Cross-border Merger

Pizzas and Laughs

"You couldn't pass a single day without me?" I joked with Ashar.

"How could I? Your soul screamed out to me for company", Ashar said playing along.

"Oh so you are the new friend he hasn't shut up about since he's arrived?" Sam chimed in.

"I think so", I said chuckling.

"If you are done flirting with each other, can we please just eat?". Of course the jerk had to ruin the moment.

Ashar gave me shrug and went to the kitchen to get the plates. Sam asked me to follow him to a room I hadn't seen uptil now. The room was basically like a cozy lounge room with a big television, some really comfortable chairs and a big open space. Probably for this reason, this particular room felt like a space where I felt most at ease since leaving home.

"Welcome to our hangout spot", Sam said ushering me in. Michael was already in there before we reached and guess what, he gave me the same disgusted look he has given me from the very first day.

Sam noticed this too and rolled his eyes which suddenly lightened up the atmosphere. As if on cue, Ashar came in with pizza boxes and beer bottles. While Michael decided to stay in the room with a sour mood, Ashar and Sam continued to keep up the vibe of the room by making me laugh to a point where my cheeks started to ache.

Sam offered me a beer which I refused since I don't drink. "Never?" He asked me. "Haven't yet", I answered.

"So Ms. Raizada now that we know that you laugh like a hyena," Ashar said to which I feigned offence, "You don't drink alcohol and that apparently, you make a great cup of chai, tell us more about you."

"Sure. What do you want to know?" 

"Let's start with what was your life back home", Sam asked me. He seemed quite interested in knowing the answer. 

"Okay" I said dragging my okay, "I live in Delhi, India with my Ma and Papa. I work at a law firm in the city with some really cool people. I have two best friends, Aish and Sid, who are honestly the best and as close to me as one could possibly get. So yeah, that's my life - lawyering, hanging out with my friends whenever possible and spending time with my small family."

"Wait, so you're like an independent lawyer but you still live with your family?" Sam asked genuinely confused. This made me laugh slightly.

"Yes. In India, It's actually how things work. Children don't move out of their parents' houses unless they either have to because of certain reasons, like, they have to move to a different city for jobs, studies, etc. or if unfortunately there are certain disputes among the family members. A daughter leaves her home after she gets married and then goes on to love with her husband and his family if he lives with his family. So yeah we have a culture of big families, joint families."

Sam looked stunned and even Michael looked surprised. Well I'm surprised that he was listening to all of this in the first place. 

"Oh wow! I never knew this. I mean I don't know how to feel about this but it's surely fascinating." Sam said still processing all this.

"Okay, my turn, what's the one thing that you've missed most about home?" Ashar asked.

"A lot of things honestly. It's the smallest things really like people speaking your language, the air, watching cricket matches, my room and family and friends of course." 

"Why did you come here?" Michael asked surprising us all. Even though his tone was extremely rude, I was glad that we could finally have a civil conversation for a change. However, I couldn't answer his question truthfully in front of Sam and Ashar. So, I gave the scripted answer.

"I had always wanted to study at Queen Mary University of London. I had hoped to do my masters at the University but I got placed at the firm I work for after my bachelors of law and it was an opportunity I couldn't have given up on. So, I could never come to QMUL. this year they introduced a diploma in an area of my interest, so, I requested the Managing Partner of the firm to let me come here if my application got selected. Thankfully he agreed and not only that, he requested your father to look after me. Your father then very kindly offered me his place to stay."

Out of all the things that I could have thought of, I didn't expect Michael to scoff and leave the room after listening to my reply. 

Sam and Ashar seemed equally astounded by their friend's reaction. One second I was lost, then the next second brought a whirlwind of emotions. I was shocked, sad, hurt, confused, embarrassed and Lord knows what else but most of all, I was furious. 

My infuriation was at a level I never had experienced before. Without thinking anything through like I always do, I jolted out of the room to follow Michael. I could hear Sam and Ashar in the background calling out my name but right now nothing else mattered. 

A/N: Aaaannndddd here's another update. Things haven't been easy but your votes, comments, messages have managed to lift up my mood more than you know. Thank you to all the new people who have added the story to their libraries... I hope I haven't disappointed you yet. And thank you to the OGs whose votes I always look forward to. 

A special shout out to @Crazy_Annts1234 for just being absolutely lovely.