It has to be you

The longest ride

"ho yes, kalla mala. ho karte call.bye ata" (yep got it .I'll call you.Now bye)

I immediately kept my phone in my purse and headed towards the security check. My parents are caring. No cancel that. A lot caring will be appropriate.

It was a matter of caring actually because it was the first time I was travelling this far, from India to Washington. And not for a week or so like a picnic but till I complete my high school at least.

I was going to start my senior year in Wood side high in the next two days. Actually it was my parent's decision to let me continue my further studies in the USA where i will be living with my aunt Jyoti and uncle Sam.

My dad actually gets transferred a lot, like really a LOT.

In the past two years me ,dad ,mom and my stupid brother Abeer had changed 5 houses. And some of them were...don't even get me started..

So it was mother who got worried about my studies and we had that cute little 'let us decide niharika's future ' talk where it was decided that the transfers were affecting my studies and how I should be more focused these days.. blah blah

huh..tell me about Indian parents and their future career pressure..

When aunt jyoti was informed about this she was literally jumping..I mean physically too.

Because we heard the phone drop from her hands with a thud. I was excited too..I mean who wouldn't be?

Living without your parents...and that too with my favourite aunt. She was the only close family member we had.

There is a girl living with my aunt apparently who is of my age, atleast that's what she told me.

So I was excited to meet her too.

And so..this is how I ended up taking the flight to Washington accompanied by all the crying goodbyes from my dad and mom. Abeer, well lets say he's a guy.

And grownup guys like him don't express..

Idiots.

After all the security check ups and monitoring, I stepped outside the airport only to welcome the welcoming night smell of the city.

Aunt jyo had told me she would be sending someone to pick me up, so I started searching my name on the flexes around.

After a while I spotted my name 'Niharika Kulkarni' written or rather scribbled on a white paper.

Huh..so much for being welcomed here..

I sighed and made my way towards the man who held my name. He greeted me cheerfully and after showing him my ID , we sat in the car.

I looked outside the window,many cars were busy making their way in the traffic ,people were returning back from their work.

This is gonna be my life.I am gonna do this, I thought cheerfully.

I glanced over many stores and cafes.There wasn't much difference in the lifestyle of people living in India and of that living here. I jumped internally at the sight of Nike store on the street.

I can practically live at this store filled with jerseys and football cleats.

Football is my therapy to all the crap in life.I made a mental note for a hangout in the store.

I let out a small scream gaining an 'are you alright ' look from the driver as I realised I need to call my parents and I was already fifteen minutes late.

I immediately my brother's number. It didn't even have to ring for a second as he picked up.

"pochlis ka?'' (did you reach?)