2

Tara stood at the departure gate, her heart heavy as she said her final goodbyes to her family. Her mom's arms wrapped around her first, squeezing her tight, a little too tight for comfort, as if trying to hold on for just a moment longer.

"Take care of yourself, Tara," her mom whispered, brushing back a few stray strands of hair. "Remember, it's done now, beta. Time to fully move on."

Tara forced a smile, nodding, trying to convince herself as much as her mother. "I did move on, Mamma. I'm fine now." She said it with more conviction than she felt.

Her dad, standing beside her mom, gave her a firm hug and a reassuring smile. "We're proud of you, beta. You've got this. Time to focus on your future now." He patted her back in a way that told her he meant it, but there was a distant sadness in his eyes too. They both knew how hard this year had been for her.

Her younger brother, Harsh, who had grown a little taller over the last three months, stood slightly apart, awkwardly shifting his weight from one foot to the other. Tara couldn't help but smile as she walked over to him.

"Take care of your studies, Harshu," she said, pulling him into a tight hug. "Focus on your class. Don't slack off now, alright?"

He nodded, his voice softer than usual. "I will, Didi. Be safe."

With one last squeeze, Tara stepped back, taking in the sight of her family one last time. She turned and walked toward the gate, trying to push the knot in her chest aside. She had to move on. She was moving on.

Ten hours later, Tara stepped out of the taxi and into the familiar streets of Oxford, the city she had come to call her second home. The air was cooler than it had been back in India, and she breathed in the crispness, feeling a mix of exhaustion and anticipation. It felt odd to be back, yet there was a comforting sense of déjà vu as she walked down the cobbled street, the centuries-old buildings towering above her.

Her studio accommodation wasn't far from the university—just a ten-minute walk along the canal. She could see the water glimmer in the distance, the faint reflections of the old buildings and the overhanging trees, making her heart ache just a little. It was quiet here, the peaceful sort of quiet that gave her room to think, to breathe.

When she reached the door of her studio, apartment 1101, she pulled out her keys and unlocked the door with a soft click, the familiar sound greeting her like an old friend. She stepped inside, feeling the weight of the past few months shift off her shoulders as she crossed the threshold.

The studio was exactly how she had left it before the summer holidays. The same cozy warmth lingered in the air, and the room was as neat and inviting as always. As she walked inside, she noticed the little touches she had added—the soft throw blanket on the sofa, the string of fairy lights she had hung along the walls, and the bright paintings on the walls that made the space feel more like her own.

The entrance led directly into the small kitchen area—just enough space for a stove, a mini-fridge, and a countertop with a few pots and pans. A tiny table and chair sat by the window, a cozy little corner perfect for sipping tea and reading.

Beyond the kitchen was the living area—a small sofa that could barely fit two people, but enough for her to curl up in after a long day. Beside it was a study table, cluttered with books and papers from the last semester. There was something comforting about it, a sign of the life she had made for herself here. The bed, neatly made, was placed in the far corner with soft bedding, and beside it, a nightstand with a lamp that had a warm glow when turned on.

Tara set her suitcase down on the floor, staring around at the room. It was still hers, untouched by time. The thought settled in her chest like a weight she hadn't realized was there. It wasn't just the room that had remained the same. Everything had changed, and yet, here she was, back in the same place, trying to fit into a life that didn't quite feel the same anymore.

Shaking off the heavy thoughts, Tara began unpacking. She took her clothes out of her suitcase and neatly hung them in the wardrobe, arranging her books and notebooks on the shelves. She placed a few small trinkets from home on the desk and placed her favorite photo of her family on the nightstand. Her fingers lingered for a moment on the frame, but she quickly moved away, turning her attention to the other small tasks that needed to be done.

After a few minutes, her phone buzzed on the table. She picked it up and saw a video call from her parents. She smiled, answering it quickly.

"Hi, beta!" her mom greeted, her face lighting up the screen. "How's everything? All settled in?"

Tara smiled, sitting down on the sofa, leaning back. "Yeah, everything's good, Mamma. Just unpacking a bit. It's the same as before. Nice and cozy." She gave a small laugh, trying to keep the mood light.

Her dad's face appeared next to her mom's, his usual calm expression softening as he spoke. "We're glad you're settling in, Tara. Focus on your work. We're always here if you need us."

Tara nodded, her smile more genuine now. "I know, Papa. Thanks."

Her younger brother's face popped into the frame, a quick flash of his usual grin. "Don't forget to study hard, Didi. Focus on your classes!" he teased, and Tara chuckled, shaking her head at him.

"I will, Harshu. You too, okay? Don't slack off. You've got this. And please—keep calling!"

"Yeah, yeah. Take care, Tara," he said with a wave before the screen went back to her parents.

"Take care, beta," her mom said softly. "We miss you. Call us anytime, alright?"

"I will, Mom. Love you guys," Tara said, her voice thick with affection.

