Rohan

I had to get up at 5 to make the halwa and ice cream.

I hope she liked it.

That halwa is my specialty.

When the elevator landed on our floor, I got out to see her standing by her door with a wide grin.

God her smile looked more beautiful without the braces.

"Someone's looking good" I commented.

"Do I look different? I read that your face shape changes after you take off the braces" she asked.

She sounded excited.

"I have known you for just a few days. But you definitely look beautiful" I said.

"Thanks!"

"Oh and thank you so much for all those delicious goodies. You really didn't have to do it you know" she said.

"Well, your face says something else" I said.

"Am I that obvious? That halwa...was so damn good. I hope you have more of it in your fridge?" she said.

"Yes I do" I said walking to my door, pulling my keys out of my pocket.

"Can I get some?" she asked.

"Of course. You want to come in?"

"I will be there in a while. You freshen up" she said.

"Okay I will see you in thirty minutes. I need to do my laundry" I said.

"Yep! Works for me"

The next one week brought us close. We used to share food, how our day went, help each other out with groceries and go on evening walks or morning jogs together.

One evening, I came home after work.

I saw the watchman arguing with someone.

Just curious, I walked to see what was happening.

"Kya ho ra hain bhaiyya?" I asked him.

"Kuch nai saab ji inko upar jana hain. Meine bolaa ki pehle permission lena padega, yeh sun nai rahe hain"

"Hey, Rohan"

"Nikhil"

"Kis ke ghar jaana hai? You actually need the permission from the society president, since we're not allowing visitors without it"

"I am here to see Indu. 501 C wing"

"Indu? I am her neighbour"

"Oh is it? She is not home aur mein apna phone bhool gaya, I don't even remember her number"

"I can call her for you," I said, taking my phone out.

I dialled her number, she disconnected the call and sent a text.

"Can't answer, at the dentist. Tell me what it is"

"There's a Nikhil downstairs, he is here to meet you"

"God! Kuch bahaane banaake make him go. I don't want to meet him"

"Problem?"

"Will tell you when I am home, and oh yes, can you make me an orange juice?"

"Sure, see you soon"

"Yep. 30 minutes tops"

I put my phone back.

"Hey she says she is at the dentist and it will take her more than an hour to come home. She said she'll give you a call once she's done there"

"At the dentist again? I told her she looked gross with those braces, she never listens. And now she keeps visiting the dentist and 4 of her teeth are already removed. This woman is so..."

How dare he!!

Gross? With those braces? Is he blind? She looked adorable with those braces.

I wanted to punch him hard on his face, and that thought sent me by shock.

I was never a violent guy. I hate fighting.

"That's the message I have. Nice talking to you, need to go" I told him.

I wasn't trusting my self control at that moment.

I went home and took a quick shower.

I made the juice for her and put it in the fridge.

I have an off day tomorrow so I decided I'd watch movies tonight.

About 45 minutes later, I got her text.

"There's a spare key in my pink Nike shoe. Open the door, and put the juice inside. I think I have contacted the monster. I feel sick and exhausted"

Oh god!

"Do you want me to whip something to eat for you?" I texted her back.

"No. I have had a bad toothache since morning, so I can't eat. Juice should do"

"Where are you?"

"Downstairs. This taxi guy doesn't have change and his phone pe is not working"

"I am coming down, how much do you have to pay him?"

"400"

I took my wallet and went downstairs, skipping every alternative step.

"You go home, I'll take care" I told her. She nodded and left.

I fished for all the change I had since all I had was 2000s. I somehow managed to find 400 and paid him.

Her door was closed by the time I reached upstairs. I rang the doorbell. She opened the window, leaving the mosquito net ka door still closed.

"Is it really bad?" I was worried for her.

"I don't know. I had a tooth ache since the afternoon so I went to the dentist. But since I went there I felt tired. I couldn't manage to sit. I got some medicine and came back home"

"You're sure you can't eat anything?"

"I can't. The doctor asked not to. Only liquids for today"

"I am going to keep the orange juice by the door. I will make something else as well, I haven't gotten enough oranges. Clean up and get some rest"

"Thanks Rohan"

"I'll text you once I put those juices by the door, okay?"

"Yeah, sounds good"

"Take care and please call me if you need anything. I have a day off tomorrow, so I am going to stay up for a while"

"Sure, I will"

I just hope it is just a normal weakness and not the virus.

I made three more juices and some kheer and put it in a tupperware.

An hour later I called her.

"Hey"

"God, you sound so weak. Let me in. I will put on a mask and everything"

"Are you mad? No? Let me get tested first"

"I put everything by the door. There's kheer in the tupperware. It's hot. Let it come down to normal temperature and then put it in the fridge to cool down a bit. Don't eat it hot, toothache will worsen"

"Okay"

"Did you have the orange juice?"

"Yeah"

"Drink up the rest as well. They won't be fresh till tomorrow"

"Okay"

"Open the door, I want to see you"

"I look terrible"

"You think I care?"

There was something so different in my voice. I was angry, I was worried.

She opened the door.

If I was half broken listening to her voice, seeing her broke me completely. Her eyes were droopy, hair was messy and she looked like she just came back from a war.

"I am fine. Don't worry yourself so much"

"Yeah I can see how fine you are"

"Now don't be mad at me"

"I called up the guy who does our tests at the hotel, he is going to send someone tomorrow. I informed the society president as well. The guy will be here at 7:30. I will call you once he's here"

"You didn't have to do that"

"Now shut up and get in. Finish all the three bottles before you go to bed"

"Fine angry young man. I will see you tomorrow"

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