I lived in a small village until I was about 2 or 3 years old. The village lacked many basic amenities, including a proper school. So, when it was time for me to start my education, my parents decided to send me to my maternal grandparents’ place, where there were English medium schools. My older sister was already living with my grandparents for schooling, and now it was my turn.
I distinctly remember the day my grandparents and sister came to take me with them. Before boarding the bus, my parents told me that I would stay with my Nana-Nani and older sister for 4 days. Being so young, I didn’t fully grasp what “4 days” meant, but I memorized it as a short trip. Throughout the journey and even after we arrived, I kept reminding everyone that they needed to drop me back after 4 days.
Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months, but I never returned to that village. I eventually settled into my new life with my grandparents, and my stay there became permanent. To this day, I fondly recall that “4 days trip” that never ended. The journey that was supposed to last just a few days became the beginning of a new chapter in my life.