❝ We are born in a Family and We die leaving behind a Family,
But our entire Journey has our Family as our Backbone.

MOM Always Has Our Back.

DAD Always There To Support.

BROTHER & SISTERS Always To Fight With, Yet Shares Our Laughs.

GRANDPARENTS Always There To Spoil Us.

Then, In A Next Phase Of Life,

WIFE Always There Through The Thick & Thin.

HUSBAND Caring, Loving & Supporting.

DAUGHTER With A Loving Heart, Bundle of Joy in the House.

SON The Dashing Hero Of the House. Mischievous, Yet Affectionate.

GRANDCHILDREN The Apple Of The Eyes.

We Change Roles, We Change Phases Yet The Most Constant & Supportive Part With Us Is Our Family.

Everyone Is Not Lucky Enough To Have One, So Those How Are Lucky Respect & Love Your Family While Those Who Aren't So Fortunate, The World Is Full Of Great, Loving & Sweet People Who are Dying To Make You A Part Of their Family.

Just Be Welcoming & Kind. ❞

_____________________________

5 Years Ago.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai.

MEERA'S POV

" Hey! Mom, You're setting up a good competition for those daily soap dramaqueens. I can't handle this senti you. And its just a matter of couple of years. I'll be back sooner than you'll realise I was gone."

"Oh Meera, my darling! How in the world are you gonna manage it all alone on your own? A new foreign country, new people, new custom... "

" I'll manage and call you once I reach Mom. Dad take care. Don't miss me much. " I replied.

My Mom's constant worry was acceptable. Going alone abroad for higher studies is challenging. And, convincing Indian Parents to let go of their kids is hell of a task.

Anxious was an understatement for them. They worry too much for me. After assuring them for thousand times they finally agreed to give in.

Finally, with tears in my eyes and my mom's eyes I bade them a goodbye. Dad is obviously not an expressive person but I know he's heart isn't at rest either.

I was going to the United States, specifically Cleveland, Ohio to pursue Masters in Entertainment Engineering and Design.

It basically emphasizes the implementation of the creative process to the designing and building of engineered entertainment components i.e creating highly technical designs that the entertainment industry has come to demand. It emphasis the study of structural engineering, robotics, acoustics and systems and live entertainment.

It's not a very famous course but it'll strong arm me and would be my stepping stone in the industry. The Entertainment industry, I always fantasized it.
One of the major reasons, I loved watching movies.

And I want to be a part of them in some way.
In a nutshell, I could get good jobs in Film Industry which uses all these latest technologies and equipments.

I also happen to be an MBA graduate in HRM which gave me an upper hand. Doing Masters was my choice as I wanted to change my monotonous course.

Luckily, the firm where I worked was an international company having a branch at Cleaveland.
Basically, Ohio is one of the agricultural base of US. Filled with farms and farmers who are in constant need of good quality machinery. So, I easily got a transfer and I'll be working part-time with them.
FYI, I had my bachelors in Mechanical Engineering.

Most part of my college life was occupied with studies so I don't have a good record of making large groups of friends or even a boyfriend. Talking exclusively about boyfriends I'll tell more about them in due course. Nevertheless I can say I'm happy.

Life's tough for everyone, same was true for me. But, I'm satisfied with mine, till now.

Cleveland, Ohio.

I was nervous and had butterflies in my stomach. It was for the first time that I was going away from my family. I was entitled to that feeling.

My flight to the States was a direct one, non stop. Jetlag was crucial. Of course, a hectic week laid head with new stretch of opportunities. University was to begun in a week and my job from Monday.

My office and University weren't in the vicinity of my apartment away. But, the ride to either would be pleasant and fun. I had some friends and relatives staying in States but were far away so I shared my apartment and the rent with my old school friend Tara Sharma. She was pursuing her studies but in different University. She too worked part time like me.

Life is a lot different in the here hence back home. People are well engaged with themselves. We get all have all the privacy needed.

Ohio was a nice option with a good University. It's calm and peaceful, away from all the hustle bustle of the big cities like the Big Apple, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, etcetera.
But, it's equally amazing. The countryside, where my University is located is surrounded by lush green farms while the place where I live in admist the city. Cleveland has the most amazing skyline. It's like mini - Mumbai.

Ohio isn't a large state. It's on the Midwestern part of the country, neighbouring Pennsylvania. But, I instantly like here. The nightlife isn't as happening as NYC or LA or Las Vegas but I don't mind coz I'm not a fan of bars and clubs. I enjoy spending weekend in isolation with a good book or a subtle movie. Some of my friends call me oldie but I don't mind them. It's my choice anyways.

My cell phone was ringing. I saw the caller id, it was mom. I hadn't spoke to her since I landed coz I was occupied with other things.

" Hi Dear. Hope you're settled. "

" Yeah! A bit of unpacking and then I am done."

" Okay. Have proper rest, eat healthy food and stay fit. You must be tired. Sleep well and call me later."

" Yup! You too take care. Bye "

My Mom's a sweetheart. And my Dad's too cool. They just make my life so perfect. I'm 24 now but still I feel like a kid with them. I think everyone does.

They've always supported me in every venture I take in my life. Be it career decisions or any other random stuff.
Being well off and well being are two very different things and from what I understand we've managed both of them pretty well.

