Sana had never been away from her home and being in a new place with total strangers was giving her a feeling of insecurity.

She walked inside the 3 bedroom flat converted into a PG. The rooms were smaller than her bathroom at home. Though it's capacity was to fit in two single beds, the room had to be shared with 3 other girls as it had a bunk bed.

She was shown her bed by one of the lady, Gangubai who managed the PG business for the owner. She had to occupy the upper bed. There was only a little space between the two bunk beds to walk. Each bunk bed had two huge drawers below the bottom bunk, where the 2 bed occupant of the bunk would use it to store their luggage.

There were total 14 guests including Sana in the PG. It had just 1 bathrooms with an attached toilet and a spare toilet. She didn't have any idea about what all she had to experience.

Her roomies were very casual and didn't mind to even say hello to her. The co-bed occupant on the bottom bunk sat on the bed and spoke to someone on phone. Sana placed her items in the drawer. She looked at the other drawers being locked but she didn't have any lock.

A girl from her opposite bed walked in after having bath. There was hardly any place to stand as she wanted to pull her drawer. Sana sat for a second on the bed to allow her to open the drawer. The girl, Kajal speaking on phone stared at her.

Kajal: Excuse me! Tera bed upar hai, to please tu apne bed pe apna pichwada tikaa {Your bed is on top, so please place your bum on your bed}

Sana: Huh? (Sana looked at her in shock for being so rude)

Kajal: Ye hateli, kya dekh reli hai? Samajh mein nahi aaya tere ko? Marathi mein bolu? Zaa, tujhya palangawar zawun bas! {Hey nerd, what are you looking at? Don't you understand? Should I speak to you in Marathi? Go and sit on your bed.}

Sana gulped and said sorry. She climbed up on the top bunk. The ceiling was so close that if she raised her hand she could touch it. The tubelight was fixed on the wall just few inches over her bed. The ceiling fan was also so close that if she spread her hand she could touch it.

Sana got down again and opened the drawer and pulled out her shawl and a blanket. She spread the blanket on the bed since she didn't have any bedsheet.

She looked at the girl on the opposite bunk staring at her. Sana smiled but the girl opposite just ignored her as if she didn't exist. She sat there already irritated with the place not knowing how long she would have to manage in this congested place with such arrogant people.

She couldn't sleep as the lights were on and shone directly on her face. She looked at her phone and wondered how Sidharth was managing. She thought of calling him but then she found no privacy hence messaged him.

Hi Siddu, did you reach your hostel?

Sidharth was placing his clothes in a locker when his phone beeped. He smiled when he saw her name popped up.

Sidharth: Hey! Yes Sana. Did you settle down? How is the place?

Sana: Why are people so rude here? I hate it already.

Sidharth: I can understand. People are quiet busy here and really don't have time for each other, they are frustrated, some are searching for job, some have work pressure, some have breakups while some miss their family. Most of them struggle to pay their bills and credit card dues. So it's quiet normal to turn rude.

Sana: Wow Siddu! How could you think so positive? You changed the entire mood and my way of thinking. Is this one of the reason why you had stopped communication with me?

Sidharth: When you stay away from your comfort zone, you tend to learn lot many things Sana. Did you eat something yet?

Sana: No, I wanted to use bathroom but it's always occupied. The food has already arrived but I will have it once I freshen up.

Sidharth: Hey Sana, don't do that. Go and eat first before it's over. People binge eat when they are frustrated. They will leave you nothing.

She goes to the kitchen area where the incharge had left big boxes of food. The table had some rice and traces of curry spilled over but there was nothing left in the boxes. Her phone rang and she answered it.

Sidharth: Sana, did you get to eat your food?

Sana: No Siddu, this people didn't even leave a piece of pickle. Looks like they haven't eaten food since ages.

Sidharth: I'll get you something.

Sana: No no no. Don't worry, I have some chiwda in my box, I will eat that for now.

Sidharth: Okay! I'll call you back in sometime. Bye!

Sana: Okay! Bye.

She went into her room and pulled out the drawer and opened the box of chiwda (sauted spicy rice flakes). She was shocked since it was empty. Few minutes back when she kept her things, it was full. Someone had stolen her food. She looked around but none of them looked at her, they were all busy munching on their food.

She called up Sidharth.

Sana: (sobbing) Siddu, someone stole my Chiwda. How mean these people are.

Sidharth: Shhh shhh shhh.. Sana, radu nakos, mee yetho {don't cry, I'm coming}

He hung up the call and starts to her PG. She stuffed all her items back into her trolley suitcase and came out of the PG. The moment she saw him, she hugged him and started crying. He rubbed her back to console her.

Sidharth: It's okay Sana, please don't cry. It's just a chiwda. You can't leave the PG for this reason.

Sana: No Siddu, I ain't leaving, I am just carrying my stuff wherever I go to avoid it from being robbed. Luckily I didn't leave my purse else they would have stolen it as well.

Sidharth: (smiled) Will buy a lock for you but before that let's eat something. I am famished.

Sana: You also didn't eat?

Sidharth: Was on call with you and forgot to take my food. (Laughed)

She laughed and he pulled her trolley bag and they ate vada pav from the street vendor.

Sana: This is so tasty Siddu!

Sidharth: Yeah!! Isn't it good that we missed our food? We got to eat this.

Sana: Yes. Mr. Sidharth Positive Bhosle. (Tilted her head from left to right with a big smile)

Sidharth: We can't repeat this mistake everyday but let's give it a try once a week. What say?

