Ara's POV
It's Mumma's departure now…
I'm standing at the airport, trying to process the fact that she's about to jet off. I barely slept last night. My eyes feel like they're dragging lead weights.
They want to dodge her face and force Mumma to stay here.
Aunt Rhea and Leo are with us to see her off, but I'm zoning out—completely lost in my own little world.
I don't know why, but whenever I'm faced with serious situations, my brain just stops braining.
It's like I'm paralyzed. I want to say goodbye, to do something—anything—but I'm frozen, blankly staring at the people around me.
If the hand fan suddenly falls on Mumma's luggage, should she change her mind??
Suddenly, her secretary announces that it's time for the flight, and a wave of anxiety crashes over me like a gut-punch.
AARGGHHHHHH…!!!
Wait. Someone's calling me.
Aunt Rhea says my name sharply, trying to snap me out of it.
"Ara! Ara! Are you even here?!"
I blink out of the haze and manage a sleepy, "Haa…" Surprised even at myself—am I alive?
"Don't you want to say goodbye to your Mumma?" she asks, clearly shocked.
I stand there, trying to grasp reality. I take a second and finally whisper,
"Goodbye, Mumma… take care of yourself."
"Goodbye, Ara. Take care of yourself too. And don't bother your aunt in India, okay?" she replies firmly, giving a small smile.
At that moment, I can't hold back the weight of my tears. I try to smile. I shut my eyes to trap the tears inside. But when I open them…
She's gone.
Mumma is… gone.
She's gone...
I break down. My legs give out, and I slump to the floor, sobbing uncontrollably. It's like a chunk of my soul has been ripped out. First Papa, now Mumma… all that's left is this gaping, hollow ache in my chest.
Is there any goal for my existence? For my soul???
Aunt Rhea tries to comfort me. She hugs me tight. And for the first time, I see sympathy on Leo's face.
I disconnect from this world and step into my own—my happy family. But deep down, I still doubt if that world even exists.
And the moment she left...
was the moment I realized—
I stopped being someone's daughter.
I cried salty tears once again...
We head back home to grab our luggage. Even on the way, I'm struggling to hold back more tears.
Soon, it's time to board our flight to India. Leo looks like someone told him to quit breathing—his mood is that bad. Not that I'm surprised.
As for me, I plop into my seat and—oh wow!—I actually got the window seat. A tiny win in the middle of this chaos.
Still, nothing fills the void of leaving behind the only home I've ever known. Germany was my life. My school, my friends… even Mr. Müller, my butler and second parent.
Leo's behind me, sulking. Aunt Rhea's beside me.
I gaze out the window, trying to collect my thoughts when Leo starts punching the back of my seat. Oh no.
"Hey, cry girl, what's wrong now? Hah!" he teases.
I roll my eyes. "Just enjoying the view, Leo. You know, the one not blocked by your ego."
He chuckles. "Oof, burn. But seriously, Ara, you're always so emotional. Can't you toughen up for once? And don't give me those savage introvert replies."
I sigh, already too drained to keep up with his nonsense. "Toughen up? Like you, Leo? Mr. 'I-don't-care-about-anyone's-feelings'?"
He shrugs, voice annoyingly casual. "Someone's gotta keep it real. You walk around like there's a raincloud parked over your head 24/7."
His words sting. "Maybe that's because I actually have feelings, Leo. Unlike some people who shall remain nameless."
He snorts. "Feelings? You mean the 'crybaby' kind?"
I grip the armrest as my eyes well up again. "Shut up, Leo."
But of course, he doesn't.
"Oh, come on, Ara. Don't go teary-eyed again. That move's getting old."
That's when Aunt Rhea steps in. "Leo, that's enough. Don't mind him, Ara."
I nod slightly, grateful but embarrassed. Leo leans back, still smirking, eyes creeping over my shoulder.
Creep.
I turn away quickly, disgusted.
As the flight attendants start the safety demo, Aunt Rhea pulls out a book. Leo jams in his earbuds. I stare out the window again. I've never been addicted to my phone anyway.
As the ground shrinks below us, I let the tears fall this time—quiet, warm, and bitter.
Later, my aunt glances at me. "Hey, kiddo. You okay?"
I nod, forcing a smile. "Yeah. Just a little emotional, I guess."
She pats my hand. "It's okay to be emotional, sweetie. You've been through a lot. Just remember—I'm here. We'll get through this together. I'll be like a mother figure to you."
A lump forms in my throat. As a mother figure.
Maybe… just maybe… this new chapter won't be all that bad.
The plane touches down in Delhi. A rush of emotions floods me.
Wow. So this is Delhi.
The air is thick, humid, unfamiliar… polluted. The sky looks kind of dusty. But the city? Vibrant. Loud. Alive.
Colourful. Very loud. Rush every where.
A black car is waiting. We climb in, exhausted.
The drive to my new home is a blur. I close my eyes for what feels like seconds.
When I open them, we're there.
At the front door stands a girl with a bright smile. "Ara! I'm so stoked you're here!" She throws her arms around me.
Liza.
My cousin. She's warm and excited and everything I didn't expect. She's in the same standard as me.
Leo, in contrast, barely says a word before storming off to freshen up. Whatever.
Uncle comes out, grinning ear to ear. He pulls me into a huge hug.
"We're so psyched to have you here, Ara. You're family now. Don't be shy or embarrassed."
Then Liza grabs my hand. "Come on! I'll show you your room!"
I just got to my new home—and she's so excited.
She's practically bouncing with energy. She swings the door open and—wow.
It's like I'm back in Germany.
My old room—replicated.
"The room's been redesigned to match your old one," she says proudly. "Papa made it happen on super short notice. We tried our best to make you feel comfortable here."
I'm going to cry at her words…
I'm floored. The details, the warmth—it's all perfect. Even Mumma never did anything like this for me.
My heart swells.
I grin. "Thank you, Liza."
She smiles. "Go freshen up and catch some Z's. It's already 1:00 a.m."
"You're right," I yawn. "I'm wiped."
"Sweet dreams, Ara," she says, giving me a short hug before heading out. "And if you need anything, just knock on the door beside yours with the name tag 'Liza'."
I nodded. Then,
I freshen up, explore the room a bit, then collapse onto the insanely comfy bed. The air smells faintly of jasmine.
Sleep comes instantly.
Sweet dreams, Ara…