"What can I say? I missed the rain. Plus, you came to rescue me, so it's all good."
Dev mocked a scowl. "You're unbelievable. Next time, bring an umbrella."
She stuck out her tongue. "But then you wouldn't have a reason to come save me."
He rolled h...
Dev woke with a sharp, throbbing pain behind his eyes, the kind of headache that made everything feel heavier. He groaned as he pushed himself up from the bed, the dim LED lights casting a soft glow over his room. The muted grey walls, simple yet sleek, seemed to press in on him, amplifying the tension in his skull. He blinked against the dull light, trying to shake off the fogginess that clung to his mind.
His bedroom, like the rest of the house, was understated but luxurious. The bed was large, draped in simple but elegant sheets, and the furniture was minimalist, with a few carefully chosen pieces that gave the space a modern yet cozy feel. There was nothing extravagant here, just subtle touches of refinement—a sleek nightstand, a leather chair in the corner, and a glass desk tucked near the window, the only source of natural light that now filtered dimly through the drawn curtains.
Rubbing his temples, he wandered out of the room, padding barefoot across the cold marble floor. His head throbbed with every step, and he winced as he made his way down the hallway, past the two spare bedrooms he hardly ever used. The hallway led him into the heart of the house—the living room.
The dark interiors created a cool, tranquil space, dominated by the massive 32-inch TV mounted on the wall. Below it sat a sound system, wires tucked away neatly, as if the space had been designed for perfection. In the corner of the room was his gaming setup—a comfortable chair, a headset hanging on the hook beside it, and his console perched beside the sleek tower PC. Online gaming had been his escape for years, a place where the world's expectations didn't weigh him down, where he could lose himself in the chaos of virtual battles.
But not now. The headache kept him from even thinking about gaming. He needed something to clear his mind, something comforting. His eyes drifted to the open-plan kitchen, and instinctively, he knew what he wanted.
The kitchen was pristine and modern, every surface polished to a gleam. Dark countertops, stainless steel appliances, and cabinets that opened without so much as a squeak. He pulled open one of those cabinets and saw an array of instant noodles staring back at him—various brands, flavors that ranged from spicy to mild. But his eyes went straight to the familiar yellow packet. Maggi. The one constant in his life since college, a quick fix for the soul on nights like these.
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He grabbed the packet and filled a pot with water, letting it come to a boil. The sound of bubbling water filled the quiet kitchen as he tore open the packet, tossing the noodles into the water. The familiar aroma began to waft up, soothing him in a way nothing else could. As the noodles softened and absorbed the seasoning, he leaned back against the countertop, letting the steam rise up and wash over his face, the warmth a small balm against the throbbing in his head.
His house was large, too large for one person, yet it was his sanctuary. The living room opened up into the kitchen, separated only by a sleek island with barstools, perfect for a casual meal. The lighting was soft, recessed into the ceiling, casting a dim glow that made the dark wood and metal finishes feel even more elegant. Everything had been chosen with care, from the minimalist design to the cool color palette that gave the entire place a calm, composed energy.
Dev glanced back at the living room, at the sofa he often sunk into after long workdays, the gaming setup he would escape to, and the floor-to-ceiling windows that let in a view of the quiet neighborhood outside. His bungalow stood at the edge of a peaceful residential area, not far from his parents' place, but far enough that he could be alone with his thoughts.
The Maggi was ready. He poured it into a bowl, the noodles spiraling as they settled into the dish. He sat down at the small dining table near the kitchen, the steam rising from the bowl as he lifted the fork to his mouth. As the warmth of the food hit his tongue, he felt something inside him relax—a quiet, comforting moment amid the chaos of his thoughts.
The clock read 11 PM, but Dev barely noticed as he placed the now-empty bowl of Maggi on the kitchen counter, his mind elsewhere. The quiet hum of his house enveloped him in a stillness he wasn't used to, and without thinking, he found himself walking towards his bedroom. His feet seemed to move on their own, almost as if drawn by something unseen.
As he crossed the threshold into his room, his eyes fell on an object he hadn't touched in months. A diary. Old, yet somehow well-preserved. It sat in the far corner of his desk, tucked away neatly as if it had been waiting for him all this time. He hesitated for a moment, his hand hovering over the smooth, slightly worn leather cover. It felt familiar, yet distant—like an old friend he hadn't spoken to in ages.
He picked it up, feeling the weight of time in his hands. The cover was unmarked, plain, yet when he opened it, the pages held so much more than just ink and paper. As he flipped through the diary, the memories hit him like a wave. There, between the crisp, yellowing pages, were fragments of his past—photographs, sketches, and scribbled notes. All of them revolving around one person: Srinika.
