Home is that strong tight hug from my naani

If you are a girl, this read is just for you – because we all know what home means. In my case, it all started with 2 homes: my parents’ home, where my parents, sister, and I lived, and my maternal grandmother’s home, where I spent my days for 18+ years. I will always be grateful for those precious years of my life. They helped me understand the importance of family, extended family and most importantly, comfort. Yes, home for me back then was comfort, and even today it is comfort.

A part of me always misses the city fun, but I’m always grateful to be a part of Konkan; it makes me feel happy and grounded at the same time. We, as little girls, feel that home is simple with loving, caring people around us. It is the sound of my naani (granny) cooking, the smell of her food, and festivals filled with mouthwatering snacks and rituals. I still remember when I assumed that she never would understand my sneaky, tangy tamarind adventure. But the funniest part? Grandma always knew. Although she never really caught me red-handed.

Today, while cooking at the place, I sneak a tamarind, recalling those memories, but having it doesn’t feel the same because she is not around to ask to have a hearty laugh. I miss Pune and her a lot. She is struggling with back pain today, and I feel helpless not being around her. My evenings were supposed to be at our parents’ place, where we enjoyed watching TV and having a family dinner. But slowly, as we grew, the meaning of home began to shift.

I still remember that day when I planned to get married and move to another city. Probably the hardest decision of our lives. I came from a very conservative middle-class family, so we never really stepped out of our houses without our parents or extended family. I had 1000s of thoughts before leaving Pune, with a heavy heart and mixed emotions. But like they say, change is necessary. I tried my best to adjust here.

I started rebuilding my life from scratch once again. No, it wasn’t easy — but being the strong person I am, I kept fighting back every single time. Today, home for me is my family. It is like a routine. We spend most of our time in our houses and love the comfort they have given us all these years, but they also help me understand the importance of going out and spending time in the nature around me.

Today, my Pune house isn’t the same because the bedroom that was once shared by my sisters is no longer mine. She used it as her room. I do have a separate room, but in the end, I miss the house where I spent time before marriage. It is still the same house, yet something feels incomplete and different. I do belong to the house, but in a new way.

And then comes the realisation that home was never just a location.

Home is a place that held me tight in its arms during sad days.

Home is that hug from my naani.

Home taught me be my strongest version.

Home is now a life that I’m trying to build each day.

And sometimes, home is just the quiet certainty that wherever you go, you carry pieces of love with you.

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