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Chapter 3 - Chapter 3: Noise Complaints

The next evening, Aanya sat at her desk, trying to focus.

The assignment from Liora Academy ofDesign was due in two days, and her sketch for a café branding project still looked like a scribble from a distracted child. She had her pencil in hand, her reference notes open, and the motivation of a sleepy rock.

And then—Boom. Boom. Strum. Strum. Laugh.

She closed her eyes and let out a long sigh.

Across the way, from his now-familiar balcony, came the not-so-soft sounds of Ruhan's music. And maybe him singing. Or yelling. It was hard to tell.

She opened the glass door and stepped outside.

"Hey!" she called out, not too loud, not too soft.

Ruhan popped his head out. "Oh, hey, Aanya. Good timing. I was just—"

"Practicing for a stadium concert?" she deadpanned.

He blinked. "Too loud?"

"You think?"

He looked sheepish. "I was testing some loops. Didn't realize it was echoing."

Aanya crossed her arms. "I have a deadline. And I can't think with your music trying to fight gravity."

Ruhan held up his hands in surrender. "Fair. I'll kill the amp. Just give me five minutes to wrap it up?"

She considered him. His voice was polite. Genuinely apologetic. And somehow, she couldn't bring herself to stay mad.

"Five minutes," she said. "And no drum solos."

"No promise," he grinned, but disappeared inside anyway.

Aanya turned to go back in.

"Wait," he said suddenly.

She looked back.

He held up a little red packet. "Peace offering. Coffee."

Aanya tilted her head. "You bribing me with coffee now?"

"Yes. It's the only thing I have more faith in than my music."

She laughed. Not a full laugh. But enough.

"Keep it," she said. "I prefer mine fresh."

"Ah, a coffee snob."

"A coffee loyalist."

He saluted. "Well, Madam Loyalist, I'll turn it down. You get your silence."

Aanya nodded. "Thank you."

She turned back toward her room, but not before she heard him mumble:

"...And here I thought I'd be the mysterious, charming neighbor."

She smiled to herself.

He wasn't mysterious.

But charming?

Maybe a little.

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