Love Overseas

Ishita's POV:

“So, all set?” asked Dad

“Yes, everything packed and kept ready,” I said

“Okay, then Let’s go. Today is Saturday and there will be a lot of traffic” said Dad.

“I have arrived. I am near the gate” a message from Abhi my best friend popped on my phone screen.

We came down from our building and went to the gate where Abhi had parked his car. Dad and Abhi got the luggage settled in as I and mom got into the back seat. Abhi and Dad got into the car and we drove towards the airport.

We reached the airport in one hour. Priya and Shubham my other two best friends were already there waiting for us.

We got out of the car. We loaded all of my luggage into the trolley. Abhi then went to park the car and came back. We all sat in a café nearby and ordered some coffee for all of us.

“I am gonna miss all of you” I was almost crying when I said this.

I was going to the USA. I was leaving my family and friends behind for a very long time. I was all excited but deep down I didn’t want to leave my people and go to some place where I knew no one.

Abhi came and sat next to me and hugged me as he consoled me. Priya was already on my other side and hugged me as well. Shub was standing behind me with his hands on my shoulder trying to comfort me. Mom and dad sat across me they were holding each of my hands and were assuring me that I would be alright and that they would be alright.

It was hard for them as well to be able to stay away from me.

“We all will miss you as well Ishi. You will be fine. Don’t take too much tension” said Shub.

That is when we heard the boarding announcement for my flight. I hugged everyone and told my friends to keep visiting my parents whenever they could so they would not feel alone. I then headed towards the entrance and looked back and waved bye one last time to everyone.

After what felt like ages, two flights long layover. I finally landed in New York. One of Abhi’s friends was in New York so he came to pick me up. He had taken the initiative of getting me settled in.

Oh, I almost forgot to tell you why was I there in the first place. I was a CA and CPA.(Chartered Accountant and Certified Chartered Accountant).

I was working in one of the big four’s that’s Deloitte. I worked there as an Associate manager. As I had a CPA degree I was given the opportunity of working at Deloitte NY. I was hesitant at first when I got the offer first not sure about managing in a new city across the world.

But my friends and family made me realize how much important was it to me. So I decided I would give it a try. My partner back in the Bangalore office had assured me that if I didn’t like the work there or could not get adjusted I could always go back there. That was so generous of him to say that.

We reached my apartment which was rented. Abhi’s friend helped me get my suitcases to my apartment. I was already hit by jetlag I just wanted to sleep right away. But he insisted to get some lunch for me from the café across the street while I got freshened up.

“Here’s a sandwich and cold coffee,” he said as I opened the door.

“Eat up the sandwich and get some sleep” he smiled

“Thank you so much for all the help,” I said. He was really helpful given that this new country, the new city was so alien to me.

All my life till I stayed in a single city. I was born and bought up in Bangalore.

I messaged my parents and my friends that I have reached my place safely and I am going to sleep and will call them once I woke up. I was around 2 pm in New York means 4:30 am in India so obviously, they will be still sleeping and I didn’t want to disturb them.

After eating my lunch I drifted off to sleep.

I woke up straight after 6 hours of sleep. I had passed out on the couch itself. As I got up my stomach growled. I went up to the fridge to get the cold coffee. I spoke to my parents and then my friends as I sipped on the chilled coffee.

I needed so many things for the home. As the caffeine settled in my system it was time to get some work done. I was going to start my work next Monday so I still had time.

I decided to go to target and get a few household stuff and basic groceries.

I had already made a list of what I would be needing so, it was easy. I went ahead and started picking things and putting them into the trolley. As I was passing the grocery aisle I heard a familiar Indian Language.

As I came back to see who was speaking, I saw a guy who was seriously disappointed to have not found something he wanted. A worker came up to him to ask what he wanted. He said what he wanted and the worker took him to the aisle where it was. As he was walking past me I kept looking at him and didn’t notice that he was looking at me staring at him.

“Do you need any help, Miss?” Asked a worker when I broke from the trance I was in for some reason.

“No, just let me know where the billing counter is”

She showed me the billing counter, I went there and paid, and left.

For the next few days, I stayed in my apartment and got everything sorted. I still had this lingering thought of that guy whom I saw in Target. He spoke Hindi so he was definitely Indian. That day at Target I was almost on the verge of going and speaking to him and asking about him.

There was something about that guy. I had come across a lot of Indians that day but never wanted to approach anyone. But as soon as I saw him it felt like I could approach him.

My phone started vibrating it was a facetime call from my friends. Before I left for NY I and my friends had made a plan to have a facetime call every Sunday. In that way, I would not feel distanced from them.

“So MISS NY, how’s it been in a new country, new city? Have you been enjoying” asked Shub

“She definitely is enjoying can't you see that from her posts on Insta” Priya spoke.

“Guys if I am posting photos on Insta doesn’t mean I am happy right?” I said annoyingly.

“hey, Tu pakka theek Hai na (hey you are alright right?)” asked Abhi in a concerned tone.

He was extremely protective of me. He was the closest among my friends. He was not happy when I told him about my offer to work in NY. He was so protective that he told me I should just outright reject it.

I was really taken aback when he said that. I knew he was sad that I will be gone for a long time but he knew it was such a great opportunity for my career and yet he spoke like that.

“Ha Abhi, I am totally and absolutely fine. Its just that I really miss you guys. I so wish you guys were also with me.” I said

“You sponsor our trip and we will be on the next possible flight” said Shub jokingly.

We all bursted into laughter.