But they’re not swaying wildly in the wind right now, either.
I haven’t checked out the building yet. I’ve been holed up inside for the past month, unless Julian takes me to the store or something. Maybe I need to go explore. I may not leave the building, but I can certainly check out the inside, right?
The keys that Julian had made for me are hanging just inside the door. I try it on the door before I even put my shoes on to make sure it works without issue. When I can visibly see that all locks respond to their keys, I get into my shoes and put on the hoodie that’s hanging by the door. It’s a Chicago Breeze hoodie, so I feel like I’m representing my… partner? Is it okay to call him that?
Not to be debated right now. I make sure I have my phone and the ring of keys in my pocket before stepping out into thehall. There’s an older couple waiting in front of the elevator, and I slowly make my way to them.
As soon as they spot me, they’re all smiles.
“Hello!” the woman says. “Are you new to the floor? I thought we knew all our neighbors.”
I nod. “I live in four.”
“With Julian,” she says excitedly. “Oh good. That boy needed a roommate. I worry about him.” She looks at who I presume to be her husband. “Didn’t I worry about him?”
“We did,” he agrees. He adjusts the cat in his arms, which I’m just now noticing, and offers me his hand to shake. “My name is Paul. This is my wife, Ellie.” I shake their hands and he lifts the cat. “And our Mittens.”
I offer my fingers to the cat to smell and then rub its head behind its ears. “My name is Arush.”
“How long have you been with our Julian?” Ellie asks. “It must be recent, yes?”
“I’ve been here for about a month,” I tell her.
“Where are you from? You have a wonderfully beautiful accent, dear.”
“Mumbai, India.”
“Oh, India!” Ellie exclaims. “I love your food.”
I grin. “Thanks.”
The elevator opens and we step inside together.
“What brings you all this way? India is on the other side of the world.” Ellie asks.
I find I’m stuck staring at her. Do I tell her I came here to marry Julian? No, that seems… it just doesn’t feel right. It feels invasive when we haven’t even spoken about marriage, despite the fact we met on a marriage service site.
“Ellie,” Paul says, taking her hand in his. “Do not put him on the spot.”
“I’m sorry,” Ellie says, but giving me a wicked grin. “You do not need to share your reason.”
I shake my head. “I want to see different places,” I tell her, which isn’t a lie. “I’ve seen different countries close to home, but I’m not sure you could get more different from America.”
“That’s probably very true,” Ellie agrees.
“We’re taking Mittens for a walk. Would you care to join us?” Paul asks as the elevator delivers us to the first floor.
I stare outside again, wondering if it’s as warm as it looks. In the end, I agree. It’s been a while since I’ve gotten some fresh air.
As I letmyself back into the condo, my phone rings. My heart leaps into my throat when I see that it’s Julian, so I answer as I struggle out of my sneakers and get all the locks flipped closed.
“Hello? Are you okay?”
Julian chuckles. “Yes. I’m fine. Are you? You sound out of breath.”
Because he takes my breath away. No, I’m not going to say that. Far too corny. “I was wandering around the building. I met some of your neighbors.”
“Yeah? Who did you meet?”
