2Blue

Have you ever travelled by local train in Mumbai? If you have, please accept my apologies.

 

You see, you are reading this on a device that many cannot afford. You don't really need to travel by trains anymore. Then again, sometimes we need to look back to move forward. We need to remember where we come from.

 

Every day, countless dreamers come to Mumbai. In 1997, I was one of them. But everything about the city seemed to be a lie when I heard these words at the station:

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“Churchgate ke liye jalad local platform #2 par aarahi hai.”

("Fast train for Churchgate is arriving on platform #2.")

 

Up until that moment, I swear to God I had not been pushed that hard in my life. And as I stood there, struggling to balance my 57 kg frame on a single toe, I found my face in someone's armpit. I was 22—a fresh engineering graduate from NIT Agartala—and by the time the train crossed Andheri, my shirt, my tie, my certificates, my resume, my hopes and dreams... they were crushed beyond repair. And by the time the train crossed Bandra, I fainted. But here’s the thing about Mumbai: our trains do not let us fall. They are just that crowded. I stayed afloat. And I heard a motherly voice whisper these comforting words:

 

"Tension mat le. Sab theek ho jayega. Baith idhar."

("Don't worry. Everything will be alright. Sit here.")

​

I was given a window-seat, a modak, and I was told:

 

"Tera sugar level kam ho gaya hai. Tension mat le. Yeh Ganpati ka prasad hai. Sab theek ho jayega."

("Your sugar level has dropped. Don't worry. This is Ganpati's prasad. Everything will be alright.")

 

At this point, the train stopped at Mumbai Central. I gathered what was left of my dignity and looked up. But in that crowd, I couldn't tell who the woman was. But she stayed on my mind. I reached Churchgate. Went for my interview. Didn’t get the job. But I knew I would be alright. Because I could still hear those comforting words:

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"Tension mat le. Sab theek ho jayega."

("Don't worry. Everything will be alright.")

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Now I have been living in Mumbai for more than 27 years. I still hear those words. I still think of her. She is the one who kept me from falling when I was 22. She is the reason I am still standing at 50. Mumbai, Bombay, call Her what you like. She is the mother who will never stop loving.

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SONG #1: MUMBAI

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A slice of heaven with a messy side
She’s got summer warmth in her embrace
You can't help but fall in love
She's a photograph you can't erase

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She'll give you wings so you can fly
And your dreams will see the sun
In her arms you'll believe 
Life for you has just begun

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She'll make you cry happy tears
Hold your hand in the rain

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Announcement:
"Agla station, Andheri!"

("Next station, Andheri!")

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Mumbai, she's the guiding star
Let her shine on you 
No matter who you are

No matter who you are

Life is a one-way ride
You gotta hold on to your dreams
Call her name like a little prayer
Go beyond, go within

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She'll hold the moon singing lullabies
Take away your crown of thorns
Nurse your wounds, wash you clean
Save you from the howling storm

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She'll make you smile through your tears
Like the sun in the rain

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Announcement:

"Agla station, Bandra!"

("Next station, Bandra!")

Mumbai, she's the guiding star
Let her shine on you
No matter who you are

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No matter who you are or what you do
Her arms are open wide
She’ll take a chance on you

No matter who you are or what you do
Her arms are open wide
She’ll take a chance on you

 

Announcement:

"Agla station, Mumbai Central!"

("Next station, Mumbai Central!")

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Mumbai, she's the guiding star
Let her shine on you
No matter who you are

 

Mumbai, through the sun and rain
Keep the faith 
Keep the faith in that name

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Announcement:
"Agla station, Churchgate!"

("Next station, Churchgate!")

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_____________________________________

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Thank you for staying. If you close your eyes and take a long deep breath, you too could hear the words:

 

"Tension mat le. Sab theek ho jayega."

("Don't worry. Everything will be alright.")

​

Okay, I have to tell you this:

 

On August 8, 2019. I played the worst show of my life. It was so bad that by the end of it, I had to hide. But someone still managed to find me. Someone beautiful, kind, and somewhat funny. She smiled nervously, clicked a selfie, and exclaimed, "THIS IS THE BEST NIGHT OF MY LIFE!"

I didn't believe her. But in hindsight, I understand.
 

Throughout the pandemic, this is the woman who nursed my spirit. She spoke to me when no one else did. She was there. And so I began to write a song about her. I stayed up all night searching for the words. Then by the time I reached this bridge, I saw the first glimpse of light.
 

I'm enough
I'm enough
I'm enough
'Cause I've found you
 

When I sing it, I tear up a little. I will tell you why. But first, let me ask you: How rich would you like to be? How much money would you like to have? Now imagine the universe sends you ten times that amount. How rich does that make you feel? That's how rich that woman made me feel when I had nothing. And so I named the song, 'I'm A Billionaire.' Do you understand now why I tear up?

