K. Tea and you?

I was sitting and eventually moved to my room to sleep. After tossing and turning, I finally fell asleep. When I woke up in the morning, the sun was already high, and the door was left open, with sunlight pouring directly in. I got up, drank some water, and stepped out to see Shraddha's door open. Her hair was wet—just slightly damp. She had stepped outside to dry it in the sun, and a few droplets of water splashed on me. She noticed me, smiled, and greeted me.

"Tea?" she asked.

My attention was still on her hair. When I realized she had spoken, I couldn't recall what she'd said, so I just replied, "Good morning."

"I asked about tea. Should I make some? Aunty's gone to the market," she offered.

Looking away, I teased, "Tea and you? Do you even know how to make it?"

"What's that supposed to mean? Just because I can paint well doesn't mean I can't make tea?" she shot back.

"Alright, go ahead and make it. But don't add cardamom. I hate it."

"You must hate the whole world too," she muttered mockingly when I added this condition.

"Why do you get annoyed? Don't do me a favor by making tea, I'll make it myself Otherwise, I'll make it myself."

"Do you even know how to make it?" she asked while shaking her hair, and a few more drops landed on my face. Annoyed, I wiped them off and scolded, "What's your problem? Stop splashing water on me. Stop this rain!"

"Good thing it hit you. Seems like you haven't washed your face properly yet. Princess wakes up and immediately demands tea!" she retorted sarcastically.

"Do they pay you to argue with me? You put in so much effort! Forget it, I don't need your tea," I snapped and went to freshen up.

Later, I sat down to watch some interview videos on my laptop, learning how to introduce myself. After about an hour, I called Vishwas.

"Where are you?"

"I'm at Juhu Beach."

"I'm coming too."

"No, I'll come to you. You thought of me, so let me come over." As I locked my room and stepped out, Shraddha stopped me.

"What happened? Made your tea?" she teased, now with her hair tied back and a brush in hand.

"I don't have time for your nonsense. I'm going out," I replied.

"Take me with you. I'll get bored here," she pleaded like a little puppy. Her sudden change of tone irritated me.

"You can't come! fuck off!" I stepped outside and waited, only for Shraddha to emerge again.

"What happened? Vishwas isn't here yet?" she teased.

"How do you know it's Vishwas?"

She handed me my phone, holding my hand. "You forgot it inside. He called. he's stuck in traffic. It'll take him at least half an hour. This is Mumbai—take a Local train to Juhu, or else he won't make it."

"Did I ask for your suggestion?" I said with attitude.

"Shut up! That attitude isn't doing you any favors. If you want, I can come with you. I know the local trains well."

Annoyed, I called Vishwas. "Where are you?"

"I'm stuck in bad traffic. I'll be there soon," he said.

I hadn't had tea since morning, and Mom still wasn't back. What should I do? I was hungry too. Forget it, I'll just go myself. I don't even know how to make tea.

"What's wrong, charming girl? Go charm the tea vendor, maybe he'll give you a free cup," Shraddha teased, laughing.

"I have money for tea, okay? And I'm hungry too!" I said and stormed off to the terrace.

Twenty minutes passed as I paced back and forth, and the aroma of delicious food began wafting through the air. Then I turned around and saw Shraddha with a plate of food and a cup of tea.

"Aa tame maara mate che." (This is for you.)

"Amar jonno? " (For me?) I asked, pointing at myself.

"Yes, for you. Tame anya koi chhe aa? Koi bloody bhootani! (Do you see anyone else here?)" she replied with a smirk. She understood my language?

I took the plate and tea and asked, "Tui khawa hoye gechish? (Did you already eat?)"

She nodded horizontally and said with her eyes. I went downstairs to check if there was more food but found none. So, I took an extra cup, poured some tea, and shared a portion of my food onto another plate. Then I went back upstairs and knocked on her door. She was painting but still left the door open.

"Eti tomar jonyo. (This is for you.)" I said.

"What about you?" Again? She understood my language? We both take some time to understand each other's language, but somehow we understand, even though we don't always know what it means, but we know what the other is trying to say.

"I kept some for myself. Don't worry."

Shraddha sipped the tea and said, "Where's yours? Go get it before it gets cold."

I brought my tea and plate. The food was delicious, and I couldn't stop smiling as I ate. Seeing me, Shraddha smiled too and started eating.

"How is it, Divya?" she asked.

"It's amazing! But this isn't enough to satisfy my hunger," I said.

"You can have my portion too," she offered. I declined at first, but when she insisted.

I called Vishwas again. "Bring snacks and tea when you come."

Shraddha commented, "Charming girl, you know Vishwas loves you, right? Aren't you breaking his heart by hanging out with him like this?"

Smiling, I replied, "He's just a kid. He falls in love easily because there's nothing exciting in his life. Don't worry, he'll forget me. You'll take care of him, won't you?"

After a pause, Shraddha said, "I don't think he'll ever forget you. I could never take your place."

"Relax! You're overthinking it."

"No, I'm right. He could do anything to have you."

"But he'll never have me. I've never seen him as a boyfriend, only as a friend. I need someone I can share my life with, more than just love."

"He could be perfect for that," she argued.

"No, he doesn't even know anything about painting. He once gave me a Doraemon drawing, thinking I'd like it."

"You're overanalyzing. He tried. Maybe you should give him a chance."

"I can't. Even when I talk to him, I don't feel like he's boyfriend material. He's nice, but not for me."

"Then you're not going to find anyone." Shraddha chuckled.

"Simple. I don't need anyone. Growing up watching my parents fight, I've never liked relationships much."

She stopped ship the tea and our eyes met. Just then, Vishwas arrived with vada pav and tea.

"Here you go. Happy now?" he replied.

I asked, "Tumi meye er kapor keno niye asoni? (Why didn't you bring a girl clothes?)"

"Tara hotele ache. Please forgive, I will bring that girl look next time and I eat those oranges too, so..." he said,

Shraddha laughed, "That girl was this? How cute."

"Get inside quickly," I said. I handed Shraddha a vada pav and noticed he didn't bring one for himself.

"Where's yours?" I asked him.

"I don't eat pav. I'll gain weight, I wanna be heathy for you." he said.

"Who are you trying to impress?" Shraddha teased.

"You," he said but then looked me with smile.

I looked at Shraddha, who chimed in, "Vishwas, why don't you leave her alone?"

I said, "Ugh! I gotta go, feeling bored."

"Me? What would I do there?" Shraddha asked

You two enjoy yourselves," I replied.

Vishwas added, "Let's go Divya, I will get bored with Shraddha"

Sitting in the car with Vishwas, watching Mumbai's traffic, and then going to the beach to feel the breeze, it feels nice. Opening my arms and stepping into the water feels silly, like some over-the-top scene from a web series called Life. It makes me feel like I'm the main character, even though that's not how it works and also with love, I enjoy spending time with Vishwas, but when I close my eyes and imagine what being in love feels like, it doesn't feel like it would be with someone like him. But then, what would it feel like? Sometimes I find myself wondering about that too.