Unfamiliar Places

A strong beam of light hit my eyes through my close eye lids which forced me to turn my head away from the source and slowly open my eyes, as I rub them vigorously as I usually do.

I open my eyes; in a look of confusion as I try to fathom why I was the only one asleep until now while all the others in the plane were up and out of their seats preparing to take their bags out of the compartments above them.

My sister looked down upon me and said:

'Thank God you're up. I was going to throw some water on you if you hadn't helped me lift this bag. Why on earth were you sleeping so soundly on a damned plane!!??'

All that could come to my mind was that the sibling rivalry between us won't ever change. I didn't even want to think about anything anymore, just wanted to know how cold it was outside.

Mom: Come on now, be ready. As soon as all of these people move outside, we'll follow them.

Sarah: That was such a long flight? Are you sure we're going to Anchorage? (One of the cities in Alaska)

Aditi: We are in Canberra, though.

Sarah: *eyes wide open* WHAT??!!

Aditi: *seriously* Are you stupid? Of course we're in Anchorage? Where do you think we got the visa from? How come it is that you're older from me!!

Sarah: You little piece of sh...

Mom: *hits both of us on the head* Cut it out! You guys just start anywhere!! Here. Hold your bags and move.

Sarah: *pouts*Why do I always get the heavier and more bags?

Mom and Aditi: 'Coz you're stronger than most men! *laugh inside*

Sarah: Sure, maybe that's why you married your husband!

On stepping out, I encounter the coldest breeze that I ever could have, and in moments, I started sneezing.

My mother handed me over a jacket to wear over my sweater. This country is way colder than I imagined it to be. Although, the view even from an airport, was breathtaking. Just the thought of living in such a beautiful country made me smile and ignore my red, bloated face; currently covered by a handkerchief.

Coming out of the airport, I realised that this was the time that I had seen more wending machines at a public place than I had seen books in my 13 years of studentships.

No sooner did I start comparing the new place to home than I realized that I had to stop doing that.

Soon after, all three of us booked a cab and started our journey towards our "New Home" All of us were peeking through the closed windows looking upon the majestic view of the docks and the multicoloured buildings. It all seemed so wonderful and happy that it made me feel confident that I belonged there. Unfortunately, the view was short-lived as we reached our Apartments really soon.

Anchorage was smaller than it seemed and quite frankly more pliable.

The apartments looked pretty decent and homely, just as I liked it. Just by looking at it I felt like our house would be a



perfect place to be called our home. I thought that on entering this new space, we would have to work on the furnishing and arrangements and stuff. But, to my surprise it was a fully furnished apartment with a lot of space for the three of us and most of all, a nice view from the topmost floor of the building.



There were three rooms for all of us and a beautiful living room with the best lighting and comfortable couches. The place was a lucid dream. This was the first time when any of us had a room to our selves. Although, I was sure that my sister and I would run to Mom's room at night. But, at least we pretended that we could make it alone a night.

I really wanted to talk to my friends but I couldn't because of the time difference.😒

We spent the day unpacking all of our belongings and settling them in our rooms as neatly as we could. Our belongings were literally ugly compared to the furniture we were keeping them on. Still, ignoring the continuous cycle of self- hate, I walked out of my room to ask Mom about the lunch.

It was 3:30pm in the afternoon and we decided to go out for lunch and then visit our new school before we start the day after tomorrow.

We had lunch at a Chinese Restaurant near our house which had the best chicken dumplings I had ever eaten.

We took a cab and went off to our school. It, too was pretty close to our house.

This school was the best maintained school I had ever been to. All of us were standing Infront of the main entrance with our jaws dropped. The first reaction that came to my mind was

"Mom, how did you possibly become the Vice- Principal of this school"



Mom: *answering without changing her reaction* They said they wanted a teacher experienced with wild kids and had a degree in Zoology.

Aditi: That's it?

Mom: Um hmm.

We come back to our senses and start walking through the gate into the main building of the school. Suddenly, a tall, tanned, handsome man calls out: "Ms. Singh?"

Mom: Yes?

Man: Oh, it is you. Hello, I am Brad Ostwald. Principal of this school. It's a pleasure to finally meet you.

Mom: The pleasure is all mine, sir. Please call me Pam.

Both me and my sister look at Mom in a state of betrayal.

Brad O.: You guys must be the kids, welcome to Saint High School. You'll love it here.

Sarah: *chuckles*I hope so.

There was no one around. The school hours were over and we were walking towards the Vice - Principals office, aka my Mom's new office. Just at the end of the hallway, I hear loud footsteps approaching us. I looked peeking across the ally and saw a beautiful, masculine figure walking towards us. He was wearing a Red jacket over a plain black turtleneck sweater above a pair of light blue denim jean. His eyes were the epitome of lustre and he was tall enough. Tall enough for me.

He was planning of walking past us but Mr. Brad stopped him saying, "Not so swiftly, Mr. Maverick."

Sarah: *thinking to herself* This name never suited anyone more than him and Tom Cruise in Top Gun. Oh,y luck!!

I almost started staring at him with hungry, perverted eyes when I heard Mr. Brad mention my name saying, "You will be showing Ms. Sarah around the school as she is your new classmate"

Maverick: Okay. I'll be off now sir. Goodbye.

Mr.Brad: *holding Maverick's backpack* Right now!

Maverick: I'm in a hurry right now.

Mr. Brad: Maverick, who are you kiddin'? We both know you're not in a hurry right now.

Maverick: Yes, I am. My mom wants me at home.

Mr. Brad: You told me yesterday that your mom had gone out for a business meeting for a MONTH! Is she back already?

Sarah: *chuckles* It's alright, Mr. Brad, I can look around the school by myself. You should go and talk to my mother and sister. Don't worry about me.

Mr. Brad: Now that you're insisting. Maverick, accompany the young lady for goodness sakes!

*Intense Eye contact between Maverick and Mr. Brad*

Maverick: Alright, sir.

*Turns to me* Follow me... And don't get lost!

Sarah: *confused* Okay....?

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