Here she goes again
While packing her bag for the nth time this month, she sits down to catch her breath. Wiping that bead of sweat from her forehead, she thinks about what “Home” really is for her. She remembers the first time when she left her abode, to go to the city which was 2458kms away from where her heart was(her home). Sara was always scared of leaving her beautiful nest, the place where her parents taught her how to swim, where she made lifelong bonds, where she kissed first. Leaving all this behind to move to Chennai, was overwhelming but she knew that she was prepared to take up this journey.
Sara has always been the independent type, carefree and a seeker despite being homebound. Chennai gave her a passageway, to become an adventurer, to travel and find her new set of people. She undertook this voyage to discover that the not-so-famous cafes, not-so-popular beaches and not-so-crowded touristy places are the ones that leave the impact. She explored Pondicherry, Coorg, Ooty, Wellington, Munnar and many more scenic places but still her thirst for travelling never quenched.
Thinking about all these journeys and sojourns that she took up, made her nostalgic. She snaps back and continues her packing. Sara’s mom rushes to the room with 3 boxes full of dry fruits, ladoos and pinnis. Sara groans loudly saying, “Maa, you always do this, now my luggage will be overweight” but deep down she controls her tears, tears of parting again. Sara always hated these moments, when she finally realises that it’s time to leave. Sara’s Dad breaks into the tense moment to remind everyone that it’s time to leave for the airport. Being an Army man, he liked to reach the airport 4 hours before the departure and this always miffed Sara.
The drives to the airport are the longest when you’re heading back. Sara had a few trickles down her cheek which she wiped off quickly before anyone saw it. After giving heart felt huges and kisses to her parents, she moved towards the departure gate with a heavy heart. She looked back to catch a glimpse of those beautiful faces, who stood at a distance, waving and smiling back. She thinks to herself, that home is not a place for her but her Shangri-La is her family, the one that stays in her heart, no matter where she is.
