Time: 7:05 PM
Location: Sixth Floor, Apartment Building – Sadashiv Peth, Pune
Tanaya Sathe climbed the stairs with a closed umbrella and a quiet mind.
The rain had stopped, but her thoughts hadn't.
Every floor she crossed whispered something about Pune's soul—rangolis in soft pastels blooming like art on the floor, handwritten nameplates, small potted plants glowing under warm balcony lights. Some flats had bells that looked like temple antiques. Some smelled like incense.
It felt lived-in. Warm. Welcoming.
Until she reached the sixth floor.
Her flat had… nothing.
No nameplate. No rangoli. Just a pair of lazily dumped shoes and an empty silence behind the wooden door.
Tanaya tightened her grip on the umbrella. Her fingers brushed the ring at her neck. She rang the bell.
Once.
No answer.
Twice.
Still silence.
She knocked gently, then finally pressed the bell for longer.
Click.
The door opened.
Standing barefoot in the doorway, a 5'5" whirlwind of colour and mischief blinked at her with a wide smile.
Loose white off-shoulder top, bright orange shorts, messy shoulder-length brown hair with wine-tinted tips, and those oversized glasses resting perfectly on her nose.
Earphones in, energy up.
"Oh crap—sorry, I had my earphones in. What do you need?"
Tanaya blinked. "Is this... Khushi?"
The girl raised a brow. "Yeah, I'm Khushi."
"Tanaya here."
A beat.
"Who Tanaya?"
Tanaya's eyes narrowed slightly. "Your roommate? We've been talking on calls since last week?"
"OH! Tanaya! Right, right. Sorry yaar, your name is so cool and classy I keep forgetting it—it's not, like, basic. Come in, why are you standing outside?" She grabbed Tanaya's wrist and pulled her in with full authority. "It's our flat now, no formality."
Tanaya stepped inside, still stunned.
"Okay honey, I'll call you later. She's here." Khushi quickly disconnected her call. "Boyfriend. Lives in Delhi. Long-distance pain, long-distance fun."
Tanaya didn't say much. She was still trying to process the human cartoon that had just yanked her into this reality show.
"Let me give you the royal tour!" Khushi clapped.
The flat was compact, but surprisingly well-planned. A long cozy couch, a medium-sized wall-mounted TV, and a big balcony that looked perfect for drying clothes or hosting late-night drink sessions. A small kitchenette with a fridge and proper utensils waited in the corner.
A narrow corridor beside the kitchen led to two doors, facing each other.
"This one's mine." Khushi pointed casually, "And this royal chamber shall now belong to Miss Tanaya."
She opened the second door.
The room wasn't huge. But it was hers.
A large window, a clean bed, a study desk, a cupboard, and a silent kind of comfort that felt new but inviting.
Tanaya stepped in and exhaled.
Her lips curved into a faint smile.
It wasn't home. But it wasn't bad.