Author's POV:  

"Assalamualaikum, come inside. I was waiting for you." Neha went inside the flat after the door was opened, passing through Sana and started to remove her sandals.

"I was hungry yaar, so I didn't wait for you and ate just now. The food is still hot and placed on the dining table. You can freshen up and have your dinner," Sana sheepishly grinned. 

"No worries, I have already had my dinner," Neha lied coldly though it was a half lie as she had lunch very late in the evening and later some junk on the way.

"Ohhhoo, someone went for a date behind my back" Sana teased jokingly, reminding Neha of something and triggering her senses. 

"No, I won't hide my relationship status unlike others, and about dinner, my team arranged farewell on leaving in afternoon which lasted till evening," Neha bitterly replied to the comment.

Hearing farewell Sana forgot the first sentence and asked confusingly, "Whose farewell?"

"Sorry to not inform you earlier. Actually, I called you but you were not answering the call. I got promoted and I am going to New York tom..." After hearing the word promotion, Sana got excited and jumped on her showering her excitement, as she knows what it means to Neha. 

Even Neha got emotional after feeling the excitement of Sana, who wouldn't be whatever the situation is, but still, they both have been best friends and home to each other for two years. After talking to the random stuffs and their two-year journey, they retired to sleep . 

Unaware of Neha's departure, which is early in the morning, Sana thinks to host a bon voyage party tomorrow, plans for it the whole night and sleeps at 3:00 a.m.

At morning, Sana was stirring on the bed due to the constant ring of the doorbell. Irritated, she pulled off her blanket and went out of her room to open the main door and started to yell, seeing the person. 

"Radha, why are you so early, and where is the Neha Yaar?....Nehaaaaa..." she turned and shouted.

"Didi, it's 09:00 am; I didn't come early, and did Neha didi not tell you her flight was at 6:00 am only right? She left off to New York." Radha threw a bomb at Sana about Neha's departure. 

"Oh! I just forgot." Neha lied to Radha and went to her room disappointingly.

'Why didn't Neha tell me about the early morning flight, and she didn't even wake me up while leaving' Sana felt some pang in her heart, thinking she will scold her when she calls but oblivious to the future that she may not even hear or meet Neha over the time.  

Sometimes we just need a talk to erase all the misunderstandings, despite the fact that we humans complicate things and avoid each other. But what if a person is not willing to talk about things and just pushes the talk, leading to a web of misconceptions. A similar situation arose here; it may have been cleared if the topic had been put forward, but it was dodged clearly by both parties, one intentionally and the other unintentionally, turning both of them from friends to strangers.

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1 Month later

Neha's POV:

"Nehu, pack these homemade premixes of chutneys and tiffins , just add the required amount of water and use it." Ammi gave me few boxes of premixes she had been making for the last three days. I took those boxes smilingly and packed my luggage carefully for one last time, which I doubt as this one last time is being repeated for the 10th time. 

One month went by quickly. I finished my pending projects to start fresh and take no unfinished work  to New York. I have even booked a flat in New York, which actually cost me more than three-fourths of my savings, but the locality and surroundings are good, so after discussing with Papa, I took the risk as he is my financial advisor as well. 

As if on cue, I heard his voice from outside which may be from the living room, talking with Ayesha or rather fighting for the coin of Carrom. She is my neighbour and my childhood friend, who hangs out with my parents more than me. She recently got a job at Event Management Company and is happily enjoying her probation period by turning it into work from home and rather chilling in my home with my parents. 

I came out of the room to go near Dadi, her health has been deteriorating from few months and she is walking using walker.

"Dadi, I will miss you so much" I placed my head on her lap and she started to give some small massages on my scalp. "I will miss you too, Do take care and don't forget to call daily and have your food on time, Did Ruksana give you the premixes ?" 

"Yes, Dadi, I will call daily and Ammi gave me the premixes as well as murukulu (a South Indian snack)" I said while enjoying the relief from the scalp massage and soon sleep engulfed me.

"Neha, Beta, get up; it's evening time." Papa woke me up, and I like an obedient child, got up and looked around. I guess I slept in Dadi's room itself.

After freshening up, when I went outside, I saw everyone, including Ayesha and her parents—Asif uncle and Anjum aunty—sitting on the sofa in the living room. I went and sat beside Ammi. 

Later, Ayesha got up and brought the cake from kitchen. Confusingly, when I looked at everyone, Papa came and sat beside my other side, placing a shoulder on me. "I am proud of you, Beta; you have always made sure to keep our heads higher, and this cake is a token of the celebration of your new beginning." 

Tears glistened in my eyes, cherishing the moment, I took the knife and cut the cake, feeding everyone. This is my family, and I know no matter what, they will stay with me and support me, unlike others.

After the little celebration and dinner, everyone went to their rooms to get ready, except Dadi and Aunty. I have my flight at 5:00 am, and my whole family, including Ayesha and uncle are dropping me off at the airport while Anjum aunty is staying with Dadi.

As the clock struck 2:00 am, Papa started to shout to come fast, and the first one was Ayesha, who ran to Papa, stating the cab has been booked and was 20 minutes away.

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At Airport

"Once you reach Delhi, call me and don't forget the luggage like last time; Be mindful." Papa instructed me.

Well, I have a connecting flight - First I am going to Delhi in a domestic flight and later in Delhi I need to check to another terminal for the flight to New York and that is the reason I am getting lectured by everyone regarding the luggage. Papa even said that he will join me till Delhi but I stopped him. Listening to everyone's instruction and giving everyone a final hug, I stepped forward to leave and kick off the new journey which is freshly awaiting.

After completing my boarding, I sat near my departure gate sipping on the juice, absent-minded. Well, I am a coffee person, but currently I am not in the mood after watching certain scenarios in the airport after my parents left. 

Suddenly, a teenage boy bumped into me, the glass I was holding fell from my hand, splashing certain amount of juice on the person beside me.

"I am sorry,"  the boy quickly apologised to both of us and went out of the place. Here I am sitting, guilty of throwing the juice at the aunty beside me.

Remorsefully, I looked at the aunty and apologised also offered to help her by taking out the wet wipes from my bag. Thank God, it is in my bag. 

"It's okay, Beta; it was not your mistake even." Aunty sweetly pacified me and took the wet wipes and started wiping the stain; still, the juice stain didn't wash off. Bad decision to order berry juice, I guess. 

Seeing the stain was not getting off, I became restless and took another wipe, started to wipe it off from her saree, but the damage was already done. 

The announcement was made for the flight, and an uncle, may be her husband, came near her, glancing me from head to toe, and took her with him; strange right, I too felt the same. 

What a start ahead, Neha. Since I got into the airport, I have encountered many incidents, and I don't even know what's in store further.

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This chapter was a filler one but it was needed to start the things ahead.

From the next chapter, the story line will be forwarded to 4 years - the timeline where the characters have been introduced at the start.

Grab your seats now; the actual story will be started from the next chapter.

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