Life in the Capital

It's been quite a while now since I bade adieu to my City of Joy and landed in the national Capital. People have been asking how's been the transition from a "laidback" metro to the heart of India. For me, it's been a rollercoaster ride, not a very smooth one for sure, but definitely an experience in itself. Relocating to Delhi to be on my own, build up my career and experience the sweet taste of 'independence' was my choice. I did have my share of arguments with my family over my decision to shift base, but eventually, I won. And here I landed in the city of my dreams -- Delhi.
The first few weeks passed by in a jiffy. Attending work in evenings, slogging till late nights, sleeping in the wee hours of the morning, napping for a couple of hours and then getting up and setting on my house hunting mission. Once I had a studio apartment to call my own, I had the task of setting it up. Now that's the part I thoroughly enjoyed. Doing up my OWN apartment in my OWN way!! Once that bit was done, reality dawned -- Living alone in an alien city isn't easy! No friends, no relatives, no one to call your own..... And no one to even talk to when you're alone on your off days! The very thought is disturbing, isn't it? But that's how it is...
It's almost a year now since I've been a single working woman in this fast-paced city. And although I have adjusted a lot to the "Delhi-culture", somewhere deep down, I terribly miss Kolkata. The warmth of the city is unmatched, a far cry from the shrewdness of Delhi. Those who haven't been to Kolkata wouldn't understand the charm of that "laidback" city, but those who have grown up or even lived there for a while, wouldn't agree less. It's a place where I have grown up being addressed as "Maa" or "Mamoni" by the elderly, where we've been taught to treat even the minorities with respect, where even the odd vegetable vendor, rickshaw-wallah and maid is "Kaku", "Dada" and "Mashi" respectively.
I remember the times I needed help in Kolkata, a dozen hands would always come forward to provide me whatever I needed. That is not the case in Delhi. But, somehow, I needed this stay away from home to learn the lessons of life, to learn being truly independent.....
Last week, I lost my debit card, and had to go to the bank for withdrawing cash and applying for a new card. Imagine, a Chartered Accountant's daughter, who's never even entered any bank in 25 years of her existence, taking care of her finances all by herself! Shuv (my dear buddy from my Presidency days) commented : "I remember having helped you in even collecting your marksheet. I am amazed by this independent Divya."
My stay in Delhi might not be laced with many pleasant memories, but yes, it has made me grow up. From a wax doll into a fiercely confident young lady. There have been moments sweet-n-sour, but these are moments I'll always cherish (although I might not be particularly fond of them!). And yes, for all the queries unanswered, I'm still a Kolkatan.... not a Delhiite :-)