The First Homecoming

Living all alone in a city far away from home is itself a goosebump-giving experience for me. I had never imagined surviving alone in an aloof place where everything was unknown to me; the people, the places around, the mode of transportation and most importantly the way to communicate; the language. I along with myself carried a bag full of anxiety, nervousness, dilemma and more of excitement. And somehow with the push that I gave to myself my journey started.

From getting to know places around to understanding the way to communicate and realising my true self, I made it. I learned to get a good hold of myself and became more independent. My uncertain trembling days were now at peace. And the days passed by with dozens of emotional changes. Some of missing home, the comfort corners, the aura and especially ‘home-cooked food’. These emotions were all controlled by hope of home going soon.

Finally the months of wait brought the date of going back home though for a few days but it made my heart dance with glee. It had to be as it was the first home coming and in the pujo season. My heart was filled with desires and I was standing on the ninth cloud as I started to plan my way to home. Endless shopping and listing of things to be packed for home was on the priority list. And when the day arrived it brought another set of tension and anxiety as I had to travel all alone. A lot of discussion, arguments and estrangement happened as it is common for a middle –class typical Bengali family to do so. As I started my journey I encountered rather discovered a new identity of myself and this new found identity was more confident and self –standing. As the car drove the hill I felt the nature spoke to me. The roads through the lush green trees on the side, the intriguing tunnels and aesthetic view of the hills gave me a tempting feel of solo travel. The cool breeze curtailed the blazing heat and rejuvenated the body and I never realised the passed a three hour Shillong-Guwahati journey in just a click. But this was not the end I had another night of travel to reach home. Now the wait was no more pleasing to self. The urge of reaching home was more especially because of the September hot.

With all the wait and watch I finally reached home. The smile on maa’s face made me forget my tiring journey. The smell of maa’s ‘shada aloo’er torkari’ made it even more comforting. The essence of home coming will always have a very special place in the hearts of many like me.

Deboleena