"Don't close the book when bad things happen in life.Just turn the page and start a new beginning."

And that's what I'm doing right now ......

"You have everything packed?"Ankita inquired.

"Yep."I said, checking my luggages and backpacks for the final time.

"I still can't believe you two are leaving us?"She murmured , sounded like she was about to cry.

Ankita, the one and only Bengali friend I made in Kolkata.We'd met two years ago when my cousin; Misha and I shifted here in Kolkata and rented the second floor of her house.Despite our differences in religion,culture, personality and preferences ,we became really good friends in a short span of time.

"Listen,Don't you dare to forget me!"Ankita said which sounded like a threat to me.I chuckled and nodded like an obedient child.

The bond we have is momentous and distance will not change the fact.

"You'll call me everyday,okay?"She said .

"Everyday?"I raised an eyebrow.

"Uhm..Then once in a week?"She bargained.

"Okay,done."I nodded with a grin.

"Don't pull all nighters to study.It's take a toll on your health,you know that, right?"

I smiled and gave her a nod .

"Don't be reserved.Try to open up and make a lot of friends."She advised and
I nodded again.

"Any more advices?"I asked,laughing.

She nodded, grinning"Yep,the most important one."

"Oh!So what is it?"I asked ,a little bit curious now.

"Make a boyfriend .Don't stay single anymore.If someone approaches you, don't show him 'No entry' sign just like you did here."She said, making my eyes rolled at her.

I chuckled"You know dating isn't my thing."

"Give it a try at least."

"I don't want to .I am fit to be a single."

"Who knows ,maybe you'll find someone in Dehradun and your heart won't be able to resist him."She winked.

"I highly doubt it."I chuckled.

"You never know."She was persistent.

I laughed a hearty laugh,shaking my head.

Do I like being single?

Yes,I do.

Do I wish I were in a relationship?

Absolutely.

But here is the thing.I will remain single until I find someone whose presence is more valuable than my solitude.Until and unless I won't find someone like that ,I am fine with myself.

"Zara,The taxi is here."Misha said,entering the room."Bring out your bags quickly."saying that Misha carried her luggages and walked out of the room,taking a last glance at the room.

"Time to say goodbye."I said,tears welling in my eyes.

"Don't say goodbye.Say 'See you soon'."Ankita said, engulfing me in a tight hug.

"See you soon ."I smiled, squeezing her tight.

Taking my bags as I glance around my room one last time, I was flooded with memories -the tears, the laughter,late night snacks party and movie nights with Misha and Ankita and so much.

I will miss it all.

After putting our bags in the trunk ,it was time to say final goodbyes to those people I'd grown love to.

"Now who'll give me a head massage? and who'll nag me to take my medicines on time?"Ankita's grandma said ,in tears.

"Grandma!"Misha and I engulfed her in a tight hug and cried.

"Take care my child."Sushmita Aunty,Ankita's mother hugged me and kissed my forehead."Love you."

"I'll miss you all so badly."my voice choked.

"We too."Her eyes glistened with tears but she had a kind smile on her lips.

In the past two years they had given Misha and me the tenderest affection a family could offer to a stranger who weren't not even their family.

Why saying goodbyes is so hard?

Once we were done bidding goodbyes to everyone,we climbed in the back seat.

The car started and I was looking back at Ankita, her family and the house that was fading with every second and soon it vanished out of sight .

With that two years of my stay in Kolkata met an end.But I was leaving a part of my soul behind.

"Are you happy with your decision?You sure you won't regret it?"Misha asked me ,the last of a thousand times before we reached to the airport.

Well...we were going to Dehradun .Dehradun, the capital of the Indian state of Uttarkhand,near the Himalayan foothills.The city famous for it's picturesque landscape and slightly milder climate.We'd left that city two years back because of some circumstances.Now finally we were returning there for good.

"Yes, I am.Now stop asking the same question."I urged.

Misha didn't bring up the topic again but kept stealing glances at me throughout the ride.

