Breakfast lasted longer than it needed to.
Mostly because nobody seemed particularly interested in getting up.
Aanya had finished eating several minutes ago, but she was still sitting at the table, slowly drinking her coffee.
Aditi was scrolling through something on her phone.
Sagnik had barely touched his.
The morning had settled into that comfortable period where nobody had anywhere particularly urgent to be.
Until Aanya finally stood.
"Okay."
She reached for the plates.
Aditi looked up.
"No."
Aanya stopped.
"What?"
"Sit down."
"I'm just clearing this."
"No."
"I can clear a table."
Aditi gave her a look.
"Can you?"
Aanya frowned.
"Yes."
Sagnik looked down at his coffee.
He was already trying not to laugh.
Aanya noticed.
"You stay out of this."
"I haven't said anything."
"You're thinking something."
"I'm always thinking something."
Aditi pointed toward the plates.
"Leave them."
"Why?"
"Because you have butterfingers."
Aanya looked personally offended.
"I do not."
"You broke three glasses last month."
"That was one glass."
"Three."
"One was already cracked."
"It wasn't."
"The other one slipped."
"Exactly."
Aanya folded her arms.
"So?"
"So you're not touching the glassware."
"I can carry plates."
"Plates are also breakable."
"I am not a danger to household objects."
Sagnik finally laughed.
Aanya turned toward him.
"Why are you laughing?"
"I'm remembering something."
"What?"
"The mug."
Her expression immediately changed.
"That was not my fault."
"You dropped it."
"It was slippery."
"It was sitting on the table."
"It was a slippery table."
Aditi burst out laughing.
"A slippery table?"
Aanya pointed at her.
"Don't encourage him."
"I don't need to."
Sagnik leaned back in his chair, still smiling.
Aanya sighed dramatically.
"Fine."
She sat down again.
Aditi nodded with satisfaction.
"Good."
Aanya muttered something under her breath.
"What?"
"Nothing."
"I heard you."
"I said you're annoying."
"You'll survive."
Aanya took another sip of coffee.
Then looked at the plates.
"I still think I should be allowed to clear them."
"No."
"Why?"
"Because I like my glassware alive."
Sagnik laughed again.
Aanya glared at both of them.
"Traitors."
Eventually, the table was cleared.
By someone other than Aanya.
She supervised.
Very seriously.
Then they got ready to leave.
The physician's office wasn't far.
They could have gone separately.
None of them suggested it.
Sagnik locked the door behind them.
Aanya stood beside Aditi, adjusting the strap of her bag.
She looked at Sagnik.
"Did you bring everything?"
"Yes."
"Reports?"
"Yes."
"Previous prescription?"
"Yes."
"Scans?"
"Yes."
Aanya stared at him.
"You prepared all that?"
"You would've forgotten half of it."
"I would not."
Aditi looked at her.
"You would."
Aanya sighed.
"Fine."
They began walking.
The morning had become brighter now.
The streets were busier.
Students were beginning to appear around the college area again, carrying bags and talking about their plans now that the examinations were over.
Aanya noticed the difference.
Everyone seemed lighter.
She felt lighter too.
She walked between them, occasionally saying something completely unrelated to the appointment.
Aditi responded.
Sagnik listened.
The conversation wandered.
Then returned.
Then wandered again.
It wasn't until they reached the building that Aanya grew quieter.
She looked up at the sign.
The physician's name was printed beneath the department.
She took a breath.
Sagnik noticed.
"You okay?"
"Yeah."
Aditi touched her arm briefly.
"We're just checking."
Aanya nodded.
"I know."
They entered.
The reception area was quiet.
A few patients sat along the wall.
A nurse checked something on a computer.
Aanya gave her name.
They were told the physician would see them shortly.
So they sat.
Aditi beside Aanya.
Sagnik across from them.
Aanya looked at the clock.
Then at Sagnik.
Then back at the clock.
"How long is shortly?"
Sagnik smiled.
"You've waited longer for coffee."
"Coffee is worth waiting for."
"So is this."
She looked at him.
For a moment, she didn't answer.
Then smiled.
"Okay."
A few minutes later, the nurse called her name.
Aanya stood.
Aditi got up immediately.
Sagnik followed.
The three of them walked toward the physician's room together.
No panic.
No emergency.
Just an appointment that had been waiting for them.