The Right Mistake

Chapter One.

Today.

Yes, today was the day I was going to get to know if I had been accepted at the UCLA . It has been my dream to study there since I was like 11. I sent in applications for others as well like NYU and even University College London just in case USA didn't work out.

Oh I completely forgot to introduce myself, I'm so rude. I'm Aaliya Mittal, 19. I stay in Mumbai, India with my mom and my little sister. I love food (lol who doesn't), I love music and everything a normal 19 year old would. Well, not completely normal though because I must be the only 19 year old in this universe who hasn't had a relationship and hasn't been hungover.

Yes, I'm not your typical teenager. Okay, boring facts about Aaliya time is over.

I had been waiting all day, refreshing my e-mail. I had almost given up when I heard a *bing*.

I was in the bathroom when I heard it and I literally tripped over my half worn pants as I ran to my laptop. There was a message from the UCLA. I could feel my heartbeat rising as I clicked on the message with trembling fingers.

"Dear Aaliya,

It is our pleasure to inform you that you have been accepted for your requested course at the University of California, Los Angeles. Your scholarship details are attached along with the e-mail alongside the details of your course and other details which you may need. Respond to us by filling the form attached to confirm admission.

For any further details please contact us on the number mentioned on the website or write to us on this e-mail ID itself.

Hoping to see you at UCLA!

Regards,

The UCLA management."

I read this message 5 times over and over to make sure I was reading correctly. Ma was at work so I simply called her. She picked up," Yes sweetie. Is everything okay?"

"Ugh yes ma! What do you think is going to happen when you aren't at home?", I asked with a hint of excitement in my voice.

"I don't know...there is so much crime in today's word. Anything could happen", she replied a little eerily.

"If anything means your daughter getting accepted at UCLA and her dreams coming true then well mom, I guess that crime JUST took place", I screamed. There was complete silence for 10 seconds before she spoke, "WHAT. ARE YOU SERIOUS. OH MY GOD MY DAUGHTER IS GOING TO UCLA, SHE HAS GROWN UP SO MUCH, I CAN'T TAKE THIS. I AM COMING ALONG, I WILL FIND A JOB THERE AND WE WILL LIVE HAPPILY. WHAT IS THE FEES, WHERE WILL YOU STAY, STAY AWAY FROM CREEPY PEOPLE. KEEP CALLING ME EVER 2 HOURS OR-"

I cut her off by saying, "MOOOOOOOM, chill I am not leaving tomorrow. Relax, come home we'll sit and talk about everything. Also I am not taking you with me and neither am I going to call you every 28 minutes."

Mom agreed and cut the call. I sat with my laptop searching for housing options and nearby facilities. I noted everything down. I had a friend studying at UCLA as well so I called her up and gathered more information about the place.

I then sat staring at a picture of the university building as I got goosebumps. I will be THERE soon. Everything I worked for and wished for was going to come true. I'll be away from home but it's okay I'll come back every year. I had searched for suitable job options as well to manage my expenses. I did not want to put everything on mom. Thankfully, I had a scholarship hence it won't be that much of a pain. This is it. My dream was going to come true.

I was lost in my world when I heard my mom walk in. She gave me a tight hug and I already knew she was crying. What is it with Indian moms crying over little things. Okay, my bad this wasn't little. She sat with me as I told her about everything I had decided about. I had been dreaming about UCLA since I was little and that means I had already worked out where to stay, where to shop, where to work, monthly expenses and every detail long back.