The play

The next morning, the building felt a little different. It was brighter, livelier, as if it knew something new had arrived. Aria woke up earlier than usual. She brushed her hair quickly and ran straight to the balcony, hoping to see a sign of the new family.

For a few minutes, nothing happened.

Then she saw movement.

Siya stepped into her own balcony, still holding the same teddy bear from yesterday. Her eyes were half sleepy, and her hair was sticking up a little. She looked around quietly, still trying to understand her new surroundings.

Aria grinned and waved.

“Good morning!”

Siya slowly raised her hand and waved back. It was a small wave, but it made Aria happy.

Without even thinking, Aria shouted, “Do you want to play?”

Siya hesitated. She always hesitated. But after a few seconds, she nodded.

Aria rushed downstairs as fast as she could, and Siya came down more slowly. When they finally stood in front of each other, Aria was smiling like she had been waiting for this moment forever.

“What do you want to play?” Aria asked.

Siya shrugged, looking down at her teddy bear. She was shy, unsure, but she was trying.

Aria looked around and spotted her old skipping rope near the steps.

“Let’s skip together!” she said with excitement.

At first, Siya did not join in. She just watched Aria jump with a soft rhythm, her hair bouncing with every hop. But eventually, Aria handed her one end of the rope.

“Come on. Hold this. I will teach you.”

Siya held it quietly. When Aria began to swing the rope, Siya tried jumping. She was clumsy, she missed a few times, but every time she failed, she gave a tiny smile as if she was slowly opening up.

And for the first time since she moved in, Siya laughed.

It was a small laugh, light and soft, but it made Aria feel proud.

After skipping, they sat on the steps eating biscuits that Aria had brought from home. Siya still did not talk much, but she listened. She watched. She smiled in her shy way.

Aria talked about school, about her favorite toys, about how she liked climbing the mango tree behind the building. Siya listened with wide eyes, as if every word was new and exciting.

When it was time to go home for lunch, Aria stood up and said, “We can play again later, right?”

Siya hugged her teddy bear and nodded.

That nod was more than enough.

As Aria climbed the stairs back to her apartment, she kept looking over her shoulder at Siya, who was still standing there quietly. Something in her heart told her that this girl, this shy new neighbor, was going to be important.

She had no idea how true that was.

The friendship that started that morning would grow strong, bright, and full of

memories.

Until the day everything fell apart.