Most oft then not, we are confronted with directions when we are compelled to make choices, which are beyond realms of acceptance. Yet, we follow suit...or rather, we have to...when choices are limited, or to say, NONE!. Quite interestingly though, a matter of time or space is all it takes to accept, adjust and gradually accommodate where we find ourselves. Being an optimist, I look ahead at brighter side of life. But, nonetheless, peek into what was left behind too. For it gives baggage full of memories to anchor on to. It takes one to the alley which once bustled with joy, now rests in retrospection. The case in point is, my transition in full swing, which swept my being in the year gone by. Yes, it is none other than dispatch of this soul from saddi Delli to Aamchi Mumbai! The events that followed, or rather 'flowed' were indispensable.
Flashback! In retrospection...a year back...The minaret stood tall and peeked through the bushes as the metro hastily moved from Guru Dronacharya to reach Qutub minar. Thus, bringing back reminiscences of a city beautiful, as wordless expressions, which had charmed me from the day I found myself in its lap. The perennial ambit of lush, tastefully crafted concrete, hotbed of manifold 'haute' &
'hatke' culture curry, the brash/
'dabang' attitude of the masses it shelters, and blah...blah...blah, rushed my consciousness, while the score that ran in my head was
'Yeh Dilli hai mere yaar, bas ishq mohabbat pyaar' And the moving metro came to halt, while i rushed out to 'wrap up' my responsibilities at work & to gear up for a new venture. Mournful, nervous, angst, evasive, resentful and a flurry of emotions ran through my head. Unsure of where I was heading to, dubious of what life had in store, somehow, I wished time stopped and I didn't have to move an inch! But, time has its own pace. So, before I could realize, I was in a new city! This was bygone...I left behind a lot, or so to say, it took away a piece of my heart, which still beats in 'dilli' :) No wonder I feel the same warmth whenever I revisit my haven. To an extent that it makes me wonder, is it the people or the place that is close to heart? Well, no dichotomy in that...its perhaps both!
So, the new chapter unfolded. I found myself choked in a relatively cramped space, overcrowded with people in every possible inch of the city. Mumbai local stood no where close to the lavishness of Delhi metro, roads were namesake - potholes gave a bumpy ride; thus made me crib against' world-class' infrastructure of my ex-beau! A constant stink from God-knows-where/ what enveloped the city (of chemicals, gutter or marine life, I knew not). In a nutshell, the city failed to entice me in its promos! But, wait...there was a lot in store, which changed my perspective forever!
The 'ex-city' had to be revisited, not once, but many-a-times in last one year, to realize that 'everything happens for a reason' and 'there is always a silver-lining behind a darkened cloud'. The events that followed, were thus...When I was in Delhi last week, and happened to travel somewhat late in the evening, as my work demanded so, I stumbled upon a group of lechers...who, like they say, raped with the obnoxious stares. I was suddenly taken aback since I had never come across such incidences of hostility in this city, which is considered as 'the most unsafe city for women'. So, when I reached my destination and hurried to my friend's place, I asked myself, 'Had I ignored such encounters earlier? And why was that?' On mulling over a bit more, I apprehended that when you really love someone/ something, you tend to overlook the negatives that it might bear. As an extension, my love for the ex-city, had blind-folded my perception about the current city. Perhaps I could realize this when I mapped the experience with Mumbai. I am not saying that this city is free from such animals. However, I never felt as unsafe here..even when I traveled alone, late in the night. So, what is with a city? Contemplating still!
Anyhow, I have accepted the fact that loomed large - live in the present! Embrace reality, whether it is about accepting people or places. And finally, the million dollar question...'Mumbaiya in making or Delhiite still baking?' Well! I would prefer a blend of both :) Or rather, accept the positives of both the cities and discount the 'unpleasantness'!
