Welcome to New York - Taylor Swift

When we first dropped our bags on apartment floors...

Took our broken hearts, put them in a drawer...

Everybody here was someone else before...

And you can want who you want...

"Congratulations, Arianna." Ranveer said. When I came out of my room, wearing a dark green ankle length gown. We are going to attend Jenny and my graduation ceremony .I am all set to open both my restaurants . Jenny will be taking over 'Artoria' and I 'Arianna '.

The pictures mom and Daphne sent me of the restaurant looks majestic. Neither of us went back to America the past year. During our vacations we tend to explore Italy ,my Italian is perfetto and Jenny can talk enough to make people understand things now .

"Thank you." I smile sitting in the couch in front of him. Ranveer has been staying here for the past week and unlike other times ,I stayed and went for trips together with them .

" Mrs. Knight and Daphne are going crazy. They have also made my mom join their squad and even got an offer to renovate a Thai restaurant , but they refused, saying they next restaurant they will be doing is another of your restaurant chains ." He said proudly.

" Now you are pulling my leg." I chuckle my shaking my head in denial.

"I am not . Restaurant opening is two weeks from now . Are you excited because people in Network most definitely are."

" Terrified, would be more accurate but yes I feel more confident now ." I say ,nervously wringing my hand placed on my lap.

" That's the spirit , transfer some of that confidence to my girl . She kept babbling all night ." he said ,sarcastically and i rolled my eyes.

"Wait till you meet, Marco . He is from New Jersey . I asked him to come work for us in 'Arianna'...." Ranveer tensed at that . I realize my mistakes so I continued, "... he is 40 and wanted to do something different. If all things go right, he might join us there."

Ranveer let out a relieved sigh "Oh.. ok and I will finally get to meet Jennifer's mom now." he said.

Jennifer's mom has been doing really well . Mom who has taken over the job of hiring employees for both restaurants, has been in touch with the rehabs .The previous patients, who have been living a better , healthy life, have been offered some positions. Mrs. Schneider has found some students who are looking for a job along with their studies .

" I am ready guys let's go." Jennifer emerged wearing a light blue gown and Ranveer was lost. His eyes held the same pride and love , Axel has, every time he looks at me. I excused myself and went to the bathroom. I held the sink in a tight grip to control my myriad of emotions . I have the nasty habit of making everything about me. Not today.

☆★☆★☆

The graduation ceremony finished . And we promised each other to be in touch . All our class mates got an offer for work . Jenny and I have told them about our new restaurant , they all showed their interest. I understand their reluctance because it's new and if things don't work out, It will jeopardize their future, but I am sure after our success they will come around .

☆★☆★☆

"What's wrong with that flight attendant. I don't remember them being this hospitable when Arianna and I were travelling." Jenny said, about the beautiful flight attendant who couldn't keep her eyes off of Ranveer. Since ,Jenny said that an hour after the take off . Her ear is popped. So now ,the said flight attendant and passengers at the other end of the plane got that Jennifer is possessive about Ranveer.

Ranveer and I give a meek smile at the second hand embarrassment ,to people, turning around to scowl at us .

"I would have appreciated that possessiveness, if we were 30,000 feet below , take some rest . That girl won't be coming out of her cocoon for the rest of the flight ." Ranveer patted her head and Jenny nodded,lowering her head on his shoulder.

After graduation, we took the first flight back to New York .It was just then when I realized, where will we be staying. Jennifer rented her place and mine has been turned into a restaurant. Jennifer's mom's place is a health hazard and I am pretty sure some illegal dwellers must have started living there as soon as she was admitted into a rehab .

" Ranveer I ..." I say in a horrified gasp.

" Finally. I thought you would never ask." He teased .

"Huhhh..."Jennifer said looking around groggily, If that said flight attendant came around again.

"You go back to sleep ,baby." Ranveer cooed ,stroking her hair until she drifted off to sleep again.

