Adulthood Diaries-2, city lights and ZNMD....

It was on the fourth floor.

We went up through the elevator. The area felt posh-- there were so many universities and residential buildings around. But we couldn't find a proper house nearby... I mean, like an independent one. Instead, there were mostly high- rise apartments-- each building with countless families living in their respective flats.

All the facilities were available inside the complexes-- parking, gym, elevators-- I liked that. And the weather? It was beautiful. Mid- July, soft winds, and cloudy skies.

I went straight to the balcony and looked around. The front view opened to a wide main road, right in front of us. The space felt airy, open. It gave me this weird calm. I stood there for a while, just taking it in.

Later, I went inside to explore the apartment.

There was a hall, two bedrooms, and a common bathroom-- which was attached to the first bedroom and hall. The kitchen was attached to the hall and the second room. And, obviously, there was the one and only balcony connected to the hall.

But both bedrooms had these wide, glass sliding windows-- great for ventilation. The curtains were already up. All the basic stuff was there: furniture, refrigerator, TV, a window AC in one of the rooms, and another AC in the hall.

Honestly, this was more than enough for me. It was a big apartment for just one person. It should've been a 1BHK... this was huge. sure, our own apartment in Pune was way bigger, but still-- this one was too much space for just me.

"What's the need for two rooms? you should've rented a 1BHK for me. Even that would've been more than enough." I said, a little confused.

"Yeah, but I thought... we'll be visiting regularly. Where would we stay then? In the hall? No way," Dad said gently, closing the sliding glass of balcony.

"And secondly, there weren't any 1BHK apartment nearby. So... I finalized this one."

Mom was in the Kitchen, arranging snacks and juice bottles into the refrigerator.

"I could've done this tomorrow. Why are you setting everything now? you should rest for a while," I said, a bit anxious.

"Daisy, tomorrow we have more work than this. Better to get things done now," she replied, placing the bottles neatly.

It was almost 10 PM. We ordered food online that night, since we didn't have any groceries yet.

two days later...

"Okay, it's time to leave, Daisy... take care of yourself, we'll come next month, alright?" Mom said, glancing at the wall clock.

"I've bought everything--- groceries, stuff you'll need-- yesterday, when you were at the university for the admission process."

"Yeah, I saw. Every kind of vegetable and all... but who's going to cook them?" I asked, half-joking.

"Obviously... you. Who else?" she said, raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah... okay..." I replied, making a weird face.

"And please, whenever you need anything--- anything--- don't hesitate to call me, okay?" she added softly.

"Your college starts next Monday, you already know that, right?" Dad reminded.

"Yeah, absolutely. How can I forget? I'm so excited-- after all!" I said, smiling.

After a while...

"Okay; bye daisy," Dad said, giving me a flying kiss from a distance as he opened the car door.

"Daisy, baby... please take care of yourself. Bye," Mom said, her voice filled with that painful warmth. She caresses my back and kisses my forehead.

"Bye... see you soon. Call me when you reach, Okay?" I said, smiling-- but it felt heavier than I expected.

*******

I finally unpacked my stuff...

yeah, it was already too late, but I'm kinda lazy.

I dumped all my clothes in the closet--- in one go, no real folding. Then gently placed my novels and books on the shelf. There was already a wall- mounted one, so I arranged them all systematically.

They're my favorite things in the entire house.

After that, I slid the suitcase under the bed.

Then I unplugged my phone from the charger, flopped onto the bed, and started scrolling through social media.

Reacted to all the reels some of my school friends had sent.

went through a few stories-- not watching most of them, just tapping away those blue rings like clearing digital clutter.

watched a few science- debunking reels-- my guilty pleasure--.

Then, finally, I put my phone on silent, switched it to airplane mode... 

And then, as if summoned by stillness, Kathy slipped into my thoughts.

Maybe she's also starting college now.

Maybe she's first- year student somewhere, just like me.

or maybe... she didn't take admissions this year. Maybe she dropped.

Maybe she's in a different city, lying on her own bed, staring at her own ceiling, thinking the same about me.

Anything could be true. or nothing.

I lay there for a moment, just breathing into the quiet.

Then suddenly-- The doorbell rang.

I dragged myself up, walked over, and opened the door.

A woman stood there.

She wore a saree, her hair tied into a clean, no-nonsense bun. 

she had a certain groundedness, like she knew exactly why she was here and what she had to do.

"What?" I asked, confused, eyebrows slightly raised.

"I'm Maya. Simi Bhabhi told me about this helper job. She said I should join from this evening and gave me your address," she said politely, her tone carrying that unmistakable Maharashtrian lilt.

"Ah... I see. But there's not really any work right now. Come tomorrow morning instead," I replied, a little awkward.

"My mom must've already told you about the daily routine."

"Hmmm," she nodded, turning slowly towards the elevator.

"Wait-Wait-Wait-- hold on," I called out, rushing back inside.

I came back with the spare key.

"Um...Here--- Keep this extra key with you.

In the morning or evenings, you can just let yourself in quietly-- no need to ring the bell or knock or anything." 

"I mean, just in case I'm asleep... or not home. I hope that's okay?" I added, a bit unsure.

"By the way, what time will you be coming tomorrow morning?"

"Six in the morning," she replied without hesitation.

"Alright then.... and um, just make sure to lock the door again after you came in-- and when you leave too, if that's okay."

"And please keep the keys somewhere safe... I'd appreciate it," I added with a small smile.

"Okay, sure," she said, nodding with a smile as she turned and walked away.

That night, I cooked myself a proper meal-- and to my surprise, it turned out really good. I made my favorite: Okra sabji, a few soft chapatis, and a bowl of chilled yogurt on the side.

Simple but it hit the spot.

After dinner, I stepped out onto the balconny.

The city lights shimmered quietly in the distance-- soft yellows and whites blinking from windows, traffic lights blinking somewhere far off like tired eyes.

A cool breeze brushed past my face, almost like the air was trying to say something... or maybe carry something away.

I stood there for a while, just watching.

eventually, I went back inside...

 I got into the bed... but I'm kind of night owl, anyway. so, I didn't sleep right away. Instead, I started watching a Bollywood movie on Netflix-- Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara.

I'd already seen it before, but I liked it. I still do.

There's something about that film-- the stillness, the friendship, the freedom-- that always feels like a reminder to breathe.

The movie finally ended at 3:13 am.

I turned down the AC temperature, curled up under the blanket... and drifted off.