1 Let's move on

The sun hung low in the Bangalore sky, casting long shadows across Arjun's room. He sat on his bed, engrossed in a novel, the world of fiction a comforting escape from his own reality. As an introverted boy, books had always been his closest companions. In his small corner of the bustling city, he found solace in the pages of adventure, mystery, and imagination.

"Arjun, dinner's ready!" his father called from the kitchen.

Arjun bookmarked the page and placed the novel on his bedside table, reluctantly leaving the fictional world behind. His father, a diplomat, had been posted to various countries throughout Arjun's childhood, and this evening would bring news of their next destination.

Arjun joined his father at the dining table. His father, a tall and dignified man with salt-and-pepper hair, looked at him with a mix of excitement and concern. Arjun's mother had passed away when he was just a child, leaving the two of them to navigate life together.

"Arjun," his father began, "I have some news. A new posting has come up, and it's quite far from here."

Arjun's heart sank as he gazed at his father, who wore a pensive expression. Bangalore was all Arjun had known. The thought of leaving his familiar surroundings filled him with a sense of unease.

"Where are we going, Dad?" Arjun asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

His father smiled gently, attempting to reassure him. "We're moving to Seoul, South Korea. It's a beautiful place, and I believe you'll find new adventures there."

Seoul? The name sounded exotic and distant to Arjun. He knew little about the country, and the idea of leaving his comfort zone terrified him. Yet, he also knew that his father's work was important, and their journey together was a constant series of new beginnings.

In the weeks that followed, preparations for their move were in full swing. Boxes were packed, and their cozy apartment felt emptier with each passing day. Arjun couldn't help but feel a sense of loss, leaving behind the city where he had spent his entire life.

The day of departure arrived, and the two of them stood at the Bangalore airport, their luggage neatly stacked beside them. Arjun clutched his backpack, which contained his most treasured possessions: his collection of books. The plane ticket in his hand symbolized the beginning of a new chapter, but it also carried the weight of uncertainty.

As they boarded the plane, Arjun looked out of the window at the receding city lights. He couldn't help but wonder about the unfamiliar world that awaited him in Seoul. The city of his dreams, the world within the pages of his books, felt farther away than ever before.

Arjun's father placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "We're embarking on a new adventure, son. It may seem daunting now, but I believe it will be an experience that will shape you in ways you can't imagine."

Arjun nodded, though his heart was heavy with apprehension. He couldn't help but wonder if he would find the same solace and comfort in Seoul that he had found in the pages of his beloved novels. The plane taxied down the runway, carrying them towards the unknown, leaving behind the echoes of the life they had known.