We came as strangers, became friends and now live like a family
Views — By Namraata Badheka on September 4, 2012 at 5:51 PM
They say that you can’t choose your blood but you sure can choose whom you call family. I never quite had faith in relations outside blood relations but my relocation to Pune had me relinquish that thought. From the sambar land to Pune, my two months in this resonating city has been a rollercoaster ride. Only work brought a smile to my face during my initial days in Pune. Little did I know that within two months’ time I’d have a family here to count on.
Post my transfer to Pune, I missed my friends and family back home immensely. I missed the security I got with their presence. With no relatives in Pune, friends or even acquaintances, I put in even my leisure time into work. I dreaded the weekends as I’d have nothing to really do. But destiny had other plans in store.
It all started with one roomie falling ill. I returned from work to see a lot of people present in the house. That evening was the start to something beautiful. Everyone mingled, taking care of the girl in need. And since that random evening, five of us, from the many people present that evening, have been inseparable.
Everytime one of us is in trouble, the rest hold a meeting to solve the dilemma. One person’s predicament becomes the others’ trepidation. It awes me how people from diverse parts of the country, with vast age differences, sundry personalities and fascinatingly distinct job profiles have found solace in one another. It isn’t too hard to connect with strangers. All one needs is the will to understand and be understood.
It might be true to a certain extent, familiarity causes contempt. Familiarity also might be a cause for dysfunctional functioning. Like every other family, we’ve had our share of arguments, non-fatal fist fights and cold war. But there has also been an equal share of fierce protectiveness and loyalty. I give credit to the hypnotic flamboyance of this city that has given us the opening to broaden our horizons and accept our disparities. From shopping, hospital visits, random late night drives, shameless food hogging, cooking at home, struggling for bed space and the blanket to adopting an Indian kitten, I thank this Oxford of the East city for making reminiscent memories to last a lifetime. Jai ho, Aamchi Pune!
