Triple Life (#Wattys2015)

Ch 45

"10...9...8..." We, that meant Ria, Carlo, my parents, grandparents, Adrian and I were in front of the TV and we were counting the seconds to the dawn of another new year and my first in America.

"Isn't it great that we are entering this year without any secrets or misunderstandings between us?" Adrian whispered to me.

"True and remind me to thank Rhea later." I smirked while Adrian chuckled softly.

"3...2...1- Happy New Year!" We screamed out joyfully. "Naaya saal mubaraka ho!" My grandparents, my mum and I greeted as we jumped in a group hug together with Ria, Carlo, Adrian and my Papa.

I was hugged tightly by my parents "I hope this new year would be a better year than the last and that you would battle through all the challenges with your head held high." Papa said softly.

"I hope you would forever be the kind, smart and loving Belle and would never change no matter what life throws at you. Most of all, please do concentrate on your studies too even though you do have a relationship." My mum warned me.

I smiled up at her as sincerely as I could "I promise, Mama ji."

My grandparents were the next to hug me "Dohtii, you may be in a different country now and there would be a clash of cultures but please never forget your Indian heritage and the qualities we've instilled in you. There'll be challenges you got to face due to this but remember family, heritage and culture is bigger." Nani ji advised with a wise twinkle in her eyes, as she patted my face softly.

"It's easy to think that at this age you know better than everybody because trust me, that's what most teenagers feel and you'll probably be stubborn and think we are all old people but we've lived longer than you and we have more experiences. I just want to tell you to begin this new year in an inspiring way. You've no secrets to hide. Your blog is all out but please do be cautious because it can be used against you. Just be cautious and balanced this year, dhotii." Nana ji smiled at me, as he looked at me hard.

I looked at my grandparents "Nani ji, Nana ji I will try my very best to be true to your words."

Ria and Carlo scooped me in a hug the second my grandparents smiled and nodded at me in agreement.

"Belle, I know the last year was hard for you. You were faced with so many challenges but I want to say I am proud the way you handled it but I wish you would have been more open. This year, you got to open up yourself to your elders and handle stuff in an intelligent manner. Happy new year, love." Ria said softly, searching my eyes for an answer.

I nodded to her and turned to Carlo.

"What Ria said was true. Remember whatever happens, you have people behind you to stand up for you. Your family, friends, Ria and I would forever support you and try to discourage you from any bad decisions you may take. Do your best everyday. Education is important, do not let anything distract you from it." Carlo advised looking serious.

"I will Carlo." I agreed.

Next was Adrian, who kissed me on the cheek as he hugged me and I hugged him back after kissing his cheek "What everybody said here is true. I want you to be more honest about your feelings and to have the courage to tell people what you really feel. I want to be with you for a long time but if something would make us split apart, I hope we would still be friends and that you'll not get devastated or distracted from your priorities in life, especially school."

"Okay...that was deep, can I tell something now?" I asked looking up at him.

Adrian chuckled "Sure, what?"

"If you feel puzzled and you don't know what to do or feel, just talk about it to someone and if it mmatters me, please be open and honest with me. Don't run away from your problems and try to cause more confusion and pain for your close ones. Mark and Miles are there for you and so am I and the girls and the rest of my family here. If circumstances tear us apart, I hope we could get on well with each other and we would both be able to go on our lives normally because there maybe a chance we'd get together in the future." I told.