In Her Own Footsteps

XIII

Night settled. Philadelphia's bustling energy surrendered to a tranquil stillness as the hours of the night turned into morning. Connor and Aanya lay down in silence, with Indigo at their feet. The only sound in the room were those of their breathing and the fan. The warmth that Connor's body radiated, juxtaposed with the gentle breeze of the fan was soothing.

Just moments ago, Aanya had confided in Connor about her forgotten student loan, a weight she had unknowingly carried amidst the turbulence of unemployment. In the grand scheme of her worries, the loan had seemed trivial, an insignificant detail lost in the chaos of her thoughts. After all, there was not much that Aanya could have done about it. Connor's reassurance provided solace.

"We will think of a game plan tomorrow," Connor had comforted her.

Aanya, her resilience rekindled, added with a touch of optimism, "Maybe in a year and two I'll be able to laugh about it."

A piercing migraine, an aftermath of her sniveling, greeted Aanya like an unyielding brick. Despite the drowsiness induced by his medication, Connor fetched her some ibuprofen, their silent exchange filled with understanding. Both of them welcomed the embrace of sleep, hoping that the clarity of morning would bring new possibilities.

Aanya's sleep did not waiver through the night. When she woke up nine hours later, she felt rejuvenated. Despite the hurdles she was facing, she felt ready to face the day. The gentle rays of sunlight, casting a warm glow on the white walls and furniture, fueled her determination. She proceeded with her morning routine. With a calm mind, she thought of ways in which she could solve her new obstacle. Panic would not lead to rational thoughts.

Her hair was dripping after the cleansing she subjected it to, after a night infused with her sorrowing sobs and snots. The smell and sound of coffee brewing brought her serenity. A sip of coffee met her palette with much bliss. Indigo followed Aanya as she carried her large cup of coffee to her desk. She set the warm cup down and opened her laptop. Steam emanated from the cup, creating a comforting atmosphere in the bright hours of the day.

Aanya got to work, researching loan collection. Unfortunately, she discovered that collection accounts could not be deferred due to unemployment – this option was out. Aanya considered her position. She was unemployed, against her will, and would not be allowed to find employment for another six months. That was about how much time the process would likely take in order for her to be issued a new work permit.

Although Aanya was earning some unsanctioned money from her teaching, it was barely enough for Connor and her to stay afloat in the face of rent. If she were forced to begin payment to avoid legal consequences, she would need a stable paycheck again, one that her qualifications could get her. There was only one way for her to do so.

Aanya glanced back at the bedroom, her fingers curled around the half-full cup. Connor lay peacefully on his side, oblivious to the world around him. The soft, gentle breeze from the fan tousled his strawberry blond hair, delicately brushing against his closed eyes. A small smile tugged at the corners of Aanya's lips as she watched him. It reminded her of their early dating days when she would steal quiet moments to capture pictures of his calm and composed face in the morning amid his undisturbed slumber. The memories flooded her mind, warming her heart with fondness. Aanya didn't even notice when Indigo left her side and nestled next to Connor, finding comfort in the natural curve of his sleeping position.

Turning her attention back to her bright laptop screen, Aanya opened the email she had received a few days ago from her Alma Mater. The numbers in the email stared at her, searing their memory into her mind. At the bottom of the page, she found a phone number. She picked up her phone and entered the digits, feeling a sense of resignation. An exasperated sigh escaped her lips as she pressed the call button, bracing herself for the conversation ahead. An automatic recording played, instructing her to press zero to speak to a representative.