Apartment No. 107
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Chaotic Soul
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307K
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36
Chapter 1
RIDHI
I stared at the paper in my hand, my eyes wide. I’d come downstairs for the mail, expecting nothing but bills and flyers. Instead, I got this. My hands shook so much I almost dropped it. I was seconds away from falling apart when Grandma called my name.
“What is it, Ridhi?” she asked, her voice soft as she walked in from the kitchen, pushing her glasses up her nose. I blinked fast, forcing a smile, but she saw right through me. Her sweet, wrinkled face was all worry.
“I—I think I got in,” I whispered, letting out a small laugh. Grandma didn’t even try to hold back her tears.
“Sweet Jesus! Our prayers have been answered. Oh! This is the happiest day of my life.” Her voice broke as she pulled me into a hug so tight I could barely breathe. For the first time in forever, it really did feel like the happiest day. “Your dad would have been so proud of you,” she whispered against my shoulder.
I finally got the scholarship. University of Texas, Arlington. Master’s in computer science. Dad’s old school. He used to tell me stories about it, how much he loved it there. I always wanted to go, but I never thought I was smart enough. Not like him.
“I know, Grandma. It’s amazing. But it says I have to join next month. It’s all happening so fast, and I don’t want to leave you alone.” My voice came out small.
Since my parents died, Grandma’s been my whole world. She’s always taken care of me. The thought of leaving her behind made my chest ache. I started to wonder if I should even go.
This is insane.
The university was covering my tuition and housing—on or off campus, my choice. Fifty thousand dollars. All I had to do was show up in mid-July.
“Nonsense, who said I’m going to be alone? I can finally go on that six-month all-India pilgrimage tour.” She squealed, her eyes lighting up, and I stared at her.
“What? When did you even plan that?”
She grinned. “Come on, Beta. I knew this day would come. You were always meant for bigger things. I’m not surprised you got the scholarship.” Her smile was so warm I almost melted.
“I still can’t believe it. I’ve always dreamed of studying abroad, but now that it’s real, I’m terrified.” I flopped onto the couch, feeling like a little kid again. Grandma sat down beside me.
“What’s so scary about it?”
“Everything. We’re Indian, Grandma. What if no one understands my accent? What if I hate the food? What if I don’t make any friends? What if I fail all my classes and embarrass myself?” I rattled off every fear I could think of.
Grandma just shook her head, laughing softly.
“Or maybe none of that will happen. Maybe you’ll love it there.” She looked at me, her eyes shining. “My son was just like you. He doubted himself until the moment he got on that plane. But look what happened—he topped his class, started his own company. He made us all so proud.” She squeezed my hand, and I took a deep breath, trying not to cry.
“Yeah. Dad was amazing,” I whispered, thinking of him and Mom. I hoped they were watching. I hoped they were proud.
“Stop worrying and start packing. I need to make your favorite pickles and jams so you can take them with you.” She jumped up, already planning, and I couldn’t help but smile.
She didn’t look sad at all. Either she was hiding it, or she was just that happy for me. Maybe both. For the first time, it started to feel real.
I was going to Texas. Leaving India behind.
Holy fuck.
I was finally about to taste the freedom I’d only dreamed about. In my Indian household, curfews didn’t magically disappear just because you turned twenty-one. I was a twenty-one-year-old virgin.
Sure, I’d had crushes, but I never acted on any of them. My strict upbringing made everything feel forbidden, and honestly, a part of me was thrilled to be leaving this country behind.
Living on my own meant I could do whatever the hell I wanted—well, as long as I managed to keep my grades up.
I yanked my long black hair into a high ponytail and dashed up to my room, already buzzing with ideas. My phone started ringing right as I flopped onto my bed. I grabbed it, glancing at the screen.
Eshika Calling.
I grinned and answered, sinking back into my pillows. Eshika was my best friend in the entire world.
“What’s up, yaar? I’m bored out of my mind,” she said, her voice lazy. I could picture her perfectly—messy bun, sprawled out on her bed.
“Guess what?”
“What?”
“I got in.” I couldn’t keep the excitement out of my voice. She screamed so loud I had to yank the phone away from my ear.
“No fucking way! Please tell me you’re not messing with me,” she practically shrieked.
“I’m not joking, Esh.”
“Oh my god! I’m coming over right now. We have so much to do. Bitch, I know I’m going to cry my eyes out later, but let’s focus on the fun part for now.” She didn’t even pause for breath.
“Yeah, I’m still trying to process it. It doesn’t even feel real. I don’t know what I’m going to do without—”
“Nope. Don’t even start, girl. I am not crying today. I’ll be there in fifteen minutes, and we’re planning your entire wardrobe and stalking everything about Texas.” She hung up before I could say anything else.
I let out a huge sigh, already picturing all the wild things she’d make me do. Not that I was complaining.
Eshika was everything I wasn’t—fun, wild, a total extrovert. We’d gone to the same school, the same college, but our paths were different. She was into photography and interning at a tiny start-up. Even though her family was strict too, she always found ways to rebel. Thanks to her, I’d had some crazy adventures I’d never regret.
