Oct 2003
I was a PhD student in the US.
Good with what I was doing.
This was all that I had worked towards.

But I wasn't happy.
Something was missing and I didn't know what.

It was a tough time.
I was confused.
Clueless.
Directionless.

One day, I went for a walk around the campus, with my camera.
And ending up clicking a photo.

While taking it, I had tears in my eyes.
The scene reminded me of my life.
Open fields. And yet caged.
Could see far out, but still couldn't cross.

It was many years later, in 2016, that I got a chance to go back to campus.
And I wondered if this spot still existed.
It has been 13 years.

Vaguely remembering the route, I got to the parking lot.
Walked up to the point.
And there it was.
JUST THE SAME
As if nothing had changed

I was instantly transported to that day in 2003.

At the age of 23
Clueless
Directionless
Open, yet caged.

And there was only 1 wish I had at that moment.
I wish I could back to the 23 year old Ankur and tell him
"You are going to be ok"

I know what it is to be confused in life.
To be doing what you had worked towards, and yet not be happy.
To not have any goal, any target, any direction.

And if you are going through the same, I can imagine how it must feel.

The only thing I can tell you, that I wish for you to hear right now, is that
"You are going to be ok"