Kritika Sodhi - 3 min read
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HOME AWAY FROM HOME
These four words, the most difficult four words I believe. Home is a concept that transcends mere bricks and mortar. It is a sentiment that’s rooted in the heart, nurtured by cherished moments, and enriched by the presence of loved ones. These four words, “a place to call home,” are perhaps the most challenging to truly understand and appreciate. They represent the journey of moving to an unknown place, converting four walls into a warm place, and embracing a new life. Four years ago, I embarked on this journey when I moved to the UK. Little did I know then, that this adventure would be a mix of excitement, challenges, and profound personal growth.
My initial home in the UK was an accommodation in Leeds. From there, my path led me to London, and over the course of four years, I found myself residing in more than four different places, each of which I called home for a time. In 2022, I finally rented a place in London after an exhaustive eight-month search. It was a moment of joy, but strangely, it did not quite feel like home. Morning tea lacked the soothing essence it once had in India, and even the simplest pleasures like savouring a packet of Blue Lay’s chips lost their appeal. I tried everything to recreate the warmth of my Indian home, from decorating my space to cooking familiar dishes. Yet, something was amiss.
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Through this journey, I realized that home is not just about the food we eat or the things that surround us. It’s about the people we share our lives with and the small moments of joy that they bring. It’s about the laughter and the occasional squabbles that make a place truly special. Every morning, when my mother used to make tea, those playful fights with my brother over the last packet of biscuits, those times when my dad had to watch cricket matches while I desperately wanted to catch my favourite TV serials – these were the moments that defined the essence of home which I could never pack in a suitcase and bring with me.
Ironically, I had never fully grasped the value of these fleeting, everyday moments with my family when I was living with them. It’s only now, in their absence, that I realize how precious they are. My current place may offer me everything on my terms and schedule, but it still feels incomplete. From the heartfelt conversations at the dinner table to the weekly family outings on Sunday evenings, even the weekends when I used to annoy my mom – I never anticipated that my heart would ache for these experiences. When I was in the midst of those moments, I did not realize that they were the real essence of home. I did not understand that home, without these cherished moments, was nothing more than an empty space.
As my journey goes on, I have unearthed a profound truth: Home is not confined to a physical space; it’s a symphony of emotions, a gallery of cherished memories, and the enduring bonds we share with those closest to us. No matter where I am, I carry those moments with me, treasuring them as the true essence of what I have left behind and what I strive to recreate.
Throughout the years, with each change of residence and every new chapter, each place I have called home has imprinted a unique piece of itself onto my heart. These locations have gifted me with precious experiences and etched memories that will hold a special place in my heart. t whispers to me that, in the grandeur of a city, “London may sparkle brightly, but there’s nothing quite like the warmth of home.”
Indeed, “ghar… ghar hi hota hai!!” resounds with profound significance. It serves as a constant reminder that irrespective of our worldly adventures, home will forever be the refuge where our hearts find their purest contentment.
