Anam rests her head on top of mine, holding me without a word, before she pulls back again. “Good luck.”

“Thank you,” I say, each word weighted heavily. Having her in my corner means more than I can ever convey. With a subdued smile, I lean down to retrieve her volleyball, handing it to her.

She accepts it, offering me a smile in return. “Congratulations again, Apu.”

I go downstairs.

Both of my parents are sitting at the dining table. Baba is peeling garlic and Ma is sorting through puzzle pieces, but they both look up at my arrival.

“What?” Ma asks, eyes narrowed. I try not to sigh at the defensive tone of her voice. “You never come to talk to us willingly unless you want something.”

I take a deep breath, reminding myself this is not the time to start a fight with them. “I want to talk about college.”

Ma snorts, turning back to her puzzle. “Have you won your little film competition yet? You should’ve told us earlier. Baba would have gotten out the checkbook.”

I curl my fingers into fists but take a seat at the table anyway. “No. It’s not that.” I bite my tongue, reluctant to say the words aloud. This isn’t for them, I tell myself. This is for you. “I got into New York University.”

Baba stops peeling.

I start counting backward from ten in my head, trying to work up the courage to say what I need to say.

Looking at them, though, it’s almost easier. Seeing Ma’s cold, cutting gaze and Baba’s darker glower. My parents will always expect the worst of me. No matter what, I’m never going to be enough for them. I’m never going to be what they want me to be.

And that’s okay.

I don’t need their acceptance. I don’t need their validation.

They are not my home.

I’m my own home.

Home is where you find love.

“If you want me to stay in New York City, I will,” I say, meeting their eyes without flinching. That feels like a win in and of itself. “But I’m living on campus.”

“On campus?” Baba repeats slowly, setting down the garlic in his palm. His movements are slow, unaccepting, but that doesn’t deter me.

I nod and set my shoulders. There’s no going back now. “On campus. In a dorm.”

My words finally seem to register with my mom. “In a dorm?” she says, nearly screeching. A puzzle piece snaps in half between her fingers, loud in the sudden silence. “Are you out of your mind?”