 

SONG #2: I'M A BILLIONAIRE

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I've been tried by the sands of time
I closed my eyes, wished that I was blind
I believe I was sinking in the sand
I held out my hand
 

I was fallen on the ground
You broke the silence without a sound
I saw you, I turned around
And in your eyes, it's me I really found

Hey, I'm a billionaire
Hey, 'cause I've found you
Hey, I'm a billionaire
Yes, you know it's true
'Cause in finding you, I found me too
Hey hey hey, I'm a billionaire 

I've been tried by the sands of time
I've been painting way outside the lines
I believe I'm strong enough to stand
'Cause you held my hand​

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I was so tired of this town
It had me cryin' without a sound
Then I saw you, and I turned around
'Cause in your eyes, it's me I really found

Hey, I'm a billionaire
Hey, 'cause I've found you
Hey, I'm a billionaire
Yes you know it's true
'Cause in finding you, I found me too
Hey hey hey, I'm a billionaire

 

I'm enough

I'm enough
I'm enough

'cause I've found you

 

I'm enough

I'm enough
I'm enough

'cause I've found you

 

I'm enough

I'm enough
I'm enough

'cause I've found you

 
'Cause in finding you, I found me too
Hey hey hey, I'm a billionaire 

​

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_____________________________________

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And that brings us to 'Silver Lining.' There is a chance you will see a bit yourself in this story.

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SONG #3: SILVER LINING

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Small-town boy, daddy's pride and joy
Up and left to fill a void

And there she was, his girl of dreams
In the rain he left her back in
 

The city sun ain't for everyone
She asked him, "Are you willing to burn?"
And when he cried on the phone at night
She asked him, "Baby, have you even tried?"

 

What you seek is seeking you
This is not the end
What you seek is seeking you
Your life is in your hands

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When you see the silver lining
When you see the stars aligning 
You will see your life's a love affair

When you see the silver lining
When you see the stars aligning 
You will see your life's a love affair

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With nowhere to stay, no prayers left to say
Yet again he lied on the phone at night

"Of course baby, I'm alright" 

​

She knew him well enough to tell
He was searching for heaven in hell
Said, "Baby, you are all you need
Hold your head up high and just believe"

​

What you seek is seeking you
This is not the end
What you seek is seeking you
Your life is in your hands

When you see the silver lining
When you see the stars aligning 
You will see your life's a love affair
When you see the silver lining
When you see the stars aligning 
You will see your life's a love affair
 

Her voice on the phone, it felt like his own
He chose to fight the darkness inside
And find a way back to the light

 

The city sun ain't for everyone
Home is where we have to return
'nother night, 'nother one-way ride
And in her arms he broke down and cried
 

What you seek is seeking you
Seeking 'til the end
What you seek is seeking you
Your life is in your hands

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When you see the silver lining
When you see the stars aligning 
You will see your life's a love affair

​

When you see the silver lining
When you see the stars aligning 
You will see your life's a love affair

​You will see your life's a love affair
You will see your life's a love affair

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_____________________________________

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The people you laugh and cry with can say a lot about you. Thank you for staying. Let's just change the emotional weather, shall we?​

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Great!

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Think of a singer. Imagine he is in town and you want to go for his show. There's just one minor problem: you have no one to go with. You still buy a ticket and pray that nothing goes wrong. But on the night of the show, everything does.

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It's a Saturday. (It's your day-off.) Your boss still calls you to the office. No problem. You soldier on with a smile and finish your work by 5 pm. But then the boss schedules a call for 8 pm. That's when you grab your phone and send him just these two words:​

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"NOT TODAY!"

The show is at 9 pm. So at 7:30 pm, there is no looking back. You rush to the parking lot. But only to see a flat tyre. It's almost laughing at you. You lose no time. You hail a rickshaw, hop in, and scream: "STATION!"

 

At 8:35 pm, you hop off saying: 

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"Rakhlo sir, thank you!"

("Keep the change sir, thank you!")

 

And then you hear these words as you run up the stairs:

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“Churchgate ke liye jalad local platform #2 par aarahi hai!”

("Fast train for Churchgate is arriving on platform #2.")

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You rush to the ticket counter only to see an excruciatingly long queue. With 100 bucks in your hand, you beg the lady in front for help. And in less than a minute, she gives you your ticket and your change. You hug her awkwardly and run. Thanks to her, you make it on time. But when the bouncer asks for your ticket, you realize your phone is dead. You wave at the housekeeper frantically. She manages to find a power bank somehow. 11 minutes later, you are inside. And at that very moment, a beam of light lands right in front of you. The singer takes notice. He stabs a finger through the air pointing straight at you and says:

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"You don't need a plus one. You can be the party."

