How can someone really stay away from Lahore??
It was my last day at the house. I was sitting in my room on the carpeted floor with a hot cup of tea to my right and some stuff to my left.
I was traveling to another city because I finally landed on my dream job. I was happy, happy is a small word, I was beyond excited to begin this new journey. But, a part of me was heavy. Because I had to leave this place where I opened my eyes. Because I had to leave this place that heard my first cry. Because I had to leave this place that witnessed my first steps. It was not an easy decision. When I got the call and was told that I am selected, I was ecstatic. But the next moment, I was brought down to the ground, when I heard that I had to leave my city. Making a decision when it comes to the two most important things will be so hard, no one ever told me that. No, I haven’t gotten to the part where I will tell you how much am I gonna miss the people inside the city. It is just about the city. It is not an ordinary city. It is my first love, it is my epic love, it is my one true love. It is Lahore I am talking about.
How can someone replace the food street of Anarkali where there are no rich or poor but just people sitting on these plastic chairs on the pavement, eating halwa puri and paratha? How can someone replace the still band of trees that stretches from Atchison College to Governor’s House? How can someone replace the busy streets of Mall road Lahore? How can someone replace the never-ending Punjab University? How can someone replace that tower of Government College Lahore that makes Anarkali and its suburbs hundered times more attractive? How can someone replace the tea stalls a little before Abid Market where you will witness people talking in sign language? How can someone replace the streets on Sunday where men and boys play cricket early in the morning? How can someone replace the serene atmosphere outside the all-living Alhamra hall? How can someone replace the Quzi Haleem outside the Cathedral? How can someone replace the taste of Chaman Icecream where you will hardly find a place to sit despite having three floors? How can someone replace the beautiful architect of Badshahi Masjid and Shahi Qila? How can someone replace Lahore?
Lahore is not just a city, it is more than that. It has an emotional attachment to people living in it. Whether they live in the old Lahore or the new one, everyone is attached to it the same way. And there I sat back, wondering if my decision is right or not? Can I survive in another city? Can I really stay in another city for the rest of my life, for an unknowingly time? The reason we can go out and enjoy other parts of the country and the world is that at the end of the day, week or month, we know that Lahore is waiting for us and we are waiting for Lahore. Lahore has a trance, once we welcome someone to this place it is hard for them to ever leave it. I have witnessed it, heard it from my own ears, that how much people value and honour Lahore. And why? Nobody knows that. It is the way it is. No one can still beat the fresh air that blows after it has rained in the entire city. No city can ever be like my Lahore, it will never be like it. And the people living in it elevates it to the pedestal no city can ever achieve. I am nothing without Lahore and its inhabitants.
As a tear escaped my eye, I realized that I will be coming back to this place as soon as possible. After all, how can someone really stay away from Lahore??
