The sleep schedule that was ruined had affected many if not all. Some woke up late, some woke up tired and some woke up earlier than usual which made them feel exhausted and indignant. At seven in the morning, Xenia had been awake for little more than an hour and she was not having a good morning. Her bed did not make her feel better so she went on the terrace where she joined her mother. Inside the house, summer was evident, terrace, however, was different. It was comparatively frigid and pleasant. For Xenia who rarely left the house, it was a surprise.

They were sitting in one corner with their backs resting against the wall. She was observing the sky quietly while her mother was lost in her thoughts. In the last few days, instead of music, Xenia developed a new fondness towards the melody of birds talking. Birds talked to her daily, however, she was deaf to their words. Now when a crisis had fallen before them she found the time to listen, to hear what they had to say.

"Why are you angry? Listen, Nisha. What happened?"

Xenia's eyes widened when she heard one of her neighbours call her another neighbour who was his special someone. She knew what was between them however her mother was clueless.

"But what happened? Nisha, come back. What did I do?"

Xenia slowly turned her eyes towards her mother and she rolled her eyes in response. "You know?" Xenia whispered. 

"The whole neighbourhood knows except their parents. Who are they trying to fool? When their families find out, it will be world war III."

"I don't want to talk to you. You go and talk to your friend. She is more important. Go and talk to her. I am going down and stop taking my name. My father is at home!" Saying that Nisha left the terrace.

"I hope world war III takes place on the terrace too. It would be fun to watch."

"It will. The whole neighbourhood would witness it. Just wait and watch. They are digging their own graves."

"Nisha yar listen.  Babu."

Xenia chuckled hearing the word while her mother closed her eyes which made Xenia laugh. Eyes that opened on a bitter note where now playful and energetic after spending some time in silence and solitary. Xenia was still laughing when she and her mother went down to the living room, keeping their spirits high. "Babu. Why do they call each other babu?" She chuckled.

"Nowadays, people say anything. Your favourite neighbour also calls her husband babu. And in front of everyone."

"She is not my favourite! And she is weird. She can do anything. And she is not my favourite."

Her mother laughed at her long face making her roll her eyes. The morning was better than presumed. They had more energy and spirit than their usual mornings, making it packed with laugher and smiles. After a cheerful breakfast, Xenia slept while watching TV. When she woke up it was afternoon. After a shower, they had their lunch. During the lockdown some days included nothing but eating and sleeping, day 8 was one of them.

"Who gave this?" Xenia asked when she saw an unfamiliar dish on the table.

"Her new friend," Her father said making her mother smile. "They both made it together."

"Who friend? Who came home?"

"No one. It's from our neighbour," Her mother said. "He told me he was making something for us. He was all alone so I helped. It is really good. Taste it." Xenia's eyebrows were lifted and her eyes were slightly bigger. "Okay."

"He is very good at cooking. He is a boy and yet so good at it."

"Learn something Xenia learn." Her father teased her. She narrowed her eyes as he laughed.

"His grandparents talked to me, too. They had said they wanted to talk so he called them. They talked for a long time. They were nice people. It was nice when they lived here. They miss India. They said they want to come but who will they come back too?"

"Why did they go if they want to come back?" Xenia asked her mother.

"They used to live there. They lived there for eighteen-nineteen years. They came back very early. Their kids were in their twenties. Their daughter got married and they came back. Their one son was still studying. They always wanted to return but when kids grow old it becomes difficult to move. They went back as all their kids are settled there and actually the old man had a heart attack. Then their son took them with him."

"They don't have relatives here?" Xenia asked. "Someone lives right across the street, right?"

"Here they have relatives but who will take care of them as their kids do? Everyone has their own lives, their own responsibilities."

Xenia shook her head and resumed eating. Their lunch was as high spirited as their morning was and when she returned to the spare room she again had a smile on her face. However, the smile faded when Maier came to her mind. Initially, her thoughts and she was positive, however, with repetition of all their meetings inside her head, doubts and confusion started growing and eventually started playing with her mind.

Why did I say that? I should have not laughed! Why did I talk? I should have never started talking. What would he think of me? I talk to strangers like an ill-mannered girl. I am so stupid! I should have not said that! I will not talk to him again. Why did you talk to him in the first place? Helping was fine. Idle talks? Oh, I have to give him the book! I keep forgetting about it. I will keep the book and then that's it. No more talking. Only if he needs help. No random talks. Xenia!

After keeping the book at the window sill she closing her eyes and clenched her teeth when her thoughts started the slid show in her mind again. She had started feeling regretful and embarrassed but her friend called her at the right time to help her change her mood. It was time for their daily Ludo session. To make it more interesting they were connected through a conference call as they played the game.

"Haim, don't you dare kill me!" Xenia warned her friend but he laughed and happily sent her token back to its house. Xenia groaned as her friends laughed. "You always do that. You never kill Ashwini."

"I never miss an opportunity."

"Shut up! You never do that. You always help her!" Xenia exclaimed making her friends laugh again.

"Yar, four players take a lot of time," Ashwini cried.

"Really. It seems like it never ends." Xenia added.

"It ends. Keep going. Don't kill me!" Haim exclaimed.

"Poor Haim, you were so close."

"Girls are mean!" He exclaimed.

"Ashwini if you kill me then I will kill you!" Xenia exclaimed, however, her friend had already sent her token towards her. "I hate you!"

Laughing her friend replied, "Sorry I had no choice. Haim would have killed me if I had not moved. I am safe now."

"It's all because of Xenia," Haim complained. "You are ruining your game as well as mine. Why was your token there?"

Xenia's mouth opened and she wrinkled her nose. "How am I the culprit? She killed me!"

"You are bad luck, Xenia. Bad, bad luck." Haim teased.

"Get lost, you idiot! Wait I will win this game and show you."

Haim laughed. "Don't dream so big. You never win a game."

"I will win today!"

"You won't Xenia."

"Challenging me? Okay, buddy just wait and watch!"

Her friends kept laughing and she kept defending herself. They laughed, they teased, they even got angry but they enjoyed. With friends, things are not formal however they aren't informal either. The standards were lower than informal. They fight, they tease, they touch the weakest point yet they never leave the heart. Friends, who are the chosen family, more than often are the biggest blessing. Hearing Xenia and her friends talk, Maier could help but smile. Their conversation reminded him of his friends. He stayed but for five minutes with the book open in his hand. He tried to read however they motivated him to move. He picked up his barely functional phone and called his friends. The topics they talked about were different however the tone remained the same. They tested, they laughed and they smiled, all that the friends do and feel. A recipient to turn an ordinary day into special one was just a call. Xenia and Maier both realised it that day.