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Hello My Gummy Bears🧸

I hope you all are doing well.

Happy Reading!🤗

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Author's POV

"Tell me what you want," he repeated, his voice almost breaking.

"You," I rasped out, a dam breaking. "I want anything you're willing to give me." I needed him to inch closer, to eat the space between us and make it disappear. To come on top of me until blurring the outlines of our bodies.

"It's you I want."

Never in my life had I imagined breathless words like mine would be the key to something so powerful. A growl escaped Aaron's body, his eyes turning feral. Hunger like I had never witnessed—not even earlier, when we had kissed—burrowed itself in Aaron's features, giving way to a pained expression.

"I'll give you the world," he said against my mouth. "The moon. The fucking stars. Anything you ask, it's yours. I'm yours."

The sudden chime of her phone startled her, the melody playing in the background, she answered the call, the book slipping from her lap onto the worn-out rug.

"Hello Maa, Pranam". I greeted.

(Hello Mom, obeisance- a form of seeking blessing in India.)

"God Bless You my bachaa,  her mother's voice, a comforting blend of warmth and concern, washed over her. "How are you?"

(My child)

"I'm fine, Maa," she replied, a small smile gracing her lips. "How are you and everyone at home?"

"Everyone's well here," her mother replied, her voice brimming with excitement. "When will you arrive? We will come pick you up."

"Maa, don't worry, you don't have to come pick me up," she assured her, "Aap bas aaram karo, main khud aajaugi." (You just rest, I'll come on my own.)  A pang of guilt tugged at her heart. She knew her mother, ever the doting parent, would insist. "Aur aap abhi tak kyu jage hue ho?" (And why are you still awake at this hour?) she asked, a hint of playful scolding in her tone. "Jao so jao aap, mujhe abhi thodi packing aur karni hai." (Go to sleep now, I still have a few things to pack.) "I will let you know before I board my flight," she added, "Now Byee, Good Night Maa."

"Good Night, bachaa." Her mother replied.

With a sigh, she ended the call, the lingering warmth of her mother's voice a comforting counterpoint to the unsettling emotions swirling within her.

The air in the small New York apartment hung heavy with the scent of lingering coffee and the faint echo of Romantic Bollywood music drifting softly from the record player, creating a cozy atmosphere that felt like a warm hug on a chilly morning.

A Vibrant 25-years-old, 5'6 tall girl with dark brown straight hair cascading to her hips, fair skin, and captivating features- arched brows, a small sharp nose, honey-brown round eyes, small full lips, perky cheeks, was engrossed in her book, but glancing at the clock she set it aside on the side table and rose from the bed.

She began the arduous task of packing. Each item she touched, each photograph she carefully placed in her bag, held a memory, a fragment of her life in New York. The worn-out teddy bear she'd carried since childhood, a gift from her grandfather, felt heavy in her hands. Memories of late-night study sessions, impromptu dance parties with her roommates, and the exhilarating rush of landing her first job flooded her mind. she meticulously organised her belongings for the journey back to her homeland after an extended stay.  A bittersweet ache settled in her chest as she packed away the last of her belongings.

She emerged from the shower, the steam clinging to her skin. Wrapped in a soft, fluffy robe, She slipped on a simple black camisole and shorts, the cool cotton a welcome relief against her skin. She moved through the apartment with a sense of urgency, her movements a whirlwind of activity. She prepared a simple breakfast – a bowl of fruit and a cup of strong coffee. The apartment, bathed in the morning sunlight, seemed brighter, more cheerful.

An hour later, she was ready to depart. Dressed in a black tank top, black joggers, a white shirt, and comfortable white sneakers, she added a touch of casual flair with a white cap and sunglasses. A small sling bag, slung over her shoulder, held her essentials.

With a final glance around, she gathered her belongings, her heart a strange mix of excitement and apprehension. she handed the keys to the apartment owner thanking him,  a kind elderly gentleman who had become a surrogate grandfather during her stay. With a final wave, she stepped out into the bustling city, the familiar sights and sounds a comforting backdrop to the tumult within her.

She hailed a cab, the air-conditioned vehicle a welcome respite from the summer heat. The two-hour drive to the airport seemed to fly by, a blur of cityscapes and fleeting thoughts. As she watched the city recede in the rearview mirror, a wave of nostalgia washed over her. New York, with its towering skyscrapers, its vibrant energy, and its constant hum of activity, had become a part of her.

At the airport, she was seated at the waiting area and sent a quick text to her mother: "I'm at the airport,  boarding will start in 30 minutes."

Picking up her book once more, she resumed reading, eager to lose herself in its pages.  However, the words seemed to swim before her eyes, the excitement of being with her family again, and holding her little 5 year old niece was overwhelming her.

She closed the book, a wistful smile playing on her lips. She imagined her niece, a whirlwind of energy and giggles, running towards her with open arms. She pictured her parents, their faces etched with worry lines now replaced with the warmth of a long-awaited reunion.

The announcement for her flight finally broke through her reverie. With a sigh of contentment, she stowed the book in her bag and made her way towards the gate.

As she boarded the plane, a wave of unfamiliar emotions washed over her. Three years. Three years she had spent chasing her dreams, building a career, discovering a new life in a foreign land.

She thought about the challenges she had faced – the initial culture shock, the loneliness of living far from home, the relentless pressure to succeed. She remembered the late-night study sessions fueled by coffee and determination, the exhilarating rush of landing her first job, the thrill of exploring a new city.

She thought about the friends she had made, the bonds forged across continents, the memories that would forever be etched in her heart. There was a bittersweet ache in her chest as she realized that a significant chapter of her life was coming to an end.

Now, she was returning home, to the familiar embrace of her family, to the comforting rhythms of her childhood.

She settled into her seat, a sense of peace settling over her.

The anticipation of reuniting with her family was palpable. She picked up another book, determined to finish it before landing in Delhi. The long flight from New York stretched before her, but the promise of home fueled her spirit.

She looked out the window as the plane began its ascent, watching the city lights twinkle below. A new chapter was about to begin, and she was ready to embrace it, carrying with her the lessons learned, the experiences gained, and the memories made in this faraway land.

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Love Aaviah❤️