Neha's POV:

New York - Manhattan

"I have shortlisted few places and you can finalize it, after you come here. Meanwhile, for the temporary setup, I have talked with Naresh Ji, secretary of the apartment beside Asif's house, there is an empty flat on the 5th floor; he will check with the flat owner about the rent." Papa was informing me about my fashion studio setup in a call, to which I nodded as if he could see me.

A quick life update: It's been 2 months since I resigned from Luxurious Chic, and currently I am serving a notice period of 3 months, which will be completed in 15 days, and I am returning back to India after 5 days of my last day. Parallelly, Jennifer is mentoring me privately about management, marketing, sales, etc. She has been working as an assistant with Monica for 20 years, so she kind of has a brief idea of all these things, and she advised me to take private mentorship from her. After signing off for the day, we either stay at mine or at her flat.

In these 2 months, I got to know a lot about her. She is a single mother for a 15-year-old girl, Sarah, and she has managed everything without depending on others. I am really impressed by her. She has seen everything from scratch and has never shown her state to anyone.

"I am sharing the pictures of the flat. Do have a check, If it is fine, you can set up as a temporary studio" Papa's voice brought me back to the present.

"Ok, Papa, I will check and let you know about it. Thanks, Papa, for everything, and Allahafiz will talk to you later." getting overwhelmed, I disconnected the call. 

Thanks is a very small word I can presume for my parents. When I told them about my return and building my own fashion brand, they didn't ask anything about my sudden decision, but instead they were very supportive and helped me make a hassle-free transition. Papa and Asif uncle started looking out for places to open my studio, while Mamma and Anjum aunty have spread the word to their circle about my fashion brand and how I have worked in Amerikaaa.

I don't know why, but since childhood I have observed that we Indians get highly enthusiastic about things from America, as if America is like heaven, but only the one who comes and stays here knows how lucky we are to be Indians.

Apart from all this fuss, one part of me is happy that I am going back to my home, my country, and my people. No more struggle in this unknown place except Jenny and her cute, naughty daughter Sarah, who kind of became close to me in these 2 months; I will not be missing anyone, and I even know no one will be remembering me as well, this is how I have managed since day one. I don't want to have any kind of string attached to anyone.

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After a month:

India - Hyderabad

It's been a week since I arrived in India, and I am sure I have gained almost 10 kg of weight till now, and I still have no regrets. The comfort you get from the presence of your parents and their warmth is worth billions.

After having my breakfast, I quickly wore a cotton linen dress and grabbed a brown cotton hijab along with a pair of white sneakers. I have a very long day ahead, so a soothing, comfortable outfit can help me go with it. 

Today, I am going to few places to finalise my boutique and later I have to buy some furniture for my studio.

After reaching India, life so far has been kind of different, with lots of hurdles. Starting from scratch is good to say but difficult to proceed. 

When I arrived in Hyderabad, the first hurdle I faced was regarding my temporary studio. The flat that Papa rented got cancelled because the owner had some other good party, leaving me in empty hands. After hunting for 2-3 days, we got a 2-bhk house that was for sale in the next lane. Having no other option, I bought the house.

Next problem was a good proper setup for my studio. It took me a day to plan and design the whole setup. Which made me realise I need to have a proper interior designer for an easy makeover of my boutique.

Third, now I have to go to the furniture and paint shop to have a proper makeover of my studio because I have decided I will have a separate studio and fashion boutique to ease the go-to process.

Fourth, I have to even hire employees, which is new to me. Though I have some knowledge of hiring, thanks to Jenny's training, I am still a fresher in that department. I don't even have an idea how I will proceed. 

It was a very hectic day. I liked one place, and adding to it, it is just 10kms away from the studio. Later we went to furniture shops and booked few items along with some minor customisations. Afterwards, we three went to a restaurant and had our dinner, as it was already late.

As I sprawled on the sofa in the living room, my stomach made a sound as it is upset. "Ammi, can you please make me a lime soda, i think my stomach is upset" I asked Ammi, as she was already in the kitchen.

"You come here and make yourself; I am busy," Ammi replied back, making me curious.

Having no other option, I dragged myself towards the kitchen to make the soda and check what my mother was cooking, that too this late.

"Why are you roasting Sewiya (Semolina) Ammi? Neither it's Eid nor any occasion, and beside you are even boiling paya (lamb legs)."  It is strange Ammi cooking these dishes all of a sudden, and the combination makes it more peculiar.

"Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you, Afsha is pregnant and Anjum invited her tomorrow, so she requested to make sheer khurma"

"MashaAllah. I am happy for her and Bhai". It is double-happy news for me because I can eat sheer khurma.

Ammi makes delicious sheer khurma. I guess that's why Anjum Aunty asked her to make it, but wait, why is she boiling paya then, "Ammi, then why are you boiling paya?" I added.

"Oh, your nani used to say paya soup is good for easy pregnancy, so I am making it." Ammi replied, Nani used to have many homemade nuskhas (recipes) for all the ailments.

I still remember that during my summer vacations, she used to force us to drink Neem flower-infused water, and I and my cousins used to drink it forcefully. She used to say that it would help us prevent summer rashes.

Ammi has incorporated these DIY skills from my Nani. Two years back, Ayesha encouraged her to showcase the talent to the people on YouTube, and now she has her own YouTube channel named DIY Creations with 9 lakh followers. We, especially Ayesha, are eagerly waiting for her 1 million. Ayesha has already put forward her list of demands for 1 million celebrations, which eventually increases every day.

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Next Day

After praying two rakat Nafil namaz, I got ready to go for the final payment of my studio. After this, I will become the owner of the house. I wore my hijab and quickly got downstairs to inform Ammi and Papa and check for Asif uncle. He is accompanying me today, as he has some idea about the registration process.

Shukr Alhamdulillah, everything went well, and I can proceed with my renovation of my studio.

Now, the only major task left is regarding the registration of my fashion boutique. Uncle suggested taking advice from a lawyer, for clear guidance and a legal transfer of ownership. I, too, seconded the idea.

Taking a lesson from yesterday, I didn't have anything from outside; we even have a dawaat today in Asif uncle's house, and I am eagerly waiting for the sheer khurma made by Ammi to eat.

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Sorry for not updating last week, I was busy with some work and later my mood was low.

Finally erasing all the negativity I came back to my writing journey.

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