A Quiet Night

The dull hum of the ceiling fan echoed gently through the modest room. The glow of Sia’s laptop lit up her tired face as she scrolled through job portals, tabs opened endlessly like unanswered questions . She cannot sit idle. She has to apply for as many jobs as possible.

She exhaled slowly, chin propped on her palm.

“ Hmmm..I’m not even sure they’ll pick me. It’s a long shot.”

She closed her eyes, trying to calm her mind a bit, comprehending the things that had been going on with her these days.

A moment later, her mother knocked softly before entering, a plate of warm food in her hands. She closed the door behind her and looked at Sia.

“You’ve been at this all day. Come, eat something.”

Sia opened her eyes, shut the lid of her laptop and managed a small smile looking at her mother.

“I’m okay, Ma. Just... one more rejection and I think my brain might melt.” Her face made a pout expression.

Her mother placed the plate beside her and brushed her hair gently.

“You’ll get something. And even if you don’t, we’ll still be okay. You’ve done more than you should have. I’m proud of you.”

Sia’s throat tightened. She reached out and wrapped her arms around her mother. Her mother took her more into herself and held her tightly, rubbing on her back and her head.

“I’ll take care of you. Just... give me a little time.” Sia said in a low muffled voice.

“I already feel taken care of.” Her mother ensured her and kissed on her head.

They hugged for a few moments, the kind that says everything silence cannot.

LATER THAT NIGHT

Sia was curled under her blanket, eyes fluttering shut, phone resting beside her. Just as sleep began to take her...

DING.

She blinked groggily and picked up the phone. One unread message:

"Dear Ms. Sia Nair, we are pleased to inform you that you have been selected..."

Her breath caught. She sat up straight, eyes wide as she reread the message twice — three times — heart pounding. She couldn’t believe what she was looking at right now.

“I got it…?”

---

Inside the penthouse, a sleek glass wall offered a full view of the city, the clouded night sky not starry but the lights of the city compensating on its behalf.

Raghav barely glanced at it as he walked in. The door closed behind him with a muted click.

The lights were already on. The housekeeper had laid out a full dinner on the polished dining table. Still hot. Still untouched. And he didn’t even bother to consider it.

He moved towards his room. His steps were slow, tired, methodical.

Raghav took off his watch before tugging off his shirt and tossing it over the armrest.

He headed straight for the shower, the sound of cascading water echoing faintly through the massive space.

LATER

A towel hung loose around his waist as he sat at the edge of his bed. The bedroom was vast. Expensive. Pristine. Cold.

No photos. No noise. Just the low hum of the city outside and the blue glow from his laptop screen.

He checked a few reports. Responded to an internal mail. Closed his inbox.

Then silence.

He shut the laptop. Switched off the bedside lamp. Lay down.

His body sank into the mattress, but his mind didn’t.

It was the same every night — the solitude didn’t bother him anymore. It had simply become... habit.

FADE OUT.