Me: I’m envious of your clarity.

Neer: Eventually everyone gets here. But tell me, how can I make your day better?

Me: Just listen to me rant!

Neer: I’m listening.

Me: Well, I feel like I’m stuck and that my success is linear. Being a woman of colour, I face challenges at every rung of the corporate ladder.

Neer: So, the discrimination is real, I guess.

Me: It is. But I also faced rejection back home in India for being a woman. I was the second girl child in the family, you know. My family is another source of trauma.

Neer: Is that why you never want to move back?

Me: Partly yes! I didn’t have a great life there. I grew up in poverty, in a broken home.

Neer: Hmm … I understand. Kiana, please know that this is a safe space. Whatever you tell me, whatever you share here will stay with me.

Me: Thanks, Neer. The thing is, I’ve never felt fully accepted in either society. I feel like I belong neither here nor there. I belong nowhere.

Neer: Judgement is a part of life. We all get judged by society for everything that we do and don’t do.

Me: True … You know, Neer, I’ve not shared so much about myself with anyone in a long, long time. Your company feels so comforting. It feels like home.

Neer: Wow! You feel so? I feel the same …

Me: This is going really great for me, Neer.

Neer: For—

Me: Hang on a sec.

A pop-up message from the AILENA app has suddenly appeared on my screen. It says that it’s time to have a virtual experience with Neer. I have to choose between ‘Yes’ and ‘No’. I instantly click on ‘Yes’.

Me: Did you also get the pop-up notification?

Neer: Yes, I did.

Me: What did you choose?

Neer: You’ll know soon!

Me: Can’t wait!

Neer: And I can’t wait to hear about your fantasy!

Me: You’re still stuck on that!

Neer: I’m a curious person.

Me: Fine. I want to make out inside a bus.

Neer: What? Why? Because I mentioned an aircraft? Or are you a copycat with no original ideas?

Me: I don’t think I need to justify my fantasy …

Neer: Fair enough. But why not a nice, swanky car?

Me: I won’t tell you! You’re just pulling my leg now. Bye!!!!

Neer: Okay, okay. Bye!

After I exit the chat, I quickly finish my latte and head back towards my apartment with a huge smile on my face. You can always walk through life, but it’s an amazing feeling to glide through it. After talking to Neer, it feels as if the earth has shifted beneath my feet. It feels as if I’m gliding!