Inside the mind of a woman

An explosion occurred near the entrance of Glorietta mall 2 at about 1:30 PM October 19, 2007. Reports say that there were 8 people killed and more than 80 injured. Authorities are still investigating the source of the blast. It has not yet been confirmed that the incident was caused by a bomb.

– More news here. 

My colleagues and I went out to lunch later than 12 noon as our meeting ran longer as usual. We were debating whether to eat at the nearby McDonalds or go out and have a true friday lunch out. Because it was already late, we opted for the nearer Dela Rosa-Greenbelt area rather than Glorietta.

Coming back to lunch, we were met with buzzing around the cubicles. People were talking in excited voices. Not happy-excited voices but rather excited-agitated voices. Then I learned. A few minutes ago, some teammates were in Glorietta and were witness to the explosion that rocked the popular mall.

Some were nervously kidding that they still were covered with dust and soot, others were wide-eyed and quiet, still others were near tears. I further confirmed that they were inside Timezone when the explosion happened. They witnessed the noise, the screams, the panic of the crowd.

One officemate stopped me from asking another girl office mate about the experience for fear questions might trigger a breakdown. She was near the edge… scared.

Personally, being in the office.. at my desk and far from it all, I felt detached at first. I really did not absorb all the news that I was reading on inquirer.net and the gmanews.tv… until I saw their eyes.

I watched the news videos online and my heart lurched. I was thinking how lucky I was that I did not pick this day to go shopping alone in Glorietta. One of my favorite stress-relievers is to walk around the mall just window shopping. I always use the roundabout way to reach the other side of Glorietta from Landmark because cutting a line straight through would force me to meet with the crowd. I hate crowds. So I walk the side of the mall. I traverse that line of shops because the halls are quieter and less crowded. Besides it is where all the kids stores are. And I love shopping for my kids. I also love shopping alone. Imagine if I was there… alone… I feel cold.

I feel like crying as I hear the stories of the people who were actually there. One person who was interviewed talked of seeing the person in front of him die. I almost cried at hearing the account.

I was reading the list of dead and injured just now and am very thankful that no one I know is on the list.

Pls. pray for everyone.