There is no mile as long as the

final one that lead back

Home

It's been three days since the interview.

Leah came 2 days back. We are staying together in my room.

We had a blast yesterday from Bhel puri, Pani puri to beach walk we enjoyed the day thoroughly.

It sort of helped me to come out of those depressing thoughts. I told Ma what happened, she didn't talk much.

I am not complaining.

My parents and brother stood with me against the whole family for my decision. I can't ask for more.

Some battles are mine to fight, right?

So I am not sad or...Am I??

I don't know anymore.

Now here I am sitting in the canteen sipping my Mocha savouring the silence which is hard to find in this campus which is always bustling with energy.

Since today is Sunday and vacation starts tomorrow so most of the students left. Explaining the newfound silence.

I love this campus. Mostly because of its lively nature.

It's not a big deal even if you are woken up in the middle of the night for playing basketball.

No one cares, we just live our life to the fullest.

This campus teaches us there is only one life, to just don't hold back, to break the chain that hold you from your passion.

This was the same reason Leah told when she dropped out in 2nd year.

Then comes the eco-friendly atmosphere.

After living in this campus for 2 months you won't even blink an eye even if a monkey jumps over you.

That's how it is.

And we love it.

Suddenly my phone started ringing breaking my revive, I took the phone and checked the caller ID.

" Hello"

Silence...

"Hello, who is this?"

And the line went dead.

Strange??

So yeah, Dan and Leah will be staying with Rits at his Mansion in Delhi.

We will be leaving together as both flights are at 11 am.

Mine to Chennai and theirs to Delhi.

Talk of the Devil!

"Hey Sexy!" and she jumps over me hugging the life out of me.

Totally expected!

"Good morning to you too..I packed both bags. We are leaving at around 10 a.m."

Which will eventually become 10:20 considering its 'US'.

I hate tardiness.

But guess what?

I'm stuck with these people who reach a 10.30 meeting at 'exactly' 10.40.

At first, it was really hard but now it's almost okay...

She settled down beside me sipping my Mocha.

We both sat there staring at the lonely pathway in front of us.

Drowning in the silence, feeling at ease.

I could literally feel that Leah wants to ask something by the way she was fidgeting with her fingers and tapping her legs to a rhythm which slowly blended with the silence, beside me.

Interesting how much we know each other to such an extent that we can understand the state of mind of the latter with just a small gesture.

She heaved a sigh.

And there it goes,

"Are you ready to face your clan??"

We stared at each other, She trying to find the answers.

Me thinking about what to say.

Breaking our staring competition, my phone pinged. I read the mail more or less to dodge her question.

But what I read had my eyes tearing up.

Sensing the situation Leah took the phone, read the mail and started jumping.

I took a screenshot and shared it with Ma, Pa, Anna(Elder brother), Rits, and Dan.

"Yes, you got it! No one can resist my sister. I think they came to know about me, now only." she exclaimed hugging me.

"Of course, I got selected not because of my talent but because you are my sister. That's right huh!?" I mocked with my hands in the air.

I slapped her head then she pulled me into a hug and suddenly two more pairs of hands wrapped around us.

And four of us savoured the moment.

I came to know they too got selected.

Let me tell you Veracity International is one of the world's top companies. Doing an internship there is a dream come true for every Engineering aspirant.

I thanked God.

Ma called me, she was so happy Pa and Anna were fighting for the phone we talked a bit.

**

Everyone was in a rush.

People receiving their loved ones with tears or some seeing off their loved ones with tears.

I wonder...How much of a different meaning are the same tears giving out in different instances at the same place?

Rits and Dan kissed my forehead. Leah hugged me. And we boarded our respective flights.

Reaching Chennai, Anna was already waiting for me. He took a day off today and also a couple of days of leave.

Let's just say it's for namesake if a patient comes he won't hesitate to leave me in the middle of the sea.

I don't complain.

Born to Dr.Arvind Varma and Dr.Anupama Arvind Varma.

Later brought up in the middle of a family full of doctors.

I grew up seeing the struggles each person endures when he/she enters a hospital may it be patients or their family or the medical staffs.

I respect their job.

So it will be really selfish of me to complain. It's not like I would do that.

Anna is a Neurosurgeon, Ma a Cardiologist, and Pa Pulmonologist.

While he started driving I enquired excitedly,

"Won't you give me a treat?"

"Of course. That's why I forgot my wallet." he said while giving me the look that only brothers are capable of.

A look that make you throw something at them.

Really??? Okay...

I folded my hands and turned to the other side.

I know it's childish, but it's my brother.

And he started laughing!

I looked outside.

This city changes a bit every time I come. But the emotions I feel never did.

Wherever I go or whatever I become the roots I have in this city are spread far and wide making it impossible to be uprooted, neither I want to.

Each corner holds a memory, a story of feelings of different relations some which couldn't stand the test of time or some others which are still a call away.

The car came to a halt.

I looked outside,

'ICECREAM

And guys that's my 'BROTHER'.

I jumped out and entered the place holding his hands.

THIS FEELING.

I side hugged him savouring the moment. He kissed the top of my head.

We had our usual ice cream flavours with lots of catching up. My brother may or may not have a tiny miney crush on

'The Drama Queen' Leah.

Let's just say the feelings are mutual.

I missed all this.

The teasing, small fights, stealing food...

God I love my Brother!

While driving back he asked,

"When is the internship starting?"

Typical Dr Anirudh Varma!

"It was just the confirmation letter, rest will be decided after the

vacation." I told dismissively.

"Anu are you in any relationship?" He asked quite seriously.

Excuse me??

"NO! Why?" I asked eyeing him.

"Nothing. Just like that and before you ask me no I'm not in any relationship."

He completed quickly.

He knows me way too well for his own good.

We reached

Ma and Pa took a half-day leave.

I ran towards Pa, he hugged me then Ma hugged me.

This is home.

I pinched my Grandma's cheeks and hugged her. Even though we fought a lot and had serious problems regarding my career choice but we love each other.

I am the only girl child in the whole 6 of her grandchildren.

Ma made all my favourites and we had a hearty meal.

Savouring Ma's food, homely feeling. And reminiscing the memories that melted away the same way the Food did.

All my family members as in Pa's younger brother, sister and their family came. All of them are staying within a 5 km radius.

Whether this fact is a Boon or Bane is still not decided.

Finally after all of them left, at night I was standing on the common balcony staring at the night sky engulfing everything else in the darkness of oblivion helping the stars to shine ever so brightly.

The small cold breeze singing a lullaby for no one to hear yet it flows showing its presence.

I could feel myself being coaxed in the comfort of this moment,

this silence.

I felt arms around me, the embrace which could bring comfort for me even in the darkest of times,

My first love, my pillar of strength.

I leaned towards the affectionate arms reviving the feeling of love, care, trust.

My Pa.

"You should always know that we are proud of you and we love you.

Follow your heart because we trust in our upbringing. We are always with you"

The feelings that I went through at that moment are not explainable.

Tears started flowing, I'm not ashamed rather this was one of those moments which will be engraved in my heart .

We were engulfed in the embrace of Ma and Anna.

These are the moments that are captured forever not by a camera but by our hearts.

These are moments which a human being gets once in a lifetime the feeling of togetherness, wholeness.

And I feel blessed for this feeling,

Hey,

This was one of those chapters I personally felt close to.

The feeling of Family really can't be put into words.

Who do you think was the strange stranger?

And I have to mention this, the person who is the official Editor of this book and the person who I admire the most in the virtual world of Wattpad both are doctors or more like to-be-doctors.

Love

(Ps- next update on Sunday)