20 July,2011 06:38 AM IST | | Eesha Patkar and Maleeva Rebello
Homemaker Ashita Doshi (40) ventured into the city with her family last Wednesday, only to get caught in the Zaveri Bazaar blast. The family escaped death narrowly, but is still struggling to overcome the haunting memories of the carnage
A home bird, Ashita Doshi (40), always preferred her Borivli home to the city. But the rare day that she chose to step out, the city bled, leaving the Doshi family scarred.
Sustaining injuries on her left calf and right thigh, she received 25 stitches, and is struggling to regain use of her legs.
Ashita Doshi sustained injuries on her left calf and right thigh
Though she is grateful that her family has survived the blast, it will be long before they completely recover from the trauma.
After securing school admission for daughter Prayanshi, Doshi and her family decided to celebrate by purchasing ornaments from Zaveri Bazaar. After the spree, her daughters insisted on stopping for a quick bite at Khau Galli.
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"I was reluctant. My husband Prakash had promised to pick us up in an hour. But I couldn't deny them their request." Eighteen-year-old Prayanshi said, "The impact of the blast threw me a few feet away from my mother.
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I saw people running helter-skelter, trampling over each other. I thought I was going to die."
Doshi remembers, "When I couldn't see my daughter for what felt like the longest time, I feared the worst. Debris from the blast cut into my leg, and I was writhing in pain, but I could only think of my girls. When I finally found my daughters, we huddled together, uttering God's name."
The housewife is currently staying at her sister's house in Jogeshwari. "I can't bring myself to watch TV, or read newspapers. I want to erase the images from my mind," she says, with tears in her eyes. "My sister Aparna never leaves my side. She has been a rock through this nightmare."
A close-knit nuclear family, their simple lives have been disrupted completely by the blast. Doshi's limited mobility and fragile mental condition have compelled her to move to Aparna's house, fragmenting the family. Prior to this traumatic experience, they had never lived apart.
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"My daughters wouldn't even spend nights at friends' houses. We have never spent so much time apart," said Doshi.
Usually cheerful and active, Doshi has now been reduced to a bundle of nerves, flinching even at the whistle of the pressure cooker. Doshi and Prayanshi, both avid cooks, haven't yet mustered the courage to venture into the kitchen, as the sight of the flames unfailingly triggers frightening memories.
