In Folds Of Smile

I recently stumbled upon an excerpt of this poem in The New Yorker that got me thinking:

“If New York has taught me anything,
It’s indifference. I have an eternal feeling
And forget it in a week. Nothing lasts.
I walk and am overcome by oranges
Piled high in a cart. By kids playing street ball
In Tompkins while the small park dogs cheer.”

The poet talks about how fleeting life in NYC can be, but for me, it’s the opposite. NYC didn’t teach me indifference—it taught me to hold onto moments like they were sprinkled with gold dust, even if they do slip away. That’s the magic of this city: it makes you cherish the randomness, the wildness, and the absurdity of it all. You get these moments that might not last forever but feel like little gifts from the universe. And let me tell you, I’m beyond grateful for each one.

Which brings me to one of my best nights in New York—a night so magical that I genuinely felt like a movie star or, better yet, part of the story-line from Sex and the City. It all started when I signed up for the Urban Match Singles Mixer, curated by none other than Sima Taparia of Indian Matchmaking fame. My friends had been on my case, insisting I get out there and “embrace the city’s endless opportunities, you won’t meet new people sitting at home!” Which, to be fair, was accurate as sitting at home had no scope for romantic plot twists. So, off I went!

I showed up a bit early and so leisurely hung out at a café in Times Square, sipping my overpriced coffee and people-watching like a pro. It was a classic New York moment. As I strolled through the streets to meet my friend at the mixer, I couldn’t help but smile at how every corner of the city has its own drama, like you’re walking through a live-action indie film. Life here doesn’t just happen—it performs. And I’m the overly sentimental, gratitude-filled audience member clapping at everything. 

Finally, I arrived at the venue—fashionably late, much to the exasperation of my friend waiting at the door, giving me the “I’ll kill you” look. But really, can you blame me? NYC demands to be walked at a leisurely pace, like you’re some main character in a rom-com. I was mentally preparing for whatever hilarity was about to unfold.

Turns out, the “singles mixer” was less a mixer and more of a women’s empowerment retreat. A good 90% of the attendees were women, all stunningly beautiful. The men? Well, they showed up late. But honestly, who cares? I was in New York City, surrounded by amazing people, and determined to enjoy myself. We’re handed drink tickets, and my friend finds another familiar face. Meanwhile, I bee-line it to the bar for the best mocktail available. The bartender was an absolute gem—regaling me with tales about his kids, his life in the city, and how he ended up here. It was one of those spontaneous New York moments that just felt like pure enchantment.

The evening took off with a game of “Two Truths and a Lie,” Everyone’s stories were fascinating—scuba diving, skydiving, kayaking, you name it. And I, of course, found the guy who designed video games to be the most interesting, who matched NYC’s quirky energy perfectly. And while the mixer was technically about finding dates, I found something much better: making connections with some truly incredible women. We laughed, we gossiped (okay, we may have roasted one particularly over-the-top guy), and then, somewhere along the way, we decided to turn this night into the ultimate girls’ night out.

And thus began our adventure. Strong, fabulous women, marching through the streets of NYC like we owned the city, on a mission to eat the street food—kati rolls and the cheesy, greasy, heavenly Artichoke pizza (because it’s New York, and pizza is practically mandatory)—and then stumbled upon a karaoke bar. Can you picture it? The four of us belting out Taylor Swift at the top of our lungs, dancing like no one was watching. It was pure, unfiltered joy.

Just when I thought the night couldn’t get any better, two more friends (who had seen my Instagram stories—shoutout to social media!) joined us. Suddenly, our little crew had expanded, and it felt like a scene out of a sitcom, complete with unexpected friendships and lots of laughter. The video game guy even popped up with a couple of his friends, adding to the hilarity. We sang our hearts out, laughed until our stomachs hurt, and shared stories like we’d known each other forever.

At around 2 a.m., we decided to call it a night. The video game guy asked for my number (no, he never texted, but let’s pretend he was really busy with some groundbreaking game). After ditching the guys,  one of the girls offered me a ride halfway home, and the walk back through Times Square, all of us still laughing, was one of those surreal moments you never forget, united by one random night in NYC, walking through the city that never sleeps, as if we were old friends.

By the time I reached home,I was physically exhausted but emotionally glowing. Even though my feet were crying out from wearing heels (rookie mistake), I was filled with this overwhelming sense of gratitude for the night, for the city, and for the randomness of it all. That’s what NYC does—it gives you nights that feel like dreams, even if they’re fleeting. It’s the kind of place that hands you a little bit of magic when you least expect it.

And that’s why I’ll always be in love with this city. It constantly bombards you with new experiences, making it easier to let go and embrace the next adventure.You never know what’s around the corner, but you can be sure it’s going to be something worth cherishing, because whether it’s greasy pizza or off-key karaoke, NYC has a way of turning every moment into a night you’ll never forget.