The City, The Convocation and Me

The city was in its usual hurry when I stepped in. I was sort of confused. I was confused of exactly what I was expecting. Sometimes it seemed like the usual of my old city life and the next moment it was a complete strange place for me. Even the same acquaintances seemed strangers for me. It seemed a complete alien land. This happened especially on my second day at this city. That day, I thought, I would escape from here. “Maximum a fortnight!”, I thought. And, guess what! On the first week itself, I fell ill. I had to get admitted to a hospital, which I never had even seen before since my birth. Whatever it is! Those are bad memories. It’s better if I forget these.

I am talking about the new city where I am posted now for my job. This city, however, unraveled many new paths in my walk of life. I came to know what seemed “just filmy” is actually a part & parcel of our life and so much so that existing without those seems impossible for practical persons. I know how to differentiate between practical and dream world. But things seem different now. It seems as if I used to live in a world of dreams and it’s a sudden wake up call for me. This city has shown me some new horizons as well.

 It gave me a special moment when I could fly back to my old place. Yes! I don’t remember the time nor do I remember the exact date now. But I do remember the situation quite well. It was a beautiful evening and I was in my usual mood. I got a phone call from my father informing me about the convocation ceremony at my college. I could never put up in words what I exactly felt. The line that just preceded doesn’t exactly mean that I was happy. To be very true, I was not exactly happy. It was different. That’s why I said, I could never put it up in words. I was actually puzzled. The thing that puzzled me (has always and will always) is why I get the things after time out. But keeping that thing aside, being in my place was an awesome experience altogether. I was in the seventh heaven that day.  Being in my college was altogether a different feeling. Entering that gate which I used to enter and exit a million times without noticing seemed special. It felt like the scene from ‘Mohabbatein’ when SRK entered Gurukul. Walking through the old classroom, going to my hostel, walking in those lawns and parking areas……oh God……it was……I can’t explain! All those memories running in a jet flashback and a mixed feeling of extreme happiness and a dint of sadness were flowing through my arteries. I wanted the event to go on for ages like the seminars we attended when we students here. But it ended very soon. I had to return that day to the city as I had been allowed only a day’s leave.

After returning, the first few days in the city seemed horrible. I wanted to go back, but now everything seems in order. At least I have managed to see things in that way. The city has managed to teach me this. The best thing, I would say, happened to me, in this city is I learned that there is a world beyond your dreams. May be the faculties of my college knew that. Perhaps that was the reason, they constantly advised me, “See, you will find people who will be extremely friendly and you will also find people who will be extremely mean. Don’t feel bad or get hurt by these set of people.” I can see every word they spoke was true.

Whatever be the case, be it good or be it bad. The city has spangled its horizons and has given me so much. A few more weeks in this city and I will be discovering another new city. I don’t know what it has in store for me. I just hope it’s more good than bad. Let’s wait and watch. 

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This was written actually on July 21, 2012.

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