JANAKI

CHAPTER : 5 Routine

Janaki's POV

As I woke up on Monday morning, the reluctance to face the day was overwhelming. The thought of attending lectures felt like a chore, but I knew I had to go. With a heavy sigh, I got ready, dressed up, and headed out the door, hoping the day would pass quickly.

College was the usual whirlwind of classes and assignments. My friends and I decided to escape the monotony and go somewhere to unwind. We lost track of time, chatting and laughing, enjoying the freedom of the moment. By the time we realized, it was already late in the afternoon.

I arrived home around 5 PM, feeling a mix of fatigue and contentment from the day’s activities. As I walked towards my building, I ran into Adarsh, a guy friend from our complex. We decided to walk home together, catching up on the day’s events and sharing a few laughs.

As we approached the entrance of our building, I spotted Sharvari and Neelesh. Sharvari's face lit up when she saw me, and she called out excitedly, "Janu Di!"

"Hi, Sharvari!" I responded warmly, waving at her. Neelesh, standing beside her, gave me a friendly nod and said, "Hi, Janaki."

"Hi, Neelesh," I replied, my voice carrying a hint of surprise and pleasure at seeing him.

Neelesh's eyes flicked to Adarsh, curiosity evident in his expression. "Who’s this?" he asked, his tone casual but with an underlying interest.

"This is Adarsh," I introduced, gesturing towards my friend. "He lives in the same complex as us."

Neelesh nodded, acknowledging Adarsh with a polite smile. "Nice to meet you, Adarsh," he said, his tone measured.

"Likewise," Adarsh replied, giving a small nod in return.

We headed towards the elevator, and as we stepped in, Sharvari launched into a detailed account of her day, her enthusiasm filling the small space. I listened attentively, smiling at her excitement. Neelesh and Adarsh, however, remained silent, an awkward tension hanging in the air between them.

When the elevator reached Adarsh’s floor, he stepped out, turning to me with a wave. "See you later, Janaki. Bye, Neelesh."

"Bye, Adarsh," I said, waving back.

As the doors closed, it was just the three of us again. Sharvari continued her animated chatter, oblivious to the quiet exchange between Neelesh and me. We rode up in companionable silence, the hum of the elevator the only sound accompanying Sharvari’s cheerful voice.

When we reached our floor, Sharvari bounded out of the elevator, still talking about her day. Neelesh and I followed, a comfortable silence settling between us. As we walked towards our respective apartments, I couldn't help but wonder what Neelesh thought of my friend and our impromptu introduction. There was a sense of curiosity and anticipation in the air, and I found myself looking forward to our next encounter, eager to see where this unexpected connection would lead.

Neelesh POV

That night, after dinner, I decided to take a stroll around the complex to clear my mind. The evening air was cool and refreshing, carrying the faint scent of blooming flowers. As I walked along the familiar paths, I found myself near the community wall where residents often gathered to unwind or play sports.

To my surprise, there was Janaki, engrossed in a game of badminton with her younger brother. She moved with effortless grace, her focus entirely on the shuttlecock, her white frock fluttering lightly as she dashed across the makeshift court. Her brother, equally skilled, returned her volleys with precision and enthusiasm. They were a sight to behold, a perfect blend of sibling camaraderie and competitive spirit.

I stood there for a moment, captivated by the scene. Janaki's concentration was intense, her eyes never leaving the shuttlecock, oblivious to my presence. However, her brother noticed me standing there, a smile spreading across his face as he recognized me. He gestured subtly in my direction, a silent cue that someone was watching.

Janaki, curious about her brother’s sudden distraction, turned around, and our eyes met. A look of surprise crossed her face, followed by a warm smile that lit up her features. Her smile was inviting, almost as if she wanted to share the joy of the game with me.

As she opened her mouth to speak, perhaps to invite me to join them or simply to say hello, I gave a small, polite nod. "Good night, Janaki," I said, my voice carrying across the distance between us. Her smile faltered slightly, replaced by a look of mild confusion as I turned and made my way to the elevator, leaving her standing there, racket in hand.

The elevator doors closed behind me, and I couldn’t help but feel a mix of regret and anticipation. There was something about the simplicity of that moment, seeing her in her element, that made me want to know her more. As the elevator ascended, I replayed the scene in my mind, her surprised expression, and the brief, unspoken connection we shared.

Janaki's POV

During our break time, I was talking to Divya, letting out my frustrations. "Divya, there's something about him that just gets to me. I don’t know what it is, but whenever I see him, I just can’t seem to say anything," I confessed, feeling a mix of exasperation and helplessness.

"Really? What's the deal with him?" she asked, leaning in with genuine curiosity.

"It's his attitude," I said, shaking my head. "Every time he sees me, he just ignores me and walks away. And I stand there, unable to say a word. It’s like all the words get stuck in my throat. But then, the next time we meet, I forget all about how he ignored me before."

Divya listened intently, nodding as I spoke. "So, why don’t you ignore him too? Why are you thinking so much about him?" she suggested, her tone practical and straightforward.

"I thought about that too," I admitted, "but when I see him, I can’t bring myself to do it. I just freeze up."

She gave me a knowing look. "Next time he shows up, you ignore him. Just focus on something else and don’t let him get to you."

Before I could respond, the bell rang, signaling the end of our break. We headed back to class, her words echoing in my mind. Throughout the rest of the day, I tried to concentrate on my lectures, but my thoughts kept drifting back to our conversation and how I might handle the next encounter with him.

After college, I went home, determined to put the day’s events behind me. I buried myself in my studies, hoping to distract myself from the confusing whirlwind of emotions. Despite my best efforts, my thoughts occasionally wandered back to him and our awkward interactions.

That night, as I lay in bed, I replayed Divya's advice in my mind. I resolved to stand my ground the next time I saw him, to keep my composure and not let his actions affect me. With that determination, I finally drifted off to sleep, hoping that tomorrow would bring a chance to prove to myself that I could move past this uncertainty and handle whatever came my way with confidence.