Waiting to exhale As I reluctantly open my eyes in the mornings, I take an almost involuntary deep breath as my chest constricts and I struggle to gulp in a breath of fresh air. Share Via Email | A+A A- BENGALURU: As I reluctantly open my eyes in the mornings, I take an almost involuntary deep breath as my chest constricts and I struggle to gulp in a breath of fresh air. I suddenly realise I don’t have to struggle to breathe... the trees outside have converted the air that surround us into oxygen, and we are the privileged ones who get it free and unhindered. Many people in my beloved city and country are not as lucky as their lungs fill with the acrid smoke from burning pyres of their loved ones.