Independence and freedom, everybody craves and does much to
achieve it. I, of course, had freedom at my home back in Hyderabad, but independence?
Well, all families have their set of restrictions.
My dream came true when I got an offer to work with a
company based out of Chennai. Though almost everybody criticised the place and
filled me with negative impressions about this city, I still looked forward to
it. Relocation was a sort of adventure for me. This was the first time I was leaving
home. I knew I would miss home but I was game to explore this new city and
experience something that I haven’t till date.
I stayed in the comfort of my house till date, it was time
to step out and face so many challenges. Language was the first one. I had to
befriend strangers here, make a conversation and grab the bit of information
that I am looking at. For example, while travelling in public transport I
always needed one to inform me when my destination arrives. Language is still a
challenge but I learnt bits and parts to manage a conversation with an auto
rickshaw driver without hinting at him that I don’t know the language. And if
it gets out of my mind, all I do is politely say “Tamil teriyada” (meaning I
don’t understand Tamil). People who can’t speak English still try to give me
the bit of information I am looking at, through sign language. The bottom line
is I need to learn more of Tamil ASAP and yes, the people out here are very
friendly (Note: Do not add auto rickshaw guys to friendly list. They are NOT).
The second challenge was to search accomodation. Destiny had
me stay at hostel. My friends who were hostilites state that hostel creates
memories one would cherish forever but I have a contrary story to narrate.
Nothing was going right. I hated the food, a thief tried to sneak into my room,
nobody from the hostel’s management understood English, and I was supposed to
be back by 8:30pm. I knew that I will have to adjust with my comfort and I was
ready to do that, but bad food, not-so-safe accommodation, be mastered by
hostel management, this is not what I had relocated for. I started searching
for an alternative; I found an apartment shared by 3. I stay with them and I am
much happy with the company, accommodation, location and the NO RESTRICTION
part.
The third challenge was to learn how to cook. Out of all, I
consider this as the biggest challenge, at least to me who hardly entered
kitchen. My life had now become a routine and me a machine. Get up in the
morning, cook, pack lunch, take up the train, reach office on time, work till
7, take a train back, cook, have dinner, sleep. I then realized for the freedom
and independence part I am compromising much. I sat wondering if shifting had
added up more problems to my list. I then realized that I had no much time to think
as my routine life wanted me to finish all the tasks asap and hit the bed soon
so that I can wake up early next day and do things as per schedule. By now I
have learnt a little bit of cooking and also got appreciation from a friend who
found my upma “yummy”. Well, matters a lot to me.
Before you start pitying me, let me tell you how fun my weekends
are. Wink! Wink! I don’t have to cook, I hangout with friends, I explore the
city, watch movies, play UNO and much more.
Everything has a positive and a negative side to it. Though I
started complaining at first, now I realize how much relocation has added up to
me. It boasted my confidence, I now know I can tackle things on my own whenever
in trouble, I am still positive that I shall learn the language someday, my mom
can proudly say that her tomboyish daughter can finally cook and yes, I feel
much independent now.
It’s just been a month and I have so much to explore. I’d
blog next when I add up more to the list.
Adios!
