Gerald D'Cunha

Pic.: Nicole Gubin T he thought that 2016 – the so-called New Year – would be a ‘leap year’ hadn’t crossed my mind, till a young-man reminded me of it at a function, two days ago. This man told me, that he was trying to go abroad for better prospects; but, he was unwilling to do so in 2016 as it would be a leap year. “I am told, that a leap year is not good for a major decision,” he said with conviction. “Do you believe in that theory?” I asked the young-man, almost amused. “Yes, I do,” came the answer, “I prefer to be a little superstitious when it comes to some things in life.” Well, I preferred to change the topic! 2015 is still not over. The flood-waters in Chennai haven’t fully gone back, yet. Nobody expected 2015 would be so bad for Chennai and its beautiful people… Earthquake shattered Nepal in 2015. Nobody expected that would happen, too, in 2015 for such peace-loving people. Syria, France, Greece were battered in 2015. Gang-rapes and gang-wars...

Y esterday was 11.11.11. It sounded quite rare, mysterious… a bit romantic and a lot scary as well. There was a big deal – a kind of hoopla already created by the media about it. Many expected something great to happen, and many expected something sinister. The day passed. I do not think any thing great or sinister came to pass just because the date happened to be 11.11.11. Moreover, I wondered, when it was 11.11.11. for me, here, in Mumbai, it was not so for someone in the U.S. or Africa. “Hey, what the heck, all this?”… I found it all silly, stupid. A great time pass! And, today it is Saturday. My wife had left for Pune, this morning, to visit my son’s institute. At about 7.45, she messaged me: “I have boarded the bus.” I quickly replied, " Safe journey, darling.” And that was about it. Just another day… another loving thought, for some one you care for. After a while, I left home for my work. Just as I came out of my building, some one stopped his car and offered...