Turning 21 far from home

When you turn 21, you hope to be surrounded by people who know you, who adore you and who will always be there. But what happens when you are alone?

Riverfront at sunset, clicked by Suhani Ritu Swaytank

One day, I will wake up early, even before the sun rises. I will dress up in a new dress I bought 5 months ago and the most comfortable shoes, do my makeup the fanciest I can, and wear jewellery I feel the most confident in. I will leave the house, holding a tote with a wallet, a notebook, a pencil, and an Agatha Christie novel. I will spend my time and money on a fancy breakfast, a visit to an unusual museum, a rest in the park, a quick lunch, and maybe more. I am still deciding because that day - that time - is yet to arrive. It will be here soon; in a few excruciating hours. When it does, in the morning, I will be officially 21.

When you turn 21, you hope to be surrounded by family who know you, friends who adore you, and well-wishers who will always be there. It's a time when you expect to be showered with love, and maybe even a surprise party or two. But what if, like me, you find yourself far away from home as you turn a legal adult everywhere on this Earth?

As I sit here at 23:50 on April 7th, contemplating this significant moment, I can't help but feel a twinge of sadness. As a child, I had dreamed of reaching here with the people I love the most. When it is finally April 8th, I'm not going to be surrounded by the familiar faces I've grown up with. Instead, I'll be in a foreign land, sitting in the dorms alone, as everybody spends Easter with family, navigating through the challenges of being on my own.

When you're far away from home, every milestone feels a little different. There's a bittersweetness to it all, a longing for the comfort of familiarity juxtaposed with the thrill of new experiences. Turning 21 is no exception.

But being alone is not my deterrent from the life I am building, and when midnight strikes, I will, once again, be reminded of how much my people love me. Distance doesn't diminish the love that surrounds me. Every phone call, every text message, and every virtual hug means the world to me.

Turning 21, 6,484 kilometres from the place I call home, serves as a reminder of the strength within me, of all the days I struggled to stay above the flow and swim to the dreams and goals I have set for myself, of my diligence, and of my testament to myself anywhere in the world - I'll always carry a piece of home in my heart.

So when midnight strikes and the morning arrives, I will start a new chapter and write my own story. I walk slowly and steadily on this path with gratitude and excitement. Here's to turning 21, far away from home, and embracing every moment with an open heart.

Love,

Suhani