A collection of thoughts on turning 24….
I turned 24 this month….
And I went home to spend some time with my parents. I missed attending both their birthdays this year thanks to the second wave of Covid-19 in India. So, I kinda wanted to make up for that. Plus, verification work on some government documents have been pending for some time now. It has been a quite long time since I’ve spent quality leisure time with my parents. I last met them in January. But even that was mostly a joint family event. If I were to point to our last family time, I’d point to last year’s October. My parents visited Bhubaneswar. We had the entire 3 BHK apartment to ourselves, rode to Puri and my parents finally met Donnie it was lovely….
Anyway, I’m 24 now. There are a few things I’m glad I’ve done, a few I feel proud of, a few I feel dumb about and a few I feel ashamed about. Fortunately, the last two are lower in proportion. But I’m 24 now. It’s time for me to slowly take responsibility for my parents. And both my parents are still working and not entirely because they want to. And I have personal goals I’m working hard towards. I just haven’t reached the financially rewarding stage of them yet. I guess I’m kinda lucky I’m not under circumstances that’d make me quite personal needs and shoulder the responsibilities I’m taking under wat too slowly. The mid 20' ain’t the clearest time of one’s life I guess….
Sorry for that. On a warmer note, I was home and it felt good. Also, thank you so much for all your wishes. I know I almost never send a ‘hi’ to anyone of you. I hope I make up for that by responding to everything I can. I’m not exactly the social kind after all. I waste money living 1100 km away from my family although I don’t absolutely have to. And even when I visit home, it is usually for around 3 days. I met a few school friends after a very long time too. Catching up was fun. So fun that all of us forgot to click photos….
My parents are devoted hindus and they have their cute rituals. Although I am an atheist, I enjoy indulging them in the customs. It makes them smile and that feels good. My mom also makes sure to manage a gift or gift money for every occasion. I bought a half-pant with that. Yeah, gifts are more towards the utilitarian side in middle-class families….
Coming to the best part of visiting your Bengali parents home. The food. Having homecooked food after such a long time felt really great. I can’t even remember the last time I had gur [jaggery in English]. My mom is a great cook. I’m not into sweets but I really love the ones she makes from coconut. So, helping her out with that kinda falls on my job list whenever I visit home. But the end result is worth it….
Well, soon it was me for me to head back to Bhubaneswar and focus on my career. And well, I’m 24 now….
Watch the video essay for more: https://youtu.be/YdDw7daYCdI