Misha, my cousin who was more than a biological sister to me.Only 3 months older than me but the way she take care of me ,it seems like she is 4 to 5 year older than me.She loves me so much ,so does her family and I love them too.I didn't know what would've happen to me two years ago if they hadn't been my side.

It was a 30 minutes drive to airport ,then 4 hour flight from Kolkata to Dehradun.Our flight landed safely at 'Jolly Grant Airport' in Dehradun at 1:30 pm.

"Zara!"My best friend's happy and loud voice echoed through the airport as she came running to me.

I smiled widely ,waving my hand.

"Hi,Happy to see you too."I said as  Khusbu launched herself at me , squeezing me in a tight hug.

I glanced behind her at my cousin, Farhan who was having a reunion with his sister,Misha.

When Khusbu and I broke apart,we laughed,eyes filled with happy tears.It has been two years since we last met,even though we stayed in touch,video chatted every week.

"I need a hug too."Misha said,coming over to Khusbu.Khusbu chuckled and engulfed her in a hug.

I smiled and walked over to Farhan Bhai.

"Welcome back to Dehradun,little sister."Farhan bhai smiled a warm smile,holding me at arm's length and caressing my head.

I smiled warmly at him.

"Let's go home.Mom and dad are eagerly waiting for you two."Farhan Bhai said,smiling to us and we nodded excitedly.

It was sunny and the weather was extremely hot in Dehradun.Before coming out of the airport,I'd to put on my hat to save my face from the scorching heat.

We made it to the car, put our bags in the trunk,before Khusbu and I climbing into the back seat while Farhan Bhai and Misha climbed into the front seat.

"Ah,I missed this crispy smell of nature."Misha said excitedly as we drove away from the airport.

"I bet you did."I said,laughing.

Farhan bhai asked how our flight was and Misha started telling stories about  our flight experience.On my part ,I told them how I enjoyed my flight messing with a annoyingly cute little girl.

"Well...Bhai ,We heard you'd gone to see a girl for marriage last week.How did it go?"Misha asked suddenly and watching Farhan Bhai's changed expression in the rare view mirror, I could guess he wasn't expecting this question.

"Yes,Bhai.Tell us about that girl.How was she? Beautiful?Did you like her?"I joined her in pulling my cousin's leg .

"Please don't start this marriage topic again.Mom is already annoying me to death.You two spare me please."He said,irritated.

Judging from his reaction,I could tell Aunty might be forcing him to get married and he was probably not ready for it .

The three of us laughed quietly and didn't stretch the topic anymore.We'd enough time to tease him later.

"By the way,I got some good news for you."Farhan Bhai said, breaking my chain of thoughts.

"Good news!What is that?"Misha asked, excitedly.

"Well..You both can rejoin your previous colleges from the day after tomorrow."he said and we beamed with happiness .

"That's great."I exclaimed.It was really a great news ,indeed. Misha also very happy by the news.

I knew it wasn't easy to do the transfer process.Abbas Uncle might've used his connections and pulled some strings for it.

Then we exchanged a few more comments on the city, the weather and other things.

I didn't know what occured to me but all of sudden, I put my arms out of the window,waving my hat like a visiting dignitary.

"What are you doing?"Khusbu questioned,"It can be dangerous."She warned,slapping my other arm .

"I'll be careful."I reassured.

"Still , it's not safe,Zara."Farhan Bhai,spoke from the front."Put your hand back in."

"Just for a few minutes please .I'm enjoying it."I whined.

He considered my request for a moment and then sighed ,shaking his head.

"Fine.But be careful."He said.

"Don't worry."I reassured and continued waving my hat against the wind.

It was an amazing feeling.I felt like a new beginning coming towards me and I was running to it with open arms.

To be honest,I'd doubts on my decision of coming back to this city.It felt like daunting, taking that first step into the unknown .But deep down in the core of my being,I had a feeling that it was gonna be a right decision for me.So I was trusting this journey and hoping that brighter days were ahead.

I've got this.

****************

So my lovely readers here is the first chapter of this story.

How is it?Let me know it through your comments.