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SONG #4: YES YOU CAN

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So you're here tonight
A deer in the lights
So terrified
You just wanna hide

​

And so you're here tonight
Thinkin' fight or flight
Just close your eyes
And you'll be alright 

​

I feel you baby
I know your story
I've been there and
They called me crazy

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I feel you baby
I know your story 
I know you can
Be the party

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YES YOU CAN
Unleash your own hurricane 
YES YOU CAN
Dance in the pouring rain
YES YOU CAN
Face the sunshine again, yes you can
YES YOU CAN
Step into the light
Step into the light
Step into the light 
YES YOU CAN

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There's a fire in your heart
Dancing to your beat
Just take a little spark
Down to your feet

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Yes there's a fire in your heart
It's everything you need
You can make a start
If you believe

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I feel you baby
I know your story
I've been there and
They called me crazy

​

I feel you baby
I know your story
I know you can
Be the party

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YES YOU CAN
Unleash your own hurricane 
YES YOU CAN
Dance in the pouring rain
YES YOU CAN
Face the sunshine again, yes you can
Step into the light
Step into the light
Step into the light
YES YOU CAN

YES YOU CAN
Unleash your own hurricane 
YES YOU CAN
Dance in the pouring rain
YES YOU CAN
Face the sunshine again, yes you can

 

(You don't need a plus)

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Step into the light
Step into the light
Step into the light

 

(You can be the party)

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Step into the light
Step into the light
Step into the light

YES YOU CAN
Come on now, come on now
YES YOU CAN
Come on, come on, come on
YES YOU CAN
Come on now, come on now
YES YOU CAN
Come on, come on, come on
YES YOU CAN
Come on now, come on now
YES YOU CAN
Come on, come on, come on
YES YOU CAN
Come on now, come on now
YES YOU CAN
Come on, come on, come on
 

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_____________________________________

 

As the song ends, all hands go up in the air. Except yours. "HOW DID HE KNOW?" you silently exclaim, still shocked. Then as you begin to gather yourself, a deep sense of gratitude comes over you. Because you are where you want to be: at the show, front-row-center. Well, at least physically. Mentally, you are still recounting the unfortunate things that preceded this moment. Seeing you lost in thought, the singer struts towards you, grabs you by the hand, and pulls you up on stage saying softly but vehemently:

 

"Hey you, there's only now. And you will see there's only here that you need to be."

 

SONG #5: HEY YOU

 

You and I, we're here tonight
Diamonds dancing in the light
Rainbow colors everywhere
It's a cosmic love affair

You and I, let's raise some hell
Wave your wand, weave your spell
You are here 'cause you belong
Raise your hands and sing along

And if you wanna go beyond the realm of time
Take my hand, don't look behind
There's only now and you will see
There's only here that you need to be

HEY YOU
Welcome to paradise

HEY YOU
I see the fire in your eyes
HEY YOU
Keep your heart open wide
Fall in love, fall in love tonight
 

You and I, we're here tonight
You're still shining in the light
I saw the sign, I know it's you
Say hello and I'll say I do
 

You and I, my oh my
Oh my baby, I won't lie

For you alone I wrote the song
Raise your hands and sing along

And if you wanna know what it means to be free
Take my hand, come along with me
Cupid has been taking aim

Lay your eyes on me now, set me aflame
Venus and Mars: they'll take the blame 

OH YEAH YEAH YEAH

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HEY YOU
Welcome to paradise

HEY YOU
I see the fire in your eyes

HEY YOU

Keep your heart open wide
Fall in love, fall in love

Fall in love, fall in love tonight

You're the dream
That I've always seen
How can I not...
Be so mesmerised
By the fire in your eyes
How can I not...

You're the dream
That I've always seen
How can I not...
Be so mesmerised
By the fire in your eyes
How can I not...

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Fall in love with you tonight

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_____________________________________

 

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Oh my God, what just happened? You were on stage with your favorite singer dancing to your favorite song. You are so happy that you could cry. The flat tyre, the boss, and the one who refused to come with you don't matter anymore. You just lived your own 'Bruce Springsteen and Courteney Cox' fantasy. 'Dancing In The Dark?' NO, YOU WERE IN THE LIGHT! YOU WERE STANDING TALL WITH YOUR HEAD HELD HIGH WITH A THOUSAND ADORING EYES UPON YOU! AND YOU HAD YOUR ALL-TIME-FAVORITE SINGER'S HAND IN YOUR OWN!

