Here are some thoughts I found myself sitting with after I somehow came across this page as I wrapped up my 6th semester of PhD in East Lansing. I probably wrote this wishlist sometime in my Class 9, when I moved to Kolkata. Most probably, I had KFC’s Potato Crisper once at the time of writing this, which cost INR 25 without the extra stuff they would put in without asking and then charge you more than INR 50. Perhaps that might be the reason for Zinger being on my wishlist. I had a Samsung E1100, which supported FM radio. I used to walk past Bidhannagar Road Station on my way to FIITJEE (North Kolkata), where, because my class timings happened to coincide with its schedule, I would see the Sealdah Rajdhani whizz past.

I plan a lot of things, and I’ve been planning perhaps since I had a worldview,

Recently, I stumbled upon my school-diary wishlist, and with it, someone I once knew.

Back then, to that kid, those wishes felt as honest as they seem,

Reading them now, I can still feel how much it took for him to dream.

I had the KFC thing, own an iPhone, went in Rajdhani, and even got past IIT-JEE,

But every time I sit down to plan ahead, I meet the same old restless me.

From chasing dreams that move the moment I get close to getting through,

To seeing more of the world, yet asking what I’m trying to prove.

As I keep playing the deadline game, from conferences to some career milestone,

I wonder if I will ever get to inner peace, or if it’s something I must learn to own.

Maybe some wishes don’t get crossed off, they only change their view,

They hide inside the reasons behind everything you do.

So if peace ever finds me, past the plans I still pursue,

I hope it smiles at that little boy, and says, “He made it through.”