LOVE SO FAR

Departing

It took almost a month to clear all the procedures of shifting to the U.S.A. Grandpa and dad had made all the arrangements for my living in Kentucky. In the mid of August, I had arranged a departing party for all my friends, as I planned to depart the next night.

The boarding time of my flight was 10 p.m. All my friends were with me from the previous night of my departure. We all had hangovers in my house. The next day we stayed at home and chit-chatted, teased and fought with each other and checked all my list-to-do and belongings for one last time.

Around five in the evening, I got ready and bided farewell to all my neighbours and friends by visiting their houses and leaving for the airport around 8 p.m. and my family, including mom, dad, and my sisters and my friends.

We reached the airport an hour earlier than my boarding time. As we reached the airport, both the feelings of nervousness and fright raised my heartbeat to the highest point, so I held my mother's hand tightly while I was fighting back the tears that gathered in my eyes. She squeezed my hand with gentle care and assured me everything will be fine. I turned to look at her like a child who was afraid to go to school for the first time. She seemed like she read my mind, "Don't worry dear, you'll get used to it, once you get adjusted to your new life.", she assured me, with a motivating smile.

"I hope so, Mom." I nodded with a meek smile.

"And I think it's time for you to get into the boarding area." She looked at the boarding screen across me.

"Yup." I nodded and headed towards my friends. "Guys! I think it's to say bye for one last time." I gripped a smile.

"Aww...Looshin, we are going to miss you." Nikithaa came forward to hug me and patted me on my shoulder.

"I'll miss you too, dear." I hugged her back.

One by one all my friends came to hug me except Neil. He was standing in the corner, his face has hanging down and his hands were crossed across his chest.

"Looshin, I think you should talk to him." Vicky nodded.

"hmmm...." I said and went towards Neil, leaving all the other behind. "Neil." I stood in front of him.

"Huh..." He looked up from the ground.

"It's time, I have to go," I said with grief.

"Yeah, Bye." His eyes started to glitter due to the tears that gathered in his eyes. "And take care." He cupped one of my cheeks.

"Yeah." I fought back the tears but I couldn't control myself, so I let them flow down on my cheeks. "I'll miss you, Neil." I hugged him.

"I'll miss you, too." He patted my back gently, "Don't forget to give me a call after you reach Kentucky." He pulled me back and his cheeks had the trail of tears.

"Hmmm..." I nodded.

"Don't bother anyone, there. Okay." He smirked.

"Was I bothering you so far?" I frowned.

"Any doubt?" raised his eyebrows with a smirk.

"Okay, then." I turned my face away from him, "You can have a good time, as I'm not here to bother you."

"Yeah, that's for sure."

"Really?" I frowned, "Okay bye then. Be happy." I was about to turn.

"So, won't you take this with you?" he blocked my way with a gift-wrapped box.

"What's this? I took it from him and tried to open it.

"Nah!" he stopped my hand, "Don't open it now. Open it after reaching Kentucky."

"Okay!" I said and kept it in my shoulder bag. "Okay, Guys! Bye. Love you and I'm going to miss you." I said and widened my hand for a group hug.

After a group hug, I went into the checking point with a heavy heart. After I got checked over my visa and ticket, for one last time turned back to look at all those faces that had been with me so far. With a heavy heart, I waved at them and turned to enter the boarding area. Later after finishing all the checking procedures, I was waiting in the boarding area. Suddenly my phone beeped twice; when I checked the display screen it displayed a message from Krish.

"Hey! What's up?"

"Waiting in the boarding room. What about you?"

"Doing assignments... LLL"

"Keep up..." sent him emoticons of thumbs up.

"When is your flight boarding?"

"I think within 10 mins."

"hmmm...."

Later, the arrival of the flight was announced, "Okay bye... The boarding is announced, I have to go. I'll text you after reaching Kentucky." I messaged him as I made my way to the pathway.

"Yup... Have a Safe and Happy Journey..."

"Yup... " sent him emoticons of kissing.

"Love you, princess."