We visit our friends often. We adore them. We cook and share meals with each other, we play boardgames, we laugh, make fun and discuss a LOT! I’m extremely happy that Vibu and I nurtured new and wonderful friendships, here in Hillsboro. Thanks to them, we miss India a bit lesser than we had initially anticipated, except for great food and family (you guessed it right.. in that order ;))
A year ago, we weren’t quite sure of our decision to relocate to the US, and a big reason behind that was “we don’t know anyone in Portland, how would we manage? what if we feel terribly lonely?” Despite being introverts ourselves, we were worried. We made up our minds when we boarded our one-way (50-hr!) flight to Portland. Thankfully, it turned out to be quite the opposite! Now, I wish for some “me” time :D (good problem to have, no?)
Oormi, Aravind and Laya (their 2 yo daughter) were the first ones to meet us, in Hillsboro. Thanks to instagram, that’s how oormi came to know I relocated to Portland. Fast forward a year, we grew very close to each other (and with a few more friends, of whom I’ll talk more later). Laya papa is our most favourite, she is such a doll. Her naughty, mesmerising smile is sure to melt your heart.
Today evening, after work, I made some pori (an Indian snack made with puffed rice). A long pending plan to have them visit us after work and chat over some pori and tea. But they couldn’t make it. Instead, we visited them. We want to meet them anyway, to shred some mid-week work fatigue and have refreshing conversations.
As usual, we discussed a lot - office work, lifestyle talks, debates and discussions over quality of life in India vs US (a topic that’s never tiring to discuss, but guess what? the verdict is the same. always. either there is no verdict or both are better, in their own way).
Life is full of choices and compromises. But when you make a decision, you also try to make it work, no? Somehow. There is dilemma, yes. But there is hope too. And the burden is not for us to carry but for time. I believe time makes way for certainty.
Just right after Aravind was paged (duty calls!), we bid goodbye to oormi, followed by a few departing talks at the doorstep, I told her that I love her kurthi. Without missing a beat, she enthusiastically responded “I’ll get you one, jeevi..this time when I go to India. It’s from reliance trends.” Her reply lit me up. Sweet gestures like these, that often go unacknowledged, are precious nevertheless. It’s what makes a relationship beautiful, I thought.
