I call Mike and give him instructions to organize a plane ticket to Mumbai for Aaliya and drive her straight home, our home. It has become ours ever since she stepped foot in it.

She’s quiet and subdued throughout the drive and once we’re home, she packs a small bag and heads for the shower. I fix a plate of sandwiches as I wait for her to finish dressing. As promised, Mike organized a first class ticket for her even before we entered the apartment. Now he and Leo stand in the living room, waiting to drive us to the airport.

She comes out wearing jeans and a black V-neck t-shirt, her grey leather jacket and flat-soled shoes. The black shawl I just gifted her is wrapped around her neck. I slide the plate of sandwiches towards her on the kitchen counter. She shakes her head.

“I can’t eat. I just... I need to go. The flight takes off in three hours. And I have to reach fast. I can’t afford to miss it. They don’t know yet how serious it is. What if something happens to...”

“Hey, hey, it’s okay! It’s all going to be fine!” I round the kitchen counter and pull her into my arms. She hugs me tight for a few moments before she takes a step back. A few tears spill down her cheeks and I wipe them with my fingers. I hope for her sake that everything is going to be fine soon. She must love her dad a lot that she worries so much about him.

“I have to go, Damien. But I promise to be back soon and when I’m back we need to talk. You don’t know so much and I have to tell you so many things. But I can’t right now.”

She kisses my cheek. “Damien, you are my journey and you are my destination. All my roads will always lead up to you.”

My heart flutters at her words. They resonate within me, sounding familiar, but before I can think more on that, she kisses my cheek once again and whispers. “I love you.”

My lungs seize, but then my heart leaps in my chest. When I open my mouth to speak, she presses her hand on my lips.

“Don’t say anything. Not yet. Not until I’m back. Wait for me, okay?”

“I will. Let me drop you to the airport.”

“No, Damien. Leaving you is so hard. Stay, please. Leo will drop me. I’m going to be busy on the phone with my family as it is. I have to figure out what is happening.”