It’s been half a decade that I am living in a Metro, have been oscillating between Delhi and Mumbai, Started with my college life in Delhi university in 2004. Initially it didn’t appear different. Used to go to college with utmost sincerity, attended all the classes, had more than 90% attendance in my first year. I had my comfort zone there as 3 of my school friends were with me. We used to commute by Ladies special bus, it was a very convinient source of travel. I was the same girl who was highly dependent on friends for everything....Had the most beautiful day of my life in that year.
Then came the biggest shock of my life when my dad got transfered to Mumbai!! God my world changed. I was in a MAXIMUM city where I knew no one. We moved to Mumbai in May 2005, shifted in a temporary apartment at Malad. The moment I stepped in the flat I could not stop my tears. I just wanted to shout loud. Whenever I went out it seemed that all the eyes are staring at me, telling me that you do not belong here. The place was so full of people but I didnt have anyone to talk to. It was like 'water water everywhere but not a drop a drink'. It was the year of massive rains in Mumbai, but it was a blessing in disguise for me. Central office of Mumbai University got submerged in water so they had to postpone the last date for admissions. Finally got admission in NM college in August. Traveled to college alone by train, sat there alone, came back home alone EVERYDAY. Those two years made me my closest friend. I discovered myself, I always thought I am an outgoing person who loves to be with people. But these two years made me realize that I am an introvert who does not open up easily to people. There are very few people (2 or 3) I have actually got close to in the last 4 years. I had a focus in life which was to move out of Mumbai, so I devoted my heart and soul towards CAT preparation. With lot of time at my disposal, the only thing I did was to study which helped me to go back to my Delhi.
Finally I reached Delhi in june 2007, I was in all exults, was back among my people. It didn’t take me any time to settle there and create my comfort zone.IMI became a home away from home. College life was full of fun, had both the most beautiful and most shattering days of my life at IMI, saw closest of friends going away and complete strangers becoming important part of life. I chatted with people, shared jokes, went out with them but still there was something missing.
I realized that two years in Mumbai have changed me, it became me a loner. Usually its people we miss, but along with people I also miss some special places in IMI…my room, amphi n terrace, have spent some of the most beautiful moments there.
Now I am back in Mumbai, got placed here but its different this time. I don’t feel like a stranger any more, infact I enjoy being alone here. I have colleagues, acquaintances but no friends. I have stopped making friends now because I don’t have the emotional stability of seeing people come close and then go away. I still travel by train alone, attend my training program and come back home. This is my typical day and that’s the way I prefer it to be !!
