The incident I will be narrating, has shown me, how helpless we can be, how little control we can have on things and how God watches us and sends angels to help us.
On the fateful night, Karthik, Vaibhav and me were at home. Vaibhav was over 4 months old and Karthik just over 2 years. Raj was away on dinner and would return home by 11 pm. It was around 9 pm, that I bolted the main door, left Vaibhav on the cot and I went to bathroom to remove my lenses and wash my face. Once I was done, I tried to open the bathroom door, the door wouldn't open. I checked the bolts, corners to see if something was stuck, but it was all clear. I tugged at the door harder but it wouldn't come.....Ooops!!! I realized that Karthik had locked me inside the bathroom!!!! I was inside the bathroom, both the little ones were outside, the main door was locked and it was night!!!.
A chill went through my spine, I started shivering, I was dead scared, I knew Karthik can bolt but can't unbolt.
My heart started racing, my mind started playing the worse possible consequences. With quivering voice, sweat beads on the forehead, tears rolling down my cheeks, I called Karthik and asked him to open the bolt of the door. Poor child tried to open the bolt but was unsuccessful. I cajoled him, begged him to try once more but he was busy playing with a toy and wouldn't listen to me. I got desperate and I banged the door and shouted in desperation "Karthik, open the door, pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeeeee". Hearing the noise, Vaibhav started crying and Karthik hearing the door bang, me shout and Vaibhav cry, started to cry louder. I tried to calm Karthik down and get him to open the door, but to no avail. Both Karthik and Vaibhav kept crying and crying.
What do I do now? I was located on the corner flat on third floor in the apartment. There were buildings next to the apartment, but were at the height of the apartment's first floor. The possibility of someone hearing me was remote. How do I call for help? How to get someone open the door? I started praying, "God, Please help, please take care of my kids." One consolation was, Vaibhav didn't roll yet, so the chances of he falling off the bed was nil.
I climbed on the commode's edge to reach the ventilation window, I tried to shout through it but not of much use. I tried removing each glass slab and shout through it. No one heard! I lost my balance and fell thud on the bathroom floor. I hurt my hand and my knee, but I was not majorly hurt.In an attempt to break open the fixed window, I started hitting harpic bottle against it. Vaibhav and Karthik continued to cry at their top of the voices.I was worried for Vaibhav since he was just over four months old and I had started fearing the worst.
Thank God, a girl, Sangeetha (Angel) from the neighboring house heard me. I told her that I was locked inside the bathroom and both my little kids were outside and crying. I requested her to let the watchman of my apartment know and also to call up my husband and let him know. She called Raj and also informed the watchman of my plight. She and her mother, then stood on their terrace and assured me of the best.
Watchman and practically the entire apartment were at my door, they attempted to open he door.
When they failed they started to break open the door. The noise scared both Karthik and Vaibhav. Both began to yell at top of their voices. Hearing Vaibhav yell, I started praying more and more feverently. My voice form bathroom hardly comforted both of them. Finally, the door was broken and bathroom door was opened. Karthik was stuck to the bathroom door. I immediately took Karthik in my arms. By then Raj returned, I transferred Karthik to him and I picked Vaibhav and comforted him. Tears continued to flow down my eyes and my hands continued to shiver.
About forty people from my apartment had come to help the watchman open the door. I was so thankful to all of them. The entire process took about an hour and during that entire period, Vaibhav and Karthik were crying and I was praying.
Even to this day, when i recall the incident it sends chill through my spine, also I do feel assured that God is watching over us.
On the fateful night, Karthik, Vaibhav and me were at home. Vaibhav was over 4 months old and Karthik just over 2 years. Raj was away on dinner and would return home by 11 pm. It was around 9 pm, that I bolted the main door, left Vaibhav on the cot and I went to bathroom to remove my lenses and wash my face. Once I was done, I tried to open the bathroom door, the door wouldn't open. I checked the bolts, corners to see if something was stuck, but it was all clear. I tugged at the door harder but it wouldn't come.....Ooops!!! I realized that Karthik had locked me inside the bathroom!!!! I was inside the bathroom, both the little ones were outside, the main door was locked and it was night!!!.
A chill went through my spine, I started shivering, I was dead scared, I knew Karthik can bolt but can't unbolt.
My heart started racing, my mind started playing the worse possible consequences. With quivering voice, sweat beads on the forehead, tears rolling down my cheeks, I called Karthik and asked him to open the bolt of the door. Poor child tried to open the bolt but was unsuccessful. I cajoled him, begged him to try once more but he was busy playing with a toy and wouldn't listen to me. I got desperate and I banged the door and shouted in desperation "Karthik, open the door, pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeeeee". Hearing the noise, Vaibhav started crying and Karthik hearing the door bang, me shout and Vaibhav cry, started to cry louder. I tried to calm Karthik down and get him to open the door, but to no avail. Both Karthik and Vaibhav kept crying and crying.
What do I do now? I was located on the corner flat on third floor in the apartment. There were buildings next to the apartment, but were at the height of the apartment's first floor. The possibility of someone hearing me was remote. How do I call for help? How to get someone open the door? I started praying, "God, Please help, please take care of my kids." One consolation was, Vaibhav didn't roll yet, so the chances of he falling off the bed was nil.
I climbed on the commode's edge to reach the ventilation window, I tried to shout through it but not of much use. I tried removing each glass slab and shout through it. No one heard! I lost my balance and fell thud on the bathroom floor. I hurt my hand and my knee, but I was not majorly hurt.In an attempt to break open the fixed window, I started hitting harpic bottle against it. Vaibhav and Karthik continued to cry at their top of the voices.I was worried for Vaibhav since he was just over four months old and I had started fearing the worst.
Thank God, a girl, Sangeetha (Angel) from the neighboring house heard me. I told her that I was locked inside the bathroom and both my little kids were outside and crying. I requested her to let the watchman of my apartment know and also to call up my husband and let him know. She called Raj and also informed the watchman of my plight. She and her mother, then stood on their terrace and assured me of the best.
Watchman and practically the entire apartment were at my door, they attempted to open he door.
When they failed they started to break open the door. The noise scared both Karthik and Vaibhav. Both began to yell at top of their voices. Hearing Vaibhav yell, I started praying more and more feverently. My voice form bathroom hardly comforted both of them. Finally, the door was broken and bathroom door was opened. Karthik was stuck to the bathroom door. I immediately took Karthik in my arms. By then Raj returned, I transferred Karthik to him and I picked Vaibhav and comforted him. Tears continued to flow down my eyes and my hands continued to shiver.
About forty people from my apartment had come to help the watchman open the door. I was so thankful to all of them. The entire process took about an hour and during that entire period, Vaibhav and Karthik were crying and I was praying.
Even to this day, when i recall the incident it sends chill through my spine, also I do feel assured that God is watching over us.
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| Broken door |
