NEW GIRL IN THE CITY

When I entered the city, I was skeptical, nervous and extremely low in morale. I had had enough of trouble in 2009 and was mentally incapable of taking any more.
When I entered the city, I had an unhappy father and a tensed mother back home. Reason - They knew no one here. When I told my father that I intended to come to Hyderabad he was shocked!

“Hyderabad?”
“Yes!”
“H-Y-D-E-R-A-B-A-D-?”

He almost spelt it out to me! I guess he was wondering whether I read the name of the city wrong! After a lot of melodrama, he agreed. Rather the circumstance made him to agree to let me come to the city for YET ANOTHER internship. If only internships were counted as work experience, I guess 90% of my batch mates would already be one year experience holder at that time!

For his own satisfaction, dad got hold of one known person who happened to be a second cousin of his friend. Acquaintance indeed! Distant but nonetheless a solace to him!

My plan was simple! Work hard and get the damn job! But simple things in life are most difficult to achieve. One month got over and I couldn’t bag it! But in that one month I made some contacts, couple of lovely acquaintance and a friend.

My last day of internship, I refused to talk to anyone in the firm. I had a train to catch at 8 30 PM and I was at office till 6 45 PM and yet refused an offer to drop me till my home. After waiting for ten fifteen minutes (which seemed like eternity), I got transport, went home, picked up my stuff, dumped it in the auto and left. I was disappointed, shocked, dismayed. Yet another failure! I was leaving the city with a heavy heart.

July 31, 2009. It was the most amazing and lovely weather. It was drizzling, soft wind and I was not enjoying it. That’s when the auto entered Hussain-sagar Lake – the place in this city; I would love to go to when it rains. The statue was shining brighter, wind was milder! I felt a lot more relaxed and I knew then, this was not IT! My stay in Hyderabad was not over and I was coming back.

I left the city with a lot of assurance and promise that they would help me get a job. And I guess not all promises are meant to be broken. I had to wait for another month. But the intezaar ka fal was definitely meetha. I did get it! I told my dad and he was disappointed, yet again! But, with a little less melodrama, he agreed! And he didn’t spell the city to confirm!

This time I entered the city excited, brimming with energy, optimist and high in spirit. I did enter with a BANG. My joining got postponed by fifteen days because my would-be-boss met with an accident and had to undergo a surgery. I reached on a bright Sunday morning only to learn that the High Court was on fire and was shut for two days. Wednesday, the chief minister died in a plane crash and the state machinery was closed for another two days!

But then finally when I began my work life, I didn’t have to turn back and crib anymore! One year! Two jobs! Two most amazing employers one could possible imagine working under! Extremely co-operating colleagues! Hyderabad gave me these and a lot more!


Random long drives!
Late night Biryani!
Mid night Desserts!
Early morning Keema Paratha!
Aunty’s home cooked meal !
Ladies Night!
Flat mate hang outs – Fake birthday Celebrations and Real Birthday Celebrations!
Kababs !
Go-karting! – and I never held a steering or pseudo steering in my life!
Bungee Trampling! – and I am scared of heights
Late night movies – Phoonk being the worst!
Karachi Bakery!
Hi-tech City!
Mid night birthdays!
Awful awful, Bull’s Eye, Death by Chocolate and Hand made ice-cream!
Hussain Sagar Lake!
Melas and Ferris Wheel !!!
Pearl shopping and Chudi Bazaar!
Boat Rides!

Innumerable Contacts!
Contacts became Acquaintances!
Acquaintances became Friends!
Friends became Good Friends!
and, Good Friend became The Friend!

As I am leaving the city, I had the article of “New Girl in the City” ringing in my ears!

I wonder if my stay would have been this pleasant without my people!
I wonder if I could have enjoyed the city this much without their company!
I wonder if I would have been this care free without their support!
I wonder if I would have been this happy without their presence!

I went to 9 cities in 6 years! I stayed in all of them for period ranging from a month to five years! But in Hyderabad (of course, after Guwahati) it was much more than just staying!
I LIVED IT, and
I LOVED IT!

P.S.: Dedicated to all those who made my stay this pleasant and memorable! Especially, to MY FIRST FRIEND IN THE CITY
The previous time I left the city, I vowed on the Lake that I would come back. This time, when I leave, I have lot many people to vow on! My stay wouldn’t have been this pleasant without them.
And for YOU all, Hyderabad, I shall come back!