Author's POV...

Two Weeks Later....

The morning light trickled in through the blinds, waking Sakshi up. Rubbing her knuckles on her eyes and yawning, she got up from the bed, marched into the bathroom and did her routine. Taking a long shower, Sakshi stepped out of the bathroom, wearing her black Kurti and leggings. Drying her hair with a towel, she tied them up in a messy bun. Sakshi then went to the kitchen to see Meera making coffee for them both.

"What should I make for breakfast?" Sakshi asked Meera.

"Some toast would do for me," Meera said. Sakshi hummed in response and made toast for them both.

"Someone's moving into the flat next to us," Meera said.

"Rakesh's flat?" Sakshi asked

"Yeah, he did mention he was going to rent it the last time he visited"

"Oh, I see. So are the new tenants here then?" Sakshi asked

"Yeah I think so. I did not see them or anything but saw some stuff being moved into the flat today. So I'm assuming that they will be here soon" Meera said.

"Oh ok. Let's greet them after work today" Sakshi responded. Soon Meera had her breakfast and left early to work as she had to meet some clients whereas Sakshi set off half an hour later, at their usual time. After locking the door, Sakshi rushed down the stairs only to bump into a hard chest. Sakshi had lost her balance after tripping but luckily the person held her on time placing his hands around her waist securely. Sakshi's hands automatically came onto his chest.

As soon as Sakshi came to her senses, she noticed that it was the same guy who dropped Meera and Sakshi at their flat who just caught her as well.

"Aarav..." Sakshi said in shock "I'm sorry... I..."

"Don't worry, I caught you, I was also not looking where I was going" Aarav said, in a much softer voice.

Sakshi looked away, stood straight and mumbled a quick "thank you" to him before collecting her bags and files. Whilst Sakshi did that Aarav observed her, her loose hair falling on her face which was blocking his way to take a look at her face. "Do you live here as well?" Sakshi asked with suspicion because she asked him to drop in the main road so she didn't know how they knew the building that she was living in. "Well the lease to mine and Keshav's flat-ended a couple of days ago, we got this flat just in time," Aarav said. "Oh, you never said anything when you dropped us the other day." Sakshi replied. "Well, firstly let me apologise for being a jerk the other day, I had a little encounter with my ex and it put me in a shitty mood. So sorry for that! Also back to your question, I didn't mention anything as we saw the to-let board when we dropped you and we compared it with a few more places. This was the best place with a reasonable price and it's near to our working place too" Aarav said.

"Oh right I see, and yeah don't worry about the other day I can understand. So, are we acquaintances now?" Sakshi asked Aarav, with a wide grin.

"Haha, I guess we are. Which is your flat?" Aarav asked curiously.

"Ermm 6A and yours?" Sakshi replied.

"I guess we are not just acquaintances but also neighbours as we just moved into 6B" he said, chuckling and also with a surprise about the co-incidence.

"Oh so you are the one who moved into Rakesh's flat, that's great actually," Sakshi said

"Yup, so we are neighbours!" Both said in unison and chuckled.

"To be honest, I knew I was going to bump into you or your friend, one or the other day so that I could apologise to you as I thought we stayed in the same road but I never thought you'd be staying in this building" Aarav said.

The Aarav that Sakshi saw today was a different Aarav compared to the one she saw the other day. Weird she thought. 'But who am I to judge him? I behave the worst when it comes to my Ex' she thought in her head.

"Yeah.. Anyway, I'm running late for work. I got to catch the bus. Will catch up with you later" Sakshi said and rushed down the stairs. "Careful! I won't be there to catch you if you fall again" Aarav shouted as he observed her with a smile.

. . . . . . . . . . . .

Days were going on in a blur. It has been almost two weeks since Keshav and Aarav moved into the flat next to Meera's and Sakshi's. To Meera and Sakshi, Keshav and Aarav were just good neighbours. They often had casual conversations whenever they saw each other.

It was a Monday. Both Meera and Sakshi did not have work this whole week. They had some leaves pending that needed to be taken before the next month. Meera went home to Munnar on Saturday. Sakshi wanted to visit her niece Shreya but she did not have the energy to deal with Damini. Therefore, Sakshi erased that thought. Sakshi just decided to spend the rest of the week at her flat.

After a long cold night, the day brought sparkles of warmth. The yellow shining sun started rising from the ground and it filled the sky with various colours. It was a bright and mesmerising morning. Sakshi closed her eyes and faced the sun, its rays were burning skin but felt good. Sakshi smiled, soaking the sun. "Good morning" she then heard a voice saying breaking the beautiful moment. She immediately opened her eyes and looked in the direction the voice came from. "Morning" she greeted back. It was Aarav from the other balcony; he was holding a cup of coffee and staring at the sky just like Sakshi.

