Once upon a time, I watched a movie ‘Wake Up Sid’. I was still a kid happily living under the same roof with parents. Yet I liked the movie because it showed genuine love of parents, love for a friend and difficulties to wake up.
Down the road, after getting opportunities to move to different cities, look for career, and try making new friends, I watched the movie again. This time, the reasons to love it was the article about Mumbai City, enlightening the concepts of “Independent”, “Dreams”, and “Love”.
Like every cinephile and bibliophile, I thought —
One day, I will write a similar article.
Tonight, the lost childhood thought returned.
My article cannot be about a partner or a friend. It cannot anywhere close enough to the story of any struggle, or an independent new girl in the city.
Can it be about my current city Seattle?
During my short stay on our beautiful planet, every time life gave me an opportunity to move to a new city, I had people accompanying me.
- Parents to Mumbai
- Colleagues to Bangalore
- Flatmate to New York
Seattle — no one.
After all these months, tonight I remember how I felt while moving to Seattle. I started off my moving day by taking my favorite walk, embracing homely places and meeting my three dear friends. Back then, though I had plans to come back soon, it felt a goodbye.
How weird is it to feel more sad about the ending chapter, than the forthcoming exciting new chapter.
I had to board the flight with no clue what lies ahead.
When my flight landed in Seattle, it was 11 PM and raining heavily. I had a temporary accommodation and a permanent weird feeling.
A week in Seattle, I was yet to see the Sun, yet to enjoy my new job, and yet to even begin searching a permanent home. Drowned more in my restlessness than Seattle rain, I wondered,
if going alone is just not worth the effort?
More than a month gone, I was able to find a shelter, but sunshine and happiness seemed more unreachable.
On the verge of giving up, I met someone — my first Seattle friend, who wished me a good morning with the best possible surprise.
Elated, rejuvenated and wide-eyed, I was immediately convinced to see where this city and this friend take me.
Recently, when I was recommended to watch “a classic movie” named “Sleepless in Seattle”, unconsciously, I rebuked. The title just didn’t make any sense. I agree we should not judge a movie by its title, but this title DESERVED it.
After all, what is there in Seattle to be sleepless in?
I am yet to watch the movie but I have seen Seattle. For starters, it is neither New York City, nor Mumbai where it’s normal to spend whole nights and days walking around. While in Seattle, people barely walk after dusk. In fact, the best part about Seattle is a volcano 100 miles away, perhaps the only sleepless worthy place around, but a mainstream classic movie on a volcano? I doubt.
Nevertheless, is there anything this city has given me?
Tonight, on the first anniversary of me moving to Seattle, I calmly remember every single thing I have experienced.
Tonight,
I realize that last year, just like me, Seattle city was also going through it’s longest dark time.
I realize what Seattle city has been giving me is my own self .
I realize feeling sad for goodbyes is not weird, but a blessing — it means we did something right.
I realize going alone is worth the effort because in the end, I stay.
I realize it is not always about “New Girl in the City”, it is also about “New City in the Boy”.
I realize the night is about to get over.
I realize I don’t have to “wake up”, because tonight, Seattle is worthy to be sleepless in.
