It is a late spring afternoon in Auckland, New Zealand and Akash is busy working with his colleagues planning a client event for next week. He gets a call from a familiar phone number but with no name to display. Akash has a faint idea of who it is from, so he gets up hastily and walks out of the office, away from others.
The call is from a hiring manager of a big hotel chain, advising that they would like to offer him the position. Akash is ecstatic about the news and controlling his excitement, the first person he calls is Veena, his wife. The hotel chain has asked him to take charge of the role from the first week of December 2019.
Akash and Veena are ready to celebrate this news with their 3 year old son, Rudra. Finally, after 9 years of hard-work, Akash has reached the pinnacle of his career in New Zealand.
Few miles away at Auckland Airport, Rizwan is walking out of the Immigration check-point and has dialled a number to speak to the love of his life in Lahore, Pakistan - Ali.
Rizwan is consoling Ali, that it is just a matter of few months and soon they will be together. The phone call is quite emotional, as their dream to be together is soon to be fulfilled. In the meanwhile, Rizwan gets a second call and it is from his employer. He advises Ali about the second call and immediately swaps to the other call. Rizwan speaks very few words to the other caller and at the end says, "yes, of course, I will be there on shift tomorrow". He quickly picks up his bags and rushes towards the domestic terminal to get a connecting flight to Wellington.
The couple are desperately waiting to be with each other. Ali has secured admission at Victoria University, Wellington to study Media Communications. Once both are in New Zealand, they have plans to get married. Same-sex marriages are illegal in Pakistan.
Jeremy is celebrating his first work-anniversary with his colleagues at the Christchurch Race-course. It is the Cup & Show week in the city and whole atmosphere is celebratory. Jeremy's wife, Rere is also in Christchurch with their two daughters - Lily and Violet, visiting her Brother who has recently moved from Auckland to Christchurch and is expecting a baby with his partner.
Jeremy, a Chinese migrant, who came to New Zealand about 15 years back, has been working odd jobs and in unappreciative environment ever since. At the moment, he works in a nice company as an Operations Manager and is well-respected, appreciated and admired by his colleagues and superiors. It is a very proud moment for Jeremy and he is celebrating it not just as a work-anniversary but as a win.
Further down in the South Island, Margot is checking in to a Bed & Breakfast in Dunedin. At the age of 65, Margot lives on her own terms and independence. After she is in her room, Margot sends a text to Clarence "reached safely, will talk tomorrow". Clarence is her current partner of 3 years but their relation has not been a stable one. As she puts down her phone, it starts ringing. Its a call from her son in the UK.
Margot picks up the call immediately and greets, "Hello, love, how are you, its been so long?"
George responds back, "I am well, Mum! I am calling to give you some news. Julie and I are pregnant"
To which, Margot says ecstatically "oh, how wonderful!! when is the baby due?"
George, "in March of next year, Mum! We would love for you to come over for a few months"
Margot, "Well of course, I would not miss it for the world. Let me come back to you with some more details in a couple of days."
And then the call ends after exchanging a few other pleasantries. Margot is excited about the new baby and the trip.
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