Navya switches off the alarm after a minute. Her eyes are still sleepy and her mind still foggy with yesterdays' late night party. She tries to curse the alarm but her eyes take her to the glass window which is shining with the gentle sun rays. "Ah, the meeting.... an important client ...... lunch ..... dress .... breakfast ........ mobile charger ..... her whatsapp status...", her thoughts now start to get more focused on the situation and things that need to be done. Quickly she takes a selfie with the sun rays behind her. Image posted and status updated to 'woke up to a beautiful morning ! Good morning !'. She has quickly gone through the 25 messages that she received after she disconnected at 2:00 AM. The jokes though funny don't amuse her, the long forwarded messages irritate her. Eventually, the sun rays camouflage the work pressure and irritation within.
8:00 AM - Navya reaches out to the door before checking that she has all things needed like mobile, charger, wallet, meeting papers etc. Her hungry stomach craves for some food but she needs to catch her 8:15 AM local train. Anyway, her flat stomach accentuates her formal attire and hence a quick photo for her friends to see. Whatsapp status updated to 'Purchased dress from LimeRoad'. The impressive dress hides her hunger pangs.
8:25 AM - Navya is seated comfortably in the local and quickly browses her 4G mobile for messages and mails. So many mails on health and exercise explaining the benefits of home cooked simple food along with a 25 minutes exercise routine. Thankfully, a vada pav vendor comes along and Navya is quick to buy one or else she fears fainting. Such medical emergencies are costly for a girl staying alone in a big city. The messages have made the commute short and at the same time devoid her of observing or communicating with her co-passengers.
9:30 AM - Navya is comfortably seated at her office desk. Her job as a receptionist of a multinational company, is demanding and hectic. The spicy vada pav has only added to a craving for hot cup of tea. Her mobile beeps as soon as new messages pour in. Soon other employees start coming with sounds of pleasantries like 'hello', 'good morning', 'how are you', 'hi u look beautiful', 'new dress', 'looking great', 'missed the bus', 'hi local was cancelled' and 'oh dear ! isn't it good morning'; bringing life into the low ceiling, air conditioner cooled and formal atmosphere. Her friend working in the same branch comes and pinches her arm and asks for a selfie together with her. Whatsapp status is now updated to 'received compliments' and the DP changed to the latest selfie. Her life is like an open book with much to read in between the lines.
1:30 PM - At the lunch table, Navya opens her tiffin that she orders from the local mess. Hot food at last ! Navya relishes every morsel though it is no match for the food cooked by her mother. She herself is a good cook but has no time after the office, shopping, parties, beauty parlors and movies. And to mention her friendship with the man working in another company but the same premises. Her whatsapp status is immediately updated to 'Enjoyed a sumptuous lunch'. The comparison of mess food and home food and her family brings a thoughtful expression but she soon dismisses it for she has to plan the meeting venue and get it ready in time.
5:00 PM - Navya is already packing her things for she is in hurry to catch the local and get ready for a movie with her friend. The messages received during working hours are few but every time the mobile beeps, she is distracted from her work. The latest message from her friend is about the dinner after movie. She quickly posts her message and her compulsive need to update her status gets the better of her. In a hurry she can think of nothing else so her whatsapp status is updated to 'Bye, office ! In a hurry ...'
8:00 PM - Navya is in the multiplex watching the latest star war franchise but she is already thinking about the message from her parents informing her about her proposed meeting with a rich MBA boy that the pandit has approved. She tries to concentrate on the movie but the message keeps on popping in her head. At the end, she and her friend decide upon the restaurant and move out. The bright lights at the multiplex and the joyful crowd deserve a photograph with the people concerned showing the fun and excitement they had. Whatsapp status is quickly updated to 'Enjoyed Star Wars - a must watch'; by the time the waiter brings in their order. Their excited chatter dulls away Navya's turmoil.
1:00 AM - Navya prepares for bed. The watchman is heard shouting 'jagte raho ....' in the distance. A few cars zoom past her building. All is quiet. Navya is fast asleep after a tiring day. The other Navya is still awake for the mobile is yet not disconnected from the network. Its virtual world out there.
Makes her wonder - is world virtual or am I ?
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