March 1st

Guyssss....

I went on my first SOLO DATE....

This is not the first time that I've been to places alone, but this time it was intentional and different, and idk how this thought came into my head... I just did it. 

So I had this cute short kurthi that I bought in Numaish, I was saving it to wear if some guy asks me out (I would never say yes to a guy for a date with my current mindset, but since that Valentine's week was happening, etc., so I never actually wore it)... 

So I was seeing these vintage market wala reels on Insta and you know how much I love antiques and vintage things. Actually, I wanted to buy an old digital camera.... and I also asked my brother and another bro to come with me.. idk what happened, I decided to go alone.. I just wanted to romanticize life... 

So this vintage market happens from 6 to 11... I planned that I'll go by 7 and roam around that market and have chai and maska bun at Nimrah and come back, but Salarjung Museum was another thing that I haven't been to, so it got added... 

I was anxious the night before, idk why, and you know at a point it felt overwhelming, and I know it sounds dramatic, but yeah.. ChatGPT replied you are feeling like this because you are showing up for yourself, and it's something you haven't experienced that frequently, and after all the things that I went through... and you know, whenever someone reassures me, I feel like crying because idk.. figuring out, but all I can say is I am becoming a better person. Keeping all that aside. 

On the D-day, I wore my new kurthi and new jhumkas that I bought, and my cute Zouk wala sling bag, and I wore a bangle(which is rare)... like it felt like everything was planned, but no.. it was random curation... 

I woke up late... but I've reached there by 9.. I strolled around that vintage market. I think I should add pictures here. It was beautiful... I just want a new home to buy those vintage things and set up my house.. I will fill my house with antiques someday. I thought it would take at least one hour, but I hardly spent 15 mins... 

I walked towards Charminar (iss love). I stood there and appreciated it and soaked myself in that sunlight and Charminar for a good 2–3 mins and then went to Nimrah.. actually I'm not a chai person, and it was sunny soo.. I got my maska bun... found a stand, stood there, ate alone (it was good actually.. and my close friend was on a video call with me for the next 20 mins I guess). Still I had so much time as the museum opens at 10, I had 30 mins... 

Actually, there were so many pre-wedding shoots happening on the way, I involuntarily burst out laughing. It was entertaining even while having my bun... and now I got ready this prettily, I wanted pictures... I took a few selfies, then asked random strangers (girls) to click my pics. They were cute. More than anything, it will be a great memory... it was fun even though I clicked a few other pictures.. 

I thought of getting on Charminar, which I already did but.. as I said I had time... but there was a huge line.. then I decided to walk.. to the museum... (old me used to feel uncomfortable to walk and also to travel in public transport... I mean I do walk and travel but never felt comfortable.. like nervousness and anxiety, you don't get it).. 

I walked and faced a creep uncle, maybe mentally not fine, or maybe he was drunk, he said something like will you come or something... I gave a disgusting look and said what??? and walked my way...and because it was Sunday there were so many school kids for excursion kind of thing, I guess... actually in my plan museum was like, if possible, I will go there, but it was the highlight of the day.. OMG I had a GREAT DAY.. 

I cannot appreciate those antique art pieces enough. I felt like crying beause few pieces were soo perfect and OMG those details on every little thing..., 

My legs are still aching from all the walking I did. It was huge, and I covered each and every single thing... 

You know the best part.. that clock ringing.. somehow I completed the ground floor by 11:45 something, that clock will ring at 12... there was a big waiting hall to watch it and I reached there and found a seat and sat there, waited for 10 mins and everyone went silent as the bell rang and as it finished, everyone clapped and smiled....that collective experience was special... 

And I met a nice souvenir shop uncle, he was proud that I'm working in an AI company. I felt a little bit of pride... by the time I finished the ground floor, my battery was less than 20%, and there was more than half the museum left, and how can I not capture that beauty... I was asking for chargers and charging points, but I haven't found any... 

And I know for a fact that if someone was there with me...they would have wanted to exit early. I took my time and finished watching everything. An even for me, it was too much in a day, and I reached back with 2% battery... 

it was not about me going out alone. It was about me enjoying myself doing the things that I love... and I love my own company...

I will definitely go on a solo trip in the future, and I came back and clicked a few self-portraits... I was looking really good and then ordered a shawarma, and slept, and I wasn't able to sleep at night because of my leg pain... looking forward to more and more solo dates, and I loved it...

And Charminar and me..its a love story..

I can visit it 1000 more times and still feel like the first time

  (I'll add pictures here just for the record)                                                                                                                       

                                                                                                                                 -Mystery girl