Chapter 4: London, let me be yours

For the next two days, Pari was entirely jobless, so she thought of spending her time exploring the neighbourhood. Knightsbridge is really a great place for an explorer. The city itself is a universe of its own, be it the historical monuments or the bustling shopping streets... it has it all. Spending some time on herself after a long time was much needed therapy for Pari. Somewhere, the caged bird in her felt carefree in those two days. 

The very next day she received two important emails. One from Tech Mahindra stating the approval of her resignation and the other from I&E stating her appointment details. She was supposed to join in a week's time and now she had to run home to complete her resignation and return to London with her entire luggage. Her new company had paid for her flight tickets and the flight was on the very next day. 

Pari called Sonu to inform about the good news and also called home to let them know about her arrival. She soon started packing a few necessary things and prepared a special dinner for her saviour Sonu. Both of them had an early dinner and some champagne to celebrate her successful career. 

Next day Pari had her flight at 11.30 at night and she decided to take a cab this time, as Sonu was already tired at the office. After a long eight and half hour journey, Pari was at the Delhi airport. Her connecting flight to Pune still had a time gap of 6 hours. So she decided to stay in a nearby hotel and freshen up and rest for sometime.

The flight to Pune was at 6.15 in the evening and she finally landed in Pune airport at 8.20 at night. Her parents were waiting to receive her from the airport and her tired soul was screaming for some rest. After a car journey for an hour, Pari was finally at home and she went directly to her room to freshen up and her mother came to her room with her dinner. She finished a quick dinner and slept peacefully on her bed.

Next day she woke up late because of tiredness and nobody complained. Her Mother served her a late breakfast and talked about her days in London. It was a decent conversation that Pari had with her family after a long time. She had her lazy day at home and next day she had to visit her previous working company to complete the resignation procedures. She met some of her colleagues and they congratulated her for her posting at I&E.

Pari's parents had invited their annoying relatives for dinner and the very people who were willing to insult Pari at every available opportunity were now busy praising her since she would earn too much compared to them. They were really shocked when she told them that she would make around 12 lakh per year other than the bonus and incentives. 

"That's quite a lot of money. But who's going to marry a girl who earns so much? " One among the nosey aunties asked as if it's the important question of the hour.

"No need to worry about it auntie. I can manage on my own" Pari replied with a curt smile and walked out of the dining table. 

'Bloody nitpicking creatures, can't even let me have a peaceful time with my family', she thought. 

Pari now had to worry about the tantrums that she had to hear from her family and prayed that her parents wouldn't make a fuss about her marriage again. 

Fortunately her mother didn't say anything this time and Pari was mentally dancing to this auspicious moment. Her return tickets were booked in two days and she started packing her things. This time she had planned to take all her stuff to London, as she had an idea that she would mostly be a guest in that house after this. Memories started passing in her thoughts and tears trickled down her cheeks. Her mother walked in at the exact moment and she panicked seeing her daughter in tears. 

" Nothing serious Maa, I just remembered a few things in the past, that's all. '' Pari tried convincing her mother. 

"So you're persistent on leaving everything here and moving there? Tired of us already? " Shilpa asked her daughter with a sad smile. 

" Maa, don't put it in that way. All my life I have only prioritised your happiness. You and Papa mean the world to me. But somewhere between all these hustle and bustle... I feel lost. 

I feel like I stopped living for myself. The job I had, the things I did, everything looked like I was trying to compensate for the comments by others.  I don't want to continue living this way Maa.. I want to live for myself, for my dreams, my happiness. I'm sorry if I'm hurting you with my actions. But please don't stop me this time. It's the only request I have from my side. " Pari was determined this time. 

" I'm proud of you my baccha, you have achieved so much at such a young age. You have always been an obedient daughter to us. I just wish you find happiness in your life and settle down. You know, we can't keep you company forever. Someday something might happen to us and we may not be there with you.... At that time I want someone to take care of you and protect you. World is cruel towards an independent woman dear.... I don't want anyone harming my daughter "Shilpa hugged her daughter tightly and both of them had tears in their eyes. 

