The 194th death.

[Text and photos sent by Charvi Kain]

She died in an Ola.

For years, despite owning a driving license and a Metro card for Bombay and Delhi each, Charvi Kain religiously requested for Ubers and Olas. She was an expert at judging when the surge price would simmer down, when she would get an empty Share/Pool ride, and knew a trick or two to keep getting the likes of “We miss you! Here’s 50% off on your next ten rides” coupon codes. Her faceless drivers were almost always pleasant, for she would swiftly cancel on rude voices on the first “Bhaiyya aap kahaan hain?” phone call.

And yet, this final Ola journey inexplicably ended her life before she could cross over to the wrong side of her twenties (autopsy results awaited). A budding taphophile, she is survived by her parents and her beloved guitar Sylvia, named after her favorite poet. Her peaceful, lifeless body was found clutching a last season iPhone with an unfinished UNO game on the screen. She also appeared to be listening to a Classic Rock playlist on the Ola Prime screen, tuned to “The Crystal Ship” by The Doors.

“Before you slip into unconsciousness
I’d like to have another kiss
Another flashing chance at bliss
Another kiss, another kiss… ”

Our Self-Written Obituaries invites people to write their obituary in 200 words. The idea is to share with the world how you will like to be remembered after you are gone. (May you live a long life, of course!) Please mail me your self-obit at mayankaustensoofi@gmail.com.

1. A dog person

2. Hemingway by the Sea

3. BY Jim Morriosn’s grave

4. Her earliest poem

5. With loving parents

6. She did walk across the border

7. Charvi & Sylvia