Aarav was to drive us to the Toronto Pearson International Airport. Devika aunty, Aadhya, and Olivia helped us load the car.

"I will clean up the house and put it for rent, a three-bedroom apartment in Toronto will fetch good money. Don't worry," said Devika aunty. This was her way of saying goodbye.

Olivia and I promised we will not cry. But it was getting difficult with time.

"It's time, we should start," said Ravi maamaa.

Devika aunty gave a signal to Aadhya, immediately Aadhya touched Ravi maamaa saying, "Bless me maamaa."

Aarav followed suit, though I could tell it irritated him.

Sai, to my great indignation, touched Devika aunty's feet, asking for her blessing. He stood up looking at me expectantly. Seeing there was no other option I touched Devika aunty's feet.

Sai looked as though he was fighting hard not to laugh.

(It is customary in India to get the blessing from elders by touching their feet.)

As we climbed into the car, Sai splurted, "Devika aunty is so easy to manipulate!"

"What!"

Sai knew Devika aunty, but not personally. I have complained about her to him a lot. He met her only a few days ago and frankly, what did he do to her?

"I told her, anyone who got dad's blessing will get admitted to pristine medical colleges. I knew how much it rubs you to get Devika aunty's blessings, of all people. I had to make a sacrifice, but it was worth the effort just to see your poker face any day"

"Sai Ganesh!" I started, but couldn't finish as Ravi maamaa and Aarav got into the car.

I tried to look as normal as possible, but I must have failed measurably as Sai continued to chortle.

"I didn't see your boyfriend today, It would have been entertaining to see you both bid romantic goodbyes under the eyes of Devika aunty"

"We broke up."

"Yes, I can see that. Long-distance relationships are not your thing, seeing how he snuck into your room all the time."

I glared at him. My mom was ok with Alec, but I wasn't sure how Ravi maamaa would react. He is my guardian now. Well, it's true, Alec snuck in. But I didn't expect Sai to rat me out.

He chortled again as I turned my face, pretending to look out of the window. Sai had a dry sense of humor. Now to think about it, I am grateful for all his irritating jokes at my expense. It kept my mind busy and not to dwell on things I was leaving behind.

"Drop us in Terminal 1," said Ravi maamaa.

Aarav pulled the car and helped load the trolley.

Sai whistled and whispered, "I thought you guys broke up."

I turned to find Alec walking towards us, holding a red rose.

"I think he is going to confess his love."

"Shut up!"

"Good luck, don't get too tearful. Watery kiss, though it sounds romantic, is horrible. Think how salty your tears will be."

"Shut up!"you

"Hey Alec, I thought you guys broke up," said Sai, casually throwing his arms over me, leaning his face closer to mine.

Alec didn't rise to the bait. He didn't look angry, Sai must have already irritated him beyond care.

"Hey Sai, you have been misinformed. We didn't break up, we decided to take a break," saying he maneuvered me. One minute I was standing with Sai, and the next I was in Alec's arms. Sai staggered and to my great disappointment, didn't fall.

"Now if you will excuse me and my girlfriend," said Alec, with great emphasis on 'my'.

I chortled seeing Sai's poker face. It took a strong man to face Sai head-on and Alec has come victorious.

"That was brilliant."

"Ananya," he called. It sounded serious and he looked flushed. It didn't bode well. God! Alex was indeed going to confess, and I didn't know how I felt.

"I love you, Sorry I didn't say it before, but I... I would regret sending you away without letting you know how I feel. I am not saying let's continue long-distance dating. You are moving to another continent. I understand and it wouldn't work out. But, I want you to know how I feel..." He stopped talking, looking awkward.

"Alec, I.. ," I honestly didn't know what to say.

"Promise me one thing, you will never date Sai," Alec was back to his joking self, he handed me the rose.

"Alec -" I started, once again he placed his fingers in my mouth.

Our eyes met, slowly he bent down and kissed me. I didn't know I was crying until Alec wiped my tears and kissed my cheek. I would have been devastated to break up with Alec, but the pain of losing my mother had numbed me.

Our flight took off, I tried not to show, but silent tears kept escaping my eyes now and then. I was leaving Canada, it was my home. I was leaving behind everything. Sai held my arms comfortingly and for once he said nothing. I will visit you again, mom. I promised silently.