Two weeks had passed since I moved back into the apartment. I went to college, put up the flyers, attended my classes, and came back. I was back in my usual routine. I surmised that immersing myself in school work was the only way to forget everything.

The roommate issue was still not resolved. No one had yet contacted me about it. I knew our apartment was a pricey one. But there would be at least one person who could afford it, right?

I woke up that morning to the consistent and irritating ringing of the calling bell. I lazily opened an eye to look at the time.

"It's 7 AM for God's sake," I muttered and tried to muffle the sound by hiding my head under a pillow. But it didn't do the trick. I put a comma to my sleep and got out of my bed with a grumpy face.

This better be good, I thought murderously and opened the door. I was not ready for the blast of a cheery smile so early in the morning. There was a guy standing at my doorstep. His hand was stretched out ready to greet me. But as soon as he took a good look at me, the smile was wiped off his face.

"Naina?" He said disbelievingly.

"Noah?" I said with even more disbelief. What was the guy from my single failed blind date doing at my doorstep at 7 am?

Noah Carlson was the boy with whom, my friend Jane had arranged a blind date to me six months ago. He was the friend of her friend and was studying at Harvard too. I had a very few dates during my stay in the U.S.A and this one stood out of all of them simply because it was a disaster.

Noah Carlson and I had the emotional connectivity range of a teaspoon. I didn't know why but we just repelled in the first meeting. Don't get me wrong. Noah looked great that day.

He was in a dark blue button-down shirt and black pants. He was greatly tanned and his most attractive features were his brown eyes with a twinge of gold in them. I had never seen anything like that. He was so tall I could wear my killer heels and still be shorter than him. His body revealed the fact that he worked out every single day. If only I was looking for a one night stand, I would have gladly taken him home but I was not.

Everything he did, from picking a spoon to the way he chewed his food had irritated me and I could safely assume he felt the same about me. Neither of us could start an interesting conversation and the dinner continued mostly in awkward silence. The date ended with a casual hug and neither of us called the other one.

So it was not a very pleasant surprise to see him now.

"Awkward, huh?" Noah said smiling with a hint of embarrassment.

"Right," I said crossing my arms to block the cold. The heater in the corridor was not on yet. He started moving foot to foot hesitating to say something. One thing was clear. He didn't expect to see me here.

"Would you like to come in? It's cold outside." I said. I couldn't stand outside in my thin robe anymore.

"Huh. Sure." He said. I moved aside to let him in and closed the door behind him. He made himself comfortable on the couch and I pulled a chair and sat in front of him. He was wearing a light blue shirt, black jeans and a black jacket, looking as dashing as that night. Blue agrees with him.

"So? What are you doing here at 7 freaking am?" I said to start the conversation. He was not going to do this.

"Well, there is no point in hiding now. I came here after seeing this." He said, taking out a paper from his jacket pocket and handing it to me. It was the flyer I put on the notice board for a roommate.

"What about this?" I asked, confused. I clearly stated it was for girls. What did he have to do with it? I asked him the same.

"I know this is for girls," he said looking everywhere but at me.

"But I am in a mess. My landlord is going to sell the building and he wants me to vacate immediately. I have to find a new flat," He paused to see if I was listening or not. I knew where this was heading but just gave him a nod to continue.

"And this flat is just amazing. I mean, it is near the campus, in my budget and I really liked it." He said looking around the flat.

"Okay, pal. I know what you are going to ask but I have to say no. I am not sharing the apartment with a guy." I said shrugging. If only my parents in India knew that I was living with a boy that would be the end of me.

"Oh c'mon Naina. This is the 21st century. Boys and girls can live together without being in a relationship." He said frustrated. The discussion went on and on for about an hour until I glanced at the wall clock.

"Damn. I have to get ready for college." I said standing up indicating that the conversation was over.

"Fine. I'll come back in the evening." He said. I didn't have the energy left to argue with him. So, I let it be. I opened the door to let him out and rushed into the bathroom to get ready.

*********

"So what if he is a boy? Don't be silly, Naina. You can't afford that apartment all by yourself and no girl is going to magically manifest in front of your doorstep." Jane was trying to convince me to take Noah on his offer.

"My mom will kill me, Jane! You know her." I exclaimed, surprised that Jane was not taking my side.

"Who will tell her, Naina? She is living across oceans for god's sake," she said exasperated, "and you two are not attracted to each other. What can go wrong?"

I thought about it. Jane was right. No one was going to tell on me to my parents and Noah seemed to be desperate. I took my decision.

**********

"I'll totally do the dishes." He nodded his head enthusiastically.

"No parties."

"Okay."

"No friends crashing on my couch."

"Fine."

"And whenever my parents call, you will stop existing," I said in my most serious tone. He nodded again.

"Then we have a deal, Mr.Carlson." I stretched my hand.

"It's a pleasure dealing with you Ms.Sahil."He shook it.