I had lived a lot of my younger life in and around Halasuru or Ulsoor. After which I had a five year stint in Hyderabad. Back in the city about three years back, it was obvious for me to find a city which would have changed completely.
I was not surprised when I landed in Ulsoor again. While the interior by-lanes of the area had not changed much - there was hardly any space for change, the outside bit had completely transformed. But it was a necessity and it will continue to change. But what is hurting indeed is one truth of life. How people, due to necessities of living this life, have to move on with their personal priorities. We had a group of about sixteen friends, who would meet at our ‘adda’, everyday in the evening, after our work. There was not even a single day, when we missed this ‘ritual’...never in the 15 years when I lived there. It was a time when we were a family...sharing every tiny bit of our day.
As time passed, one after the other each of us had to part ways, in pursuit of a better life. What we did not realise was that small happiness of life were being brutally snuffed out of our life, just to seek a happiness that is a mirage. I moved to Hyderabad. Initially we tried to continue the ritual through phone and email. But slowly, the ritual began to take place alternate days, then weekly, then monthly and then once in a year. Today, I am back. I live a better life. I have a little bit of whatever I saw in the mirage...but I have lost those sixteen friends. The family that I really had.
Bangalore has changed and we complain. But I think, we need to look at ourselves first. Have we changed? I am sure, we have.
Those small happiness of celebrating a birthday, a trip to Manchanbele, Pecos get together, Brigade road coupled with a movie in Plaza, a walk around Ulsoor Lake, munching on butta and groundnuts...those were days. And yes, I miss it, but thankfully, Bangalore remains in my heart and it will forever remind me of the sweet old days.