Saturday

Then and Now.....


Having traversed between Delhi (My home) and Mumbai (My previous work place) and lived two different kinds of lives, I feel I have embedded bits of me at both places...I feel I am living in a state of Euphoria, longing for how things used to be….

In Mumbai, I used to miss sitting idle..with no agendas, no plans for the day… here, (being out of job) I miss my working days..getting up and getting ready for an action packed day!
There I missed ghar ka khana.. dal, subji, ghiya, khichdi… here I keep looking for roadside mouth watering delicacies which were my meals in Mumbai (Dabheli, Mesal Pao, Mendu Vada)… I used to long for MacDonald’s Veg-Surprise burger there…now, I’m trying to replicate a vada-pao at home!
There I missed relaxing with yoga and pranayam to be in touch with myself...Now, I marvel at the fast paced life of Mumbai where I used to forget myself!
There I used to crave for chilly, shivery winters (Dilli ki sardi!).. now I smile thinking about refreshing Bombay rains.. those raincoats, boots, umpteen colourful umbrellas, Crocs and tapri ki chai!
There I could have happily given my right arm to have my daily morning punch of Nimbu-paani made by Papa, peppered with love and affection.. Here I miss the thirst quenching Chhaas (at office) and Oh-so-Yummy Coco! (concoted by a dear fren’s mum, Nirula’s Hot Chocolate Fudge (HCF) would taste like bournvita milk in front of that!)
In Mumbai, I used to babble about the beauty of lush green parks, trees and bird chirpings in Delhi.. Now I oogle at pics of beaches and sea faces I used to frequent there…
I used to proudly discuss about the AC metro trains of Dilli to every Mumbaite.. Now the thought of crazy, maddening Mumbai Locals fills me with Nostalgia!
Being a shopoholic, I missed Janpath, Sarojini Nagar… Now I flaunt my Linking road, Fashion Street purchases.
Surviving in a cramped, decrepit apartment, I used to miss my warm and cozy bedroom…Now I cherish those mid-night excursions with friends wandering on the sea- face, munching on chana-jor-garam and relishing sharifa-shake!
Most importantly, Earlier, I longed to get even a glimpse of my family, cousins and my Cheeku! And now, my smile brightens-up hearing my Mumbai friends on phone!
Really miss planning whacky weekends with my extended family and Loved ones there!!!!

Will I ever be able to have the best of both worlds????