We usually look at the city we live in with the same lenses but different perspectives. A city inhabits in itself millions of dreams, innumerable aspirations of those living there and those who move there in chase of a better tomorrow. We often come across a place, which redefines our understanding of 'home'.
You meet people, erstwhile strangers, become family. A family not bound by blood but a thousand disparate emotions. When we move to a new place, there is always an uneasiness of what tomorrow would look like, but based on who we meet, our sentiments and insecurities make a shift.
Sometimes when nostalgia hits you, the lines between 'now and 'then' begins to blur. I have realised that the most authentic way of expressing love, is letters. So here's one for the city I love- Jodhpur.
I came here in search of means to realising a dream. No admiration for you did I carry within me back then. You introduced me to the legendary 'hostel' life. Sharing a room with 4 other girls, believe me as unworkable as it sounds- it is among the best memories of my life. Them, coming in from contrasting cultures, careers and cities, taught me how possible it is to have a family away from home. From having each others shoulder to whine on to driving up to the Stepwell when any one was down and low, sitting there till the dead of the night and digging deep into our philosophical selves. That place has an aura altogether different. You're down in the dumps- just go spend sometime and boom! To me, it has always been a place, where from I go back with nothing but positivity and gratitude.
There's no street in that city that wasn't explored. No tapri left untested and untasted. Chai pe charcha was never-ending. And there's a different memory that the heart is holding onto with each one of them. Even though I went to all the places with same set of people, we'd always find different things to talk about, to learn from, to trip over and laugh out loud at.
Visiting new cafes every week just to come back and rant that no matter how fancy it was, The Book Cafe is the best! From the busy bustling Sardarpura to the lush green and calm roads of Shikargarh, from witnessing the sun-rise at 5:45am from Mehrangarh to admiring the reflection of moon in the Kaylana lake, every direction has at-least one such place, where tons of memories were lived. Wednesdays were locked in for Ganesh Tekri, (the view of the city after sunset from that place cannot be missed) and Saturdays were for Pal Balaji and there from DPS dhaba and Mokaaz. Sitting on the rooftop of Dagleys and dining with a mesmerising view couldn't get any better as well.
Having lived in a few other cities, none, absolutely none of them gives me so much to reminisce about, think of and love about as much as you do. No, not that you were always full of good days, but like I said you were full of life lessons, bitter & sweet- Lessons I'd carry with myself for the rest of my life.
Right when I thought it was time to move on from you, you gave me 'him'. I was then being introduced to a total another side of you. Little did I know I ll fall in love with you all the more. The best things in life comes when you expect them the least. You know how I made scenarios in my mind and let them out to the universe every night before bed, you pushed them to my reality. How can I not love you?
The 'Jal Vatika' is probably my absolute favourite spot in the city. Standing by the still-water right next to the person I love, gave me hope, paved a way, provided me with a vision and in no time you became our go to place, almost every evening possible. Each stone carved in there, is an inspiration, a piece of history that reminds us where we come from and what we are. And on the other side, stands the magnificent Ummaid Bhawan that is a sight powerful enough to remind us our glorious past.
You have witnessed it all, from my career milestones to depressing days, from butterfly moments to heartbreaks and almost all my firsts. All the major life lessons I learnt were in your precincts. I fell down, you embraced me, I got high, you kept me safe. I stumbled, you gave me another chance. The best part about loving a city is that it never judges you no matter what, it accommodates you, keeps you warm. Thank you Jodhpur for being so kind, for being a teacher, for making me meet the most amazing people I could possibly ask for, for shaping a 17 year old teenager and preparing her for life with constant reality-checks yet keeping the dreams intact & alive.
Until next time.
Yours truly.
