DESTINY....together forever

Chapter 7

London was everything Srishti had imagined—busy, diverse, and bursting with life. Yet, as the days passed, she found herself balancing excitement and exhaustion. The cobbled streets, charming cafes, and chilly air made the city feel alive, but adjusting to her clinical research and trauma courses was demanding. Add in her homesickness, and it was a mix of emotions that made her head spin.

Her evenings were often spent winding down with Olivia, her flatmate, who never failed to make Srishti laugh despite the challenges. Olivia had dragged her to a few social gatherings, which felt more overwhelming than fun. Srishti, always the quieter type, preferred her nights with tea, books, or catching up with Sahil.

Though they were just friends, Sahil had become her anchor. Living in New York for the past three years, he understood the stress of living in a new city. They often had long chats about their different lives, though recently, Sahil seemed more distant, and Srishti couldn't figure out why.

Everything seemed under control until the housing issue hit.

One rainy afternoon, Srishti returned from class to find an official notice taped to the front door of her student accommodation. Her heart dropped as she skimmed the words:

"We regret to inform you that due to urgent and unforeseen renovation work required in the building, all students currently residing in the building A are required to vacate the premises no later than two weeks from date of notice. For further information please contact your accommodation office."

"Great. Just what I needed," she muttered to herself, crumpling the notice in frustration.

"Olivia!" she called, pacing the small living room. "We're being kicked out."

"What?" Olivia appeared from her room, frowning as Srishti handed her the paper. "Oh, come on. How are we supposed to find a place in London in two weeks?"

"I have no idea," Srishti groaned, sinking into the couch. "I don't even know where to start."

But Olivia, ever the problem-solver, snapped her fingers. "Wait, I think I've got it. My aunt has a place in West London. She's always saying how empty it feels now that it's just her. Maybe we can stay there for a while?"

Srishti looked up, surprised. "Are you serious? I don't want to impose on your family."

"You're not imposing," Olivia said with a grin. "She's practically family to me, and she's got an extra room that she's been thinking of renting out. It might actually work out perfectly."

After a bit of convincing, Srishti agreed. The idea of moving to a quieter neighborhood, with a proper home, wasn't all bad. Plus, Olivia's aunt was reportedly kind and laid-back, which sounded much more inviting than scrambling to find an overpriced student flat on short notice.

***

Malory Anderson, Olivia's aunt, was a woman of quiet grace and resilience. In her mid-50s, she had faced her share of loss, having lost her husband a few years back. They never had children, but Malory had a nurturing spirit that she poured into the people she loved. Her connection to India ran deep; her first love had been an Indian man she met while traveling in her youth. Though they hadn't ended up together, that experience left a lasting imprint on her heart, and her love for the country never faded.

Malory took a special liking to Srishti the moment Olivia introduced them. It wasn't just because Srishti was from India, but because of her quiet strength and warmth. Malory found herself feeling a motherly affection toward Srishti, welcoming her into her home with open arms, as if she'd always been part of the family. She adored the way Srishti spoke about her dreams and would often share stories of her own travels in India, bonding with her over a shared connection to the culture. For Malory, Srishti was a reminder of the vibrant past she cherished, but more than that, she was someone she truly cared for.