Seventeen days ago, Xenia and Maier were not aware of each other's presence. At the end of the day, they heard each other's voice but knew nothing, not even the faces. Seventeen days later, they were not the best of friends, they did not find it difficult to live with each other, however, they were not strangers.

"Xenia, give me a glass, please, " her mother requested when she came into the kitchen.

Her mother was sitting on the floor with many containers in front of her, hence she needed a helping hand. Tiptoeing she took a glass in her hand and passed it to her mother.

"What are you doing? Are you going to make Idli?"

"Yes. Maier said he likes Idli and we haven't had it in a long time so I thought why not. I do not think we have everything. I will have to go to the grocery store."

"He is leaving in a few days."

"Yeah, I know. I will make it tomorrow or maybe the day after. Oh, by the way, did you see my white Kurta by any chance?"

"Which one?"

"The one you got me on my birthday last year. It is not in my cupboard. Maybe it is in yours."

"I do not know. I will check. By the way, what is the plan for Papa's birthday?"

"We cannot go out. We will make something at home. He has training that day, so he would be busy."

"Okay. What about the cake? Bhai was saying that we can order on Zomato."

"Can we? I do not think so."

"I guess the food industry isn't shut completely. I saw the Dominos delivery guy the other day. If they are working, I think Zomato would be, too. I am not sure though. I will ask him."

"Okay. Do whatever you want. What is birthday anyway? Just another day."

She was smiling when her eyes fell on Maier who had newly entered the kitchen. "Good morning, " he said softly.

"Good morning." Keeping all the containers in their designated position her mother stood up as she said, " You are not working today? You woke up late."

"I have a meeting at twelve. Till then I am free. Would you like some coffee?"

"No, thank you," her mother said with a smile. "Here is your breakfast. I was about to call you. It tastes best when it is hot so eat it fast."

"Thank you." He kept the plate on the counter and took a mug in his hand. "Xenia?" He said by tilting the mug towards her. With wide eyes, she shook her head in a no before briefly looking at her mother. There was no reaction from her side which help calm Xenia's nerves. "Any luck on the tickets?" Asked her mother after some time had passed.

"Yes. My father booked the ticket."

Xenia and her mother, both looked up in surprise. "Really? That is nice. When do you leave?"

"Nineteenth."

"That is such great news. Finally, you can be at home."

"Finally."

They both smiled. "Will you be allowed to go home or will you be quarantined for two weeks?

"Not sure about that. But as long as I am home, I mind neither."

Her mother smiled again, "At least you will be home. Chalo, pack your stuff. If you need anything we are here."

With a smile, he said, "Thank you. I really appreciate it."

"You don't have to say that. Xenia, give this to your father."

Xenia delivered the breakfast to her father and then went to the living room. She sat quietly, without moving, without thinking. There was nothing she was expected to do or she wished to do so she stayed alone for some time. She was observing the surrounding, looking outside the window, feeling the peace. However, that did not last for a long time. 

"Xenia, iron my shirt."Her brother said throwing the shirt on her face.

"No. Why do you need good clothes anyway?"

"Please, I have a call to attend in fifteen minutes. I do not have time. I am having my breakfast. I don't know if I will get a chance to have lunch."

She pressed her lips together before saying, "as if you would have ironed it yourself if you were not busy. Breakfast is ready. Eat fast."

Nodding his head he left. Xenia helped her brother get ready for his call and then helped her father to get ready for his meeting. Both of them locked themselves in their respective rooms and spent most part of the day there, leaving Xenia and her mother at their own. 

"After this movie, he promised her, but she said no. He died single." Her mother was talking about the stars of the old movie they were watching. "He was eccentric and stubborn. When the owner kept increasing the price of the house he wished to buy, he was so angry that he decided to never buy a house and he never did." Xenia smiled and gave a nod to her head. She and her mother were sitting together on the Sofa and the men of the house were occupied with their work. It was three in the afternoon and the activities in the neighbourhood were stagnant. "Ah. Haim and Ashwini are fighting."

"Why?" Her mother asked.

"I have no clue. They were having a normal conversation and suddenly they were fighting. They both are weird."

Her mother laughed. "Their fights have increased, haven't they?"

"They have. Earlier it was once in three years. Now it's three times a year. Less, but too much for me. I do not know what to do."

"Let them be. They will find a way. Sometimes it is better not to try to solve people's problem. It soon becomes your problem and you did nothing."

Shaking her head Xenia continued going through her feeds. For the next fifteen minutes, her mother enjoyed the movie and she continued using her phone. Then when her mother received a message she said, "You know my classmate whose son was in your class." Xenia nodded her head. "She is strange. Someone says something and she interrupts it all wrong. She was a typical rich girl that is showed on the TV. Rich however dim. Her children are surprisingly very smart."

"Her children are over smart," Xenia said with a shake of her head. "You and your friends were going to have a video chat. What happened to that?"

"We have it in ten minutes." She looked down at her clothes before asking her daughter. "Should I change?"

Looking up from her phone Xenia observed her for some time. Shaking her head in a no she said, "Just comb your hair."

"Get me the comb then."

Following the order, she quickly stood up. Xenia slowly opened the door of her parent's room and tiptoed inside. Taking the comb and her earphones she quietly left the room. She sat with her mother until her video chat started then not wishing to be part of their conversation she went to the kitchen. Upon seeing an empty bottle she was unexpectedly thirsty so she took the bottle and filled it. She also filled Maier's bottle, however before she could keep it back in his kitchen he came looking for it.

"Thank you," He said as she handed him the water bottle. "Water is the biggest blessing in this hot summer. Thank you for cold and safe water. I really appreciate it a lot."

She smiled as she said, "you are being too thankful suddenly. Is everything alright?"

"Everything is. I just think before I leave I should thank you and your family. You all had been a really big blessing. My only support here."

"You really do not have to say that. We did what we must do. Nothing special."

"See from where I am standing and you will realise how special it is. You especially. If you had not helped me in the initial days, I do not think I would have managed the situation well."

Feeling nervous and anxious she quickly said, " it is Mumma who helped you the most. She is to be credited."

"True. But in the beginning when I was confused and let me admit, worried, scared." He whispered the last word making them smile. "It was you who came to my rescue. So thank you."

Smiling she said, "You are very excited to go back."

"That I am."

"You are done already?" Xenia asked her mother who come in the kitchen.

"Not all of them were available. We changed the time. Maier, we will have to go early, I have a call at seven-thirty."

Xenia frowned instantly, "go where?"

"That is fine. By when should I be ready?"

Xenia leaned forward and her frown deepened. "Six-thirty? We will be back by seven. It won't take long."

"Okay okay"

"What the" Xenia whispered. "Where are you two going?"

"To buy some vegetables and fruits. We did that last week too. How would you know? You were sleeping."

Giving a nod to her head Xenia turned around and left the room, startled by what she had heard. Then as she was about to enter the living room, for the first time that week she laughed hysterically upon hearing Maier's words. "I do not want to sound odd, but what should I wear. I had many eyes on me the last time we went to the market."