On that fateful night, I was on duty at Re-Fresh fruit restaurant, located on the first floor of VT station. I was sitting near the glass pane overlooking the station lobby, and chatting with a customer. All of a sudden I felt something whiz over my head and a powdery substance fell on my face. Then I saw sparks reflected on the glass pane. I got up and looked below, at the passenger lobby. I saw people running helter-skelter.
I spotted two men holding a machine gun, firing at people. As I was looking down, a bullet pierced the glass pane. I ducked and lay down on the floor. Spontaneously, everyone in the restaurant too, fell flat on the floor. I told one of my hotel staff to switch off the lights. I wanted to run to the safety of the kitchen, but was afraid that if I stood up, I’d be exposed.
As I lay on the floor, I could see what was taking place in the lobby below. After one round of firing, the two assailants were re-loading their guns. Then they again started firing indiscriminately. There was a big explosion, and the ground beneath us shook. I was terrified, but there was little that could be done except to lie down quietly.
After some time, the two gunmen disappeared. They walked towards the platform. Then, I heard firing coming from a distance. It stopped completely. The whole thing must have lasted 10 to 12 minutes.
I can never forget what I saw when I came out of the restaurant. In front of me were strewn at least 70 to 80 bodies.
I walked all the way to Colaba to reach my residence. My wife and children were relieved to see me. The day after, when I turned up at the restaurant, I saw the walls and glass panes sprayed with bullet holes.
The next couple of days I could not eat or sleep properly. The gunshots kept ringing in my ears, my mind kept playing back gory scenes of blood and the bodies.
I feel lucky to be alive. Just minutes before the firing began, I was down in the terminus lobby. Had I lingered there longer, I wouldn’t be talking to you today.
