Memoirs Of A Terror Victim

Dear One,

I just turned 24 and I am dead already. I am now spending sleepless nights in my grave, hoping that someone might pay heed to my deathly words. I speak to you from my grave, so that you understand how it feels to be dead and gone in seconds. It's sad, you never listened to me when I was alive, at least listen to me, now that I am dead.'

I did not expect my life to come to an end so abruptly. I had grand dreams to fulfill and responsibilities to attend to. Who knew that one cup of coffee at a local restaurant would change my life forever; in fact take my very life. Life can be so unpredictable and unfair to an extent that it slips away without any fore warning.'

'Well, it was another weekend just like the rest - lazy and cozy. I wanted to catch up with some old friends and spend time over a steaming cup of coffee and weekly happenings. The haunt was a place where I visited quite often. Rustic and relaxed in it's setting, it was a home away from home for many like me. Moreover, the food was good and the people, even better. All seemed so well and normal when suddenly my whole life virtually tumbled down like an unstable deck of cards.'

'A deafening noise rocked the whole place and black smoke mixed with pandemonium billowed everywhere. No one knew what had happened. I thought, it could be a gas cylinder that had given away, but wasn't too sure. I could see people screaming and crying for help and in minutes the whole place wore a ghastly mood of death. Suddenly a frightening thought emerged from the recesses of my fading mind - Was I a victim of terrorism?'

'I did not feel any pain nor could tell whether I was losing blood by the second. In fact, I could feel nothing. My ears were humming a long unfamiliar note, my eyes were playing tricks on me and my mind was numb with fear. I knew something was horribly wrong. I couldn't move my limp body an inch further, but my mind was racing between the past and the future. It was like a movie being rewinded and played in slow motion for me to enjoy and relive every bit of it. I knew deep inside that the movie was coming to an end very soon.'

'In my mind's eye, I saw all my loved ones shedding tears of grief over a dead body. The body was mutilated and beyond human recognition. I, too, for a while was wondering who's the body might be. It was not at all a pleasant sight even to vaguely dream of. Then it struck me like a crude bolt of lightening; the mutilated body was unfortunately mine - I was dead.'

'Now, I speak to you as a victim of terror. I too was like you when I was alive. I had strong opinions against terrorism and wanted to remove this nameless evil from human society. The 26/11 blasts were still fresh in my mind and I wanted to do my bit in eradicating this vice forever. I campaigned with various anti-terror groups, led a candle-night vigil for all the tragic souls who lost their lives in terror attacks, posted strong comments on networking sites expressing my disgust and support. Then one day, I became the victim of the very cause I was fighting for.'

'How I wish, someone would have listened and took notice when I was still alive. I could have lived a few more happy years with my family and friends. All that everyone does, is shed a few tears of sorrow and speak a few strong words of resentment against terrorism and move on with their lives. They forget everything only to be remembered once again by a rude explosion or some breaking news on a TV channel. Then the whole drama is re-enacted all over again. I am sorry to say, but it has become such a meaningless farce.'

'These are my last words to you from the beyond. What happened once may not happen again; but if it happens a second time, be sure, it will happen a third. History is famous for repeating itself time and again when you least expect. Do not become a victim of terror as I; it is not worth it. Do something before it's too late. Take your life seriously and join the cause to eradicate terror by it's very roots.'

'It's just a matter of one decision and that could change your life and millions of others forever.'

'I know you hate terrorism as much as I did, but are "YOU" doing something about it?'

'I am dead; but you are still alive (at least for now). You can do something about it.

Won't you?'

Peace in oneself. Peace in the world.

P.S - This is in no way to hurt the sentiments of anyone living or dead. It is my humble tribute to the ones who lost their lives in the recent bomb blasts and a reminder call for the rest of us to take heed.