My last day here is the first day of their weekend. As the family takes it easy, I’m taking a walk around, committing to memory the little details of the home my friend has made. The fridge magnets, for instance, which are a window to a part of her personality. I am solidifying the many many lovely memories of my time here, and feeling proud of myself for trusting that when someone says and shows over and over that they want to spend time with me, after 15 years 😅, I did turn up.

The littlest one was up, did some drawing and snuck back into bed when she heard the nanny up and about (because she’s not supposed to be out of bed yet. A little piece of information she withheld while drawing those damn elephants😂😂)

I’m taking a 22 year old trip down memory lane. All of this began at my first job. I landed an internship on sheer luck (time and place) and ability (solid skills, summer project and articulation of purpose). After a tough first few months, I onboarded the first batch that I oversaw hiring for. The friend whose house I visited was one of fifteen people in that batch. He and three others became my inner circle of friends very quickly. They were very clever and troublemakers of the best sort. They taught me to not be a complete chump, and they took me under their wing and were protective. A couple of them were great negotiators and and I learnt from them to convince and negotiate… a skill that I now use daily in my work. They set the standard for me, on the kind of friendships to accept and invite and nurture. When I met his bride to be, I immediately fell in love with her. It’s been a privilege to watch her grow from girl to responsible adult to mother to a savvy, ambitious businesswoman whose vision has shaped others businesses and inspired others. These, not including the women she actively pushes out of comfort and into entrepreneurial ventures.

They are both middle eastern kids, who went to India for their higher studies. I never left the country, growing up. Afsha and I have so many differences and more keep surfacing every time we meet. (Case in point, I learnt about the Red Crescent this week and Afsha said that happened to her. She learnt about the Red Cross when she came to India). Our friendship shouldn’t work, by any present day standards of polarisation. It does, without a doubt, for no other reason except a little bit of effort, a lot of acceptance and a little bit of love. I’m so glad and grateful for all the forces of life and nature that conspired to cross our paths. This last week has brought this gratitude back in spades.

When setting out of home, I wondered how the kids would acclimate to a random aunty they meet in Bangalore. I have to say, while I wasn’t the wild hit my brother can be with kids, I didn’t completely bomb.

The older ones were so beautifully curious about my vegetarianism. They asked a LOT of curious questions about what it means, why I am vegetarian, how it all works, etc. not one judgy or sarcastic question. I’ve had worse from kids in India. They are being raised to be curious and respectful. I wonder if the parents see how well they are doing on that count.

The younger two are pistols and at that age where guests are a fun distraction to routine. All four are so different from each other and yet such an integral part of this unit. I’ve been telling them all they should record their daily conversations and upload on social media, get rich beyond all imagination and retire. They’re so funny all the time, that is go to sleep with a slightly achy tummy, thanks to all the laughing.

We were laughing about something till I saw that falcon statue, one of the last bits of public art installations outside the airport. I’m certainly coming back to hang out with this unit. Poor chaps, till they ban me, I’m definitely returning.

A mark of how is well this trip went is that I’m lining up people in other places whose homes I’m visiting next.

As I wait to take off, I am leaving a note to my future self, reminding why I love heading out and how much it expands the soul.