A city that never sleeps

"The city is always in a rush"

Aryan was sitting in the front seat while Osho was driving the Kali peli.

Dakshita was quietly just sitting behind and had not said a word.

Aryan looked at the lights, buildings and people rushing by him. He began to get lost in his thoughts.

To him it seemed like the people of The city were always rushing never quite stopping to just think and let the atmosphere around them sink in.

Back in the real word Aryan had lived in the city for a while with his grandfather when he was still studying in school.

To him it seemed as if Mumbai was both a city of Hopes but also a city do broken dreams.

He was quite sociable so he had meet many people.

Among them quite a few of them had come from the hinterlands of India in order to try their luck in the film industry.

But ultimately most of them failed while continuously running behind the film directors and producers but to no avail.

However for those who just wanted money there was plenty this city had to offer. However there was a popular saying.

You could make money in Mumbai but the moment you leave the city it will be taken back

The principle diety of the city was 'Mumba Devi' the main goddess of the Koli fishing community, the original inhabitants of the seven islands of Mumbai.

It was said that she would allow anyone who came to city realise their success and dreams. She was the goddess of wealth and success.

But when leaving the city one would have to return the blessing to the goddess whether they liked it or not.

Aryan looked at Osho who was focused on driving the taxi

'Life as a taxi driver is probably hard for Osho'

He knew about the iconic 'Kali peli' of the city. The meaning of the word was black and yellow taxis.

It was considered a heritage of Mumbai city, even featuring in many bollywood films.

However back on the real word or he could even say 'future' Kali peeli faced some heavy competition from modern 'Uber' systems of car.

Kali peli drivers had tough lives, even though the city did support them. They even had special 'Kali peli' only zones in the city such as Lower Parel.

They drivers were payed according to the 'meter' board placed inside every Kali peli.

The funny thing was that one did'nt need to know all the streets of Mumbai very well to be a taxi driver of a Kali peli.

You could just ask the customer to direct you. If it was tourist you could simply ask people directions along the way.

He looked at Dakshita in the back seat who also seemed to be lost in thought while looking at out of the window in the back seat.

He thought

'Mumbai is also a city of opportunities for journalists as well'

He knew that several there were several prominent newspaper brands whose headquarters were established in Mumbai

He could name a few of his head 'The Hindu' , 'The Times of India' ,'The Maharashtra Times' and many more.

Mumbai was city in which there was always something or the other happening. So there was also some scoop for reporters to get.

There was always something even if they were part of the parparzi who chased Bollywood stars or journalist who reported general affairs of the city.

However a reporter had to be careful which waters they stepped into. If they angered some one high above it wasn't too far fetched you would be get killed by gangsters or contract killers.

Osho said

"We have reached the Fort area now boss"

Aryan replied

"Okay"

He looked outside again, he could the gothic architecture from the colonial era. The gargoyles standing on the top of the buildings seemed to stare straight into the soul.

He knew the architecture he wasn't pure gothic, but was in fact a fusing of Mughal and Gothic architecture. Mughal style was itself a combination of the Hindu and Islamic style of architecture.

So therefore the architecture of this building was a fusion of three different styles Hindu style, Islamic style and Gothic style. This new fusion of styles was called 'Indo- Saracenic' style of architecture.

It was commonly used all over India in colonial era buildings, even the buildings or princely states.

Aryan became a bit emotional, the colonised had long gained freedom from the colonisers. But their architecture remained and became a part of the culture.

Aryan's thoughts were stopped midway when he saw that they were nearing Chhatrapati Shivaji station or Victoria terminus.

He knew the last locating of Jigar was here since he had quite literally broadcasted it to the rest of the underworld in the city.

Aryan had gut feeling and thought

'I know it's probably too late but I hope he is fine'

So many things were happening but the city of Mumbai refused to stop and people continued on with their fast paced lives

A city that never sleeps