Dil Chahta Hai

Simpsons!

No I am not taking of the longest running TV show, "The Simpson's". This is my first home in the US! And boy! What a home!

I still remember the time when I was a new comer to the US, living temporarily with a senior RS and her directing me to this off-campus apartment complex. Actually I should say "us" rather than me, because my best friend from undergraduate studies was doing her Masters with me, and I can tell you I was glad that I could share this wonderful experience with her.

The moment I entered the plush apartment complex, my home, Apartment 714 for the first time, I loved the soft carpet and the big living room and the perfect bedroom and the microwave and washer/dryer in the apartment, I lost my apprehension. All worries of living "off-campus" and walking a long distance for classes were abandoned (though I should really say trekking, because we climbed a small knoll and crossed a train track everyday, to shorten the walk!).

Fortunately for me, there was an influx of Indian students that year and about 50% of the apartments at Simpsons were occupied by Indian students. Call it a quirk of fate, or destiny, I have met the most wonderful people here!

I remember the prolonged sessions of talking on the staircase, the excitement of TV in one of the apartments, the long walk to the Indian store (25 mins in reality, but taking about 45 mins due to our "intellectual" exchanges), watching a movie with 15 - 20 people in the room, rushing to catch the best spot, experimenting with cooking and trying it on our innocent neighbors, studying hard, helping people through assignments and exams. Wow! I could give anything to keep it the same 5 years back!

I remember the cricket, on the pitch you see in the picture, the badminton in the green area on the left with 6 people on each side, the heavy rains that caused water to collect and us making paper boats for the gushing water, the first snow, rolling in the snow for more than 3 hours and following it up with hot tea and chatter! What more could a 22 year old want?

Fridays were fun, rushing to Seaton center for a badminton court, playing for 3 - 4 hours, like there was no tomorrow, dinner and a dance/ loud music session at home, maybe. This is still where I miss by best friend, her grit at playing the game and winning.

On many occasions, I found myself talking about things I wouldn't have dreamt of sharing with anyone. Such was the warmth and friendliness of the people around me.

It lasted for two years!

People say that the place where you meet your husband always lies the closest to your heart and I met my husband there! I cannot forget the place where we studied together, became close friends, confessed our love for each other and weathered many a fights. But truthfully, the experience was THAT and MUCH MORE! (That's what makes me write this post. I would surpise myself the day I wrote a post about just that, I think!)

Secretly, I wish things would have never changed. But that is the way life goes. "The show must go on" they say. I will cherish the memories forever.

posted by PH @ Saturday, December 17, 2005