India, Nov. 18 -- Delhi is a city where empires have risen and crumbled, yet their whispers still cling to the dust. For me, Delhi has always felt like a friend who knew me before I knew myself. From the little girl in Patna waiting for gifts, to the teenager who solved her way to the crossword trophy, and finally to the dreamer who found a home in St Stephen's red-brick corridor.
For me, Delhi was never merely a destination. It was an event. Growing up in Patna, Delhi meant excitement, not the kind that came from watching fireworks, but the quiet thrill that emanated when Papa would say, "I have an official trip next week." Because that sentence always came with a sparkle, the hope of getting something new was packed in his luggage when h...