THE LAST 24 HOURS

Suppose you knew that your last day had come, and you had exactly 24 hours left, what would you do? Have you ever thought about it? Here is what I would do.

My first priority would be to be alone. The last day definitely should be “MY DAY.” I would not like to share it with anyone else.

I would get up at 6 AM.  I would have a hot cup of steaming coffee in silence. Relax, and relish each sip, standing in the balcony of my house, looking out at the serene morning. Then I would go to the beach, so near my house, and take a casual stroll, and see the vast expanse of space over the sea, the rising sun, the pinkish blue sky, and see and listen to the restless waves.  I would feel the salty air, inhale the particular fishy smell of the sea and feel the coarse sand tickle my bare feet, as I walk the shore. Walking barefoot on the sand is a different experience. The feet sink with each step into the soft sand, and the next step requires more effort, as the terrain is uneven and not hard and firm like the pavements.

I would return home, to have a quick bath, and a shave, before I go to a nice star hotel for taking my breakfast.  Dressed in shorts, white cotton T shirt, flip flops, I would relish my favorite dishes. Fresh cut fruits, to go with fresh fruit juice, both pineapple and orange. This would be followed by cup cakes, croissants, cinnamon buns with more helpings of fruits, and juices.

Then I would have a double egg omelet, with onions and tomatoes, mushroom and cheese. Finally, I would down a steaming black coffee, with a nice cigarette to smoke.

I would come home, to relax and listen to some of my favorite latest movie songs. Then I would paint a last picture, of a still life, a picture of a single beautiful pink lotus in full bloom; Something  not too challenging, easy to finish and impressive all the same.  By the time I finish the painting, it would be time for lunch.

Now it will be a restaurant than offers soft tandoori rotis and fresh mushroom, with peas and gravy. This I will eat, drinking a cold sprite with a dash of lemon.   For desserts I would have delicious Rosagullas.   

From the restaurant I will go to a good theater to watch a good movie. After the movie, I will go to a non- veg,  joint to have a tasty hot tea.  The non –veg restaurants in Chennai are the best places for having good tea. They have perfected the art of preparing the wonderful tea.  

From there I would once again head for the beach. Now it would be dark, and one can hear the incessant rise and fall of the rolling waves.  Of course;  we can also see the white froth of the waves as it reaches and immediately leaves the sandy shores. There I would go to a secluded spot, far away from the crowd of playing children, talking families, circle of elders, and teenagers with the inseparable mobiles, and the passionate lovers necking each other in the privacy of the darkness. There I would lie down on the sand and watch the vast expanse of the dark sky above me, with the innumerable twinkling stars.  I would feel the cool breeze, on my skin, and I would light a cigarette, to smoke, in the joy of being alone, all by myself.

Then I would head back home. I will have a slow luxurious hot water bath. I would scrub myself well. Once again I will shave, and be generous with the after-shave and deodorants. I would like to look good and smell clean, even as a corpse. I will dress once again in a fresh shorts and T shirt.

I would order for a cheese, tomato, onion, mushroom pizza.

I would mix myself a large vodka, with lots of ice, some sprite and some water. I would enjoy each sip as I listen to my favorite songs in the darkness, as I would switch off the lights. I would slowly nurse each sip. I would have some healthy side dish like moong-daal and vegetable salads.  With the fourth large, when I feel high enough, I would heat and eat the pizza, slice by slice.

When I am done with drinking and eating, I would finally eat a nice a small Five star bar for my dessert.

I will clean the place, dispose the pizza cartons and whatever I need to throw off, wash the glass, and return it where I took it from.

Then I will be at the balcony to catch up with my last smoke. I will inhale each precious puff, and exhale closing my eyes to enjoy it further.

Then having thrown the last butt out, I will switch off the music. I will change into a simple lungi, thank the Gods for having given me the wonderful gift of a lovely life.

I will switch on the fan and lie down on the bed, and wait patiently for the last breath to leave me.