Tuesday, April 10, 2012

The Farewell

Last day in Chandigarh. Seems weird to go. A sense of missing out. A sense of nostalgia, interspersed with sadness and longing. This city has become a part of me now. I am more Punjabi than Gujarati or Malayali now. My tastes in food, drink, music and life have changed over this wondrous journey of 4 years. 


But I am happy too. Excited to go and start a new phase of my life with Nishtha, my wife. I'm glad I can finally start living with her. It's been long overdue and I'm glad things worked out for me. I can't wait to start living with Nishtha. 


I have made a lot of friends here over this period of time in my life. Some have moved on to newer and bigger things, some have remained where they are. I'm going to miss all these people I have met, and the things I have learnt from them - not only about work, but even about life. 


I fell in love while I have been here. It's singularly the most important thing that has happened in my life - loving someone so amazing as Nishtha. And I attribute it a lot to my being in Chandigarh, and the city shaping me the way I am. 


I now know how it feels to be in a torrent of a mixture of emotions. I'm sad, yet so very happy. I'm nostalgic, yet I also look forward to the future with great eagerness and anticipation and excitement. 


I hope Ahmedabad teaches me new things in life. I hope that Nishtha and I find living with each other even more fun that we have anticipated already. I'm keeping my heart open to dreams. I hope that my life is better there than here. I hope that Nishtha and I live a happy life. I hope that Chandigarh lets me go happily and yet hope that there is some part of this city that will miss me. I hope some part of this city someday stretches out and calls me back here again, even if for a day. 


I fare thee well, Chandigarh. I hope you always stay the same - a city of dreams, a city of beauty, and a city of hope.


- Vinaykrishnan.