9:00 AM…
Ruhi was sleeping peacefully, but the sunlight coming through the window broke her slumber. Stretching lazily, she sat up on the bed, her eyes still closed. After sitting there quietly for a few moments, she yawned and stretched — that’s when she heard a faint sound coming from outside.
Half-asleep, Ruhi walked towards the door with heavy steps. As she slowly opened it, the sound got louder. She started walking toward it, following the noise, until she reached the hall.
What she saw in the hall left her wide–eyed.
Two very different scenes played out before her.
Saaniya looked like a worker rushing for a metro — hurried, focused, completely in work mode. And on the other side… Anamika was dozing on the sofa, her head lolling slightly from side to side. The TV was on, playing an episode of Mr. Bean.
Anamika's eyes were still shut from sleep, but whenever there was a funny sound on the TV, she giggled. At that moment, she looked just like a child — completely unaffected by everything happening around her.
As Ruhi stepped closer to the sofa, she spotted Saaniya in the kitchen, cooking breakfast and packing lunchboxes all at once.
Saaniya stepped out of the kitchen and turned off the TV. As soon as the sound cut off, Anamika opened her eyes to see a very angry-looking Saaniya glaring down at her. Anamika gulped and quickly said, “Hey… Why’re you standing like that? I told you — once Ruhi wakes up and comes out, I’ll go grab my clothes from the room and take a shower!”
Saaniya just gave her a sarcastic smile.
Then Anamika slowly turned around — and saw Ruhi standing right there.
Her face broke into a sheepish smile, and without saying anything, she quietly walked into her room.
She looked just like a little kid who got caught red-handed, while Saaniya looked exactly like a strict mom at that moment.
Saaniya glanced briefly at Ruhi. The look made Ruhi feel a little flustered. Without saying a word, Saaniya went into her room.
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Ruhi followed her hesitantly and said, “I’m sorry!! I didn’t even realize when I fell asleep. I was just about to leave… If you could just tell me where my phone and purse are…”
Speaking as she walked, Ruhi reached Saaniya’s room. She stopped at the door when Saaniya gave her a strange look.
Saaniya was pulling out some bags from her cupboard. Ruhi looked away, thinking maybe she was returning her belongings — which was only partly true.
Saaniya came over to her and said, “Here.”
Ruhi looked at her. In one hand, Saaniya held her purse and phone, and in the other — a small paper gift bag.
Ruhi took her phone and purse and was about to leave when Saaniya called out, “Ruhi!”
She turned back to see Saaniya holding out the paper bag.
Saaniya said, “Here… I mean… you can shower in my bathroom and wear these. I bought these clothes for Anamika a few weeks ago, but she never wore them.”
Ruhi hesitated. “Oh… no, I mean — thank you so much, but I’ll go home and freshen up there!”
Saaniya replied flatly, “You don’t have time for that.”
Ruhi frowned. “What do you mean?”
Saaniya nodded towards the clock and said, “Aditya told me you have a meeting at 10.”
Ruhi looked at the time and yelped, “What?! It’s already 9 and you didn’t wake me up?!”
Saaniya said, “I didn’t even know you were here! Anamika just woke up and told me — I called Aditya right after and he told me about your meeting. I was just about to come wake you!”
But Ruhi wasn’t listening anymore. She was pacing with her hands on her head, muttering, “Oh no, what do I do?! What do I do?!”
Saaniya held the bag out to her with a blank expression and said, “I think you should shower first.”
Ruhi snatched the bag and dashed into the bathroom. After she was gone, Saaniya let out a deep sigh and returned to the kitchen.
Ruhi was back in ten minutes. Her hair was still wet, but she didn’t wait for it to dry — she was already running late.
Just as she was about to leave, Saaniya called out to her.
She came to the hall to find Saaniya drying Anamika’s hair with a blow dryer while Anamika ate her breakfast.
Without stopping what she was doing, Saaniya asked, “How are you going?”
Ruhi replied, “I’m booking a cab!”
“Booked it or just booking it?” Saaniya asked.
Ruhi paused, then admitted, “I’m just booking it now…”
Saaniya looked at her and said, “Your hair’s still wet. Sit here. Eat breakfast while I dry it.”
Ruhi replied quickly, “But I’m getting late!”
Saaniya calmly said, “Don’t worry. You won’t be late. You’ll finish breakfast in ten minutes, and I’ll drop both of you to the office within half an hour.”
Ruhi stared at her, slightly stunned. Saaniya looked up at her again and said in a firm voice, “Come now.”
A little intimidated, Ruhi quietly sat next to Anamika. Saaniya started drying her hair while Ruhi began eating the breakfast Saaniya had made.
Saaniya looked like a strict older sister trying to get her na?ve, clumsy little sisters ready for the day.
Just then, Anamika said, “By the way, Saaniya… did you see Aniket’s wish chit? The one in the bowl was yours. And Ruhi — Aditya put your chit in your purse last night.”
Saaniya said, “She’ll see it once she’s in the office. Let her eat first. I’ve already seen mine.”
Ruhi asked, “What was written in it?”
Anamika quickly said, “Nope! We’re not allowed to tell anyone what’s written on our chits! That’s one of Aniket’s conditions!”
Saaniya rolled her eyes. “Him and his childish conditions. I wonder when he’ll ever grow up!”
A soft smile appeared on Ruhi’s lips. Saaniya’s attitude, her care, her strictness — it all reminded her of her brother, who once fought with their father to let her come to this big city and pursue the job she loved.
That had meant the world to her. Her brother was just like Saaniya — strict on the outside, full of love on the inside.
This morning, these three didn’t just seem like roommates — they felt like a family.
A family not bonded by blood… but by emotions.
But what will happen next?
Will Ruhi be late, or will Saaniya manage to get her to work just in time?
And the biggest question of all…
What secret wishes are hidden in those chits Aniket gave them?
