(Not) So Messy

One

"Excuse me", Naksh said as he brushed past yet another person on the sidewalk. He was running dreadfully late and this was his last chance to secure an apartment near the university. He really did not want to travel across the town everyday and it was a miracle that there was a place still available, two days before the commencement of classes. 

He had texted the owner, Chloe, as soon as he came across the listing. She asked him to come over at 4 PM for an interview. It was 3:47 now and he was rushing but he was still 18 minutes away from the location. Naksh hated being late and he did not want to make a bad impression, he really needed this accommodation. 

He was trying very hard not to think about how he was going to explain this to his parents. Even though they had lived in America for about 20 years now, there were still many aspects of the western life that they didn't understand. Living with a girl would be one of them. Naksh was doing what he did best, avoiding the problem by pretending it didn't exist, until it came back to bite him.

He tried to think of other things, he had a list of stuff to get done in the next couple of days. He had to go get his ID and class schedule from the admin office, make sure his equipment is up to speed and go shopping. The hostel he was staying at only had his backpack with a few change of clothes and camera. It had been a last minute decision to run and he hadn't had the time to pack. It was a miracle that he somehow managed to secure a spot at NYU for his Photography Major, he shuddered to think what his back-up option would have been. 

His parents had moved back to India a couple of years ago and ever since been quite out of touch with Naksh and what he was upto. They had all but cut him off the first time he dropped out of uni and he hadn't done much to get back in their good books. He had poured almost all his savings to fund the first semester of college and would be searching for jobs and hoping to land a scholarship or take out an education loan before the next semester's fees was due. 

He was about 3 houses down from his destination when he shut the maps application to conserve his battery, he needed his phone to find his way back. He rang the bell for 201 and ran up the stairs as soon as he was buzzed in. He checked his watch as he knocked on the door. 4:02 PM. He was late but still not as bad as he had expected. He heard faint shuffling on the other side of the door and ran his hand through his hair, messing it up in the process. 

The door is opened by a woman in her early 20s, ‘Chloe?’ asked Naksh, ‘Hi, I am Naksh.’ he awkwardly raised his hand, offering a handshake. Chloe looked surprised to see him and it was a moment before she shook his hand and smiled. ‘I am sorry, I just assumed that Naksh was a girl, it’s not a name I have come across before.’

Naksh’s stomach started sinking, if he didn’t get this apartment because he hadn’t mentioned his gender during his brief text, he would be really mad at himself. 

Chloe gestured for him to come in as she turned around and walked back inside. Naksh walked in and pushed the door shut. Chloe led him to a couch and they sat on opposite ends, turning to look at each other. 

‘So, where are you from?’ she asked, getting up again and going into the kitchen. 

‘Uh, I was born and raised in California. My parents are from India. How about you?’ Naksh was still feeling as though he was on the verge of losing this deal and he really needed a place to stay. 

‘I have always lived around here, actually.’ Chloe said as she came back and offered him a glass of water while taking her place on the couch. He realised he was parched and thanked her with a nod before downing it without a pause. ‘So are you a student at NYU?’ Chloe asked after Naksh had set his glass down. ‘Yes, Photography Major. First Sem, classes start the day after. Are you a student too?’ 

‘Yeah, I am starting my First sem too, in Fine arts.’ ‘Do you tend to have a lot of friends over?’ Naksh was surprised at that question but he quickly shook his head, ‘Oh, no I don’t. I am new to this city and I don’t really know anyone and later when I make friends, I will not invite people over before asking you if it is okay.’ Chloe nodded ‘Yeah, that is cool. So you checked the listing right? We have our own rooms and bathrooms, the living room, kitchen and balcony are shared. We will be splitting gas, electricity, cable and the internet costs. Grocery, we can figure out as per how we adjust. Is that okay with you?’

A weight lifted off Naksh’s shoulder, the interview seemed to be going in the right direction, he could’ve sighed in relief  but he held it in, smiled at Chloe and nodded. ‘Yeah, that sounds perfect.’ 

‘Come on then, I will give you a tour and you can move in whenever. Oh, also you need to give the building manager a copy of your ID, Driver’s license, passport or whatever.’ 

He followed Chloe around the house feeling much better than he had in days, the apartment was small but extremely neat and tidy.He was especially happy to see the balcony where he could go on the rare occasions that he needed to smoke or even just for some fresh air. 

‘So shall I transfer the deposit to you right now, because I honestly like the place and would like to move in tomorrow, if that is okay with you.’ 

Chloe shrugged and said ‘Yeah that’s okay, I will text you the details and you can transfer it whenever. I should warn you though, I have a brother, he is slightly protective. I thought Naksh was a girl and I told him as much but now that you are a guy, he might want to talk to you personally to make sure you are cool. Is that okay?’

Even though Naksh had been raised a single child and spent most of his life with no one really watching his back, he understood that people in general had others looking out for them, so he obviously nodded and assured her that it wouldn’t be an issue. 

They shook hands once again and Naksh left feeling quite happy with himself. He had just taken out his phone to navigate his way to the hostel when it buzzed with an incoming text, it was Chloe sending him the details as promised, along with the total amount due and a breakdown for the same. He really appreciated the transparency and shot a quick reply saying thanks and continued his walk.