The scene, a typical hangout. The gathering, an ecclectic group of friends. The year - 2005 or thereabouts. I had promised myself and my friends that some day I would live and work in Mumbai.
Almost a decade has passed since that promise made as much to myself as to my friends. And today, I can safely say that it has been fulfilled. For a year now, I have been shuttling between Mumbai and Pune. With the omni-present support of my family, my mama and my mami, I have been able to juggle a life in both cities. I am grateful to them for letting me be a part of their home for so long.
And today, I finally moved all my belongings to a new house. A house that I shall co-inhabit with a beautiful wife. In Mumbai. The city of my dreams. And today reminds me as much of that promise I made to my friends as to myself.
Mumbai meri mashooqa hai. It is the city that has given me hope. It is the city that has shown me that punctuality and professionalism are still qualities that are valued. It is the city that has given me some of the most enduring friendships of my life. It is the city that has made me the man that I am today.
People say that there is no personal touch in Mumbai. I beg to differ. Despite the limited amount of time that I have spent here, the most enduring relationships that I have forged are from Mumbai. With kilometres separating me and its inhabitants from 2004 to 2012, I was still in touch with Mumbai. Its people. Its soul.
And on this note, I shall now begin a brand new chapter of my life. A chapter that I have been looking forward to and working towards half of my adult life. To live and work in Mumbai.
Almost a decade has passed since that promise made as much to myself as to my friends. And today, I can safely say that it has been fulfilled. For a year now, I have been shuttling between Mumbai and Pune. With the omni-present support of my family, my mama and my mami, I have been able to juggle a life in both cities. I am grateful to them for letting me be a part of their home for so long.
And today, I finally moved all my belongings to a new house. A house that I shall co-inhabit with a beautiful wife. In Mumbai. The city of my dreams. And today reminds me as much of that promise I made to my friends as to myself.
Mumbai meri mashooqa hai. It is the city that has given me hope. It is the city that has shown me that punctuality and professionalism are still qualities that are valued. It is the city that has given me some of the most enduring friendships of my life. It is the city that has made me the man that I am today.
People say that there is no personal touch in Mumbai. I beg to differ. Despite the limited amount of time that I have spent here, the most enduring relationships that I have forged are from Mumbai. With kilometres separating me and its inhabitants from 2004 to 2012, I was still in touch with Mumbai. Its people. Its soul.
And on this note, I shall now begin a brand new chapter of my life. A chapter that I have been looking forward to and working towards half of my adult life. To live and work in Mumbai.
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