“Some souls are not born in the place they belong…

Mine was always meant to find its way to Seoul.”

The moment the airplane touched down, Lakshmi closed her eyes for a second, holding her breath as if she could pause time itself. When she opened them, everything felt different.

This was it.

Seoul.

A place she had only seen in dreams, dramas, and late-night imaginations was now right in front of her—real, alive, and waiting.

As she stepped out of the airport, a cold breeze brushed against her face. It wasn’t just the weather that made her shiver… it was the realization.

“I’m really here…” she whispered to herself, her voice barely audible in the bustling crowd.

People rushed past her, speaking a language she was still learning, living lives she knew nothing about. For a moment, she felt small… lost in a city that moved too fast.

But deep inside, there was something else too.

Hope.

Lakshmi tightened her grip on her suitcase and looked up at the vast skyline of Seoul. Tall buildings, glowing lights, unfamiliar streets… everything felt like the beginning of a story she didn’t fully understand yet.

A story that was hers.

The taxi ride felt both long and short.

She sat quietly, watching the city pass by through the window—neon signs, cozy cafes, people laughing, couples walking hand in hand. It felt like stepping into a different world.

Her phone buzzed.

Amma Calling… 💕

Lakshmi smiled instantly and picked up.

“Amma…”

“Lakshmi! Did you reach safely?” her mother’s voice carried warmth even from miles away.

“I just got out… I’m on the way to the apartment,” Lakshmi replied softly, her eyes still glued to the city outside.

“Did you eat anything? Don’t skip meals, okay? And listen—”

Lakshmi laughed lightly. “Amma, I’m fine. Really.”

There was a small pause on the other end.

“…You’re not alone, okay?” her mother said gently.

Lakshmi’s smile faded just a little.

“I know.”

But did she?

Her apartment was simple, quiet… almost too quiet.

She placed her suitcase near the door and slowly walked inside. The silence echoed louder than she expected.

Back in India, there was always noise—her mother calling her, her father talking on the phone, Ruhi playing music loudly. Life was never this still.

She sat on the edge of her bed and looked around.

“New country… new life…” she murmured.

Then she took a deep breath and straightened her posture.

“Doctor Lakshmi,” she said to herself with a small smile. “You worked for this.”

Tomorrow was her first day at one of the most prestigious hospitals in Seoul. Years of hard work, sleepless nights, and sacrifices had brought her here.

She should have felt only happiness.

But emotions are never that simple.

Later that night, she stood near the window, looking out at the glowing city.

Seoul was beautiful.

Almost magical.

But somewhere in her heart, there was a quiet question… one she couldn’t ignore.

“Will this city accept me…?” she whispered softly.

The lights flickered in the distance as if the city was listening.

As if it already had an answer.

And maybe… just maybe…

Her story here had already begun.

To be continued…