From then on, Aunt Mannie has stood by my side like a rock. Even after I went back to the university, she called me regularly and stayed in touch. She would nudge me to plan my next vacation to San Francisco so that I’d have something to look forward to. She enrolled me for driving classes the next time I landed up at her place and took me driving on the weekends. When I finally got my driver’s licence, I can’t explain how liberated I felt. There comes a time in our lives when, after having faced many struggles and challenges, we finally find ourselves in the driver’s seat. Becoming independent is the most empowering thing you can do for yourself, because the more you feel in charge of yourself, the better you’re going to get with each passing day. That’s what Aunt Mannie did. She taught me how to be independent. She helped me figure out this new life like a mother would. When I told her about my family’s real story, she wasn’t very surprised. It was as if she’d always known what I’d been going through. She is my godmother, my guardian angel. If I ever have a chance to choose who I can be in my next life, I would want to be like her.

Lately though, whenever I visit Uncle Joe’s family, my conviction about living an independent life grows a little weaker. I find myself confused about what I want. While I take pride in my independence, the truth is that I would also love to have a family of my own. I would love to have a life like Uncle Joe’s, with a partner, children and a home that’s mine. I want to celebrate festivals with my family the way we used to in India. I don’t want to be by myself on Christmas and New Year. I’ve been lonely for a long time now, and if I’m honest with myself, somewhere deep within my heart, I want the AILENA app to help me find love. Yes, I really want to sue Asmitha for a million dollars, but more than that, I just want to find love.

I spend the rest of the day whiling time away with the family and only return to my room at around 8 p.m. And now here I am, ready to enter the world of AILENA again.