As the car hummed steadily down the road towards the airport, Priya sat beside her father, the familiar cityscape gradually giving way to the unknown. Her father, his face etched with concern, glanced at her, his voice soft yet heavy with emotion. "Are you sure about this, Priya? This place... it's so different from here. I don't know why you took this job. You don't even know Japanese." His words hung in the air like an unspoken worry he couldn't shake.

Priya turned to him, her eyes bright with resolve, though she could hear the unspoken fear in his voice. "Oh, come on, Dad. I'll learn. It's for my betterment. And I'll be there for several months. I have to take these opportunities while I'm young." She gave him a reassuring smile, squeezing his hand, but the worry in his eyes didn't fade.

Sudhir Ji let out a small sigh, glancing at the road ahead, his voice tinged with a quiet sadness. "But I'll miss you, Priya. Who's going to protect me from your mother now?Look She went to be on a trip while you are leaving the country. And your brother—he's no help."

Priya couldn't help but laugh softly, despite the heaviness in the moment. "Dad, don't say that. You know Mom has taken care of us so well over the years. She's different, yes, but she's always loved living her life, too. And you know it."

"But still," he murmured, his concern palpable, "this trip—she doesn't need to be going off again while you're leaving the country for your job. It's too much." His voice cracked just slightly, as if the thought of her absence was more than he could bear.

Priya gently placed her hand on his arm, her voice steady and reassuring. "Mom knows I'm a big girl now, Dad. I can take care of myself. You have to understand that too." She paused, her gaze softening. "She called me while I was on the way here, so don't blame her. She's done so much for all of us these years. And she's still there, even if I'm not."

Sudhir Ji's eyes welled up slightly, but he quickly looked away, clearing his throat. "You'll be okay, right? There?" His voice was filled with the faintest trace of hope, but the doubt was still there, like a shadow lingering.

Priya, her heart soft and full, turned to him and took his hand in hers, squeezing it gently. "Absolutely, Dad. I'll be okay. You just have to trust me."

The car pulled into the airport, the familiar hum of activity in the distance, and as they approached the terminal, Priya felt a wave of emotions crash over her. She could feel the weight of her father's love and concern, but also the pride in his eyes, even though he didn't say it.

As the car came to a stop and the reality of her departure set in, Priya glanced at her father, her heart heavy but her spirit ready. The airport loomed ahead, the beginning of a new chapter—one that would take her across oceans, but always tethered to home, to the love she had grown up with.

The moment the announcement echoed through the cabin, Priya's heart skipped a beat. Tokyo. She leaned closer to the window, her eyes wide with anticipation. The sun was just beginning to rise, casting a soft golden hue over the sprawling city. As the plane descended, the city slowly revealed itself beneath a veil of mist, its towering skyscrapers standing proudly against the early morning sky. Priya had heard of Japan's beauty, but nothing could have prepared her for this. She smiled softly, her breath steadying as she watched the first light kiss the horizon. She had finally arrived.

As the plane touched down and the doors opened, a cool gust of wind swept in, tousling her hair. She stepped out into the unknown, a mixture of excitement and nervousness swirling inside her. After a few inquiries with a kind stranger, she made her way to the cab stand. The driver, a man with a warm smile, glanced at her in the rearview mirror. "Where are you from?" he asked.

"India," Priya replied, feeling a sense of pride.

"India, ah!" he exclaimed. "I've been to Mumbai once."

Priya's eyes lit up. "Yes, yes! I'm from there!" She laughed, the connection with someone from so far away easing her nerves.

As the cab meandered through the streets, Priya took in the new sights—the neon signs, the organized chaos, the subtle elegance of Tokyo. They chatted about her home country and his travels, and soon enough, the driver pulled up to her new apartment building. Priya felt a strange sense of finality. This was it.

At the security desk, she provided her details, and as the guard nodded and handed her a key, Mrs. Makino, the building's manager, appeared. With a warm smile, she greeted Priya and led her through the entrance.

"Welcome, Priya-san," Mrs. Makino said, guiding her towards the elevator. As they ascended to the third floor, the sound of a door slamming abruptly startled Priya. She turned instinctively, her eyes locking on a figure standing at the end of the hallway—a man, his posture rigid, an aura of irritation surrounding him. Mrs. Makino spoke to him briefly, her voice low and sharp, before the man turned and walked away with an air of defiance.

"There's an Indian man who lives next door," Mrs. Makino said once the man was gone, her voice tinged with annoyance. "He's... difficult. Very rude, actually. Always causing trouble with the neighbors. Just... try to avoid him."

Priya nodded, unsure of how to respond. "I understand," she said softly, though a part of her wondered who this person was and why he had left such an impression on Mrs. Makino.

They continued down the hallway, and Mrs. Makino showed Priya to her apartment. "Here we are," she said, unlocking the door. "This is your new home. The passcode for the lock is set; just make sure to remember it. You can change it later if you prefer." She smiled warmly. "Make yourself comfortable, Priya-san. Rest up. I'll come by later to check on you."

Priya stepped inside, the quiet of the apartment enveloping her. The air was cool, and everything was new and unfamiliar. She looked around, taking in the minimalist decor, the cozy space that would now be her own for the coming months. She sighed, grateful for the fresh start.

As Mrs. Makino left, the door clicked shut behind her, and Priya felt a wave of both relief and anticipation wash over her. This was just the beginning. The start of a new chapter in a land far from home. But something lingered in her thoughts—the mention of her next-door neighbor, and the mystery that now hovered in the air.

The entire day had slipped by in a blur of organizing and settling into her new apartment. Priya had spent hours arranging her things, trying to create some sense of comfort in the unfamiliar surroundings. But by the time the evening rolled around, she was finally free from the hustle of unpacking. A quiet hunger gnawed at her stomach, reminding her that there was nothing in the fridge to eat.

Sighing, Priya decided to step out and grab a few groceries. The fresh evening air felt refreshing against her skin as she walked for about ten minutes, the streetlights casting a soft glow on the sidewalks. The convenience store she entered was small but well-stocked, and Priya quickly gathered the essentials—some snacks, a few vegetables, and ingredients to make herself a quick meal.

She was content, her mind starting to wander as she imagined settling into her new routine. But as she walked back toward her apartment building, just as she reached the third floor, something unusual caught her attention. The faint sound of raised voices drifted toward her from around the corner. It was an argument, heated and tense, but the words were too muffled to make out.

Priya paused, unsure whether to keep going or wait. Just then, a woman rushed past her in a hurry, her face flushed, her footsteps quick and unsteady as if she was running away from something. Priya couldn't help but feel a curious unease at the sight, her instincts telling her something wasn't quite right.

Before she could make sense of it, a man emerged from the hallway. He was dressed only in shorts and a robe, his disheveled appearance making Priya pause for a moment. He looked at her, his gaze curious, almost assessing. Priya's heart skipped. This must be the Indian guy Mrs. Makino warned me about, she thought, a sudden unease washing over her.

She forced a polite smile, but the tension in the air was thick. Not wanting to linger longer, Priya quickly mumbled, "Excuse me," and hurried past him. Her pulse quickened as she reached her apartment door, fumbling slightly with the key before she finally unlocked it. The moment she stepped inside, she slammed the door shut behind her, locking it immediately.

The silence of her apartment surrounded her, but she couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. She leaned against the door for a moment, taking a deep breath, and then set her groceries down, trying to push away the unsettling encounter from her mind. Just keep to yourself, she told herself. It's a new place, and I'm here to focus on myself.

But the image of the man in the robe, the argument she had heard, lingered in her thoughts, gnawing at her as she tried to settle into her new life.