Last Day

After much deliberation and argument, my family and I settled on a small 2 bedroom cottage that didn't need much work done. The cottage also happened to be surrounded on the left and the right by other cottages 'just in case'.

I wasn't too fussed with it though as it was detached and I had quite a bit of private property so none of my future neighbours could see anything. Perks of living in the countryside I guess.

Work was due to start in around a week or so and I had yet to see my new house as my parents had decorated it as a 'surprise' which caused me a lot of stress and sleepless nights especially as I was a simple plain white walls kind of girl whereas my parents were the over-the-top kind.

Picking up my last box, I crammed it into the boot which was already stuffed to the brim and tried not to wince when I forced the door shut with a slam. I was all set to go. I just needed to say goodbye and grab my pesky cat from whichever corner of the house she bolted to when she saw the cat carrier.

Wiping the sweat off my forehead, I walked back inside the house. Mum was stood in front of the cooker, adding the last touches to one of the many curries that she made for me in case' I starved' even though I was a pretty good cook. I didn't mind too much though as I was also a lazy cook.

Dad on the other hand, well he looked devastated. He looked as though his business had gone bankrupt and as if his whole family had died.

"Dad, please. Don't overreact. What on Earth are you going to do when I get married?"

He looked at me incredulously. "What do you mean 'get married'? That's at least ten years away!"

"Realistically speaking, I might just end up finding the love of my life pretty soon, and if he wants to propose, who am I to say no," I replied teasingly trying to keep out the humour from my voice.

My mum hummed in agreement. "A nice Indian boy".

I sighed inwardly. Not this again. "Yeah sure mum. If you say so".

"Yes, I do say so. Charles help me pack up the last of the curry and rice, Arya, go find that bloody cat of yours. There is no way you're leaving that little demon here for me to deal with".

I laughed and went upstairs in search of her.

After searching every corner of the house, I finally found her on top of my room cupboard. She hissed at me as I grabbed the scruff of her neck and pulled her towards me.

After a few scratches, I managed to pull her down. Holding her securely in my arms, I half-ran towards the cat carrier and quickly put her in and zipped the carrier up. She glared at me so I glared back at her refusing to give up eye contact first. My eyes began to water like crazy and I gave up. There was no way I could have won a staring match with Satan.

I placed the carrier in the passenger seat of the car and buckled it in.

Mum had just come out of the house smirking, carrying a small bag of presumably food whilst my dad was struggling behind her with several massive bags.

I opened the back door and with a huff, he dumped the bags in the seat.

"Be careful, you don't want it to spill you idiot!"

My dad rolled his eyes behind my mums back as she re-arranged the bags neatly in annoyance.

Dad grasped my shoulders tightly. "Be safe okay? Don't let anyone into your house, no food from strangers etc. Also, call at least once a day at a minimum"

"Once a day? Don't be ridiculous dad. It will probably be once a week at most".

Before he could protest, I wrapped my arms around him tightly. The familiar smell of his cologne washed over me and I felt my eyes tear up. I blinked profusely to get rid of any tears and squeezed him tighter and closer. Mum also joined in on the hug from behind and I knew immediately I was going to miss them, badly. I could feel my dad tearing up whereas my mum would have probably kept some composure. If an onlooker were to see this, they would most likely assume I was joining the army with how Dad was over-reacting. I patted his back awkwardly. I really would miss his terrible dad jokes and his failed attempts at trying to make my mum laugh at them. But knowing him, he would find a way to tell me said jokes even miles away.

-

Waving out of the window one last time, I pulled out of the driveway.

I watched as my waving parents grew smaller and smaller in the rear-view mirror, eventually fading away into the horizon.

Thinking about my future, a smile crossed my face. Due to my overprotective parents, I had never moved out or lived away for too long.

This was the first time I could be fully independent. I turned on the radio to play some music.

Thank God Colston's was too far for them to come every day but knowing my dad, he was bound to make excuses to come over so I needed to be firm with him from the get-go like they could only visit once a month alongside regular video calls.

I had at least 3 hours on the road with only KK for company who didn't look too pleased to be in the car or the carrier.

She would definitely like the new house with all of its space and its big garden.