Khan, a section engineer (electric) at Churchgate, sustained head injuries and remained in coma for three months. And when he regained consciousness, 53-year-old Khan, a father of twins, was a different man.

“He has lost his memory. Sometimes he can’t even recognise me,” says Rubina.

He returned to his Santacruz home after six months in the hospital. “I could never have imagined that my husband was being shifted to a hospital in one of the bedsheets I had donated. When he did not come home till late in the night, we got worried. At about 3 am, Jaslok Hospital staff informed me that my husband had been badly injured,” she recalls. He was admitted to V N Desai Hospital initially and then shifted to Jaslok Hospital.

Khan, who suffered haemorrhage on the right side of his brain, was operated thrice. He underwent one more surgery for the injury he sustained in his liver from a nail.

“He remained in coma for three months before being discharged from the hospital in December. His doctor says that after a year, a plastic flap will be put to fill the gap on the right side of his head where a piece of the skull bone was chipped off in the blast,” Rubina says.

Rubina is also worried about his further treatment. “The Railways has paid for his treatment so far. But since he has been discharged, Jaslok Hospital will charge us for the treatment from now on. Else, we will have to get it done at a the railway hospital. But we trust Dr Manoj Virani at Jaslok and want him to continue the treatment,” she says.

Over the year, there has been some improvement in Khan’s condition. “Earlier, he was totally paralysed but he is okay now except for a little problem in his left hand. But his face has been disfigured. And yes, there is the memory loss which makes things difficult for us,” Rubina adds.

“When his friends enquire about his health, he says: Tell boss that I am still not well. He has even forgotten our house and often says: I want to go to my home, please take me there,” says Rubina, almost breaking down.

The only people Khan never forgets is the couple’s 14-year-old twin daughters.

The girls are in Standard X and Khan wanted to them to go for higher education. “Sometimes he tries to teach them, only to realise his handicap,” says Rubina.

She acknowledges the help provided by the Railways—Khan worked for it. “Railways officials have been very helpful and the department has borne all the expense for his treatment. Though he has not resumed work, the Railways is paying his salary. I am worried about the future. I am not qualified and my children are young. Nobody knows what turn our lives will take,” adds Rubina.