*
London was a whirlwind of new sensations—cold air, unfamiliar sounds, and the constant hum of a city that never seemed to rest. Stepping off the plane, I was struck by how different everything was from Kolkata. The hustle and bustle, the drizzling rain, and the sheer scale of the city felt both exciting and overwhelming.
The dorm room I'd moved into was simple, but it felt like a small sanctuary amidst the vastness of London. As I unpacked, I couldn't help but miss the comfort of home—my family, the familiar streets, and the warm, lively chaos of Kolkata. It was a lot to adjust to, and I often felt the weight of loneliness.
It was during this adjustment period that I met Shalini Mehta, my dormmate. I first encountered her in the hallways of our dorm, where she was preparing for a welcome party. Her energy was palpable.
"Hey, you must be Aashna!" she said cheerfully. "I'm Shalini. Need any help?"
I was taken aback but grateful. "Yes, I'm Aashna. I'm a bit lost, actually."
Shalini's grin widened. "No problem. I'll show you around. By the way, main Hindi mein baat karna zyada pasand karti hoon, lekin angrezi mein bhi theek hoon."
I smiled, feeling a bit of relief. "Really! Chalo atleast koi toh hoga yenha jiske sath aapne bhaasa me kar sakti hu ."
As Shalini led me through the dorm, we switched effortlessly between Hindi and English, making our conversations feel natural and comfortable.
"So, how are you finding London so far?" Shalini asked.
"It's overwhelming," I admitted. "I miss home."
"Samajh sakti hoon," Shalini said, "Jab main yahan aayi thi paanch saal phele, toh mujhe bhi apne ghar ki yaad aati thi. Ab toh jaise is seher ki aadat ho gyi ha."
Our conversations helped bridge the gap between my new surroundings and my homesick heart. Shalini's warmth and willingness to include me in her circle of friends made the transition easier.
As days turned into weeks, London began to feel a bit more like home. Though I still missed Kolkata, I was starting to find my place in this sprawling city, grateful for the unexpected bond that had made my journey a little less daunting.
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