God, I already knew I was going to miss her like crazy.
***
“Okay, half your wardrobe is sorted, and tomorrow we’re shopping for the rest. Now, let’s talk about where you’re going to live,” Eshika said, clapping her hands like a kid on Christmas morning. I was sitting on my bed, stuffing my face with my grandma’s hot parathas. I finally looked up and met her gaze.
She was the gorgeous best friend—waist-length brown hair, tall, those beautiful brown eyes. I was short next to her, with jet-black hair, olive skin, and amber eyes.
“God, I’m going to miss home food,” I sighed, licking butter off my fingers. She made a face and shook her head.
“I don’t know how you stay so skinny eating like that,” she said, pointing at my plate. I rolled my eyes.
“So, what have you decided? Please don’t tell me you’re staying on campus.”
“I’m new there. Isn’t it safer to live on campus?” I argued, but she groaned and flopped down next to me.
“Oh my god! Dorm rooms are the worst. Seriously, I’ve read all about it. So boring. So lame.” She was practically yelling. I already knew I wasn’t going to win this one. “I’m making sure you have the best time in Texas, babe.” She shot me an evil wink and grabbed my laptop.
“What are you doing?” I asked, half scared, half excited. Without her, I’d be lost. Making friends wasn’t exactly my thing.
“Finding you an apartment close to your university,” she said, already typing away.
“I think the university only gives three hundred dollars a month for expenses if I stay off campus, and I don’t have enough for the advance,” I told her, flipping through my offer letter for the hundredth time.
“We’ll find something. You could share an apartment with someone, and it would totally fit your budget.” She didn’t even look up from her laptop.
She’s relentless. Seriously, does she ever give up?
“This is such a bad idea,” I groaned, flopping back onto the bed.
“Wait, look at this. Room available for rent. No preference. Pets allowed. No advance payment. Rent is five hundred dollars.” She read the ad out loud, and I shot up, peering over her shoulder at the screen.
“It’s so close to your uni, and look at these pictures, babe. It’s a two-bedroom, and it’s huge.”
We started scrolling through the photos, and I had to admit, it looked amazing. Way better than a cramped dorm room. But five hundred dollars? That was a lot.
“The rent’s too high. Let’s keep looking,” I said, trying not to sound as disappointed as I felt. She just kept scrolling, determined.
***
Two hours later, we were still searching, and nothing else even came close to that first apartment. My mind kept drifting back to it. It was just so perfect.
“What now? I really liked that first place,” I pouted, glancing at her. She blinked at me, then sighed.
“Why don’t you ask your grandma for help?”
“I don’t want to, babe. She’s already done so much for me. I can’t ask her for more.”
She gave me a soft, apologetic look. We sat in silence for a minute before she groaned, “Oh God, I guess it’s the dorm room, then.” She made a face so dramatic I couldn’t help but laugh.
“It’ll be fine, Esh. I can still have fun. It’s not like here—no curfews or anything, right?” I tried to sound upbeat, even though I was bummed about giving up on the apartment.
She nodded, and we both let it go. At least, we tried.
“Let’s stop thinking about that gorgeous apartment and talk about boys,” she mumbled, and I burst out laughing.
“Do you really think the guys will be as hot as in those teen rom-coms?” I asked, twirling a strand of hair around my finger.
“Of course, babe. I’m so jealous. I can already picture you running into hot guys everywhere.”
“No way. I worked my ass off to get this opportunity. I’m not getting distracted by boys,” I said, trying to sound serious. But honestly, her idea was tempting.
“Oh, come on. Just meet a hot guy and have sex already. Blow off some steam. If I were you, I’d do it in a heartbeat.”
“Uhhh…you have a boyfriend,” I pointed out, and she shot me a glare.
“Secret boyfriend. And there’s nothing wrong with looking at hot guys.” She huffed, then sighed. “It’s so annoying to sneak around just to see him.”
I felt a pang of sympathy. Relationships were tough here, especially with all the rules.
“I’m sure your parents will understand if you tell them about him,” I said gently. She nodded, looking hopeful.
“Yeah, I’ll tell them about Aarnav once he gets a job.”
“He will. Don’t worry,” I smiled, and she stood up, smoothing her hair and touching up her lipstick.
“Okay, I’m going to meet him now. Cover for me if my parents call, okay?” She grinned at me in the mirror.
“Of course. Text me when you get home.”
“Yeah, babe. And be ready tomorrow—we have so much shopping to do!” she squealed, practically skipping out the door.
I let out a long breath and closed my eyes, letting it all sink in. Moving away was actually happening. I just wished my parents were here to see me off. I wanted to see how proud they’d be.
I brushed away a single tear before it could fall any farther. No more being the sad girl whose parents were gone. Life was messy—sometimes it knocked you down, but sometimes it surprised you, too.
I took a deep breath and pushed all those heavy feelings aside. Then I headed downstairs, determined to spend some real time with my grandma.
Translations:
Parathas – Indian food similar to pancakes.
Beta (Hindi) – Child
Yaar – An Indian slang similar to dude/bro/mate
