Connections
After shifting to a new locality and new home, with new neighbours and new surroundings, my Indian genes suddenly got into action and I wanted to say hello to the immediate neighbours, who share walls with us. I was under the impression that us being the new owners would make such a great difference to them that we would be hosting tea parties and hold meaningful conversations that would make an impact on each others lives. But I was grossly mistaken. Me and my fantastic ideas of world communities singing in harmony. The neighbours to the left is a couple in their 60s who are on their own after kids have moved out of the house. They both are still working. I tried my best to engage into initial conversations with them, but it seemed very forced and awkward. Whenever I saw them working in the garden or while going out, I made it my ultimate motive in life to say hello to them, to be seen by them, to be recognised and to be accepted. But it was always one-sided, always initiated by ...