Life in Shimla is as busy as it is beautiful. My days start early and are packed with responsibilities, but they also hold moments of warmth and joy that keep me going. Let me walk you through a typical day in my life.
I wake up at 6:00 am every morning, thanks to Alexa’s alarm. On some days, I wake up naturally before 6:00 am, but Alexa is always there to ensure I don’t oversleep. From 6:00 am to 7:30 am, my time is spent freshening up, reading daily tips regarding babies on Mylo app, reading newspapers on smartphone apps, ironing clothes, brushing my teeth, shaving, bathing, and dressing up. I also make time for small morning chores, lighting incense in the name of God. My wife prepares a delicious breakfast, which I enjoy before leaving. She also lovingly packs my lunch every day.
A commuter waiting for a bus at Dhami chowk
By 7:30 am, I leave the room and catch an HRTC bus at 7:35 am at Dhami chowk. I reach Totu at 08:25 am. Every time I am here, my eyes instinctively search for Er. Sachin Gupta, who resides nearby. Yet, despite my hopes, I never manage to see him. The travel to Old ISBT Shimla takes about 70 minutes, and I use this time to observe the scenic beauty of the hills of Shimla, listening to music on the YouTube music app in my earbuds.
From Old ISBT Shimla, I take a short walk of 2-3 minutes to the bus stand near Rippon Hospital, where I catch another bus to my office, reaching by 9:10 am.
Once I arrive, I mark my attendance on the biometric machine installed on the office’s wall and settle into my workspace. I clean my PC’s desktop and keyboard, organize my desk, and note down the day’s pending tasks in my office diary. After setting my lunch box in the oven (scheduled to warm an hour before lunch), I begin my official work at 9:30 am. My day at the office is busy, filled with monitoring work and other official tasks until 5:00 pm, with a lunch break from 1:30 pm to 2:00 pm.
After work in the evening, I mark my attendance again on the biometric machine and head back to Old ISBT Shimla. I usually catch a bus to Dhami around 5:40 pm from the Old ISBT Shimla, reaching room at Dhami (Shimla Rural) by 7:00 pm.
Whenever I catch the bus for the office or from Old ISBT Shimla to return home, I drop messages with live locations on WhatsApp and also send a message through Alexa to my room. My wife and son hear it in real time. In the message, I simply inform them that I have caught the bus and will reach on time. It is my way of staying connected, giving my wife peace of mind, and letting my son hear my voice, even when I am away.
Once reaching the room, I change into comfortable clothes and spend a few minutes refreshing myself. From 7:15 pm to 8:00 pm, I babysit my little son while my wife prepares dinner. This is one of the most special parts of my day, as I cherish the time spent with my baby boy.
Between 8:00 pm and 8:30 pm, my wife and I sit together, catching up on our day. I also browse the internet, drop messages on WhatsApp groups, read articles, or sometimes immerse myself in a book. This short period of relaxation helps me unwind after a long hectic day.
Dinner time, from 8:30 pm to 9:00 pm, is a peaceful family affair. We eat together, sharing stories and laughter while our son plays nearby. After dinner, I babysit again while my wife finishes the kitchen chores. From 9:30 pm to 10:00 pm, I relax by browsing the internet or reading books and sometimes I write a blog in this free time on https://devenderkumardiaries.com/ which is a website to connect with people from all over the world, sharing my experiences of life. . By 10:00 pm, I am ready to sleep. It doesn’t take long for me to drift off, as the day leaves me tired but content.
On some nights, my sleep breaks when my baby boy cries in the early hours, asking for his mother’s milk. This often disturbs my wife’s rest, as she has to wake up regularly to breastfeed him. Over time, this has started causing her back pain, and she worries about it. Despite this, she gets ready in the morning to teach her students at GMSSS (Halog, Dhami). The baby’s cries also disrupt my sleep, and I often find it hard to fall asleep again. This makes me realize how challenging parenting can be, especially for mothers, whose efforts and sacrifices are truly unmatched. If my sleep breaks between 4:00 and 5:00 am, I pass the time by browsing news on my smartphone. Then, I fill a bucket with water, put the heating rod in, and turn it on. While the water heats, I go to the kitchen, do the dishes, and finish any leftover chores. By the time I finish, it is around 6:00 am, my usual time to wake up. In this way, I try to make good use of the early morning hours when sleep escapes me.
With such a packed schedule, I rarely get time to meet nearby friends or engage in other activities. It is not that I am avoiding anyone—it is just that my routine is quite tight these days in Shimla. I hope that, with time, I will manage to create space for more social interactions and relaxation. Until then, I am grateful for the love and support of my wife and the precious moments with my son, which make every busy day worthwhile.
Life may be hectic, but it is full of meaning and purpose. I look forward to each day, knowing that every effort contributes to the happiness and well-being of my family. This is my life in Shimla—a journey of hard work, love, and little joys.
If you enjoyed reading this blog and would like to know more about me, please feel free to visit my “About Me” blog by clicking the link https://devenderkumardiaries.com/2025/01/09/about-me-a-quiet-soul-with-a-curious-heart/
Thank you for taking the time to read my short story! 🙏