I requested that I be transferred to Mumbai. Not that I had any qualms with staying in Chennai. In fact, I had loved the time spent there. I learnt a lot in Chennai. It was a home away from home. And the hedonistic lifestyle was addictive.

But 'twas time I took up some responsibility. 'Tis time I grew up.

I arrived in Mumbai today. I was greeted by a light drizzle. Had met a person in the same coach as mine, and he suggested that I get down at Kalyan as it would be closer to IITB. He was a Railway Inspector and quite a few people on the platform knew him. It was good that I was honest in telling him I was new to Mumbai. He was kind enough to help me board the local train to Kanjur Marg.

I was kinda lucky to be arriving on a Saturday noon. The local train was more or less empty and I was soon at Kanjur Marg. And since I feared not being able to get down with my three bags in one go (the train halts for less than a minute), I requested another traveller to help.

Kanjur Marg didn't have no coolies. It would be difficult to carry three bags over a bridge in one go. And this chappy who helped me get off the train himself offered to give me a hand. I was already bowled over by the ordinary Mumbaikar's extra-ordinary kindness.

An auto took me to IITB straight. Had to pay Re.1 less than the metered fare. That's how Mumbai functions. Smooth.

Getting into IITB was easy. I still look like a student. And I passed off as one.

Mansukh greeted me at the KReSIT building and soon-after, we were enjoying lunch at Gulmohar. That's when I got the big news.

'We' was among the 53 films shortlisted for screening at the first India International Disability Film Festival 2005. I wanted to start shouting in happiness and I could picture the scene WE (that's my buddies and I) would have created had I been in Chennai. It was my first film. The theme - 'An inclusive society', the focus being on the differently-abled. And they were ready to screen it before a jury of India's biggies - Mani Ratnam, Jaya Bachchan, Nandita Das, Adoor Gopalakrishnan.. to name a few. I didn't realize it was THAT good. I had just let my heart speak thru the silent B&W film.

Later that afternoon, Mansukh, At-it, Patwari and myself headed to meet a real-estate agent for a place to rent in Powai. Nike also came along and was in awe when he saw the place - as much as the rest of us. We finalized the deal soon after. It had not even been 5hrs since I arrived in Mumbai and I already had my own home.

Nike and I headed for Malad after that. I was looking forward to experiencing the lifestyle at my company's Guest House.

I felt pampered.

I was not used to being called 'Sir'. I had not had dinner on a dining table, since I last visited home about 6months ago. I was also not used to having water poured into a tumbler before drinking it.

God has been too nice to me lately. Now what have I done ?