After a few more minutes of light chatter, she ended the call, her phone screen going black. She stared at it for a moment, then set it down on the table, her heart feeling warm despite the distance.

Tara leaned back against the sofa, letting out a long breath as she looked around her studio again. It wasn't just the space that felt like home. It was the feeling of having made it this far, even when it didn't seem possible. This place—this life—was hers. And it was time to focus on the future.

~•~

The next morning, the soft rays of sunlight filtered through the curtains, waking Tara with a gentle warmth. She stretched out in bed, yawning before slowly pushing herself up. She ran a hand through her messy hair, feeling a quiet peace settle over her.

The familiar morning routine set in as she walked to the bathroom. She brushed her teeth and splashed her face with water, waking herself up fully. Her reflection stared back at her, her eyes a little tired, but her face soft and relaxed, a contrast to the uncertainty she used to carry.

After a long shower, the water washing away any lingering fatigue, Tara wrapped herself in a cozy top and shorts and padded barefoot into the kitchen. The small kitchen felt more like a home now. She took out her favorite chai ingredients, savoring the quiet as she boiled the water, steeped the tea leaves, and mixed in the milk and spices. The aroma filled the small studio, and she inhaled deeply, smiling as she set a cup down for herself.

Just as she was about to take her first sip, there was a knock at the door. Tara paused, frowning slightly before heading over. Who could it be this early?

When she opened the door, two familiar faces beamed back at her.

"Aisha! Aria!" Tara grinned, her heart lifting instantly.

"Welcome backkkkk!" Aisha squealed, throwing her arms around Tara in an excited hug. Aria was right behind her, grinning just as brightly, joining in for a group hug. Tara laughed, feeling the warmth of her friends surround her.

Aria pulled back first, her eyes widening. "Why did you come back so late, Tara? It's been weeks!" she asked, eyeing her as if she had some sort of crime to answer for.

Tara rolled her eyes playfully, stepping aside to let them in. "I was interning, yaar," she explained. "Had a lot of work and didn't have the time to come back before."

"Well, we didn't even get a chance to catch up," Aisha chimed in, plopping herself down on the couch. "It's fine though, I'm just glad you're back now."

Tara laughed and shook her head, making her way back to the kitchen. "Sit, sit. I'll make chai. You two look like you could use some."

Aria and Aisha settled comfortably on the couch, chatting animatedly about everything they had been up to while Tara busied herself with preparing tea. The soothing rhythm of stirring the chai and adding the final touches made her feel grounded.

When she finished, she brought over the steaming mugs of tea and handed them each a cup. The three of them sat in the cozy studio, sipping tea and falling into a relaxed rhythm of catching up on their lives.

Aisha was the first to break the comfortable silence, glancing at Tara with a soft but concerned look. "So, Taru," she began carefully, "how are you really? Are you fine now?"

Tara took a sip of her tea, meeting Aisha's eyes. "Yep, I'm good," she said, giving her a reassuring smile. "Really. It took time, but I'm good now. I've gotten there."

Aria leaned forward, her expression almost skeptical. "It's been over a year, Tara. Are you sure?" she asked gently, studying her friend with a thoughtful look.

Tara nodded confidently, her voice steady. "Yes, I'm sure, babe. It took me a while to get here, but I really think I'm finally over it now."

Aria let out a relieved sigh, her shoulders dropping as she grinned widely. "Goood! Because it's time to enjoy now. No more dwelling, only fun!"

Aisha chuckled, raising her mug in a mock toast. "That's right! You've got to live life now, Tara. No more holding back."

Tara laughed with them, feeling the weight lift off her shoulders with every word. The two of them were the kind of friends who made everything feel lighter, and in this moment, surrounded by them, she could almost forget about everything else—about the past, about the uncertainty of the future.

"By the way," Aria said, sipping her chai, her mind switching gears, "When is welcome week starting again? I don't want to miss it."

Aisha perked up, looking over at Tara. "Tomorrow! It starts tomorrow, and we are so going!" She turned to Tara, "You can't skip out now, Taru. We need you there."

Tara rolled her eyes good-naturedly, leaning back in her chair. "Why do we need to go? There's really no need to. It's not like anything is going to change. Plus welcome week is for new students—we're third years now."

Aria shot her a playful look, narrowing her eyes. "So what? Come on, Tara. It'll be fun. Trust me! You need this. It'll be a fresh start for all of us."

Tara smiled despite herself, the weight of it all slipping away. "Fine, fine. You're right. It'll be fun," she agreed, her voice light.

The three of them spent the next few hours reminiscing about their past college adventures, laughing at inside jokes, and filling the space with their easy camaraderie. Tara could feel herself relax more with every moment spent with her friends. This was the life she wanted.

In the chaos of everything—her own thoughts, her work, and the memories of the past—she realized that she wasn't just moving forward, she was already living again.

As the afternoon stretched on, Tara felt a lightness she hadn't felt in so long. Her friends were right. It was time to enjoy life again. She had come back stronger. And this time, nothing was holding her back.

💜