The fresher who sacrificed her balcony

"Can you please tell the warden that I do not want to move to another room?", it was my daughter on the phone. It was just 2 weeks since we settled her at a University far away from home. She was lucky to get a nice twinsharing room on the 3rd floor of a beautiful hostel building. An east facing balcony overlooking a nice hill was a luxury and something she did not have at home. A room mate was all that was needed and she was looking forward to welcoming one.

Two weeks later she got an unpleasant surprise. Couple of seniors, who returned to campus for their second year, knocked on her door and asked my daughter to move in to a room on the 1st floor with another 1st year student. That student too did not have a roommate and alas that room did not have a balcony either!

"Did you check if the other 1st year student is willing to move in to your room?", I asked out of curiosity and courtesy. "Yes, I did. She does not want to move up", came her reply without much deliberation. "Houston, we have a problem!", I told myself. It was a deadlock situation at hand.

"I even told the seniors that I am ok to share the room with one of them", she added. I was pleasantly surprised with her openness but also learnt that both seniors, obviously, wanted to be together. So, they preferred the juniors make the move! 

"Well, do you think the warden will listen to me? And, even if she does, will it solve your problem?", I enquired in a supportive tone. "The warden too asked me to stayput till a consensus is reached.", my daughter replied after a brief pause. I could almost hear her heart pounding and feel the warm steam gushing out of her ears. "Why me?", was the unspoken words that was echoing loud and clear.

"MyLTO (her 'given' pet name, by me!)!, it might sound like a situation but you have a choice. You can choose to be part of the problem or part with the problem by being the solution". I pitched for an outcome knowing this could be difficult in a remote parenting mode! 

"I am not sure, I understand. How can I be the solution?", she enquired and I could feel the emotion building up that would soon flood her eyes. 

"Well, if you shift rightnow, you could use the next two weeks to get to know a roomie you have been looking forward to get. Also, acquaint with the wellwishers in your seniors and the Warden. Or, spend the next few weeks being on the not so pleasant side of the 4 people who also need a solution!", I articulated as best as I could and without taking much of her time. "I will stand by you whatever you decide and speak to all of them, if you want me to", I added to make her feel comfortable.

"Well, I don't know. But, let me think about it. I will call you back. I have to go see the Warden now", she said hurriedly  and triggered a signal, to Jio network, to disconnect that call! 

We did not speak again that day and I let my My Little Tall One (MyLTO) take her first major decision by herself, for herself and to herself. And, she did.

I will not have to climb three floors to see my daughter when I visit her next time. We, both, will certainly miss that balcony though! 

©Balaji Palanidurai
PC: Self, taken from the bed in the room that my daughter moved out from! 
Editing:  By my dear Mama'ji!
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I grew up in society of compact 2 bedroom flats built by Tamilnadu Housing Board for the Middle Income Group (MIG). Considerable time of my childhood (when at home) was spent in  two balconies in that 3rd floor flat in Rohini Gardens, MRC Nagar, Chennai; now among a very sought after area in the City.

Open spaces have a creative impact and lead to lateral thinking and improves visualization. I have personal experience of this, esp over the last decade during which I have been involved many creative projects, both personally and professionally.

Infact, I penned this short story sitting on the open terrace of my current apartment. Amidst, crows and pigeons pecking on its early morning feed, beautiful blue sky and my pet dog admiring the towering World Trade Centre that has come up recently in our neighborhood.

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