I am extremely sorry for not updating yesterday. I could not complete the chapter. I am so sorry. I hope you all like this chapter.

Also, Secretadmirer235 took my Quarantine special interview. To read it check her book Three things (Quarantine special.) Thank you!

Enjoy:)

A week into the lockdown and a pattern started to form. Schedules were not specific and the routine often changed but the things they did daily remained the same. For Maier, it was work, talking to his family, cooking, cleaning and Netflix-ing.  For Xenia it was assignments, helping in the kitchen, talking to her friends, watching a series and working out. The seventh day started with her and her father working out in their living room. She was running in the same spot and her father was lifting weights.

"Look at the time! Is this a time to workout?" Her mother scolded them. Xenia turned her neck to look at the wall clock. It was twenty minutes past one. Making a face she looked at her father. "It is time to eat and you two! You should have done that earlier."

"We woke up late," Her father replied, "So we started late."

"Then start waking up early! Xenia make Rotis!"

Xenia frowned and crossed her arms. Her father winked at her before saying, "she is hungry. Let's get done faster or she will start yelling again."

Smiling they resumed their work. The minute Xenia started working out was the minute she wished it was over. Giving up was her first thought, followed by a catch in the throat. She wished she did not have to work out. Suddenly she was envious of everyone who was better. However, after a successful workout, she felt differently. She felt better, more positive, more hopeful. That was her daily routine. At the start of every work out she always felt helpless, weak and like a victim. But in the end, she felt hopeful, strong and powerful. At the beginning of every struggle, even the smallest, it is negative, your thoughts, your actions, the world. But as you go ahead and as you keep moving, hope increases, you start believing in yourself and you start working harder. And when it ends you are a different person.

"Where is everyone!?" However, others don't change with you. Her mother was still hungry as she wanted to have a family lunch. Her father had told her to eat before them but she was adamant and after an hour was louder than before. Xenia quickly changed her clothes after a shower and ran to the kitchen. She helped set the table and sat down to eat within a few minutes. After lunch, her mother was calmer and softer which helped to reduce the temperature of the whole house.

"Xenia beta, get my glasses please," her mother said taking her phone in her hand. "Also fill the bottle for our neighbour. I saw the bottle in the window I think."

"Okay."

"You should ask him to quarantine himself for some time." Her father suggested. "We can get him whatever he wants. He should stay in or else he can get in trouble. Police are troubling people who have any travel history."

"He came to India two months ago," Xenia said standing up

"Oh. But he came from somewhere else. That is a problem, too."

"He was in hyde park, " she was out of the room when she said that.

"How do you know?" Her father asked.

As she was in another room she could flee from answering that. She quickly took the bottle from his window and filled it. To avoid her parents after keeping the water bottle back she started going dishes. Her parents would forget the topic soon she knew and it was just for a few minutes she had to hide. However, it did not take her more than a minute to wash those three dishes.

Summer heat and no fan brought her out of the kitchen. She stayed in her parent's bedroom until her body cooled down and then she went to her backyard.  It had been a week since she left her house. Her mother had kept her occupied at home, not giving her a chance to leave or miss leaving the house. However, coming out of the house made her realise what she had been missing.

"Getting bored?" Maier asked.

After a moment's analysis, she smiled and continued walking before replying. "Yes. What about you?"

"With no human and now no phone, I can say I am a little bored. Just a little though."

She smiled again."What happened to your phone?"

"It had a great fall at the airport. It had been having some problems ever since. The screen had been damaged badly which is causing more and more problems."

"Is it not working at all?"

"It is working but causing a lot of stress and anger. It is on charging and for some reason, it gets switched off and then on automatically. I got frustrated and came out." He turned around and started walking again. He was walking back and forth in his backyard while Xenia was making a circle in her backyard.

"Been there. I hope it doesn't stop working completely. You cannot buy a new one nor can you get it repaired."

"That is my biggest fear. It is a source of contacting my family and work. I hope it stays alive until I am home."

"I hope it will." She paused for a second before saying," you are getting work from home, too?"

"Yes, but not a lot because we just got done with a launch but they won't leave us, will they?"

"They won't. They make sure you work for every penny they give you."

"That they do. I was lucky today. Got less work. Got done before lunch."

"But the phone ruined the day."

"Yes. Let's forget that for a moment. I need a distraction."

"Clean the house. My grandmother used to say if you want to get something out of your mind or sort your thoughts, start cleaning the house. It helps to clean your thoughts and the house. So all works out."

"I have read something similar in a book. This reminds me, do you have any book that I can borrow?"

"Which book was it?"

"The alchemist."

"Was it when he starts to clean the window in that crystal shop?"

"Yes. Have you read that book?"

"Yes, I did. Good book."

"It is. So you read books."

"I do. What kind of book do you want? We have almost all the genres."

"Really? That is interesting." He thought for some time before saying, "why don't you recommend me a book? I am not sure what I want."

"Okay, my first suggestion is 'How to get from where you are to where you want to be' by Jack Canfield. Second is Rich dad Poor dad."

"I have read that one."

"My favourite! It is a great book."

"It is. It is a book everyone should read."

"Yes, everyone! Financial intelligence is a must! Anyway, that book is out. How about the first one, did you read it?"

"No. But that name isn't appealing."

"It's a great book! But okay. Self-help or fictional?"

"Ah. Fictional for a change."

"Pride and Prejudice."

"Every girl's favourite. Something else please."

"It is worth being a favourite. Have you ever read it? Trust me it's good."

"Trust me I don't care. Something else, please."

"Fine. Read wuthering heights."

"Read it."

"You can read that book but Jane Austen is too much?" She whispered making sure she wasn't audible. "Okay. Naked face by Sidney Sheldon? Jack reacher?"

"I like jack reacher but need a break from him. Sorry I am being choosy."

"You should be. Everyone should be. We invest time in it. Hmm." She paused again for a moment. "Without Jane Austen, there is nothing I like a lot in fictional. I like but at present, I have Austen fever.

"Jane Austen will work. I have no prejudice against her. But no pride and prejudice."

She chuckled before saying, "Emma. I think you will like it. I will bring the book to you when I go inside. Actually, I will leave it on your window."

"Thank you, I would really appreciate that."

She smiled widely before chuckling. She continued walking for another fifteen minutes however they did not talk. They both walked quietly and peacefully. Then when Xenia remembered her assignment she went inside. Maier did not stay for a long time in the backyard after she left. He had been feeling low, angry to be specific however a little chat with his new acquaintance made him feel better, at peace to be specific.