Ae watan, aabaad rahe tu

My identity is not political or religious. It does not stem from whether I was born north of the Vindhyas or grew up south of it.

Hoti rahengi mulaakatein tumse

Nazar se door ho, dil se nahi

There is something about a rainy afternoon, hot cup of tea and parle-g by my side, and a very purposeful playlist that makes me dream about home.

Credit an upbringing that involved many different kind of homes, I learnt early on that a home can be made out of anything. Yet once I year as I step onto the dull yellow carpet of the Air India flight, I know my real home awaits me. Nothing, not the dull snoring of the passenger to my right, or the hyper one video calling his whole family before take-off on the other side, can reduce the euphoria I feel.

Now if only I could avoid them middle seats and get one with extra legroom…