A tale of two cities

Do I belong to Chandigarh any less than I do to Shimla? As I harmoniously blend into Delhi’s metropolis environs now, wholly rejoicing in its spirit and embracing its unique character, the question of ‘belongingness’ often pops up in conversations with friends, stirring in me a strong nostalgia about the two cities I’ve left behind. Having spent formative years in each, I deem it a betrayal to cherish one over the other. As for the question of which one I hold more dear, I can’t tell.

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It is but human to brood over things we have left behind, the way it happened when I left my beautiful town of Shimla at 16 to study in Chandigarh. It took me some time to get used to the hot weather, cold showers, sleeping in bedsheets, understanding sectors and navigating through the complexities and novelty of a new city. But soon, friendships blossomed and together we would explore Sector 17, Rose Garden and innumerable eateries in Sector 15. As we stepped into a new phase of life, I chose to take up a job in Chandigarh, securing my stay and deepening my bond with the city for many more years to come. Visiting parents in Shimla during holidays meant long walks on the Mall and food at the bakeries I had known since childhood. But returning to Chandigarh now no longer made me wistful.

They say distance makes the heart grow fonder, but I often wonder if my heart could have held any more fondness than it did while I lived in these two cities. Even now, they remain just as enchanting, just as comforting, as they ever were. Though I once lived in them, they continue to live in me.

Eesha Duggal, New Delhi