Perhaps taking a cue from Mumbai's resilience, Hyderabad swung back to normalcy after three days blasts battered the city. The city was as usual on Tuesday: traffic jams, over-crowded bus stands, railway stations and buzzing hotspots.
The public also does not want to talk about the horror day. Tarun Reddy, a student, said, "Life would have been normal on the very next day had it not been a Sunday."
Monday was quite, thanks to a bandh call.
"Had the city gone into a slumber, it would have shown that we were scared. That is the last thing we want to show the terrorists," he added.
Malls and juice bars were open as usual.
Sadashiva, an advocate said, "It is not as though we are getting used to terror in the city. We don't want to be weak. The more weak that we show that we are, the better it is for terrorists."
For Rubeena, who went shopping near the historic Charminar, it was as if nothing happened.
"Why should people walk around in fear? It is for the police to ensure that the safety is ensured. We, the public, can only cooperate. We can't be expected to sit indoors," Rubeena said.
Though Mamatha, a mother of two, put up a brave face, there were signs of apprehension. No wonder her two children were to return from the school.
"Things are fine now. But there is always a worry deep down. I get worried, if my kids come back late from school. Though there are assurances that security is tight, we still worry."
In a battered city, it is the autorikshaw drivers that offer a soothing feeling by not overcharging.
Jayakumar, who came from Vijayavada to Hyderabad, said he reached Hyderabad on Saturday night by train.
"The auto-drivers did not charge me extra. In fact, they were helpful. The driver told me that we are here for the people and we only want to enhance the image of this beautiful city, which is known for its friendly people."
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