The pearls of Abyss

New Beginnings

"Et too Brute" was the only thing Arya could whisper after hearing the news. That very sentence assured the women that it had gone down well with this girl. Amaira and Mrs. Siobhan looked at each other internally sighing with relief.

Mrs. Siobhan was Arya's grandmother and a woman to whom age was truly a number. Even in her mid sixties, she looked energetic and her eyes had a shine to them. She had singlehandedly managed both the girls and their education while she continued being the chief reporter in the New York daily. She had exposed so many mafias and scandals and corrupt politicians that she often joked of being killed by an assassin. Yet she was this peaceful woman who maintained a perfectly trimmed garden (with different kinds of flowers) and who works out daily to stay in shape. Her colleagues often called her as the iron Lady of journalism. She was a natural from the start, Both at leadership and at her work.

When Amaira had told her about Arya being accepted in the London college - ecstar( she still couldn't pronounce it right), all her words were- "Let no stone be left unturned." She believed that one should explore the world and only then will destiny give them a chance to try their best.

"Well, it was quite unexpected, but trust me London is as beautiful as New York. People there are warm and welcoming" Mrs.Siobhan smiled knowingly at her distraught granddaughter.

"But why now?" Arya looked at her incredulously.

"Why not now?" Was the reply she got in unison.

Arya had already suspected that the god of thunder had chosen her as a target when she noticed Amaira's mysterious demeanor. This though was unexpected. Baby -betraying her.

Baby- that's what she called her grandmother. Weird to call an old lady like that, but both the sisters found their grandmother a child at heart and TOTALLY quirky. Instead felt, calling her granny would do Injustice to the all-rounder person she was

"Listen, I know that I love film making and wished to do a graduate program in that" Arya paused as the waitress delivered their order " But I can also do it here. Why Half-way across the globe?" She completed, laying an extra emphasis over the last few words.

Arya was a natural in cinematography and everything related to films. She just liked clicking pictures editing videos and now, she was trying to explore a new arena- Audio Engineering. She owned a YouTube chanel and a DSLR, and was successfully running it along with her bestie- or now maybe an ex-bestie.

"Because," Baby took the plate without looking Arya in the eye, Amaira has had her share of globe trotting and now it's your turn" she added as she served the girls their favorite lunch.

" She did it because she wanted to, I am not asking for it. " Arya defended herself.

"Baby," her grandmother looked at her seriously " Amaira has a project to do and she has been posted to South Africa for the same. I too need to visit California to look in to the annual reporters meet. Rather, I am hell sure - my stay there is going to get extended for another two years. We will be covering the activities and moves by an NGO."

Arya gave an unconvinced look.Yet she knew that she was fighting a lost battle. Whenever baby put on her serious tone, there is no argument against her.

" You have always wished to be independent too" Baby continued, " Here's your chance, you get to live by yourself in a new place and meet new people doing a course that you like to. Grab it."

Arya silently gobbled whatever there was on her plate, contemplating her next words. Only then did it strike her- how did she get accepted in a college without her knowledge. She glared at Amaira who met her gaze equally sternly. Typical elder sister

Leaving everything she had made for herself was going to be difficult. But one thing Arya thought she doesn't do is to crib about change- especially about new beginnings. She had never been a girl who was afraid to take the plunge. She prided herself for this quality of hers. Not to say, she won a gold at the interschool swimming tournament.

"The Sherlock Holmes museum is also an hour's drive away from the college, you know"said Amaira in a matter of fact manner. Amaira knew that she had pulled a vital string by stating this fact. The results were instantaneous. Arya's reaction turned from the one of doubt to that of a minor excitedment that was poorly concealed. Arya looked down and continued eating her brownie. This time in a better mood.

All Baby could do was to laugh at how simple her granddaughters had grown up to be. The same thirst for quest, adventure, travel and new beginnings- exactly like her son. She never missed him much- maybe she saw him alive in her girls still.

They began to enjoy the afternoon as Arya returned into her good spirits. Love captured through the lens of her camera made her feel even more excited for the future There was a nagging at the behind of her head, but that was maybe because she had to break the news to Vega. Telling it to her after last night...seemed more difficult than before.