I never thought I would leave Mumbai. The city of my birth. The city that let me grow. The city that was so much part of me, that the very act of returning to it from my travels, would make me smile with happiness.

And yet, I left. I left for things that Mumbai could no longer give me. Sunshine, clean air, ventilation, affordable rent, walking spaces. And, most importantly the ability of my mother (almost 80) to lead an independent life and be able to walk down the street to the temple.

Mumbai is great for those who are young. As i began seeing my parents grow older, and struggle with just being able to be out and about, a thought struck me about how unfriendly our cities are for senior citizens. Our banks are atop steep staircases, our local trains need seniors to lift themselves up into carriages; our pavements are non-existent – and where they exist they are traps to trip seniors (and others) into falling. The city seems to be telling the elders – your work here is done. I nurtured you when you were young. I let you fly. I let you succeed. Now it is time you moved out, and let someone else take your place.

I would have never left Mumbai but for the lockdown. It was the lockdown that made me realise what was important for a relatively happy life. And those things included things i never even considered earlier, in the hurly burly of my life in Mumbai. Greenery. A place to walk. somewhere to sit and contemplate. cleanliness. I missed these, but i didn’t know how to get them for myself.

And, then my mother fell sick. I thought we may lose her. She was in hospital for 10 days (non COVID) and her doctor said, in addition to all her medication, she needs fresh air and sunshine. I moved from Mumbai for fresh air and sunshine.

Pune is nice. It is where I live, but it is not yet home. It is green, it is clean. it has fresh air. I have a study that is larger than any room I have occupied in my adult life. I have a view. I have fresh air. And, I am happy. I miss my friends in Mumbai, but i haven’t yet begun missing the city. But that could also be because I am still locked down. Once I start moving about, I will realise whether I miss Mumbai or not.

Will I go back, i really don’t know. Everything has changed. COVID has changed us, and what matters to us. I am not sure if my love for Mumbai is part of what has changed for ever.