A Frog-Princess Tale

When I started from home a fortnight ago, I had wondered just for a moment how my first experience far from home, in an unacquainted city and amidst new people would be. Staying away from all that familiarity, pampering and intimacy is not an easy task, especially when they had tightly coiled up over the years. (But isn’t change always deemed to be welcome?) This was also exactly why being distant is so hard to accept; and the oft-told story remains- a frog straight out of its well would never know how the Outside would be. Curiously, the story after the frog comes out has always remained a mystery. Whether it turned out to be a frog-princess, or whether destiny had other plans for it, no one would know for sure. Oh, so meet me, the frog.

The transition was sure to come someday, although I have never been able to figure out if I even wished for it. But contrary to general perception, the outside (I saw) seemed extremely hospitable as genuineness in affection became increasingly apparent. The most helpful part about unfamiliar newness (as I see it) is how close to your former comfort zone it takes you. New portions complementing beautifully with some old ones, which inevitably followed you into the newness, is a brilliant combination. You don’t complain about those old streaks, as they denote that familiarity you so longed for in the newness… something to fall back upon if the newness intimates: Shadows are (thankfully) meant to follow.

Now, putting abstracts aside… In this process of evolution, I saw a beautiful city. As packages, it brought along with it the heat, friendly towns, hospitality, festivities, hectic work, long taxi rides, rants and unexpected compliments, awesome food, conversations, waits; the best thing being the rare surprises that were reserved just for me, and the independence the Outside sought to teach. Memories dug out through silent waves at the Necklace, constant thoughts of home kindled, the occasional coldness and lowering of morale, intimate conversations at the Café, cribbing to finish incessant work, much-needed love and unending warm-heartedness- it was all a mix.

  So yes, the Outside has been special, for reasons both said and unsaid.