I went on a nostalgia trip around Bombay today.

To Mahim, my first accomodation as a paying guest to an old Marathi aunty. I shared a tiny hall and a Godrej almirah with a friend. Her windows were always open and I would often come back late in the night to wild cats sleeping on my bed. Tired, hungry and no energy to care, I would just crash beside them.

I went to the same stall I went to, to buy mangoes for the first time. The seller had pointed towards the racks and told me, "Yeh Rs.800, yeh Rs. 1000, yeh Rs. 1200." I was used to eating langda at Rs.35 a kilo. I almost cried thinking I'll never be able to eat mango in this city.

I drove past dadar station where I'd been caught in the 1st class compartment with a 2nd class ticket. Obviously, I didn't know about these systems then. I felt like a criminal as I was led to an office where the lady asked for a hefty fine. I didn't have cash so she rummaged my bag and my pockets as I stood there clenching my fist and holding my tears.

I went to the local bar that we used to frequent after work. That place had rats camping in the corners and we probably ate their feces along with our chicken chilli. It was the alcohol that sanitised our insides and kept us alive. When would we afford the food at ITC Maratha that was right behind?

I went past the place where Benetton used to be in Khar. My friend and I would often walk in, try on a variety of clothes and buy a pair of socks cause we were too embarrassed to walk out without buying anything.

Dear Bombay, thank you for giving me a house, car, unlimited mangoes, choices of brands, finest food and the courage to survive and thrive in any goddamn city in the world.

#Bombay #maximumcity #mumbai #learn #grow