I was holed up here for almost 6 months.

Sindhu woke up to traffic noise. She dozed off 5 minutes into the ride. Seeing that Sindhu had finally woken up, Gautham asked her, "Where do you want to eat??"

Sindhu looked around her and she recognized where they were, quite easily. She thought about it for a minute and asked, "Do you like Maggie??"

Gautham said, "Yes, why?"

Sindhu did not answer but instead, directed him to drive to an apartment building near where they were. It was on the outskirts of the city. They were about half an hour away from her home.

Gautham gave Sindhu a confused look. "Where is this exactly??"

"Oh, this... This is my apartment of sorts, I guess. My parents don't know about this place. Come on. Let's go." Sindhu said in a matter-of-fact voice.

"Well, that explained everything. Thanks for nothing." Gautham said sarcastically following Sindhu inside the building.

The strong stench of paint and thinner hit his nostrils as soon as he stepped inside. Now that explains everything, Gautham thought to himself.

"I just come here whenever I need to getaway. When things become too much.", Sindhu explained walking straight towards what he hoped is the kitchen. Because in no time Gautham's stomach is going to start making noise for food and that would be peaks of embarrassment for him.

Gautham's train of thoughts was interrupted by music blasting all around him. Thankfully it was not over the top loud. Gautham looked up and noticed that there were speakers all around the living room.

After that, he looked at the apartment itself. The living room was devoid of any sort of furniture except for two bean bags lying around. There was a TV wall mounted to his left. And there were a couple of paint bottles scattered around in the corner with a mug full of brushes and canvas rolls. That explained the stench that he smelt as soon as he entered the apartment.

To the left end of the living room, there was an open kitchen and the kitchen seemed to be well equipped. And to his right was a door which he suppose should lead to a bedroom where Sindhu disappeared into.

After contemplating, Gautham went in the direction where Sindhu went. He first knocked on the door like a true gentleman, but he had no hope of being heard with the music all around. So, next, he tried the handle and he found the door was not locked. He first peeked in but seeing as Sindhu was nowhere to be seen he entered the room. It was dead dark inside. Gautham searched around and finally flipped the switch.

Gautham squinted his eyes because of the sudden brightness but his eyes widened in amazement when his eyes focused. He was instantly attracted by seeing what Sindhu did with her room. There were only two pieces of furniture there. One built-in cupboard was there in one corner. There was no bed- just the mattress was laid in the corner. And a small table was there besides the mattress.

But that was not that was peculiar. The whole room was painted Dark Red. Or rather three sides were painted Red while the wall near the bed was splashed with all sorts of different colors and for some reason, it looked breathtaking. Somehow it was splashed in a way that one color merged with others in a perfect sink and the wall itself was white. Gautham guessed it to be Sindhu's handy work.

His inspection was interrupted by Sindhu coming out of what he supposes it the attached bathroom. She seemed to have washed her face.

"Oh sorry... I just wanted to wash up a bit. You can use it if you want. I will go start at our dinner. You must be hungry." Sindhu said while drying her face.

"Starving.", Gautham replied but took up on her offer to tidy himself a bit.

.................................................

Silence surrounded them except for them noisily slurping the noodles. Thankfully it was not awkward since Gautham was wolfing his as if he had starved for days. And an amused smile spread on Sindhu's face. She was ready to tease him but then she liked him like this. She liked him comfortable around her. She would hate it if he starts getting self-conscious.

When Gautham finally burped, Sindhu couldn't control herself and let off a delightful laugh and asked amused, "You do realize nobody is trying to steal your food right??"

"Hahaha. Very funny", Gautham said dryly. "You did not even let me have my lunch properly remember??" Gautham asked raising his eyebrows.

Sindhu replied annoyed, "You did have a burger. How is it my fault if you have a humongous appetite" and sulked quietly with an adorable pout. But she also felt guilty for rushing him through lunch so she mumbled, "Sorry." under her breath.

Gautham couldn't help but laugh at her expression but also rubbed his hands over her head as a form of comfort which Sindhu promptly swatted saying," I am not a child" but it felt like she was trying to convince herself rather than Gautham because she liked it when Gautham rubbed her head like that. It was oddly comforting.

Once Sindhu was done with eating she started to take the empty vessels to the kitchen to wash. Gautham followed her every move quietly but asked after a while, "Why do you have this place when you are living with your parents?? Apart from the obvious, of course." gesturing Sindhu's art supply.

Sindhu remained silent for a while lost in thought. Just when Gautham thought he was not going to get an answer, she replied," I... I was staying here after the accident I told you about before. I wanted to get away from Bangalore. I was afraid I will go back to... to drinking. But the state I was in I couldn't really go back home. It was hard enough on them when I did not contact them but if they had seen the state I was in... I just didn't want anyone I love to see me at my worst. I didn't want to humiliate them. So I bought this place. I was holed up here for almost 6 months." By the time Sindhu was done talking it was almost a whisper. She had her head hung down. She took a deep breath and started washing the vessels.