It was a day like any other, marked for a cooking competition on the rooftop of a renowned Nairobi mall where I, along with my sister, found ourselves. We arrived later than the stipulated reporting time, a decision that held a twist of fate. I had initially contemplated going later with my cousin and another sister, but an inexplicable gut feeling urged me to go immediately. Little did we know, this decision would spare us from the impending horror. As we approached the mall, I needed to return a shirt, a seemingly inconsequential task that became strangely postponed. A few minutes later, chaos erupted. Gunshots pierced the air, and a sea of people surged out of the mall. What we assumed to be a robbery escalated into something far more sinister, compelling us to run for our lives from the top of the building. In the midst of the pandemonium, I called my cousin, sister, and a friend, warning them not to come. It was an act of providence; they were on the brink of entering the danger zone. Huddled in a corner, with gas cookers left unattended, we sought refuge amidst the terror unfolding around us. The minutes felt like an eternity as gunshots and explosions intensified. Deep in the chaos, my mind clung to one mantra: ‘JAI GURU DEV.’ Despite the screams and cries, the thought of Gurudev brought an inexplicable strength and faith. I made a difficult call to my father, uncertain of our fate, urging him to pray for us. As we learned of the terrorist attack, fear escalated. The assailants reached the rooftop, firing indiscriminately and throwing grenades. In the midst of the horror, a grenade lay unexploded nearby, and a terrorist, armed with an imposing gun, spared us. The ordeal unfolded, and in the chaos, I lost sight of my mother, sister, and her friend. For two harrowing hours, we remained in a cramped position, uncertain of our safety. A mysterious figure eventually guided us to an exit. Running through the mall, we encountered a man with a gun, causing a moment of hesitation. Assured of our safety, we continued, stiff-legged from the prolonged confinement. Guiding my struggling mother, we made our way out of the mall, unscathed. In retrospect, that day was nothing short of a miracle. Many lost their lives, yet here I am, recounting the experience. Gurudev’s divine influence subtly shaped our decisions, ensuring our safety. Looking back, the day taught me profound lessons—life’s fragility, the importance of living in the present, and the imperative need to spread love and happiness. Jai Guru Dev.
~ Nikasha
