm, amphan, as those boys told me, changed my perspective towards life. I learnt it does not matter where you stay, what matters is that you value anything and everything you own.
© Arked