You're The Worst

1 - Goodbyes & Hellos

Chapter 1

I got out of my car with my parents, on either side of me, telling me what to do and what not to do.

"Anya don't you dare leave your house after 9 pm okay. Unless you have school. "

As if that's going to happen, one of the reasons I wanted to go to an overseas university was to gain a tiny bit of freedom! I nodded innocently- Over the past 18 years, my body was inclined to feign acceptance to my parent's preposterous demands.

"No, actually, don't even leave your house unless you have school."

I rolled my eyes. Why are they being so overprotective as if the moment I took a step out of my house I'm going to get disowned or something?

My dad helps me get two suitcases out of the boot of the car. Only one of them actually had my clothes and necessities which I needed. The other was filled to the brim with sweets, spices, rice and all types of food items packed by my mother.

"I'm going to pack one-half of the suitcase with food because in London every time you turn there will be only non-vegetarian food okay. You better only eat the food I packed. "

I didn't even need these. The dorm I was going to live in had a kitchen. And there was a 24-hour supermarket open nearby too!

Well, as you can see, Indian parents aren't exactly the ideal parents a child wants to have. My parents also assume that the reason I have the flu or sneeze is because I use my phone too much.

My parents love me but like most Indian parents they will not hesitate to kill me off at any given instance. If I don't call every half an hour my mother immediately files a missing person report.

If I don't reply her text she assumes I am dead and will probably inform every single relative about it.

There is a hurricane in Saudi Arabia? Well, I am probably going to get hit by it in about a minute although I live on a different CONTINENT.

My sister rushes with her phone in her hand talking to me and hugging me at the same time. She's five years older than me and very successful. She was the perfect daughter any Indian parent could ask for. To put it in perspective she is a fucking cardiovascular surgeon. Yeah well, it's every Indian parents' dream for their kids to be a doctor or a lawyer.

As I walked towards the check-in counter, I had a rush of emotions. On one hand, I was happy that I could finally be independent, it was the freedom that I so desperately needed, but on the other hand, I hoped that I could live without my parents, having lived with them for the past 18 years and having absolutely zero knowledge about the world.

"Yeah Amma I promise I'll call you every night", I say to my mother whose eyes was brimming with tears.

I proceeded to check in, got my boarding pass and walked towards the entrance of the transit area.

I hugged both my parents and kissed them on the cheeks. I also fake punched my sister who started crying and said "I can't believe you're finally leaving! I'm going to have so much fun without you!"

Which meant I LOVE YOU BABY SISTER. I think?

" Aw, love you too Aliyah. Either way Haha I'll run away from you any chance I get."

Which meant I love you to the moon and back and I will cry till the day you visit.

"Anya, remember to be careful okay don't forget to do pooja and take Patti's Ashirvaad(blessing) before any exam okay" My mom continues to nag me about the importance of Poojas and faith.