WAY BEYOND BORDERS Ch-5 Crossing Borders, Literally

Chapter 5: Crossing Borders, Literally
April 17, 2025
My appointment at the passport office left me disheartened. The officials told me bluntly, "You are a minor" “First you need your parents' passports, apply for them.” "Change your address to present address" I had to reschedule everything — all three of us now had appointments on May 2.
May 2, 2025
Passport Appointment. 
We went to the POPSK at the allotted time. Everything was prepared by me—perfectly. We were just a step away from the fingerprinting when the official sent us back asking for documents which truly made no sense. I was about to burst into tears, my parents consoled me. I watched my father making calls, searching for help. That made me realised how much efforts he does to make us happy. 
Eventually, we found a local agent in a nearby centre who truly felt like a saviour. Though he charged a fee, he spoke to the officials, and got us allowed back in the same day.
This time, the process went smoothly — without a word from the same officer who had earlier turned us away.
Police verification followed — first at the local station, where the officer praised me. But the SP office was different. The official there was… not as honest. He asked for a bribe. We negotiated. I still carry regrets, but we had no other option. The urgency of my visa process left no room to delay 
It took about a week — printing, lamination, dispatch. I finally received my passport. I held the passport in my hands, expecting tears of joy. But instead, I felt… tired. Maybe it was the journey. Maybe it was the way we had to fight for something that should’ve been simple. The most happiest at that moment we're my parents. I just stood there, watching them for a moment. I realized how much they had quietly sacrificed for me. I wanted to do something big not just for me, but for them. I whispered a thank you to my parents and silently promised: one day, I’ll make this all worth it.
Meanwhile, my Japanese learning in May was going wonderfully — 1–2 hours daily. 

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