"What's up?" he asked

"Nothing much," she replied.

"No work today?"

"no, not for a week!" she replied cheerfully "How about you?"

"I took leave today!!!"

"Why?" Sakshi asked him

"Kumar, my boss needs to learn a lesson" Aarav replied taking a sip of his coffee

"Why can't you look for a better job then?"she asked, like it's the most obvious question.

"No one wants to hire me, unfortunately. Funny isn't it? How a software engineer can't find a job. At least the maths degree got me a job at Kumar's" Aarav joked. Sakshi just smiled and further said "What to do? As an MBA graduate, I'm struggling to find a better job here. That's why I've decided to move to the UK. As soon as my visa comes, I'm leaving this place" Sakshi said, staring at the view in front of her. For some reason, this news made Aarav's face fall.

"What's for breakfast then?" Sakshi asked, changing the subject.

"Maggi" Aarav said.

"Maggi, for breakfast? Who has Maggi for breakfast? Ahaha..." Sakshi asked him, giggling.

"Well my friend Keshav prefers Maggi for breakfast, well I'm not lying. I prefer it too and you see it's a lot more convenient to make haha" he replied, chuckling with her.

"Well, that's weird. I was planning to prepare some Lemon rice today. If you want I can bring some over. It's a lot healthier you see" Sakshi suggested

"Sounds like a good plan" Aarav replied as he took the final sip of his coffee.

"Great. I'll be there in half an hour!" Sakshi told him.

Just in time, the doorbell rang. When Sakshi answered, it was none other than Damini and Shreya. Sakshi hugged Shreya as soon as she saw the little one and welcomed them into the flat. To be honest Sakshi was not pleased to see Damini.

"Ma, tea or coffee?" Sakshi asked her mother politely.

"Just a glass of water," she replied. So Sakshi got her mother a glass of water and Shreya some juice and candies. Very soon silence engulfed the flat.

Breaking the silence, Damini said "what is the need to live like this in a tiny flat? Why can't you come and stay with us? Can't you go to work from there?" Damini asked, looking at her flat in displeasure.

"It is more convenient here Ma" for my mind and soul. She thought about the last part.

"What do you mean, Sakshi? What point are you trying to prove by living like this? Why can't you get married?" Damini asked her daughter just like Sakshi predicted in her mind.

"Ma, we have had this conversation plenty of times. I'm not in the mood to talk about marriage! This is why I moved out from your house" Sakshi almost shouted.

"Look how happily that BASTARD Nikhil is living after killing my son? Why can't you teach him a lesson by remarrying?" Damini asked her daughter out of rage...

"Ma Nikhil had to kill Vihan to save his sister. I am not going to blame Nikhil for that. He is already living happily with his wife. I am not even in these thoughts then what lesson am I going to teach Nikhil? Actually, I'm the one who learnt the lesson. Ma please let us avoid these sorts of conversations in front of Shreya. PLEASE" Sakshi almost begged Damini.

"I can't believe how you are supporting our Shreya's dad's murderer. If I could, I would have killed him!" Damini said.

"PLEASE STOP! Why aren't you talking about your son's wrongdoings? He ruined his life, his daughter's life and my life. If I had told Nikhil about Vihan's motives, my life wouldn't have been like this today" Sakshi shouted at her mother.

"Why are you blaming my son? He is not the one who ruined your life! In fact, you are the one who ruined your life! You are the one who is ruining your future now! You are the one who is a burden to me and Shreya! I will be coming with a proposal the next time I visit you! I will do anything to get you married to him! Mark my words" Damini screamed. Damini wasn't aware of Sakshi's plans to relocate to the UK.

"GET OUT!" Sakshi said with tears streaming down her eyes

"YOU RUIN MY PEACE EVERY SINGLE TIME YOU VISIT ME! I HATE YOU!! PLEASE GET LOST. DON"T VISIT ME AGAIN!!!!!!" Sakshi shouted from the top of her lungs. Even Aarav heard it clearly. When Aarav opened his door to see what was happening, he saw a lady in her mid-fifties storming out of Sakshi's flat with a small girl and the next thing he saw was Sakshi slamming the door in Damini's face, her eyes full of tears.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

How was this chapter?

So Aarav is Sakshi's neighbour now ...

Is there anyone who has Maggi for breakfast haha ?

So Damini was a bit over the top right ? I guess Damini does not have any right to say all that 

 Was Sakshi right to react in that way ? 

Any predictions on what may happen next ? 

Thank everyone for reading ! Please do vote and comment if you liked it.... 

Please do keep your author in your prayers ! Got some exams and assignments coming up very soon :)