My Dad, Rishabh Mathur is a Software Developer while My Mom, Diana works as a Content Editor in a Production Firm. Hence I want a job which is perfect amalgam of both.

My mom happens to have a Christian upbringing while my Dad's a staunch North Indian, but both of them were born and bought up in the beautiful city of dreams, Mumbai.
And that's where they fell in love, got married and had a lovely family.
They faced some oppressions but their love just grew strong. Later on, their families made peace too.

So, I had a very diverse upbringing. We went to the Church on every Sunday and also celebrated all the Hindu festivals throughout the year. It's weird when people find it hard to digest such diversity.

I wasn't lucky enough to get love from all my grandparents. Dad's father died when he was 23 and his mother died just before I was born. I only had a grandma whom I loved me to death. Mom's dad passed away when I was 4. I don't remember him much, but his absence is surely missed by all.

Rest, their are some cousins with whom I don't interact on regular basis, but we're in touch.

But, one thing I'm sure of, all of them are gonna be missed.

Travelling alone to a place of strangers can be scary, but scary things define adventure and experience. They give full confidence to a person. Unaware of what new adventures lay ahead.
I love to travel and explore new places.

Well, it was definitely a teary Goodbye but I was definitely looking forward for exciting 2 years in a new country with different people, left all on my own.

🌟🌟🌟

First Day of Work.

First day of work was as usual, pending projects and assignments. Work load had increased comparatively.

"Hi Meera! I'm Anne. Welcome to Cleveland HQ of TCION. I'll be here whenever you need. Your cubicle is on right."

"Thank you" is all that I could manage. I can be shy. I worked at Texan Computer Industry Ltd for a year now.
It was a well based MNC and I was happy here.

University was starting next week, till then I had some time to get to know Cleveland and the people around.

🌟🌟🌟

First day of University.

It felt just like a first day of school. The difference is that this time, my parents won't be there to guide me in.

" Oh!  Tara C'mon, get your lazy ass out of the damn bed... I'm not in any mood to get late today."

Tara was indeed is a great roommate. She was always eager to help. But she's not at all like me. She's one of those people who enjoy club hopping and partying out late. She desperately wants to move out of Cleveland but waiting for her graduation to complete and an opportunity. Nevertheless, she enjoys her life here as well. She has a ton of friends and I find it so hard remembering them as she introduces a new one everytime.

" Hey! Mee dear, hold on. Just checking out my outfit. " She shouted after 15 minutes.

Oh God! it's already ticking 9 on the clock. My first class begins in like 15 mins and I'm late for the first time. I hate being late.

" C'mon Mee... Stop pondering over your watch. "

It takes half an hour for me to reach the campus.
I was half running half walking from the bus-stop when I reached the University gates. There were less number of students around. I believe they were already in their respective classes. I still had to check where my class was. Soon I found the list.
Masters Batch 1- Room no. 405
OMG!  5th floor. I kept running and finally reached my destination. I was so relieved that it was 9:45 but the professor hadn't arrived. Thank god.

I found a seat on backside empty. Luckily it was near to the window. I breathe the fresh air and felt immense pleasure as the cool wind calmed me. The ambience and the campus of the University was beautiful and peaceful. It's country side afterall. There were nearly 30 to 40 students in the class. It was a Master's course so less students were expected. And Ohio isn't a very attractive hub, either.

I could see the campus of neighbouring School . I heard that it was an affiliated School for Master's in Film Industry. All that stuff regarding Direction, Production, Acting, Writing etcetera.

Interestingly, I couldn't see students loitering around. Usually, that's what happens in colleges, right? It's all fun, isn't it?

Just interrupting my thoughts I heard the room suddenly get pin drop silent as the professor entered.

"Good morning, All. I'm John David and I'll be taking your Mechanical Design. Hope you have a good start. You all will soon adjust to my style. Any queries, be free to ask. "

Looking at him, he seemed a good approachable person with a chirpy voice. He taught the subject well and handle our anxiety levels too. I got engrossed in the topics and the lecture soon came to end. Giving us a pile of homework he left.

" I hope you guys complete it before coming for the next class. I don't like defaulters." Saying this he laughed.

It wasn't expected on a serious question but I guess that how University Professors are.

Weird and Absurb and definitely with a low sense of humor.

" Hey!" I heard someone call, chucking me out of my unnecessary thoughts.

" I'm Jenny Stan. What's your good name? ''

"Hi! Jenny. I'm Meera Mathur. Where are you from? " I asked.

" I'm from Connecticut. It's a small state. Where from you from? "

" Well, I'm from India. That's like really far away. "

" Wow... That's amazing. Let's catch up real soon. " I nodded.

We discussed our courses and interacted with some more people.

It's surprising to know that people hail from such diverse regions and have such amazing experiences and abilities. People from different genres are soon gonna write a new chapter together, here.

I think I'm gonna have a great time as well as a fresh start. That's what I needed since long.

So, Cleveland wasn't a bad discussion after all.

Little did I know that it was far too soon for a judgement .

------------------------------

Hey! All.

Thanks for Reading.
Hope you're liking it so far.

Next Chapter : Soon 🔜

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Luv... ❤️
Vruksha.