Minnie POV
Dad stood near the door while Minnie held her passport and ticket tightly in her hand.
Dad: "So... tomorrow my little girl will fly to another country."
Minnie smiled weakly.
Minnie: "Don't say it like that, dad. I'm just going for work."
He tried to smile but failed.
Dad: "I missed many years of your childhood. I don't want to miss you again."
Her eyes filled with tears.
Minnie: "You didn't lose me, dad. I'm still your daughter... just a little farther now."
He placed his hand on her head.
Dad: "Be brave. Don't trust people easily. And never forget who you are."
I hugged him tightly.
That night, I sat on the floor of my room with an open suitcase.
I held a photo of my family and whispered: "I'm leaving everything I love... just to find myself."
Tears dropped on my clothes.
I packed slowly, my hands shaking Because it's a "New country... new life... but same broken heart."
I hugged my pillow and cried silently.
"I hope Paris gives me a reason to smile again."
She fell asleep on the floor beside her suitcase, holding her phone tightly.
Morning came too fast.
I woke up with a small shock. My flight to Delhi was at 8:00 AM.
I looked at the clock - 6:00 AM.
My heart started beating fast.
I rushed to get ready and wore my favorite dress, the one Sara always said made me look brave.
I picked up my bags, looked at my room one last time, and whispered, "Goodbye."
When I stepped out of my room, I froze.
My mom, dad, Sara, Maya... and of course Akil were standing there.
Even Akil had his bags with him.
For the first time, I felt relieved.
This was my first flight. I didn't even know how boarding worked, and seeing Akil there made me feel safe.
I walked toward them slowly.
Sara crossed her arms and looked at me dramatically.
Sara: "So... you're really going to leave me?"
I smiled with wet eyes.
Minnie: "If you miss me, just say my name. I'll be there in the next minute."
She hugged me suddenly.
Sara: "Idiot... Paris is taking my best friend."
Maya wiped her tears and tried to joke.
Maya: "Who will listen to my complaints in the coffee shop now"
Minnie: "Don't worry, I'll video call you and scold you every day."
My mom came closer and asked
Mom: "Did you eat something?"
Minnie: "Not yet, mom."
She sighed and packed some food into my bag.
Mom: "Eat this in the flight. And call me after landing."
My dad placed his hand on my shoulder.
Dad: "Today you are not just my daughter... you are my pride."
My throat became tight.
Minnie: "I'll come back stronger, dad."
Akil stepped forward with a small smile.
Akil: "Ready for your first flight, Paris girl?"
I nodded nervously.
Minnie: "I don't even know where to stand or what to do."
Akil: "Don't worry. I'm with you."
At the airport, everything felt too big and too loud. People were rushing. Announcements echoed everywhere.
I held Sara's hand tightly.
Sara: "Don't cry, okay? You're going for your dream."
Minnie: "Dreams also hurt sometimes."
Final boarding announcement came.
My mom hugged me tightly.
Mom: "My heart is staying here... but my daughter is flying"
I cried in her arms.
Minnie: "I'll call you every day, mom."
Dad hugged me next.
Dad: "Go and live your life."
Maya hugged me last.
Maya: "Don't forget us."
Minnie: "Never."
Sara pulled me into one more hug.
Sara: "Come back soon... Chennai will wait for you."
I took a deep breath and looked at all of them.
Then I turned to Akil.
Minnie: "Let's go."
As I walked toward the gate, I didn't look back again.
If I did, I knew I would run back into their arms.
Inside my heart, I whispered: "Goodbye home... goodbye tears... Hello new life... please be kind to me."
And with shaking hands and a brave smile,
I stepped into my first flight toward Paris.
I sat near the window, holding my bag tightly like it was the only thing keeping me brave.
As the flight started moving, my heart started beating faster.
This was my first flight... my first step away from home... my first step into a life without them beside me.
looked outside and saw Chennai slowly disappear under the clouds.
Tears rolled down without permission.
Akil sat beside me and noticed my silence.
Akil: "Scared?"
I nodded slowly.
Minnie: "Not scared of flying... scared of being alone."
He smiled softly.
Akil: "You're not alone. i am here."
I leaned my head against the window and closed my eyes.
After long hours, the flight landed.
Paris.
A new country.
A new life.
I stepped out of the airport and felt cold air touch my face.
I looked around - everything felt strange... new language... new people... new streets.
Minnie: "So this is Paris..."
Akil smiled.
Akil: "Welcome to your second life."
