Homegoing
I had gone back home last month for a civic engagement internship, which is a part of my course. The non-profit where I was posted was in close proximity to my home and I was all amped up for an entire month of happiness, fun, and not to forget, lip-smacking home-cooked food(read: piping hot, yummy and SPICY sambar). I met with my best buds, and we hung out, gossiped, ranted about our despairing love lives (lol) and even did a perky photoshoot. Many of my schoolmates lived in the same locality as me and we ran into each other more often than we expected, but had great fun, nevertheless.
I was staying at my granny’s home for a while and as I looked around that cute, cosy, old house, I felt empty inside. Not happy, not sad, just empty. Wisps of nostalgia fervently encircled me, and very soon, they all came gushing back to me, one after the other — the memories — both good and bad.
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Unlike most kids, I wasn’t raised by my parents. Both my parents were working and my dad had a transferrable job, so, it was my Amuma (mom’s mom) who raised me. We lost her a couple years back and a breakneck stream of incessant memories hit me fiercely as soon as I stepped into her room. However, living with my cousins somewhat compensated for that brief desolation. From sleepovers and stargazing nights to street food hauls and late-night kulfis, we had them all.
There’s a little park around our street’s corner, and I, along with my cousins used to take a stroll there often, for a change of scenery. One night, as we giggled, chatted and persistently judged the passers-by, we came across an old thatha (granddad), who was extremely energetic and sweet. He made conversation with us and was amazed by my height. (yes, I’m a six-footer and no, I don’t play basketball). Ever since that day, every time I entered the park, he waved at me and gave me a thumbs up. I kind of felt exuberant on seeing that, for I’ve seen many, many people, young and old, looking at me as though I’m some kind of alien. They just scan me up and down with their insanely judgemental eyes, making me feel insecure of every single ounce of my own existence. But this thatha on the other hand, made me feel special for who I actually am and I’ll forever be grateful to him for that. :’)
Working at the non-profit was great too! It was a homely place with warm people and an amazing team to work with. Every day, we learnt something about the lives of people and how they can change in a jiffy if they had access to the right skills at the right times. Everyone who worked there, right from board members to drivers and housekeepers, had a story to tell and three weeks flew by in a flash. Both the place and the people there infused so much positivity into me and this indeed did a great deal of help in resetting my perspective and providing me with a fresh, new lens to view things.
It was the last day of work. While I felt incredibly proud and happy about the work we did, a small part of me wanted to stay there a little longer. Now that I think of it, I sure do miss the place, the people, Cheran anna’s special tea, silly lil’ fights with my annoying (but sweet) teammate, adorable photographs clicked by my other (sweeter) teammate, our absolutely entertaining classes and our staple snack — the mini ice cream bites.
I wrapped up my stay at my granny’s with my best friend’s bachelorette (which was a total bomb) and was finally able to spend time with my mom and brother. We went on a frantic shopping spree, visited some temples (that peace of mind is unsurpassable) and stopped by some amazing food joints and devoured some authentic Madras food ( This, right here, is a desperate cry to take me back to Chennai). By the end of one whole month, I almost never wanted to leave my hometown. I know I made this choice to be who I am — to explore and to be wildly independent, but the comfort and warmth of home can never be matched by anything whatsoever. Yet, at one point, we have no choice than just having to let go of our safety net — however scary that might seem. Hence, with a very, very heavy heart, I bid farewell to Chennai and travelled back to Mumbai to continue my journey from where I left off. See y’all soon (hopefully) with another piece of writing. Take care, and if you are at home with your family, embrace every moment — for those are downright precious and magical! :)
