text: "And this is why I hate moving, '' exhales Namita and lights up her cigarette. She looks around from her balcony. A sense of loneliness sinks into her as she sees rows and rows of empty balconies and she thinks to herself "Where is human life here?" She just shifted to this apartment and was looking to make new friends. She finished her cigarette and went back into the flat. As she was arranging her stuff she starts questioning her decision to move. “Why did I leave my friends and sweet home! Now I need to make new friends here.” While reminiscing the good old days she starts snoozing off and then finally sleeps on the floor. “Knock knock” she woke up in a jump. “Coming”. “Ma’am your grocery is here” says the delivery man. She thanks him and goes into her messed up kitchen. “I think i need a cup of tea”. She prepared the tea and went to her balcony with the cup. “Love this weather. Yeah I remember now, I came to Bangalore for this weather”. There was a commotion of a normal evening in the apartment. She again started looking at the balconies and saw one guy in the adjoining one. “Hmm my neighbour, finally”. Pankaj was her neighbour and he was quite an introvert. He hardly interacted with anyone in society. Today he was quietly reading a book on his balcony. “Hey there” shouted Namita but Pankaj didn’t respond. “I am your new neighbour, I have just moved today”. “Hello, Myself Pankaj”, Pankaj replied in an impersonal tone. He didn’t even look at her. “That's a bit rude” thought Namita, “Can’t he give a bit of a warm welcome, no I am here to help if you need anything”. Namita shrugged it off and got back to her cup of tea. Next day in the evening she again saw him on the balcony. This time again she initiated conversation. Pankaj was more warm in his response. But Namita sensed awkwardness in his body language. He was not making eye contact while conversing. She thought it was normal being a bit awkward in the beginning. These small talks continued for 2-3 days. But Namita always notices he’s not comfortable with her because of how he avoids eye contact with her. “Maybe something is wrong with her eyes, huh” She thought. ............. Over the weekend she was coming down stairs to throw some stuff. She was quite exhausted and not being mindful. The new stairs were less forgiving of her lack of attention and she slipped on the stairs. Luckily at the end moment she was caught by none other than Pankaj. “I am so sorry” she said, taking back control. “It’s no problem” replied Pankaj. “Wait, did he just look into my eyes ... Yes he did. And he has beautiful eyes” thought Namita. She thanked him again and continued on her way. She kept thinking about his eyes. .......... They started having a daily routine of talking though balconies now. Pankaj was also more comfortable with her now. They discuss their daily lives in the evening. Namita even asked him why he doesn’t mingle with anyone else in society. He just replied he's a bit shy. After a few days Namita invited Pankaj over for a party. “Come we’ll have fun. I have asked my office colleagues to come over too”. “I’ll try but i can’t promise” Pankaj tried to shrug it off. “Please please, you have not even seen my flat yet. We just talk over balconies” “Ok I’ll try to make it” ........... Finally Friday came and the party started. Namita’s friend started coming in. Everyone was enjoying the party, but Namita was waiting for someone else. Hours went by and Pankaj didn’t come. After everyone left She started cleaning up the flat. Someone knocked on the gate. Finally Pankaj arrived. “Why are you so late?” asked Namita, a bit annoyed. “I was just waiting for everyone to leave, you know I am a bit shy. I generally don’t come to the parties but I promised and here I am”. “Well the party is over. Now you should help with cleanup. This is your punishment”. “Sure”. “Also there’s some wine left, please help yourself” Pankaj poured two glasses of wine. They started cleaning the flat. Namita shared her experience, how she enjoyed getting everyone here.. “Ok, tell me one thing, why were you so afraid of me in the beginning? You never even looked me in the eyes” teased Namita. “You want the right answer or wrong one” “Hmm, tell me wrong first” “well, I am shy” “And real reason” “That’s bit long and you might not like it” “Well I have all the time and 2 bottles of wine to like your reason” “Ok, I tried to warn you. The thing is I don’t want to look into the people’s eyes” “I know that. But *why*?” exclaimed Namita. “Because I immediately know when and how people are going to die” Pankaj said monotonously. “What? How?” asked Namita with a bewildered look on her face. “For some reason when I see through the eyes, I can talk to the soul of the person” “ok, go on” . Suddenly the glass of wine was feeling too heavy to her. “The soul tells me when and how they are going to die. I can’t have this burden on me. If I know when a person is going to die and then I can’t just pretend to talk like everything is normal” “Ok but you looked into my eyes and you are very comfortable with me now” asked Namita. Wine’s effect was fading on her. “Yeah, I tried to avoid you. But that day on the stairs I accidentally looked into your eyes”. “Hmm ok. And you don’t feel any burden because of me?” asked Namita in a sobered tone but she felt ghastly.