"You are going to ask where you too will be living so here is the answer. You will be living with my parents for the next two weeks since you two have a lot of work to catch up , you wouldn't wanna spend your precious time finding a nest . And I, have found a new place we will look over them later."

Okay , I nod. Ranveer's focus went back to Jenny and my thoughts led me to Axel again. His posts after his promotion have changed, he didn't delete his previous pictures but he posts less . He has been more active on Twitter .

I understood the different worlds we belong to now .His Twitter feeds are precise and professional , he never uses hashtags. While mine are filled with hashtags before every word. No doubt, my restaurant is going to be a hit. The thought alone , that I am making my parents proud stops me from crying a river.

☆★☆★☆

After reaching the Ahuja mansion . Jenny and I retired to bed and slept for next 24 hours. I made Jenny keep her mouth shut as much as possible before she could embarrass herself, because of her ear situation .

Next morning, Jenny knocked on my door and we both crawled down to the kitchen. My belly was growling for food but I was too tired to move, "Morning girls, After lunch we will be heading to see Daphne and Elizabeth for dress fitting ." Melissa said.

"Dress fitting .?" Jen asked ,her voice sounded like a 60 year old man. She moved her hazy eyes at me as If I know what she is talking about and I shook my head.

"You can't go to the opening of your new restaurants in pajamas." She laughed.

We look down at our disheveled state. No at all hot just a complete mess . Now that the adrenaline of taking culinary education has dozed down . We are finally channelizing our spirit animal , Panda .

"Oh..Um. OKay , Alright . Just give us ..." I hold out one finger to ask for sometime to gather ourselves together.

"A few hours to get ready to face Civilization ...??? that's why I scheduled it further to lunch ." She smiled understanding our situation . And we smiled in gratitude , inhaling the breakfast.

☆★☆★☆

After taking a warm bath and untangling our hair , Jenny and I were ready . Both of us with Melissa went to a beautiful boutique . When we went inside, Daphne and Mom greet us.

"Mom..." I croak ,my eyes watered after seeing her .

"My baby.." She hugged me ".... I'm so proud of you."

And I am ashamed of myself . Because I haven't talked to her ,unless she called me about the cafe. I didn't even invite her to my graduation . The thought, I was so scared of happening , when I first met her, was done by me. I had ghosted her .

"Ummm..." I couldn't even call her mom .

"Look at that tan , Senorita ...." Daphne said teasing Jennifer and I ,saving me from creating a scene here by crying out loud .

"That's Spanish Daph . They went to Italy." Mom told her.

"I am not good at that . Lets' get to where I'm pro at ." Daphne showed us two racks of clothes . By the looks of it ,they have been hand picked by them, for us .

" Is this your shop too, Mrs. Schneider ." Asked Jennifer, looking at the dresses and around the ambiance. I didn't know either that she has a boutique apart from the Wedding dress shop.

" Of course, darling. I can't just sit back ,wait for girls to get a marriage proposal ." Mom gave her a look and she changed the topic by saying "...You kids have gained weight. Didn't you hear a chef doesn't eat his own cooking."

"I think it says that you shouldn't trust the chef who doesn't eats his own cooking." Jennifer said .

"Blame, Jennifer . She has found a liking to gelato and being her crime partner ...." I trailed.

" You joined her too..." They all completed .

☆★☆★☆

After the dress fitting ,we decided to meet tomorrow at the central park.

"No need to bring any yoga mat or wear those skinny yoga pants you young people are so fond of . Just come their and relax .If you like it , then we can start our new sessions from Monday. Okay." Daphne said.

On Sundays Mom, Daphne and Melissa have started doing yoga in the central park . Daphne suggested we do that too to get rid of our gelato baby. Our pooch is not protruding, but since it's good for health ,we agreed .

We reached home late after the busy day. My mind finally got time to think about Axel . I slept thinking about being in his arms, Just like I have always done this past year .

🎀🎀🎀

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