That day was a weekend. Since he told her he’d arrive that day, she didn’t have any rigid plans. She simply drove to the local library.

When she returned, she saw the bedroom arranged well and the man inside was on the phone. She went into her study, promptly remembering that the bedroom wasn’t hers anymore. Since the door was left open, she could see the inside and she suddenly felt like a nosy neighbour who was peeping unnecessarily.

The study was a big room, painted in all white, with the nicest balcony, given that she lived on the 22nd floor. It was more than half of her world. She looked around the room and walked to a wall. She picked out a colourful note, crushed it and put it in the bin. She then added another note in its place, and the wall was barely visible again. She changed 3 more notes.

On the other side of the wall was a rack full of books. On the next wall was a big white table, properly organised with a computer on one side and a stack of documents on the other. The table would mostly be empty, just how she liked it. On one side, there was a beige coloured recliner. All of this took up half the room. On the corner was a glass sliding door that led to the balcony. The last wall and the space before it was empty. That’s where she’d sit down and get work done sometimes.

She took a book she borrowed just then and sat on the balcony.

When his call ended, he walked into her room. “What are you doing?”

She looked at him and turned her focus back to the book.

“What book is that?”

This time she frowned at him.

“What do you want for dinner?”

She looked at him and nodded with a serious face.

“What do you want to eat?”

She closed her book. “Anything. And, don’t just come in here. This isn’t your place.”

“Fine. Then I won’t ask you next time,” he said and smiled at her before softly shutting the door and going out.

The kitchen was minimalistic. So, she really gets 80% out of 20, huh? He made the best dish he could with the few ingredients and utensils that decorated the cupboards. Thankfully, she had an extra plate, or she’d let him eat after her.

When he wanted to say the table though, he simply didn’t find one.

He knocked on her door. “Geetha, where do we eat?”

“Go eat in your room.”

“Food will turn cold, so come have dinner”

“I’ll eat later!” She got slightly agitated.

“OK.”

When she opened her door after an hour, he quickly walked out of his room.

“I’ll reheat them.” When she found him waiting for her, she became unnerved. She had seen enough guilt tripping all her life. He may not have such an intention, but what else could he achieve with that?

“I’ll do it myself. You go.”

“I didn’t eat either. Where do we sit?” He put the dishes on the stove.

She grabbed a plate and stood beside him. After a few minutes, he filled her plate. She walked towards the window, put her plate on the counter, and then climbed over the counter with a little jump. Her legs dangled as she started her meal enjoying the breeze.

He served himself and walked to her. The counter was spacious and empty enough to accommodate one more person, but his grown up self did not want to sit there. He started eating.

“Go eat in your room. Don’t stand and eat.”

“I’m fine. Should we get a table?”

“Get a chair or just eat somewhere else.” She nodded at the living area in the front.

“It’s okay.”

After dinner, he said, “That’s a great place to eat but don’t climb it from now on.”

“This is my house.”

“You are pregnant, so be more careful. I’ll get a small table. We’ll put it in there and it’ll still be spacious,” he said, pointing to a corner in the kitchen.

She had a frown on but she nodded slowly.

The next week, they are at the little table he assembled. One month went by and he did not step into the study room nor did he knock on her door just for the sake of talking to her. They’d have 2 meals together everyday and that was enough for now, he thought.

It had been a year since the company reached the break even. The economic situation was also great and the plans to go public were under way. He was so busy, he barely got time off his phone and computer. He did not encroach on her ‘my time’ at all.

Over dinner, he told her about the plan.

“We just got another leak. Our popularity has grown a lot. This is the best time. Did you see the report? This leak is a partnered one.”

“I saw. They’re big. Their journalists are also completely anonymous.” Complete anonymity was the key. He only knew who his executive members were. They had a system developed for complete anonymous yet trustworthy collaboration.

“You did?” He was happy she checked up.

She nodded as she ate.

“You don’t have to go on site? At all?” Her voice was low, and her eyes were in her bowl.

“I have to. I’ll go once the first phase analysis is done.”

She nodded quietly.

“Can you get a leave?”

“Me?” she asked, a little confused.

“Aren’t you a shareholder now?”

“The agreement isn’t notarized yet.”

“So, are you not claiming profit for this quarter?”

“I barely understand the company. I won’t object to any decision. You can represent me,” she said, without answering his question.

“Hm, alright. I’ll get the agreement notarized this time.”

She nodded.

When the time came for him to leave, he told her, “Be careful.” She was in the fourth month and her baby bump was just starting to show.

“I will.”

“Call me if anything happens, okay?” She was an assertive woman and should she need him, she’d definitely call him. But what worried him was that she’d not feel the need at all.

“Okay.”

“Then, bye. I’ll be back soon.”

“Bye.”

He was already at the door, but he walked back to where she sat, 10 feet away, with a plant and a paper to draw it on. He kissed her between the eyes and left, closing the door behind.