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Chapter 2: The Journey Begins

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The Indore-bound train huffed and puffed at Mandsaur station, its whistle piercing the early morning air. Seema stood on the platform, her father’s hands resting heavily on her shoulders. The weight of the moment hung between them, unspoken words filling the silence.

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“Beta, remember who you are and where you come from,” Vikram Singh said, his voice gruff with emotion. “But don’t let it hold you back. Fly high, my child.”

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Seema nodded, unable to speak past the lump in her throat. With a final, fierce hug, she boarded the train, waving from the window as it slowly pulled away from the platform. Her father’s figure grew smaller, his hand raised in farewell until he was just a speck in the distance.

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As the familiar landscape of Madhya Pradesh rolled by, Seema felt a curious mix of emotions wash over her. The excitement of new beginnings thrummed through her veins, yet a pang of sadness tugged at her heart. The rhythmic clacking of the train wheels seemed to echo her thoughts: forward, backward, forward, backward.

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Lulled by the motion, Seema drifted into a light sleep, her dreams a kaleidoscope of wheat fields and skyscrapers, village wells and bustling streets.

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“Indore! Indore station approaching!”

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The conductor’s call jolted Seema awake. As she gathered her belongings, a flutter of nervousness danced in her stomach. But it dissipated at the sight of a familiar face on the platform – Uncle Shyam, beaming widely and waving with enthusiasm.

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“There’s my little engineer!” he exclaimed, enveloping her in a warm hug. “Though not so little anymore, eh? Mumbai better watch out!”

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Seema couldn’t help but grin. Uncle Shyam’s infectious energy had always been a source of comfort during her years at IIT Indore.

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At home, Aunt Geeta was waiting, the house filled with the aroma of Seema’s favorite dishes. “Eat, eat!” Geeta insisted, piling Seema’s plate high. “Who knows what they’ll feed you in that big city? Nothing like home food to keep you strong.”

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As Seema savored each bite, she realized how much she would miss these moments – the warmth of family, the taste of home.

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The next morning dawned clear and bright. Seema rose early, a mixture of excitement and trepidation coursing through her. Her first stop: the Khajrana Ganesh Temple.

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The familiar sight of the massive Ganesha idol brought a sense of peace to Seema’s tumultuous emotions. She closed her eyes, the sweet scent of incense enveloping her as she prayed fervently for success and happiness in her new life.

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As they left, Uncle Shyam insisted on a quick stop at the Bada Ganpati temple. “Double protection,” he winked, making Seema smile. Her uncle’s concern was touching, if a bit amusing.

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On the drive to the airport, Seema’s eyes drank in the sights of Indore – the bustling Sarafa market, the famous 56 Dukan, the vibrant cloth bazaars. Each landmark was a memory, a piece of her life she was leaving behind.

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At the airport, Seema’s nervousness returned full force. She’d never flown before, and Uncle Shyam’s worried instructions weren’t helping. “Remember to keep your seatbelt on… Don’t talk to strangers… Call as soon as you land…”

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“I’ll be fine, Uncle,” Seema assured him, mustering more confidence than she felt. With a final hug and a deep breath, she stepped into the airport, alone for the first time on her journey.

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The flight was a revelation. Once her initial fear subsided, Seema found herself mesmerized by the view from her window seat. The patchwork of fields below gradually gave way to a vast expanse of blue – the Arabian Sea, stretching endlessly to the horizon.

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As they approached Mumbai, Seema’s breath caught in her throat. The sprawling metropolis unfolded beneath her – a concrete jungle of towering skyscrapers, snaking highways, and densely packed buildings. Even from the air, she could sense the city’s pulsing energy, its relentless rhythm.

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Butterflies danced in Seema’s stomach as the plane touched down. She followed the crowd, retrieving her luggage and making her way to the arrival hall. Her eyes scanned the sea of faces until she spotted a placard: “Ms. Seema, Mindspark Tech”.

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The hotel representative greeted her with a polite smile, efficiently guiding her to a waiting car. As they merged into Mumbai’s infamous traffic, Seema’s eyes widened, trying to absorb every detail of her new home.

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The city was a sensory overload – honking horns, colorful billboards, throngs of people moving with purposeful energy. It was exciting, overwhelming, and slightly terrifying all at once.

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As they pulled up to the Holiday Inn Express, Seema took a deep breath. This was it – the beginning of her new life. She thought of her family back in Pipliyamandi, of Uncle Shyam and Aunt Geeta in Indore, of all the challenges and triumphs that had led her to this moment.

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With a smile tugging at her lips and determination shining in her eyes, Seema stepped out of the car and into the bustling heart of Mumbai. Her adventure had truly begun.

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