11-07-2025, 02:47 AM
He laughed. “First project anxiety?”
“Exactly. It’s for my HCI course (Human Computer Interaction), third semester. I already have the layout, I just need help fixing it and making it look like... not a disaster.”
“Sounds like something we can fix.”
“Thank god,” she sighed. “Amit bhayya said you’re cool and won’t make me cry. I’m trusting him.”
Ravi smiled. “I try my best.”
“Oh and by the way,” Sirisha added, “Priya Didi also said you’re very sweet.”
That caught him slightly off guard.
“You spoke to her?”
“Of course! Priya Didi’s the nicest person in this building. And honestly… she’s sooo pretty, I lowkey thought she was some model when we first moved in.”
Ravi felt a warmth spread through him.
“She helped my mom a lot during lockdown,” Sirisha continued. “And whenever we talk, she never acts older or serious. Just very… graceful, no?”
“She is,” Ravi said quietly. “She really is.”
Sirisha didn’t notice the shift in his tone.
“So when should I come bug you?”
“Later this evening?” Ravi said. “After four? I’ll be done by then.”
“Perfect. I’ll message you before I come.”
“Sure.”
“Oh, and I’ll bring snacks. I don’t visit anyone empty-handed.”
Ravi smiled. “You’re full of rules.”
“I’m full of drama,” she laughed. “See you, Ravi!”
She hung up.
Ravi stared at his phone for a moment, still smiling.
She had energy like sunlight, easy, natural, unfiltered.
A complete contrast to Priya’s silent intensity.
And yet, when he stepped out for a glass of water,
He caught sight of Priya sitting at the dining table,
slowly flipping through a magazine without looking at the pages.
Still quiet. Still distant.
But for the first time in days,
A new energy had entered the story.
And it had come from 401.
-- oOo --
“Exactly. It’s for my HCI course (Human Computer Interaction), third semester. I already have the layout, I just need help fixing it and making it look like... not a disaster.”
“Sounds like something we can fix.”
“Thank god,” she sighed. “Amit bhayya said you’re cool and won’t make me cry. I’m trusting him.”
Ravi smiled. “I try my best.”
“Oh and by the way,” Sirisha added, “Priya Didi also said you’re very sweet.”
That caught him slightly off guard.
“You spoke to her?”
“Of course! Priya Didi’s the nicest person in this building. And honestly… she’s sooo pretty, I lowkey thought she was some model when we first moved in.”
Ravi felt a warmth spread through him.
“She helped my mom a lot during lockdown,” Sirisha continued. “And whenever we talk, she never acts older or serious. Just very… graceful, no?”
“She is,” Ravi said quietly. “She really is.”
Sirisha didn’t notice the shift in his tone.
“So when should I come bug you?”
“Later this evening?” Ravi said. “After four? I’ll be done by then.”
“Perfect. I’ll message you before I come.”
“Sure.”
“Oh, and I’ll bring snacks. I don’t visit anyone empty-handed.”
Ravi smiled. “You’re full of rules.”
“I’m full of drama,” she laughed. “See you, Ravi!”
She hung up.
Ravi stared at his phone for a moment, still smiling.
She had energy like sunlight, easy, natural, unfiltered.
A complete contrast to Priya’s silent intensity.
And yet, when he stepped out for a glass of water,
He caught sight of Priya sitting at the dining table,
slowly flipping through a magazine without looking at the pages.
Still quiet. Still distant.
But for the first time in days,
A new energy had entered the story.
And it had come from 401.
-- oOo --
.