I felt compelled to write down my 3rd Decade in existence as I heard Miley's Used to be young. It pulled on my heartstrings a little and then some more. It felt relatable. Naina at 20 was different, in some ways I loved her, but I am not sure I hate the change.
While I don't recollect a lot due to my medications, I do remember things that were important and life changing.
I was in my final year in my 20's, and lived with my parents in the fifth semester. I had developed a reputation for being someone with sort of a crazy streak and fearlessness. We had our final placement interviews happening, and one memory that sticks to me is of Harshita.
It was a rainy day, and I had chosen kitchens as my specialization. We were bunking college and riding into the rain, and we discussed my need to do Kitchens. By the time we went back to college, I was drenched with one single goal in mind. I am a food and beverage person, and I need to change my specialization.
I was living with Apoorva and Kenson in my last semester in college. Our life in a flat was so basic and yet I still was so bad at contributing. Kenson and I grew closer before Apoorva and I managed to annoy her with our inability to say no to people.
I had my share of adventures, unnecessary drama, questionable activities in that flat, but boy was it fun.
I can happily say that I enjoyed every bit of it, however after my final placement in Taj, the time had come to leave Delhi.
My best friend was Anuraddha, and then there was Saundi, my heart and the only person who seemed to be sad when I was leaving Delhi.
Before beginning my Journey to Aurangabad I remembered thinking anything could change in my life, but my friendships were forever.
Such a naive idea, such a naive me.
Aurangabad was fun, Ati, Mansi and Kritika were fun roomies. I loved getting up early and being an energy ball to annoy them. Unsure if I pooped that month in the hostel, but yeah that's a thing.
It was great and all of us were finally posted in Delhi, with the exception of Kritika in Kerala. (she chose to be away from home, strange I never asked her why)
The Taj Mahal Hotel New Delhi was my first work place, and also the first place where my demons started overflowing. I can't be thankful enough for the amazing people I met there who finally got me the help I needed. My career was not ruined, just slowed down a little. It didn't feel nice back then, but now when I look back, I think it was important that everything that happened in Taj happened.
4 years is a long time to be somewhere, and I don't want to get into it. The only thing I will mention is that I had a life outside of work too.
My first serious girlfriend, jeez, mistake. 17 years older than me, lasted for a year, had a kid with me, said the kid was hers, cheated on me, and chose someone else she cheated with over me.
Now when I look back, I probably should have expected it. She was always talking about this pattern she had. But I don't hate her for it anymore. I learnt a lot here, and the fact that she thought I was immature was probably true. I was, I was a child compared to her. Haha.
Above that I lost my grandfather a few days after my birthday.
It took almost a year of sleeping around, being a terrible person overall, to get over this.
I hurt so many people along the way because I was hurting and it was not okay. The problem is that I had no idea I was that terrible, not till years later, because retrospection is a bitch.
Meeting Lameeya changed things. I felt like I could be myself, and she loved me. There were no conditions, she just .. loved me. I am sad to say that 24 year old me was not the kindest of people. I loved Lameeya, but I was too selfish in my pain to see what I was doing.
It's a miracle she and I are together after so many years.
I changed jobs, worked at Lalit for 2 years, almost died in 2020 (that was fun), was bed-ridden for 2 years almost, decided I needed to shift my career, studied Digital Marketing, got another job, Now am a Marketing head.
The reason I don't have much to add right now is because I am a boring person with a regular life now, and I couldn't be happier. Lameeya and I are finally in sync, we have 4 beautiful babies, we have a car, we are okay financially, still learning to save.
I have lost a lot of people along the way, and surprisingly I am still friends with people who I didn't think cared about me. Ha, funny how life is.
I do not recognize the older version of me, but I am thankful for her to have given me all the experiences I have had till now.
Damn it miley, you had to didn't you.
