It has been some time. I am back after 19 months ... Back to Kolkata, my home town. I have been looking forward to the visit as a good break and touching base with my family. A wave of nostalgia swept me the moment I set foot on the city. As I was being driven from the airport to my home in south Calcutta, which is pretty much like seeing the city, I remembered the good old times when we often traveled between Golpark and Salt Lake to see my aging maternal grandparents, about 4 years back. Most of the pleasant memories had a sad interlude - my grandpa is no more, grandma has shifted to Durgapur to live with her son cutting all ties with the city. Seeing a completely bed ridden grandma (father's side) touched a chord somewhere, it's difficult to accept that a loved one counting their last days. Still worse, when one has known how she was at her prime. Life is such a leveler, the one who wielded power and respect in her heydays is now totally a child. You would wish they lived forever but that's not how life works. But one does hope and pray that at least the intensity and period of suffering is minimized. I spent so many hours sitting by her bed, talking to her. I could not understand most of her mumbling but nevertheless, gave her a feeling that I was there. Although she did recognize me but she couldn't remember my name... An integral part of visiting Kolkata is shopping, eating and celebrating ... I have shopped everywhere between New market to Dakhinapan and lapped up everything from garments to jewellery. It was nice to take my parents out and give them small gifts on the occasion of their anniversary. As the trip was short, I couldn't find time to get in touch with relatives and also I could not freak out on food which I usually do. Perhaps all the gymming has taken its toll on my appetite and affecting the taste buds, I no longer crave for good food. I desire for a great body now. The mantra is to keep fit for life. On that note, let me mention that I have started losing weight... I am 4 kgs down since last November. But it's just the beginning and there are lots to go. I got new gym outfits just to reward myself and am feeling good. I am quite a sight these days at the gym ... hand decorated with mehendi, lots of bangles, short hair and short gym outfit!!!

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