Chapter 6: Homecoming

I bought the earliest train ticket and felt strangely at ease.

The day of the journey, I wore my best kurti, tied my hair neatly, and even put on a little kajal. The station was buzzing with chaiwallahs shouting, "Cutting chai, idli-vada!" and porters hustling for fares.

In eight years, I hadn’t felt this relaxed for even a single day.

It was like I had finally let go—of hope, of fear, of everything that had kept me awake all these years.

I watched the scenery outside, chatting and laughing with the young couple in the next seats.

The train rattled past green fields, waterlogged by the monsoon. The young couple—Gujarati, by their accent—shared homemade theplas with me, chattering about their new jobs in Mumbai.

The girl said, "Didi, you have no idea how hard I chased after him. So many girls were after him, but I stuck it out for two years. Now I’m taking him to meet my parents."

She winked playfully, and her boyfriend blushed. I smiled at their easy happiness, a little envious, a little wistful.

She smiled at me. "Didi, you look so happy—are you going home too? I think the wind on the way to see your parents is always sweet!"

Her words pierced me, soft and sharp all at once. I hesitated, fighting tears, then forced a smile. "Yes, I’m going home too."

"Going home... to see my parents."

The rest I murmured so softly, only I could hear.

A lump rose in my throat. The words tasted bitter, but somehow saying them made the pain easier to bear.

But saying it made me feel a little better.

I looked out at the passing fields, watching the sun break through the clouds, and felt the tiniest flicker of peace.

Soon... I’ll be able to see my parents.

No matter what that meant, I was ready.

I hummed songs the whole way.

Old Hindi melodies drifted from my lips, mingling with the rhythm of the train. The other passengers smiled, tapping their feet along.

After getting off the train, I went straight to the place the class prefect had booked.

My suitcase bumped over the uneven road as I made my way to the hotel. A peon in a faded uniform pointed me to the hall on the second floor.