Different Countries, Same Sky
566 Words
One Year Later
Time continued to move forward.
Hania was now twenty-one.
Her final year at the university had begun.
The girl who had arrived in Malaysia with nervous excitement was now one of the university's top research students.
She spent most of her time between lectures, laboratories, research papers and presentations.
Life was busy.
Exactly the way she liked it.
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
"Congratulations!"
Zara hugged Hania tightly.
"You finally got selected!"
Hania laughed.
"I still can't believe it."
Professor Daniel Wong had just announced that Hania's research team had been selected to present their project at an international scientific symposium.
It was one of the biggest opportunities of her academic life.
Professor Daniel smiled proudly.
"Keep working like this, Hania."
"You have the potential to become an outstanding scientist."
She smiled politely.
"I'll do my best, Professor."
That evening...
The hostel room looked unusually festive.
Amina had decorated the room with fairy lights.
Zara arrived carrying a chocolate cake.
Hania laughed.
"You two are unbelievable."
"We know."
Amina smiled.
"Our scientist deserves a celebration."
The three friends spent hours laughing, taking pictures and talking about their future dreams.
Mussoorie
Shanya had also changed.
At twenty-one, she was completing her Journalism degree while interning at one of the leading news channels in Dehradun.
Her articles were now getting published regularly.
She had become more confident.
More observant.
Exactly the journalist she had always dreamed of becoming.
That weekend...
She returned home.
The dining table was full as always.
Colonel Arvind looked proudly at his daughter.
"So, Miss Journalist."
"Yes, Papa?"
"When will we see you on television?"
Shanya grinned.
"Soon."
"I'll interview important people."
Isha smiled.
"And don't forget us after becoming famous."
"Never."
The front door opened.
Major Eshaan Singh entered after returning from a week-long military exercise.
"Welcome home!"
Isha hugged him.
"You've become thinner."
"I'm perfectly fine, Mom."
Colonel Arvind laughed.
"Every Army mother's first sentence."
Everyone smiled.
During dinner...
Shanya suddenly looked at her brother.
"Bhai."
"Hmm?"
"Hania won another university award."
Eshaan looked up.
"For research."
He nodded.
"Good."
"That's all?"
"What else should I say?"
"At least say you're proud."
A faint smile crossed his face.
"I am."
Shanya immediately picked up her phone.
"I'm telling her that."
"Shanya..."
"Too late."
Malaysia
Hania's phone buzzed.
Shanu ❤️
She answered instantly.
"Hello, Sweetie."
Shanya grinned.
"I have news."
"What?"
"I forced Monster Brother to admit he's proud of you."
Hania almost choked on her juice.
"What?"
"He actually said it."
Hania laughed so hard that Zara looked over in confusion.
"Impossible!"
"I swear."
Hania smiled, shaking her head.
"The strict officer is becoming soft."
"Don't tell him I said that."
"I definitely will."
"No!"
Both girls burst into laughter.
After the call ended...
Hania walked onto the hostel balcony.
The city lights stretched endlessly below.
She looked up at the night sky.
"So much has changed..."
she whispered.
But deep inside...
Mussoorie still felt like home.
The mountains.
The family dinners.
Shanya.
Little Aashi.
Isha Aunty's cooking.
Colonel Arvind's jokes.
Even...
A certain strict Army officer who somehow still managed to become the topic of half her conversations.
She smiled to herself.
Then quietly returned to her books.
She had no idea...
that her journey toward becoming a scientist was about to bring her back to India much sooner than the eight or nine years she had once planned.
- Writer
