A House for Mrs. and Mr. Bhagat

Standing in the midst of dead cockroaches, washing a dirty dishcloth, I wondered, was this  something I signed up for or not. Definitely not the dead cockroaches bit! But then setting up a new home has some pros and cons to it, doesn't it?

First of all, I'd say I am very lucky that my hubby and I were fortunate enough to have landed this apartment which is little more than a 'room and a half' by Gurgaon standards and that too, on a shoestring budget! But then you can't get everything, can you? Hence, the cockroaches. Sigh, at least the house hunting paid off.

In a city like Mumbai, a home is a luxury and making a home out of a rented apartment can be tricky too. I must have looked at least 20 apartments before we settled for this one. Every house/apartment is perfect in its own way but just not the right one for you. For instance, I saw this house right behind the place I work. It was perfect; large windows, two bedrooms, a hall and a kitchen. Very neat. However, the rent bit was atrocious, so much that I hate talking about it.

I took fancy to another apartment. Very well furnished, nice decor and all that jazz. But I guess the owner really didn't like me. So that's that! Some were pathetic and made me want to cry. I had had a long day at work and then walking down a narrow winding lane, climbing up three-long floors, entering the flat made me cringe. So much work for nothing! Arrrghhhh...

Many a times I came back thinking I'd never make a life here on my own (with my hubby). Coming from a protected family (on both sides), my idea of a rented apartment was hazy. I had a tall order but my budget said something else. I felt as if I hardly knew the city I grew up in! Bah. But then this house came along...

Now when I look back, cleaning up the dead bodies is not that bad after all!