Thoughts of sadness and new experiences

Woke up and was thinking while brushing, at about the exact moment, 6:10 am
marks one month to the day and minute that changed our lives.
One of those numb moments you pass through in a sense of stupor,
yet tinged with sadness.

Today was also the first time I exercised my franchise as a voter.
Why? The conscience feels lighter – you perceive yourself as making a difference,
even if the difference is only to your conscience.
I generally revile politicians as bandicoots who loot funds in collusion with works contractors,
with the victor decided by the morally shifty sections of society.

Was surprised by absence of a queue.
Booth opened at 7 – I was there at 7:10. Four booths at my polling station. A solitary vote cast at my assigned booth prior to me.
Duty officer verified my name in the list, checked my photo id (passport), announcing both for the benefit of four political party observers present.
He makes an entry in the list of votes cast, takes my signature, and motions me to EVM,
to which a single ballot is released using the control unit at his disposal.

Took a few seconds to locate my candidate. I press the button – an LED next to the nominee goes red, a loud beep resounds –
the die is cast.