" I can understand your concern Maa.. But your daughter is strong enough to face the world. For once believe me and set me free to fight on my own. I will make sure you won't regret your decisions " Pari held her mother's hands as she tried controlling her own sobs. 

" My little Pari has grown up to be a responsible woman. Maa and Papa will be always proud of you baccha, stay happy always " Shilpa kissed her daughter's forehead and started helping her with her luggage. Pari asked her for a family photo and she went back to her room to get one. It was from Pari's graduation day at IIMS, the smile and proudness in their eyes brought a smile on Pari's face too. Since it was already too late she decided to sleep.

Next day Shilpa insisted on visiting the famous Omkareshwar Temple and Ajay decided to join his enthusiastic wife and daughter. She prayed with ultimate sincerity for her daughter's well-being and happy future while Pari just prayed for her parent's happiness and health. 

They sent her off the next day at the Pune airport and Pari took her connecting flight to Delhi at 7.30 at night and reached Delhi by 9.40. After around 5.30 hours, her flight to London was announced and she boarded and settled on her seat. Next to her an old lady from Delhi, who was visiting her son's family in London, was seated. After the initial small talks, they started talking about each other's life to kill time. Both of them really enjoyed each other's company and the flight journey wasn't exactly boring this time for Pari. 

They parted ways in LHR and the lady joined her family while Pari took her cab to Basil st. early in the morning. Sonu was getting ready for the office, so Pari decided to sleep and ease her jet lag. Sonu asked her to have her breakfast after recovering and went to the office. After having a good 3 hour sleep Pari freshened up and had her breakfast like brunch. 

Then the saga of unpacking started. She never knew unpacking the packed stuff would be such tiring work. She almost lost her sanity while emptying her 4 huge luggage bags. It was almost in the evening when she finally finished redecorating her room with all her stuff and she prepared herself a strong coffee to ease the tiredness. Sonu returned early in the evening and both the roommates decided to ditch cooking and went to the nearest Indian restaurant named Kanishka and had their finger licking Indian food.

Next day Pari was supposed to start her training in I&E as part of her job and she woke up early and got ready with her professional outfit and slight make up. After a quick breakfast, Sonu drove to their office. Her first day at I&E was officially starting and she was more than excited to be a part of the prestigious company. 

Her training went up to one week and she started getting adjusted to the work environment. Once the actual work schedule began they were divided into teams and her team had three other members and a senior analyst to guide them. 

Abhay, Avery and Noah were part of her team. Abhay who's originally from Delhi, currently stayed in Lambeth while Avery stayed in Camden. Noah, who's basically from Germany, settled in Lambeth after joining I&E.

Abhay had already been working for I&E for 2 years and Noah had recently taken a transfer from Germany to London whereas Avery was still a fresh graduate. While Pari and Abhay took time to bond even if they belonged to the same country, Avery and Noah were already behaving as if they were long lost best friends. Noah was a born flirt, never missed any chances of showering ladies with compliments and would sometimes end up with stern glares or threats from their boyfriends. All in all her team was a circus of its own.

Working with them was real fun for Pari, though they were practically struck with stacks of paper each day. Their senior Claire was a lady in her 30's and a Lambeth resident for years. She wasn't extremely sweet but wasn't bitchy either. She would guide them with utmost interest and for other things she didn't bother much. They had to make an analysis report for different projects picked by the company and present it to the finance section. 

As for Pari, work wasn't exactly stressful in general, with all the department meetings and discussions days moving quite smoothly. Pari celebrated her first paycheck with her team and Sonu in a restaurant near their office. Sonu and others from Pari's team readily mingled and Abhay was a bit more extra interested in Sonu. Pari could see some sparks flying here and there. 

For the next two months, days were hectic but weekends were fun. Pari's life wasn't boring anymore with all the lovely people around her. At least she was living a life without the usual skin tone discussion and fairness remedies. She was content with her life at this point. She didn't have too much expense since she practically shared every bill with Sonu, so they could save more. Part of her savings were sent home and her parents were more than happy about her happy lifestyle in a far off city.