For nearly one-and-a-half days, our apartment complex, housing 30 plus flats, faced severe water shortage as the main supply pipe in our area conked off. Well, inmates scurried in all possible directions to source the precious commodity for their daily needs. Some smart alecs even shifted to their friends’ flats to beat the mess.

I am staying in the apartment complex for the last two years, and I must admit that I hardly know around 40% of the inmates by a mere ‘hi’ or ‘hello’. Like it is in any part of Muscat, people are to themselves, and don’t take that extra effort to befriend other inmates.

Thankfully, yesterday evening, water tankers were summoned to ease the scarcity in the apartment. But, what was intriguing to me the most for the last two days was our flatmates loosening up a bit. I spoke and smiled at people with whom I had not bothered to talk for nearly two years. The interesting aspect was in times of crisis, people joined hands. That spirit is truly endearing.

Today, the water connection has been rectified. Will those smiles remain on faces? Well, I am keeping my fingers crossed…