Sana: Completely agree! By the way, I have a job interview tomorrow. I had applied for it 2 days back.

Sidharth: Wow!! That sounds super cool. What time is it? I will accompany you.

Sana: At 11am. This is the address. (Shows him the address on phone)

Sidharth: Oh!! Will have to leave by 10 atleast!

Sana nods. They buy a lock for her and a bucket for her to have bath. He leaves her back at her PG and goes back to his hostel. She locks all her stuff in a drawer and climbs up the top bunk.

She wanted to sleep badly, but the girl in opposite bunk was studying and the light was on. The below bunks had shadow so they didn't have any problem. She covered her shawl over her eyes. It was hot so the fan was on, but due to its close proximity, the air dried her nostrils and she started coughing. She sipped some water and turned to the other side and slept after lots of twists and turn.

The alarm on Sidharth's phone went on. He woke up quickly and called Sana. It was 5 am.

Sana whispered into the phone.

Sana: What is it Siddu, why are you calling me so early? I couldn't sleep whole night due to the fan and light. I was even scared that I might fall down from this bed.

Sidharth: Sana, you will have to take bath early since there is only one bathroom in your PG. If you delay you will be late for the interview.

Sana: Oh no!! Okay okay. I'll call you later then bye.

Sana locked her phone in her drawer, took her clothes, toiletries and bucket and ran towards the bathroom. It was already occupied by someone and another one was waiting near the door to enter.

Oh God! What a bummer!! 5 a.m. and there is already a queue. Huh? What's this they have already put  buckets in line. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.. plus the one standing with the bucket. I better keep my bucket next else I will be the last one.

She placed her bucket and stood there. After 5 minutes the lady who was inside came out and the one standing out entered. Sana was tired standing, she sat on the floor. In 15 minutes, the lady came out. Sana looked there was no one standing so she picked up her bucket and went in. She had hardly finished her nature call and removed her clothes, there was a knock on the door.

Sana: Hey!

Girl: It was my turn, who the hell are you to go in.

Sana: ..but I waited for 2 minutes, nobody came so I entered. Give me 5 minutes, I will be done please.

Girl: I can't, you come out now. (Started banging the door loudly)

Sana, for once thought of coming out but then she thought

Bloody hell, keep banging! I have already removed my clothes, I will take bath and come. Let her do whatever she wants.

She took bath quickly while the girl outside kept banging the door and abusing her. Sana opened the door.

Girl: You bitch, can't you hear! It was my turn. I will complain about you to Gangubai.

Sana: Mind your tongue! Go complain! It was not my fault. You should have been present here if you were in hurry. You came 5 minutes late.

Girl: Tu naveen aleli pori mala sikhavnaar? {You being a newcomer, going to teach me?}

Sana: Ho!! {Yes} You need to learn manners very badly! Now aren't you getting late?

Another girl comes.

Deepti: It's my turn Rosy! Anyways, you are busy quarreling as usual.

Rosy: No way, it's my turn! This girl took my time.

Deepti: Don't blame her, you fight with everyone. What's the hurry when you've been spending whole time in PG only? Why can't you have bath later and allow office goers to take bath first? Plus you've all the time to fight with others but want to show that you are getting late.

Rosy runs inside the bathroom and Deepti shakes her head in disappointment. Sana looks at her feeling sorry.

Sana: I am sorry!

Deepti: Hi Sorry! I'm Deepti. (Shakes hands with her) but isn't your name a bit wierd? I mean, who names their child 'Sorry'?

Sana: What? (Laughs) No, my name is Sana.

Deepti: Wow! Now that's a very lovely name.

Sana: Thanks!

Deepti: Oh! Is that's your surname?

Sana: Hell no!! You are funny!

Deepti: Well, I am. And in friendship no sorry no thanks!

Sana: That's exactly what my best friend says to me.

Deepti: Wow! Is your best friend Shah Rukh Khan?

Sana: (laughs) No!! Sidharth.

Deepti: Woah, nice name. Is he handsome?

Sana: What?

Deepti: Just joking! (She gives high five)

Sana: Okay, I got to go!!

Deepti: Yeah, even I got to bang the door!!

They laugh and Sana comes back to her room. She opens her drawer and gets ready for the interview. She checks the phone it was 7am and there were 15 missed calls from Sidharth. The phone was on silent as everyone else was sleeping.

She calls him immediately.

Sidharth: Sana, what's wrong? Are you alright? Why weren't you pick up the call?

Sana: My phone was on silent Siddu. Are you up?

Sidharth: Since you didn't answer, I already left my hostel. I'll be there in 5 minutes.

Sana: What? But it's still 7:10am. Did you eat your breakfast?

Sidharth: Nope! I panicked and came without having it.

Sana: Hmm. Okay!

Sana goes into the kitchen and finds box of sandwiches and a big flask filled with tea. She picks up three pieces of sandwich and places it in her bag and fills in a big cup of tea. She then goes out where Sidharth was waiting for her.

Sana: Hold this and have the tea. I'll give you sandwiches as well.

Sidharth: Did you have?

Sana: I've got a Sandwich for me as well.

Sidharth: and tea?

Sana: I was scared to get two cups so just got one. You have it. (Smiles)

Sidharth: Let's share it then, else I am not having it.

Sana takes a sip and passes to him and he takes a sip and passes to her until the tea was finished.

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To be continued...
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