1 Chapter 1: New York City

It was a windy morning in Dayton, New Jersey. My dad was in his old sweatpants and a worn-out shirt. He was sprinting back and forth as my mom said one final goodbye to my dad and took her big old suitcase with her to the car. The same old walk, the same old sigh to my dad. I have seen this many times but this seemed to be the last time they're ever going to see each other. A very hard feeling.

I was in my room, trying to figure out a way to get out of this mess. I have never been in a situation where I had to leave my parents like this ever before. It’s always my mom who left us. Because of how my dad treated my mom, I chose my mom.

“Kriti, come back to me. I need you..” My dad cried out like a mess as he couldn’t move a single muscle.

“I have to leave you my love for Radha’s future. Good bye. I will probably see you soon.” My mom said this as she put her luggage in the trunk and never looked back at him.

I hugged my dad one last time and said, “goodbye.” I was certain that I would never see him again too.

I drove my car to New York City. Downtown Manhattan is where my grandma lives with her small cat. As we were crossing the George Washington Bridge, I was thinking about how we are going to live without a dad and how we were going to not stay as a burden for grandma. She already forgets things really quickly. She started to ask us the same question multiple times. She does not have anyone with her. If we come and stay with her, it will be comforting for her. Taking care of her, cooking for her, cleaning for her, and adding this cat to the doctor. She loves simple things in her life. I am very excited to live with her. Hopefully, I won’t be a burden to her.

We had to park our car at least two streets away from our apartment. We got our suitcase and went up the stairs because the apartment was on the second floor.

As we knocked on the door, my grandma came out to greet us. We had deep, intense eye contact with each other. We both knew that we missed each other at that very moment. I hugged my grandma very tightly and she cried, “Oh! Let me loose. I gotta breathe.” She also did a small pat on my shoulder.

We took our luggage and placed it on the floor. My mom started to unpack her belongings. This is the first time I came into this house after ten years. I had to check out the room.

There is a small living room which has a small 32-inch tv. Next is a small kitchen that is of a basic size where everyone can stand and eat in the given space. I checked the room where my grandma sleeps. It has a queen-size bed, a small table that has her favorite five books from her late husband, a small rack that has her five sets of clothes, and a closet where she kept all the things that she believes will bring her memories back. As I was browsing her closet, I asked her what she has for me to remind her that I am her granddaughter. She replied, “I will tell you when it is time.” Can’t argue with her.

She showed me my old room, which has a twin-size bed filled with my old toys, and a small closet that has all of my clothes.

“Why does it look like I am walking into a decade-old room?’

“Because you are.”

“I don’t get it.”

“It does not matter.”

“Huh.”

“I kept it like this because I did not want to forget you.”

I can’t believe we did not visit her after all these years. The whole afternoon, I worked on cleaning my room. Throwing away some old toys, pillows, and clothes and changing them with the new ones. I still had to do more shopping to change my room but for now, I could sleep in it. My mom ultimately decided to share the bedroom with grandma as she might need help.

As I went to bed, I couldn’t sleep. I woke up. Midnight. I went to the living room, and my mom was sitting on the couch wiping down her wet eyes. When she saw me she became firm. I cuddled her and said everything is going to be fine to my mom.

She couldn’t get used to the new change. Neither could I.

The night was filled with a chill breeze. The moonlight was as shiny as ever outside the window. Stars were sparkly and bright. The night background just added to the beauty. As I watched the beautiful night unfold, I fell asleep to wake up to a new beginning.

I woke up in the morning at 6:00 and got ready for my 7:00 subway train. I got all of my things together and got out of our house. I got my blessing from my mom as she laid the tip of her hands on my head.

I was running late but I caught the train. I walked out of the subway and I looked at the left side.

I saw a magnificent wall. The building was gigantic in size with gardens, water fountains, and benches for people to sit down.

I opened the door into the building, and I saw a huge crowd of people walking back and forth I felt overwhelmed by what I had gotten myself into…