The first good thing that happened to me @ Delhi, like always, was ‘friends’ –both within and outside college– Not to forget their role in making me talk a reasonable “Hindi”! Would easily call it Golden Days of my lifetime… Fun, Fun, and more Fun was the order of those days to the extent that I am still wondering how I managed to graduate & that too in a single attempt :) The best comment was by my lecturer on my last day of college 'Sripriya don’t even think about further studies, that’s not your cup of tea! Just apply for a job' – guess that’s the most diplomatic way of saying 'at least now start doing something useful' :) With that statement, I walked out of my college not really knowing what was in store for me… Ended up moving cities again but guess my ties with Delhi were to be stronger; so I was back in Delhi once again in a years’ time.
From then till now this city has witnessed my life and my evolution as a new / better person – might be it had its hands too in molding me… at least I choose to believe so! From what I was as a teenager to what I am today – I would say that life kinda carved me slowly over these 17 yrs, mainly the last 8 yrs…Today, I can proudly say that am an independent, strong, courageous, positive and cheerful person who knows or at least is constantly learning how to live her life! I still feel if I would have been able to take that critical decision of stepping out of the marriage despite every individual opposing my decision –I still wonder where the strength came from? How did I manage to take that decision to walk out with no support! I still look at awe at this action of mine! But guess it was a starter… I was very sure that the decision of mine will bring happiness to both, despite initial bitterness & hardships, and I do know it did!
Somewhere I do give credit to “Delhi” for giving me this strength, this courage, this room to take my decisions which was against norms might be! might be Delhi’s open culture gave me the required confidence and room to take a decision to “Stay Alone”! I don’t really know… But yeah I definitely need to take this minute to say “Thanks Delhi! You helped me in shaping my future all by myself” – might be it’s a city where one can lead one’s life with not much of an intervention – No “why, what, how” – that was a breather man! From then on, I never looked back in my life. It has only been a forward journey to recognize & live life to its fullest– enjoying its beauty, its message, its uniqueness, its challenges – what fun to pave my own path & design my life alone against all odds!!! It wasn’t ofcourse easy but neither was it not-doable!
But what’s life without a Change? Can there be one! So, 3 yrs back I did take the step to move out of Delhi...So doubtful and depressed that I was about to miss my flight the day I had to leave! I did have tears in my eyes when I boarded the flight and realized that after all am leaving! Don’t think I can ever express those feelings in words! I tried my best but as I said my ties with Delhi were stronger : It called me back & this time I thought it was a call for me to settle down, might be! Yeah city welcomed me with open arms :) & here I am sitting in my “own house” – that has seen me thru all my emotions, seen some dreams of mine break, seen some dreams of mine come true…
As I thought that Delhi is “the place” for me, life said “hold on– remember you are a gypsy! Pack up and move…” This time round am moving to my “original roots : Chennai” (yeah Delhi is like my “adopted roots” that very soon became like my “original”) am I happy or sad??? Like Sexy says in “Cheeni Kam” – I choose to be “Happy Sad Sri” – that’s my mood.
Yeah can hear some saying – Is this all because of Delhi??? Won’t this be the case even if I had been in Mumbai or Chennai or elsewhere? Hmm ya might be – but the crux is “Delhi” happened to be the place!
I am gonna Miss You DELHI : the winters, the hangouts, the food, the shopping outlets, the metro, the ‘killer blue line’, the FMs (Ananth, Saurav, Nitin, Saima), the autos, the bhaiyas (ya everyone here, ofcourse other than a few :), are brothers!), “Hindi” – hopefully it will stay with me forever, the and all my friends (especially the discussion/debate/ragging because of me being an ardent “Sharukh fan”)… But as they say “Change is the only permanent thing in life and Whatever happens is for Good”… A simple way to face these changes and life is to “Accept Life the way it is & Live to its fullest” – you never know “Kal Ho Na Ho”!
As Sun & Moon never bid adieu to Earth, As a mother never bids adieu to her kids, As Big B would never bid adieu to Bolywood (!!:)), I never would bid adieu to you ‘Delhi’ – So, I take leave from you saying “Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna” – C Ya Delhi :) Be SAFE & SAVE YOURSELF From The “TERROR” around you!