 

Could life get better than this? The answer is a resounding YES! Because when the singer walks you back to your spot, his eyes are deeply fastened to yours. And he says:

 

"I see the fire in your eyes. After everything you have been through, you're still here. And you're still shining."​

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SONG #6: YOU'RE STILL SHINING

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I see you smiling
I see the light inside your heart
The light is shining
Like a candle in the dark

​

There's a heaven
There's someone who recalls your name
And there's a reason
Your future is yours to claim

Dream your dreams with open eyes
Dream your dreams 'cause you're alive

You're still shining
Don't you cry tonight
Please believe in dreams you're dreamin'
You are all you need, take a look inside

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You're still shining
Don't you cry tonight
Please believe in dreams you're dreamin'
You are all you need, just open your eyes

I see you smiling
I see the light inside your heart
The light is shining
Like a candle in the dark

But if it's raining
If there's a storm inside your heart
You know your path is clearing
Your new life is about to start

Don't give up your dreams tonight
Don't give up on your own light

You're still shining
Don't you cry tonight
Please believe in dreams you're dreamin'
You are all you need, take a look inside

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You're still shining
Don't you cry tonight
Please believe in dreams you're dreamin'
You are all you need, just open your eyes

 
Your life is your creation
Get off your bended knee
Make it a celebration
Dance with infinity
 

You're still shining
Don't you cry tonight

Please believe in dreams you're dreamin'
You are all you need, take a look inside

​

You're still shining
Don't you cry tonight
Please believe in dreams you're dreamin'
You are all you need, just open your eyes

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_____________________________________

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The song cracks something open in you. You begin to understand who you are and why you are here. You take a step forward, raise a fist, and look straight into the singer's eyes. And in that moment of clarity, he says:

"If you've been broken, you'll be whole again. Prayers you left unspoken will be answered in the end."

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SONG #7: HARE RAMA HARE KRISHNA

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You are here to live your dreams
To push yourself to new extremes
To seize the day, seize all it brings
So let the heavens kiss your wings

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You're not a slave of yesterday
It was just a lesson anyway
Don't give up, don't walk away
Your heart will always find a way

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You're a star wrapped in skin
Your light shines within
You're a star, take a look within

You're a star wrapped in skin
Your light shines within
You're a star, you’re a star

Hare Rama

This is the song of life
Hare Krishna

It's the call to be alive
Rama Rama

This is your time to dance
Krishna Krishna

You know your life is a romance

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You know you never have to hide
Your story's only yours to write
So take a closer look inside
Your heart will always be your guide

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You are here where you belong 
Welcome home to your own song
This is where you can't go wrong
So raise your hands and sing along

You're a star wrapped in skin
Your light shines within
You're a star, take a look within

You're a star wrapped in skin
Your light shines within
You're a star, you're a star

Hare Rama

This is the song of life
Hare Krishna

It's the call to be alive
Rama Rama

This is your time to dance
Krishna Krishna

You know your life is a romance 

 

If you've been broken, you'll be whole again
Prayers you left unspoken will be answered in the end

Hare Rama

This is the song of life
Hare Krishna

It's the call to be alive
Rama Rama

This is your time to dance
Krishna Krishna

This is your life

 

Hare Rama

If you've been broken, you'll be whole again

Hare Krishna
Prayers you left unspoken will be answered in the end

Rama Rama
If you've been broken, you'll be whole again

Krishna Krishna

Prayers you left unspoken will be answered in the end

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_____________________________________

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You tear up a little. You look around and realize you are not the only one. You close your eyes and take a long deep breath. And as you do, you hear a familiar piece of music. It is comforting. Then the singer speaks again. He says:

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"This night has given me a lot to be grateful for. I hope it has given you something too. The light that you have shone, if you shine that light every single day of your life, it will make a difference."

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The band rumbles. And so does the audience. Then as the noise begins to fade, the next song begins.

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SONG #8: HEY YOU (REPRISED)

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You and I, we're here tonight
You're still shining in the light
I saw the sign, I know it's you
Say hello and I'll say I do

You and I, my oh my
I won't lie
For you alone I wrote the song
Raise your hands, sing along

And if you wanna go beyond the realm of time
Take my hand, don't look behind

There's only now and you will see
There's only here that you need to be

HEY YOU
Welcome to paradise

HEY YOU
I see the fire in your eyes

HEY YOU
Keep your heart open wide
Fall in love, fall in love

Fall in love, fall in love tonight

You're the dream
That I've always seen
How can I not...
Be so mesmerized
By the fire in your eyes
How can I not...

You're the dream
That I've always seen
How can I not...
Be so mesmerized
By the fire in your eyes
How can I not...

​

Fall in love with you tonight

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_____________________________________

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Same song. Same words. Just slower. This time, it's very emotional. The band kneels. The audience applauds. And the lights fade to black. 

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 On your way home, you think about the show. And you think about the flat tyre, the boss, and the one who refused to come with you. The contrast is cruel. But there is power in contrast. You close your eyes and take a long deep breath. And as you do, a motherly voice whispers:

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"Tension mat le. Sab theek ho jayega."

("Don't worry. Everything will be alright.")