Before one could even imagine, it was already September and Alia was on her way to the UK. She was coming a week earlier so that she can sort out all the other important stuff that every international student has to deal with like opening a bank account, getting a UK mobile sim and most importantly shop for clothes according to the UK fashion.
Alia came to the UK and Neil became the tourist guide for her by taking her around to every touristy spot as possible. The week flew really fast and it was already time for Alia to move to her university campus. However, a day before her moving day, Neil took Alia on a long drive.
'Neil where are we going?' Alia asked.
'We are going to Heathrow to pick up Adi. Then tomorrow all of us will drive to your campus and settle you in your new university.' Neil replied.
Closely monitoring the timings, Neil had already called up Adi once he knew his flight has landed and asked him to wait for him in the arrivals pick-up area of Heathrow. When Neil reached the airport's pick-up section, he right away spotted Adi. He parked his car to where Adi was waiting and got out of the car. Those two bro-hugged each other by slapping each other's shoulders and loaded the boot of the car with Adi's luggage and jumped straight into the car.'
'Neil, great timings man. I just came now.' Adi said.
'Adi, meet Alia. And Alia this is my best uni mate, Adi.' Neil introduced both of them.
'Hi!Alia. Hope you had a good journey till here?' Adi asked.
'Hi! Adi. Neil talks a lot about you. Yes, the journey was just fine.' Alia said.
'Okay Aloo, while I am driving, it will be good if you and Adi exchange phone numbers as if someday I am not available you can always count on him.' Neil told her.
Alia and Adi did as Neil had said. Within an hour or so, the three of them reached Neil's home. The rest of the evening passed in a blur as Adi and Neil got busy catching up and Alia was finishing her packing.
The next morning, the three of them loaded Neil's car with Alia's luggage and started their drive to central London to move Alia into her dorm. Neil's parents also went into Central London in their separate car to help with Alia's move.
Once they reached LSE's campus, they finished all the formalities required to be done by an international student and settled Alia in her new dorm room. Once the room was arranged, Neil's parents said their goodbyes and drove off back to their home.
After the departure of Neil's parents, all three of them went to tour around the campus. Soon they had dinner and since it was getting late, Adi and Neil decided to head home as well. Since they were going to move back to Loughborough the next day, a week before the actual classes begin, as they enrolled themselves as freshers' helpers.
'Aloo, we are leaving now. But don't worry me, baba, and ma are just a call away. You can call us anytime you want. Okay.' Neil said.
Neil just had to say this and Alia hugged him and he realized that she was crying, 'Aloo, why are you crying? Is everything okay?'
'I have never lived alone in my life', said the weeping Alia.
Neil smiled and said, 'Aloo you have to be brave and you need to be strong as you are starting a new chapter of your life. Don't worry about anything. My mom and dad are here. I am here. Adi is here. We will not let anything bad happen to you ever. Alright. And I will come to meet you regularly and you can come to Loughborough anytime. Just smile.'
'Thank you so much Neil and a big thanks to you too Adi. We don't even know each other that well but still, you came and helped me a lot today.' Alia was very thankful.
'Don't you mention it, Alia. That's what are friends for. And Neil is right, we are just a call away.' Adi too hugged Alia and encouraged her.
Neil and Adi sat in their car and started to drive away, Alia stood in the parking lot to wave them goodbye till the time their car wasn't visible to her anymore.
Driving a few miles, Neil called Alia just to check on her.
'Hey Aloo, I hope you are feeling okay?'
'Yes, Neil. I just met up with some of my dorm mates and they seem pretty nice. So just chatting with them now.' Alia said.
'Okay good. Take care and sleep nicely.' Neil cut the call and was smiling.
'You seem awfully happy today Neil? Is Alia the reason for your smile?' Adi said.
'Adi you overthink a lot. I am just happy that my best friend from India is in my own country now. And she is starting a new adventure.' Neil explained.
'Are you sure that this is the only reason?' Adi was being naughty.
'Shut up Adi.' Neil told him.