*Who Am I?*

*Who Am I?* After retirement, with no job, no routine, and a quiet house echoing with silence… I finally began to discover my true self. Who am I? I built bungalows, raised farmhouses, invested in ventures big and small, yet now, I find myself bound within four simple walls. From bicycle to moped, bike to car, I chased speed and style — but now, I walk slowly, alone, inside my room. Nature smiled and asked, “Who are you, dear friend?” And I replied, “I am... just me.” I’ve seen states, countries, continents, but today, my journeys stretch only from the drawing room to the kitchen. I learned about cultures and traditions, but now, I simply long to understand my own family. Nature smiled again, “Who are you, dear friend?” And I said, “I am... just me.” Once I celebrated birthdays, engagements, weddings in grand style — but today, I count coins to buy vegetables. Once I fed extra bread to cows and dogs, today, even my own meal feels like a challenge. Nature asked once more, “Who are you, dear friend?” And I answered, “I am... just me.” Gold, silver, diamonds, pearls — sleep quietly in lockers. Suits and blazers — hang untouched in wardrobes. But now, I live in soft cotton, simple and free. I once mastered English, French, Hindi — but now, I find comfort in reading my mother tongue. I travelled endlessly for work, and now, I reflect on those profits and losses — measured in memories. I ran businesses, nurtured a family, built many connections, but now, my dearest companion is the kind neighbour next door. I once followed every rule, strived in education — but now I finally see what truly matters. After all of life’s highs and lows, in a quiet moment, my soul whispered back to me. Enough now… Get ready, O Traveller… It’s time to prepare for the final journey… Nature smiled gently, “Who are you, dear friend?” And I replied: “O Nature, You are me… And I am you. Once I soared in the skies, Now I touch the earth with grace. Forgive me… Give me one more chance to live… Not as a money-making machine, But as a true human being — With values, With family, With love.”