Once the lockdown is lifted, Mumbai will...

Mumbai will be back being a mess, a mess we all love to be a part of.

India's never-sleeping city is under severe lockdown for over a month now. For the very first time in history, the railways of the city have come to a standstill. Nothing has ever got Mumbai to shut the way corona has. However, Mumbai and its people are known for their resilience and never-say-die spirit.

In just a few days, we all will be struggling to make ends meet. Running to catch our regular train, see the familiar faces, fight for a seat, discuss politics with the train gang and becoming a part-time coolie if standing in the bay.

You will be back talking to strangers (maybe even more), be it people in the train, the autowalla, taxi driver, canteen staff or pan-beedi vala. Mumbai roads will be jam-packed with kaali-peeli and auto drivers will yet again reject you. There will be honking all over, but it won't bother you. Your ears would be tempting to listen to it after a long time.

You can get out of the house anytime you want for any reason and even without a reason. You will be able to have your favourite street food or go on a date night in the fanciest restaurant ever. Vadapaav and paani puri will return to become an emotion for Mumbaikars. Marine drive will have its glory and nightlife back.

In a few months, the festivals will return and the streets will be filled with people. Lalbaugcha raja will walk through the streets of Mumbai as the protector of faith and hope. The markets will be flooded with flowers and decorative materials and you will be out there bargaining and saving money as much as you could.

Mumbai will be back to being a mess, a mess we all love to be a part of.