Chapter 6: A Weekend at Home (2)

Just as Chameli was sitting down after eating with her chai thinking to doom scroll, her phone buzzed on the table, the screen lighting up with a message from Priya. She picked it up, her fingers brushing against the cracked screen as she read the text: "Hey! Want to come to the market with me? My mom needs help carrying groceries."

Chameli hesitated to pick up the phone but she loved spending time with Priya, her best friend was one of the few people who could make her forget, even for a little while, the weight of her worries. But today, the thought of stepping out into the bustling streets felt overwhelming. The market would be crowded, noisy, and chaotic, and she wasn't sure she had the energy to face it. She set the toast down and typed back: "Can't today. Have work at home. Maybe next time?"

Almost immediately, her phone buzzed again. Priya's response was quick, as always: "No problem! Let me know if you need anything." Chameli smiled faintly, her thumb hovering over the screen. Priya had a way of making everything seem simpler, lighter. She was the kind of friend who didn't ask too many questions but was always there when you needed her. Chameli typed back: "Thanks, Priya. I will."

She put her phone down and picked up her second cup of chai, letting the warmth of the cup seep into her hands. The silence of the apartment pressed in around her, broken only by the faint hum of the refrigerator and the occasional honk of a car outside. She thought about Priya, about how different their lives were. Priya's family wasn't rich, but they were stable. Her father had a steady job, her mother stayed home, and their apartment was always filled with laughter and the smell of freshly cooked food. Chameli envied that stability, even if she would never admit it out loud.

Her phone buzzed again, pulling her out of her thoughts. This time, it was a photo from Priya: a selfie of her standing in front of a fruit stall at the market, holding up a bright orange mango with a grin. The caption read: "Look what I found! You're missing out!" Chameli chuckled softly, her mood lifting just a little. She typed back: "Save some for me!"

Priya's reply came almost instantly: "Only if you promise to come next time!" Chameli smiled again, this time more genuinely. She knew Priya was trying to cheer her up, and it was working, even if just a little. She took another sip of her chai, the warmth spreading through her chest. For a moment, the apartment didn't feel quite so empty.

But as she set her cup down, the smile faded. The stack of unpaid bills on the table caught her eye again, a stark reminder of why she couldn't join Priya today—or any day soon. She sighed, running a hand through her hair. Priya's world felt so far away, like a distant dream she could barely remember. She picked up her phone one last time and typed: "Next time, I promise." Then she put it down, the screen going dark, and turned her attention back to her breakfast, the brief moment of connection already fading.