8 weeks later

It had been 8 weeks since that dreadful party where I got drunk and puked on my hot boyfriend's shoes. He really loved me, that was for sure as he didn't leave me after that. Instead, he took me to his apartment, changed my clothes and slept with me. I was one lucky person.

Between that day and today, Zaid tried to stay with me as much as he could. We went out, ate, slept and almost lived together. I was leaving in 2 days for the US. So our wanting to stay together was understandable. I was going to miss this bundle of happiness that was Zaid for the next one year. But this opportunity was too good to let go. Zaid understood, thus, he was always extremely supportive. I could sense how he was a little upset though.

One night, when I was sleeping over at his place, Zaid sat beside me and stroked his hand on my head. He thought I was sleeping, but I wasn't. I saw how he was mildly sobbing as he stroked his hand after which he kissed me and hugged me as we slept. So I was sure, he was quite upset about my leaving.

Right now, I'm packing my bags and heading to the airport. Almost all my packing is done. I just have to get two jackets inside.

"Aloo, this is for you," said Zaid as he walked into my room with a shimmery blue gift bag.

"What's this Zaid? I'm almost done packing, ab kuch mat do," I replied, annoyed.

"Please open it?" He urged.

So I took the bag, gave him a faint smile and opened it.

It had a beautiful white dress in it.

"Zaid, this is perfect," I said as I hugged him to thank him for this wonderful present.

"You liked this dress, no? I remembered how you didn't have enough money at that time to get it, so I got it for you," he replied.

I was tearing up. I was already going to miss him and this just made me super emotional. I didn't know how to keep my tears in anymore. So, I hugged him and cried my eyes out.

"I don't want to go without you," I said as I cried.

"I'll be here," he said as he placed his hand on my heart.

"Cheese ball," I replied as I continued to hug him. We broke our hug with a kiss and then I got back to packing.

"Alveera, beta, flight is in 3 hours, we have to drive to the airport as well, did you get ready?" Yelled dad.

This time, he had arrived here in Mumbai as well. My whole family was here, mom, dad, Shaheen (sister), Gia and Zaid. The last two had been my family for a while now, so it was best that I included them in the list.

After I was done packing, mom made me have rajma chawal before my flight. It was good rajma chawal, but a little too heavy for my taste. Anyway, after we were done, Zaid drove us to the airport.

"Passport, ticket, everything there?" Asked Zaid as he pulled my luggage as we entered the airport.

"Yes babe," I replied as I flashed my small bag which had all my documents.

It was almost time for my flight. I had to leave now. I felt numb. I didn't get all teary but I felt really terrible. Zaid had a smile pasted on his face.

I knew he was trying to mask his grief. So after I was done saying goodbye to everyone else, I hugged him for a good 3 minutes. We didn't say anything to eachother. The silence spoke louder. I just hugged him and tried to muster all of him that I could in those 3 minutes. I had to remember enough of him so that I could go on for a whole year, without seeing him upfront, without feeling his arms in mine and without knowing that he was there.

After the hug broke off, he kissed me and checked to see if my parents saw it. My mom did, but she pretended not to see it. She had always been a sweetheart like that.

And that was it. All the goodbyes were done, all the hugs and kisses were delivered. It was time for me to go. So I went.

Goodbyes weren't this hard for me. But this time, I knew I was leaving a piece of my heart in Mumbai. So it was a little difficult.

As I sat on my seat in the plane, I tried to remember the first time I saw Zaid. That black T-shirt was still my favorite. And his messy hair. "I'll miss that the most," I mused as a smile swept on my face along with a teardrop from my eyes.

Alveera's dad is Ronit Roy

Hey guys! I'm really sorry for being so late with this update. The recent news and everything upset me greatly as there were reports of terror attacks in Istanbul, Dhaka etc. I was too traumatized to write anything. Please accept my apologies. But, I'm feeling a lot better today, so I decided to update ASAP. So enjoy this chapter Sidians! A new chapter will be out soon!

Moreover, I'm sorry this chapter had to be so tiny. I felt that stretching it would reduce its gravity. I hope you all agree.

Please leave comments or suggestions about the book. I love hearing feedback from you guys ❤