Living on the outskirts of Kathmandu has its own challenges. As I grew up in Lazimpat, I didn’t know the extent of my bond with that place. Lazimpat was where my school was. It was where I went to college, and where I had friends to visit. It never mattered to me that we lived in a rented house there. I was too busy enjoying the benefits of living at the heart of Kathmandu. It was only when my parents decided to move to our own house outside the Ring Road that I realised my relationship with the city centre. At first, I was disappointed to be leaving my comfort zone. My new house isn’t far from Kathmandu, but it feels like a far away land. It has fewer people, more greenery and fresh air. I remember how hard my parents worked to buy the land and build the house.

As the move-in day drew nearer, I wasn’t so excited. It was difficult to leave behind friends and familiar neighbourhood. I could not bear the thought of walking fifteen minutes every morning to the nearest bus station. My siblings were excited but I was torn between my desire to stay back and to step into the new house. I was doubtful that I would be happy in the new place. But I kept my thoughts to myself. Then, on the day of reckoning, we loaded up all our possessions, emptying both the contents and the memories of those old rented rooms, ready to move out. The first few days called for adjustments. Going to and returning from college was a nightmare in that I had to commute a longer distance than I had thought.

Getting our phone line transferred was a saga in the “customer-friendly” bureaucracy of Nepal Telecom. But I took it all in a stride. Experiencing new things and learning to enjoy the slow but tranquil pace started to give me joy. I developed an interest in gardening. Fresh vegetables from the family yard, clean air, plenty of space to walk around and green hills to look at slowly started making me forget the cramped Lazimpat.

Now I realise that when new things come in life, it is good to be able to make adjustments. The only thing one has to remember is not to lose patience but to frame the way one looks at new situations, as a challenge. I now look back at Lazimpat times through a hazy lens. I am happier where I am now.