"We're going back to India."

I was shocked to the core. Not even dad barging in on me and Ace was as shocking as this news. This news crumpled me from the inside.

"Wh-what?" I stuttered.

"You heard it right," mom said. "After everything that you've done, we believe it wasn't a right decision to have come to America. We thought it might be good for your future education but turns out you're interested in stuff other than studying. We've a two weeks time, till then you'll stay indoors and not step outside."

Tears spilled down my eyes involuntarily. This was not happening to me, this couldn't be real!

I stepped ahead kneeling down near to mom's feet and begged, "Mom, dad, please don't do this to me. I'm begging you, please! I really wanna stay here. I won't do anything wrong, I won't disobey you, I'll not have any friends or any kinda relationship or anything else. But please, lemme stay in this country. It's a matter of my future."

"Stop wimpering like a dog," dad snickered, "we've decided, and that's what it is. And don't you dare talk about your future. By doing such deeds, you don't deserve anything better. You're nothing but a big shame to our family. Now go, get back into that hole of yours, I don't want to see your face anyway."

I bit my lip and stood up. Without a word, I strided back into my room and closed the door. It was all over, all my dreams, my aspirations, my future. Everything was gone with one mistake. How could I have done this to myself? I had never been in any relationship before, so how did I let myself get into this one?

My phone was nowhere around me either. Coming to think of it, I had left it in the pocket of my pant at Cat's. I doubt mom and dad would've cared to retrieve it from there but what bothered me was the fact that I would not be able to talk with any of my friends anymore. Not even with Ace.

It was all my fault, all my deed. Before I had realized it, I had made deep scratches all over my arms. Blood trickled slowly from the scratches but it was nothing serious.

I sighed and let the pain take over my sorrow. Yes, this felt better. The pain distracted me from my emotions and it felt better to distract myself to something different.

Maybe mom and dad would change their minds. Considering this, I picked up my Biology manual and started learning through it. They were my parents, they would always want the best for me. They won't take me back to India, away from my friends. They were simply trying to be strict. Yes, that could be the truth.

I shrugged off the idea that my thoughts were untrue and misleading. I focused at studying and allowed the time to pass.

The evening came and went. Night arrived and so did the time for dinner. None called me out for dinner and neither did I have any desire to go out for it.

I had filled enough of bottles for staying in the room for longer periods of time, avoiding my parents. I cared less about food, I had no plans on eating anything.

Since the time I woke, I had eaten nothing. My stomach grumbled but I did not care. Instead, I lay on the bed in the dark, window ajar, hoping for the hopeless. It felt majestic to imagine Ace barge into my room through the window on a flying horse and pick me up and take me to his place. I laughed at the thought and then a tear rolled down my eye. This beautiful dream was never going to come true.

Closing my wet eyes, I wished I would not wake up the next day. Unfortunately for me, I did. But once again, I had slept longer.

Since the previous day, I had neither brushed nor taken bath, the things which mattered me a lot on a daily basis. As I woke up, I felt a sudden weakness spread through me.

Breathing heavily, I placed my palm against my forehead. It was burning hot. I was suffering with fever. But it mattered me the least. Closing my eyes, I ventured back into sleep.

Once again, I overslept. The sun was high up in the sky. I did not bother to check the time, considering it was pointless now that I had nothing to do.

The electric doorbell rang and I opened my eyes. I had slept unknowingly and by now it was evening. Who could it be? Was it Ace?

The very name of Ace sent jolts of excitement through me. Somehow, I managed to get off the bed and opened my bedroom door. Stepping out I saw mom opening the entrance door. At the door stood Cat, with my mobile in her hand.

"Nayan's phone," she said handing it over to mom. "He left it at my place yesterday."

Mom nodded and took it from her.

Cat asked further. "How is-" She stopped mid sentence upon seeing me. Her face displayed shock, probably upon seeing my fragile state. Mom turned to see me out of the room.

"I think you should leave now," mom said to Cat and before she could've replied, she shut the door at Cat's face.

I could not stand anymore. My legs gave in and I fell to the floor.

"Please mom," I begged while crying. "Please let me stay here. Please don't take me back to India."

She looked at me and bent over. Placing her palm against my forehead she said, "You have high fever, go and rest. I'll get something for you to eat."

"No!" I squeaked as I was barely able to speak. "I won't, I-I-" my words staggered and I coughed.

"Then don't," she said and left me to my state. I cried and gathered myself up from the floor. Closing the door I went back on bed and fell on it, breathing heavily with the efforts of moving about.

It was all over. I was going back to India and never coming back, ever again.