Dear Shimla,

A part of me is always with you. You must know that. I spent 10 years with you- and though the number may seem small now, these 10 years were the most important 10 years of my life. I remember yearning to leave you and going back to the plains, where the highways were broad and straight, not narrow and winding like yours, so that cars could go as fast as they normally would on plains and I would feel a sense of freedom and space. I was a little girl in a boarding school. Of course I wanted to go away. But now, I yearn for you.

I vividly remember my first visit to Auckland House School for admission in class 1- to be honest, it was my fascination for bunker beds that got me to say yes for boarding. How silly of me, and yet there I was, ready to live with you. While I was there, I could never truly appreciate all that you had to offer. An uphill climb, a short trek, clouds that can almost be touched, dhingoo mandir bhandaras and innocent pahari friends were business as usual, but now, these small joys are much romanticized and missed.

Whenever someone asks me where I’m from, I make it a point to mention I’m half Himachali, because mamma’s from Shimla. Besides, I haven’t really spent as long a time at any place as I have with you. Whenever I do come back to you, it feels like I’m coming home. I look at your ever increasing number of visitors and I think to myself- Tourists. I never feel like a tourist with you. I’ve known you too well and for too long to pretend to be alienated from you.

Now that I’m here in Pune, thinking of settling here for good, I am afraid that we might lose our connection. If that happens, I will lose a big chunk of my identity, of who I am and where I come from-my roots. I don’t want that to happen. You made my childhood beautiful. In fact, now that I have a baby boy, I want him to feel as connected to you as I have felt. You are special and have so much to offer, and I want him to know that. Over the past few months I have been thinking of ways for establishing a connect between you and Gautam. I wanted to get his mundan done at Dhingoo Mandir, but that didn’t happen. I’ll keep trying! You are too important to lose out on.

Anyhow, this is a picture of Gautam’s first visit. He’s a bit too young to admire your beauty now, but he will in due time.

Dear, dear Shimla, you have defined me in more ways than one, and it is my heartfelt request that whenever I do come back, please accept me as one of your own.

Love,

Manya