I tried to smile but my heart felt heavy.
Minnie: "This city feels too big for me..."
Akil: smiling "Paris is a big city, Minnie. Tell me, did they send you the location of the place where you're going to stay?"
Minnie: "Yes, they sent it by mail. Wait, I'll show you."
I unlocked my phone in a hurry and almost dropped
Akil: "Careful, madam."
I showed him the address.
Akil: "Okay, let's get a cab."
I took a deep breath and sat inside the cab. Akil sat beside me. As the car started moving, my mind suddenly went to Will.
I shook my head and whispered to myself : "No... I have to forget him"
Because of him, I left Chennai.
Because of him, I came to Paris.
In Chennai, every place reminded me of him - the coffee shop, the roads we walked, the places we laughed. That's why I ran away from that city... and also because of my dream job.
After some time, the cab stopped.
We reached the location they had sent for my stay.
When I got down from the car, cool fresh air touched my face. I closed my eyes for a second and smiled.
Minnie: "I think... I already like Paris, Akil."
Akil: laughing "You just reached five minutes ago and already fell in love with Paris? Drama queen. You still have to explore."
I looked at the building in front of me.
Minnie: "Wow... this looks like a movie apartment."
Akil: "Welcome to Paris life, heroine."
I checked my phone.
Minnie: "My room is on the third floor. Flat number 102."
Akil: "Come, I'll help you with your bags before you fall down with them."
He picked up my suitcase and acted like it was very heavy.
Akil: "What did you bring inside this? Stones?"
Minnie: "My emotional baggage."
He burst out laughing.
We took the lift and reached the tenth floor. I typed the password they had sent and slowly opened the door.
The moment I stepped inside, I froze.
My eyes went wide.
Minnie: "OMG..."
The hall was so big and bright.
Straight from the main door was the living room. On the right side, a kitchen with a dining table. On the left side, a bedroom that looked warm and comfortable.
Opposite the bedroom, a clean washroom.
It felt like a dream apartment.
I walked around touching everything like a child.
Minnie: "Akil... are you sure this is for me? I think they gave me someone else's house by mistake."
Akil: "Relax. Don't worry. If it's not yours, just don't return it."
I laughed.
Minnie: "I really love this place."
Akil looked at me and smiled.
Akil: "Good. Now this place will be your new beginning."
Then his phone rang.
Akil: "I have some work. I'll leave now. Call me if you get lost inside this palace."
Minnie: "Thank you for bringing me safely, my Paris guide."
He waved and left.
I went into the bedroom, dropped my bag, and lay down on the bed, staring at the ceiling.
But somewhere inside my heart, I still felt scared... and hopeful... at the same time.
I closed my eyes and whispered,
Minnie: "Paris... please be kind to me"
The room slowly became quiet after Akil left. The silence felt louder than the traffic outside.
I sat on the bed and looked around my new room. Everything was beautiful... but it didn't feel like home.
I took my phone and stared at it for a long time.
"I reached my dream city... but why does my heart feel so empty?"
I opened WhatsApp and called my mom first.
Her face appeared on the screen.
Mom: "Minnie... my child... did you reach safely?"
My lips trembled.
Minnie: "Yes, mom. I reached... but I already miss you."
Her eyes softened.
Mom: "Show me your room."
I turned the camera around and showed her the apartment.
Mom: "Wow... so big. Now you are living like a foreign princess.'
I smiled weakly.
Minnie: "Princess without her kingdom."
She laughed gently.
Mom: "Did you eat?"
Minnie: "No... I only drank water."
Mom: "See... first day itself you forgot food. Promise me you will eat properly."
Minnie: "I promise, mom."
Then I called Sara.
She picked up immediately.
Sara: "Paris madam! How is your palace?"
Minnie: "I hate you."
Sara: "Ohh drama. You reached your dream city and now crying?"
Minnie: "I miss you... and mom... and even Maya."
Sara suddenly became quiet.
Sara: "I miss you too, idiot. The coffee shop feels empty without you shouting."
Minnie: "Who will fight with customers now?"
Sara: "Maya. And she is already crying."
I smiled through tears.
Sara: "Don't be scared, Minnie. You will be strong. Paris will change you."
Minnie: "I hope it doesn't change me too much."
We talked for a long time - about home, about my job, about silly memories.
When the call ended, my heart felt lighter... but also heavier.
I hugged my pillow and fell asleep, knowing that tomorrow I had to wake up early because it was my first day at work.
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Author Note
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