28- The newcomer (Boston Arc Begins)

                                        

                                              
It was late evening when I departed from Mumbai, India. Oddly enough, it was still evening when I reached Boston. One would perceive this to be a three hour flight, when in fact, it was an eighteen hour excruciating long air trip. 
At least, one could give the benefit of the doubt for being an international flight with a layover stop. That too, at Istanbul of all places. The Turkish airport was a modern spectacle. I didn't waste time in exploring the majestic airport and the area outside. The city was a blend of modern and traditional Islamic buildings having beautiful arches. Such a shame I couldn't explore the crux of it as I returned to the airport within three hours. 
By the time, I reached Boston Logan International Airport, I was crapped out of my body, mind and ringing ears. Not to mention slightly chilly. I quickly took a taxi to the designated guest house granted by my company. Thankfully, it was only half an hour away. 
It was when the cab started wheeling towards the destination, did I truly open my eyes. 
I was transported to a new world. 
A world where thousands of stars fell on earth in the form of lights. They were everywhere. A world built on flashy skyscrapers as well as old European cobblestone buildings. A perfect blend of traditional European and contemporary architecture. As if I was living in the present and the past at the same time. I think I even saw Old State House on the way. I turned to the other side of the window. A steamer boat floated along the Charles river, illuminated by the reflection of the city. It was ethereal. 
There weren't many people but I saw what I expected. Most were white while few were Asian and black people. A range of diversity I didn't see in Mumbai often. Still, like Mumbai, the city hardly looked like it was ready to sleep tonight. 
I leaned further on the seat, exhaling a happy sigh. Emotions overwhelmed me. I was giddy, excited, nervous, and lonely all the same. I guess traveling continents away from home could do that to you. 
"Your first time, Ma'am?" A gruff voice from the front seat asked, while looking at me from the rear view mirror. Guess I was too obvious. 
"Um, yes, first time..." 
"Hispanic? Latin?" 
"Indian." 
"Ah!" He replied, his voice thick. The driver appeared to be a half, bald English man in his fifties. Out of curiosity, I asked if Indian people resided here to which he laughed. "Yea, yea, you'll find a bunch of 'em here and there. Especially in the States." 
The conversation continued on where he recited the pros and cons of Boston. You could tell the man loved the city and had been around for as long as he could remember. I wanted to listen to it all, but my body was on the verge of a power cut. I simply wanted to crawl into bed and sleep. 
Thankfully, I didn't have to wait to access my guestroom. It was a small one room apartment with basic amenities. I refreshed myself, pranced around the room for a while, messaged my homies and let my ass kiss the bed. 
I managed to wake up six hours later. 
Managed because it wasn't a good night's sleep. I kept tossing and turning on the bed until I picked my phone to watch reels. Thanks to my jetlag, I felt drowsy and annoyed. Regardless, I got ready to commute to what would be my office for the next fifteen months. 
I reached my office fifty minutes later. And that was too, when I took a cab.  
What was my company thinking, providing me a guest house that far away from office? I thought of calling them but then remembered the time zone. Great, just great! Regardless, I walked on my heels to enter the glass building when I was denied entry to the departmental office. Apparently, my offer letter wasn't enough to convince them, as they needed me to have an ID.