Under The Clear Summer Sky

b o n u s # 3

how anu and maya met

Anu gazed at the kids playing with sand in front of her. She had come to a conclusion that had stunned her, 3 days after she had moved into her new home - pearl complex apartments. 

There was not a single person who was the same age as her.

There were older girls, who were intimidating. She had tried hanging out with them, but on the first day she had introduced herself to them, the girls were in the middle of a huge fight.

Anu wisely decided to stay away.

There were girls younger than her. They were...in a world of their own. Anu couldn't summarize them in any other way.

A little worried for her future in the apartment, Anu plopped down on the swing, swinging her legs. She didn't want to be lonely and friend-less. But it seemed to her, that was going to be her life from here on. Bleak, dim and lonely.

Anu sighed. Her head hung low, her eyes fixed at the tip of her toes.

Well, she still had her friends at school...

And she had her parents  at home....

Damn. She had really hit rock bottom in life. Since when were her socializing skills this bad?

Maybe she should just go and hang out with the older girls. There was going to be a lot of drama, if she went through with her decision but she could deal with it. Hopefully.

She let out a breath, preparing herself.

At that moment, she heard footsteps approaching her. Whoever it was, plopped down on the swing  next to her.

"Yo."

Anu blinked. She looked up at the person beside her.

"Wanna blast some houses together?"

The future girlfriend of a physics teacher blinked once more.

"Well, you looked like you were about to die. I thought you might at least want to blast some houses before you do."

Another blink accompanied with a long stare.

"I'm not a terrorist. I don't want to be, either."

The girl next to her let out a loud laugh. "Do I look like one, then?"

"Not really..."

"I was referring to this game. You can blast people's houses on it. Virtual, in-game houses."

Anu peeked at her console, with interest.

With Maya's demonstrations and patient instructions, Anu began to blast houses and construct random playhouses within the same.

Anu had found her first friend, that day, in the apartment. She was a cool person and Anu had immediately taken a liking to her. 

After blasting the houses of innocent gamers online, the duo had roamed around the apartment talking about every and any topic. She had found that Maya was the same age as her and studied in the same school.

She was even more suprised to find that Maya was the principal's niece. When she told her mother all about Maya, her mother's eyes rose from the cooking stove to her eyes. 

"You've found a good connection. It should be easier requesting for leave now."

Anu, "..."

A few days passed. Anu found herself getting roped into all sorts of adventures and exploits that a normal 9th grader would never imagine doing. Maya was definitely not normal.

"You have only one life. Might as well explore everything, wouldn't you say?"

Anu smiled. I would also like to leave the one life I have peacefully!

On one eventful day, Anu and Maya were sneaking into the security's office. Most of the security personals had gone to the administration office on account of something. Maya saw her chance and took it. Only one man remained. He was talking over phone to his significant other.

"Oh, but my dear sweety-"

"No but, darling, I'm not cheating on you-"

"No, no. It's all men here. Even if I wanted, I don't have time to go visit a woman-"

"No, that's not what I meant at all. I don't want to go visit-"

Maya was trying her best not to laugh. Anu only felt sorry for the man.

"Sir, that's not how you should console a worried woman."

The security man's head whipped around as he hung up, eyes wide in alarm. "What are you two kids doing here?!"

Maya sat down, imitating a wise old man, subconsciously. "See here, sir. Women are not logical creatures. You need to understand the psychology of them."

The security man had been deep in trouble with his wife, it appeared. He ignored the fact that the two kids had sneaked into the office and leaned forward eager to listen to the solution.

"Women want assurance. So, what you should be doing is texting your every move to her and calling her every night!"

The security guard mumbled something, as if Maya's explanation had made a lot of sense to him. Anu, too, nodded her head. It did make sense.

Maya stood up, satisfied. "We'll go now."

It was at that moment, before the two could make their grand escape, that the head of the security guards decided to make his appearance. The two were shooed away while the the security guard in trouble with his wife, also got in trouble with his superior.

Since that day on, Anu decided to stick with Maya. As a result, Anu's everyday life became more entertaining.

a/n: a 3k & 500 votes special! man, i miss anu and maya and vineet :(
written on 20th november 2023
wordcount: 852 words