Hyderabad to Chicago

“Welcome to O’Hare International Airport, Chicago. Thank you for flying with Air India, have a good day!”

I was finally on the US soil. We hear so much about US. Our aunts, uncles and grannies and grannas boast so much about their children/ relatives living in the US. It is the most talked about country in this world. Having heard and seen (thanks to the friends in Facebook) so much about it, I was ready to take on the challenge and live a life in the US.

Why would I call it a challenge? Well, I was just married then, I came to “THE US” (although I don’t think that way) and I was away from mom and dad. My head was full of questions – “Will I be able to manage here?”, “Will I be able to make friends?”, “Will his friends like me?”, “Will I be able to fit in to their group?”, “Will I like it?”, “Will I miss India terribly?”, “Will I have a smooth transition from a working independent girl to a home maker?” etc. etc. However, I had a rock beside me, and that was my husband. I knew he would do everything possible to make me feel comfortable. On that note, I put on a smile on my face, stepped out of the aircraft and thought “Let’s do it”.

As we approached the Immigration check, we saw a never ending queue. Deep within, I thought “Okayyy, some more time before I get out and face it”. Was I nervous? Or scared? I had butterflies in my stomach. Having travelled to other countries didn’t really help in channelizing my thoughts. Just then two or three other newly married couples caught my attention. The girls were wearing all sorts and colors of threads (taali as it’s called in Tamil and Telugu) and chains (Mangalsutra) around their necks and that’s how I made out that they were newly married tooJ. Just like me, they too were here after getting married and probably the same thoughts were running in their mind too. Whatever they thought, I started feeling a little better. I saw that I wasn’t alone and it stopped being a situation anymore (I knew I still had a long way to go).

After a long wait, our turn came. After completing all the formalities, we took a cab and left for our home. “OUR HOME”..! I wasn’t able to believe that I was on route to our home. It was going to be a house that would become a home with our love and affection. It all seemed to be like a dream. I still felt like a spoilt, pampered and irresponsible daughter.

On the way, my husband showed me Indian stores, good restaurants and few other landmarks. As he kept on telling what is what, I started memorizing the names and landmarks (not to forget, I had to run a house). Twenty minutes later, we reached home and we were welcomed by a friend of my husbands and a bunch of balloons and party scraps saying “Congratulations”. It was indeed a warm welcome. The day passed by in grocery and home essentials shopping (done by my dear beloved, I was busy sleeping. Jet lag you seeJ).

Next day happened. I woke up to a bright and sunny morning. I decided to make breakfast for my man and the menu was bread omelet. As he was getting ready, I began my kitchen career by making a sweet dish followed by bread omelet. It was going to be the first meal made by me for him. As I was making it with all love and affection, I hear the smoke detector go off. I was terrified. I didn’t know what to do. Things came in control eventually, but the experience was “Terrific”J. Bread omelet was a hit and I was happy!

That was how I began my journeys – Journey of living in the US, journey of being a home maker and the journey of being a wife. Days passed by and all my questions and doubts were answered. I was running a household, I came to terms with the fact that am a housewife now and am absolutely enjoying myself being that. I became friends with his friends. We started hosting dinners and lunches. We went places and started having the time of our lives.

I started having my firsts in many things and it has so far been a wonderful and joyous journey. Nevertheless, I miss India. I miss Hyderabad. I miss the hustle bustle on the streets and the shopping complexes. I miss the uncontrolled traffic. I miss being with my near and dear ones on festivals.  I miss going to office. I miss coming back home to a sumptuous meal made by mom. I miss the late night conversations with my brother. I miss dad’s pampering. I miss Hyderabadi Biryani. I miss the chat thelas, and the list is endless.

There’s just one thing I don’t miss. And that is LOVE. I have an abode of love with me that compensates for everything. And the one thing that I’ve learnt is – any place in this world becomes worth living in, only when there’s a person/ family/ friends worth living with.

I am thankful for all the goodness in my life and wish the same happiness for everyone!

Peace and Love!