….revolves around an ivory leather couch. And a dutifully vacuumed beige carpet. Around a sweet-smelling fruit basket and an oven bubbling with cheese. Around a shared silver car and welcome home kisses. Sherlock Holmes episodes at night and the polite chirping of robins by day.
Life in California revolves around rattan chairs and a white table. Scented candles and sunflowers in a blue vase. Around the warmth of family, a clutch of friends and a cat that eyes me with minimal interest.
Life in California is the goodness of home cooking, lavender in a yellow planter, mildly scented laundry and red Netflix envelopes. French coconut pie, lemons in iced water, shimmering peach gloss and aroma oils. A merging of rhythms, the strains of Sinatra, wide open spaces and Mexican dancing.
Life in California is the technology buzz, swirls of innovation, the thick of things. The beautiful Valley and Mt. Diablo and sting of the cold Pacific on browning skin. Sareed aunties and baby booms and fresh bhel, bhature, bhungra around the nook. Sunshine and summer and chilly evenings; poolside and wifi and stacks of free books.
Life in California is an exhaled breath, a winding down, that feeling of calm. Cherishing people, valuing life, savoring a hard-fought way of being. Counting one’s blessings, praying daily and dangling an evil eye talisman in every reader’s face.
Then comes one downpour in the city of my heart and the fickle spirit turns traitor again.
Wisdom Wears Neon Pyjamas 
California sounds wonderful…but then I know the feeling when homesickness hits too 🙂 Beautifully written 🙂
Sig: Thanks, Siggy. 🙂
So beautifully written. Loved it.
Such beauty, and then that oh-so-poignant last line.
Be of good cheer, in the city of your love.
the rain just does it for you, girl!!! nostalgia and homesickness, hard to bear at times.
i love the way you write, have said many times and will continue to do so.
Hi OJ.. I am new to your commenting space, but been reading your blog for a while now.
“Then comes one downpour in the city of my heart and the fickle spirit turns traitor again. ” just made me de-lurk, to say, you have captured my sentiments exactly (when I used to live outside India, that is).
Lovely post.
silentoneinlondon: I’m glad you were unsilent long enough to write that. 🙂
dipali: You know, I had scribbled a mini-post somewhere, about the city of my heart. Must go look for it.
sukanya: It melts me into a puddle it does. I appreciate that you always take the time to sweetly comment.
alice: Hello. 🙂 Welcome and thanks for delurking!
The rains really do something to every Bharatvasi
Be it NRI,NRE or pakka desi
But California does call
Keeps you in thrall
So, make the best of both worlds, Missy!
Aunty G: 🙂 I intend to.
Aww honey, I so know the feeling- big big hug… Phone date soon? It’s been forever and I miss the oj giggle xoxo
Girlfriend: You’re back! 😀 Sorry I missed your call. Stuff’s been happening. Will holler really soon.