The car was silent.

Not because there was peace… but because Kiara was upset.

She stared out the window, chin resting on her palm, lips pressed into a pout.

Outside, trees blurred as they sped past — but her mind was stuck on one thing:

> “Why can’t they just stay?”

She bit her lip to stop it from trembling.

Behind her, her brother Aatharva couldn’t resist the chance.

“Drama queen ko toh award milna chahiye,” he said, smirking. “Kiara ‘The Great’… one more tear and we’ll float the car.”

“Shut up!” Kiara snapped.

Ajay, her dad, sighed. “It’s not like we wanted this either, Kiara. It’s just... work. You know that.”

Sangeeta, her mom, turned around from the front seat. “We’ll visit often. And you’ll stay with family here. You won’t be alone.”

But nothing helped.

Kiara’s school, her friends, her favorite pani puri stall — sab chhutt raha tha.

Except... her parents. And that hurt the most.

---

The car slowed down.

Kiara blinked as she realized they’d entered a quiet residential lane — trees lining both sides, and a soft morning sun peeking through.

She opened the door slowly, heart heavy.

She didn’t want to get out. Didn’t want to pretend she was okay.

But the second her feet touched the ground —

> “OH MY GOD! Are you Kiara??”

A blur of excitement ran toward her — and before Kiara could respond,

a girl hugged her tightly.

“Umm... yeah?” Kiara mumbled, totally confused.

“I knew it! You look just like your mom showed in the photo! I’m Tara! I live right next door — your new neighbor. Actually, your future best friend. Probably.”

She grinned, releasing her.

Kiara blinked. “You’re... energetic.”

“You’re… dramatic,” Tara shot back playfully. “But you’re cute. We’ll get along.”

> Kiara didn’t say it aloud…

But for the first time that morning, her lips almost smiled.

---

Soon, the families met.

Tara’s mom — Suman Aunty — was all warmth and welcome.

The dads exchanged numbers. Moms discussed food preferences.

And Kiara stood there, watching… realizing things were changing fast.

Too fast.

---

It was time.

Kiara’s parents had to leave.

Sangeeta hugged her tightly, whispering, “Be strong. And please… eat properly.”

Ajay patted her head. “Don’t cry. Or I’ll come back and take you forcefully.” He said it with a half-smile, trying to hide his own sadness.

Aatharva? He just smirked again. “Text me if you miss me too much. Oh wait, I know you will.”

Kiara rolled her eyes — but her throat tightened.

> “Bye…” she whispered.

She watched them drive away.

Until the car was just a dot at the turn… and then gone.

She didn’t realize she was holding her breath… until Tara gently touched her arm.

“Hey,” she said softly, “Don’t worry. You’ve got me now.”

Kiara looked at her.

A full stranger, hugging her like a friend, talking like they’ve known each other forever.

> And for the first time that day…

Kiara smiled.

Tara was like a whirlwind of energy, showing Kiara around the new house.

“Yeh tumhara room hai — dekhna, kitna cozy lag raha hai na? Aur yeh wardrobe, haan, tumhari sari books yahan rakho. Aur haan, TV remote main kabhi le jaungi, bas abhi nahi!” Tara teased with a wink.

("This is your room — see how cozy it looks, right? And this wardrobe, yeah, you can keep all your books here. Oh, and I might steal the TV remote someday… but not today!" Tara teased with a wink.)

Kiara smiled weakly, trying to absorb the new surroundings —

but her heart still ached somewhere far away.

“Thank you, Tara,” Kiara said softly. “It’s... a lot to take in.”

Tara gave her a friendly nudge. “Don’t worry. We’ll make it fun. Abhi toh main tumhari neighbor hoon, future partner in crime, remember?”

(Tara gave her a friendly nudge. “Don’t worry. We’ll make it fun. Right now I’m just your neighbor… but soon, your future partner in crime, remember?” 😄)

The afternoon flew by with Tara helping Kiara unpack, arranging her study table, and even sneaking in some snacks.

Finally, Tara said, “I’ve gotta go now. Dinner time at my place. Chalna?”

Kiara nodded, “Sure. Milte hain dinner ke time.”

(“Sure. See you at dinner time.” )😊

Tara smiled brightly, waving as she walked out the door.

---

As the evening settled, Kiara stood by her bedroom window.

The sky was painted in soft shades of orange and pink.

Her eyes were fixed on the distance — trying to find a glimpse of her parents’ car, a sign that maybe they would come back soon.

Her heart tightened as memories of home flooded her mind — the laughter, the teasing from her brother, her mother’s gentle scold, her father’s protective gaze.

> I miss them... she whispered to herself, a single tear escaping down her cheek.

She wiped it quickly and took a deep breath.

“No... I have to be strong,” she told her reflection in the glass.

“And... I have Tara now. Maybe this won’t be so bad after all.”

Tara’s dining table was simple but full of love.

The plates were set, the aroma of paneer floated in the air, and Kiara was already feeling... lighter.

“Beta, aur lo na thoda,” Suman Aunty smiled, serving Kiara lovingly.

(“Sweetheart, have a little more,” Suman Aunty said with a warm smile, lovingly serving Kiara.)🌸

“Thank you, Aunty. It’s really yummy,” Kiara said with a shy smile.

“Yummy?” Tara raised an eyebrow. “This is not just food. This is emotion.”

Everyone laughed — Tara had a way of making even silence feel like a joke waiting to happen.

Mid-bite, Suman Aunty looked at both girls and said gently,

> “Abhi toh tum dono ka naya school session start hone mein time hai… kuch productive kar lo. Milke.”

( “You both still have time before your new school session begins… do something productive together.” )😊

Tara’s eyes lit up instantly. “Haan! Ek kaam karte hain — hum bhi aapke saath chalte hain!”

(Tara’s eyes lit up instantly. “Yes! Let’s do one thing — we’ll come with you too!”)

Kiara blinked. “Chalte hain? Kahaan?”

(Kiara blinked. “Come with you? Where?”)

Suman Aunty chuckled, “Park mein. Main toh roz subah jaati hoon morning walk ke liye. Kal se tum dono bhi chalo.”

(Suman Aunty chuckled, “To the park. I go there every morning for a walk. Starting tomorrow, you both should come too.” )😊🌿

“Morning?” Tara made a fake crying face. “That means waking up early. Like... before the sun decides to wake up?”

Kiara giggled. “Challenge accepted.”

“Bas phir,” Aunty smiled, “subah 6 baje ready rehna dono. And no excuses!”

(“That’s settled then,” Aunty smiled, “both of you be ready by 6 AM. And no excuses!”)😊⏰

Dinner continued with laughs, Tara’s nonstop chatter, and Kiara feeling a strange kind of comfort... like she belonged.

---

Later that night…

Kiara lay in her bed, setting an alarm with Tara's voice playing in her head:

> "Uthna padega madam! Naye life ka naye mission — Morning Walks!"

(> "You’ll have to wake up, madam! New life, new mission — Morning Walks!") 😄🌅

She smiled, placing the phone aside.Outside the window, the moonlight gently touched her face.

A new place, a new friend, and now… a new morning waiting to begin.

> “Tomorrow will be better,” she whispered.

And for the first time since shifting…Kiara slept with a hopeful heart.

Please support me lovelies 💕💕i hope you all love this chapter 🧿