A void in the corner

I sold my bike yesterday. One of the first substantial things i bought after i moved to Los Angeles. That void in the corner of my room, from the bicycle absence, is now reminding me that the day of leaving is now coming closer. I remember my first few days in US, when it was hard to adjust to the change, when a quarter for a bus ride used to feel like very expensive, when i felt lonely and on my own, months without a phone and credit card and no one whom i knew very well who was close to me. And then..Ajnabee shahar mein zindagi mil gayee....i found life in the unknown city. I made friends, explored so many new things in life, and was well settled. Home to school and back, trips to beaches, dinners with friends, movies, travel, coffee, concerts all became part of who I am. Certainty was the name of the game after i knew what my PhD research would be and the life just flew smoothly. It really struck me hard yesterday that the time has come to get out of the comfort zone and move on to a new territory - leave behind the wonderful relationships i made, friends who were more like a family, an independent life that taught me a lot but taking along a whole new perspective of doing something meaningful in life. And when i was listening to this song on my way back after dropping Sudhir at the airport - Ajnabee Shahar hai....ajnabee shaam hai...i just could not stop but cry - the reality of moving on is sinking in, and is almost hitting hard now!