New Royal Estate was calm. Serene, even.
Tina's apartment building had that same chill vibe. The sun was high in the sky, casting warm rays across her neck, but Tina didn't mind. She felt good. She wanted to talk. She was happy. The birds chirped like they were in sync with her mood.
She was just about to ring the doorbell when Gabe swung the door open.
"You're home early, Miss Smith," he said, trying to spark up a conversation.
"Yeah," she smiled. "I gotta study... but that's later."
She wasn't in a rush, so she sat down next to Gabe in the lobby.
"The estate's real dry today," she said, "but it's cool anyway."
"That's summer for ya."
"It's my favorite time of year."
It always was—she fell in love every summer. Love that never stuck.
"I forgot to tell you, Miss Smith," Gabe added, "We got a new neighbor on this floor—just to the right. She's a little older, but talks like someone half her age. Kinda cool. We spoke."
"Can I meet her?"
"Yeah, she's in."
Tina stood up. She was in the mood to socialize—a rare thing—so she figured why not? She walked over and rang the bell.
"I'm coming," came a voice from inside.
It sounded young. Tina felt herself getting curious. The door opened wide.
The woman was pale-skinned, tall, not that old-looking. Something about her—she looked... Indian? Even in her nightgown.
"Come in, young lady," the woman said, stepping aside. Tina walked in and followed her to the living room.
It had four red couches and golden-painted walls. A painting of an elephant hung on the wall with the word "Almighty" scrawled across it. The place felt royal. Or maybe just very Indian.
"Welcome to my abode," the woman said, smiling.
"Thanks. I'm your neighbor. I live up top—flat twenty—with a friend."
Tina sat down. The woman disappeared into the kitchen and came back holding a shiny stainless dish. Inside were sweets—reddish-orange, definitely Indian. Tina had no doubt now.
"What's your name?" the woman asked, holding the plate out to her. Tina took one. So did the woman, then set the plate on the coffee table and sat down across from her.
"I'm Tina Smith. I'm from New Mexico."
"Pretty name. I'm Riya Aurora. I'm Indian—but I grew up right here in New York. Been here over fifty-six years."
Tina did the math. Riya couldn't be much over sixty.
"I used to teach. Retired now. I'm into art these days—I paint."
"You do?"
"Don't let the age fool you. I'd be doing way more if my legs didn't ache. How old are you?"
"Twenty-one."
Tina was surprised how easily she was opening up. Usually, she kept things close. Her phone buzzed—Cherry asking what was taking so long. She texted back and dropped her phone.
"Boyfriend?"
"Nah. No guy right now."
"Rare. But trust me—he's coming."
Tina thought of Edward. Was he the one?
"You just gotta be careful, sweetheart," Riya said. "Make smart choices. Men? They only really start growing up in their late twenties—some not even 'til their thirties. Some never. You feel me?"
Oh, Tina felt her. Edward was twenty-six.
"There's this song by an Indian artist—I forget the name—but the line goes: 'It takes minutes to fall in love, but a lifetime to forget it.' My friend Rosena used to say it should be the other way around…"
Tina translated it in her head:
"It takes a lifetime to love someone, but only minutes to forget them."
"That's why we gotta think things through," Riya continued. "Learn to tell love from lust. Lust is shallow. They're not really into you—just the idea of you. They chase the body but run from forever. Love? Love's like a flower. You gotta water it or it dies. And we gotta be modest, too…"
Victor wasn't modest. Not even close. Tina knew it. He didn't water her love—he drained it.
"...So yeah," Riya wrapped up. "Just learn the difference. Everything else falls into place."
"All right, Riya."
Tina couldn't even remember how this love lecture started—but for once, she wasn't tuning it out. She was listening. Taking it in.
That afternoon, she had lunch at Riya's.
——
The exams were over. Finally. The campus buzzed with energy. Tina spotted Victor. Laughing. Happy. A new girl by his side.
She missed his laugh, sure—but she didn't want him back. He looked like he moved on. Or maybe he was faking it?
Frank showed up to take Cherry out. Tina headed home. She wanted to call Edward. Let him know she was done with school. Just waiting for her final clearance from NYU.
She bumped into Riya in the lobby.
"Hey there, Riya."
"Tina, darling! You look good—what's with the smile, huh? What's the scoop?"
Tina almost told her: I think I'm in love.
But she held it in. Not yet.
"I just finished my last exam."
"Thanks be to Almighty."
Tina smiled. "I'm starving. We'll talk later, yeah?"
"I made soup—Indian style. You'll love it."
"I'm doing noodles. Later, Riya."
She slipped into the elevator before Riya could launch into another talk.
As soon as she got to the apartment, she grabbed her phone from her bag to phone Edward.
The telephone rang first.
Gabe.
"Forgot to tell you, Miss Smith—you got a package. I didn't get a chance to bring it up yet."
"Bring it," she said, and hung up.
No call to Edward yet. She wanted to know if the gift was from him.
The doorbell rang. She opened it, took the package, and closed the door before Gabe could get chatty.