"So, do I have to pay for tap water too?", I asked, turning on and then turning off the faucet in the kitchen.
"You surely didn't think that water here in Switzerland was free, did you?", Mrs. Bücher asked.
"I was hoping.", I replied with an awkward smile.
"Well, it's not too expensive if you think about other things you have to pay for here.", she sounded reasonable.
It was a beautiful 3 storey house, build with old-fashioned bricks and wooden frames. Ground floor had a single door entrance while the second storey could be reached by a staircase from the outside of the house. On the outside, it wasn't painted or plastered. English ivy had covered the walls, reaching higher than an average person's height. It had a garden too, neglected though it had a lot of space with multiple old trees which most likely predated the house.
But the inside was completely different. It was as if you were standing in the 20th century outside, but as soon as you enter inside you are in the 21st. It was lightly furnished with simple and modern furniture. The first floor, as you enter after the flight of old stairs, had a lobby with a shoe rack, opening into a living room. As you move towards its end, there is a sage green coloured couch, to the front of which is a tv(left wall of the living room). On the right is a big kitchen with all sorts of appliances one needs there. In front of the kitchen and behind the couch is a dining table for six people.
There are two rooms on the opposite ends of the living room. One is smaller and has a window facing the back garden. The bigger one has a closet, a washroom and a balcony in the same direction. There is another washroom connecting to the living room.
I wanted to rent the house. It wasn't far from the University campus. The house was rented to three men and a woman. If I joined them there would be 5 people. With my budget, I could only share the first floor with someone and still live in the smaller room.
"I'll sign the lease. This is my best option right now.", I said in a timid voice.
"You made the right decision. I'll find a housemate for you in a few days.", Mrs. Bücher replied assuringly.
"Thank you for helping me, Mrs. Bücher."
"You're welcome my dear. You can move in tomorrow."
The next day, I began with the move. There wasn't much I had with me. I had been staying at a hotel, so a suitcase and a bagpack was all I had. I took that to the house in Seestrasse that I had just rented. I decided to remain on my floor and not get too involved with the other tenants if I can avoid them.
It was empty, the house was completely empty when I went there. In my room there was a bed with a thin mattress and just a small wardrobe. I hadn't yet unpacked and went around the house once again to take a closer look at everything.
It was winter, so even with the internal heating, the house was still cold. That is how January's cold is in Switzerland. But maybe, the house was cold because this floor was unoccupied for a long time. Either way, it was lonely here.
At night, I ordered takeout and sat at the dining table. I ran my mind through the day's events.
Although I liked solitude, sitting at a table of six made me realize how big the house was for one person to live in. I got curious about who my housemate would be even though I wasn't planning to get involved with her too much. Mixing with people is not exactly my cup of tea.
. . .
7th of January.
I returned to the rented house at around 6, after attending the lectures about child psychology at the University of Zürich. I walked up the stairs to the small landing outside the door to the first floor, but it was now filled with packed boxes. I was too tired to pay attention to them and entered the house, unlocking the door.
Yes, my housemate has moved. The living room had new furniture and there were boxes everywhere. But the other room was still locked.
I went to my room which I didn't lock because I thought there was no need to and I was also in a hurry this morning. I opened the door, and froze.
A tall, slender and broad shouldered guy was standing beside my bed with his back towards the door, about to wear a black shirt.
'About to', meaning he wasn't wearing anything on his upper body.
I gasped and hearing me, he stopped. He turned around completely, facing the door...and me. I was staring at his face, then sneaking a glance at his body, I looked away in embarrassment. He could've tell from my expressions how shocked I was. Noticing his naked body, he quickly started wearing his shirt. Flustered, I went outside, closing the door louder then I needed too.
So that means, my housemate was not a 'her' but a 'he'?
After a moment, he emerged from the room and stood there, wearing a slightly embarrassed but a calm expression.
"I'm...really sorry for that.", I said, flustered.
"No, don't be. I should have informed you about my move, and definitely should've locked the door before changing. I'm sorry.", he apologized with a little bow.
"Actually... that's my room.", I said hesitantly.
"Oh, I looked around and decided that I like this room better, it suits me. And you didn't have any stuff here except for that suitcase and a bagpack, so I thought you'd be fine with the exchange.", he said with a little smile.
"Shouldn't you ask me before deciding that?", I asked, still embarrassed after I barged in on him changing.
I am generally not rude to people. But I'm pretty straightforward when I don't like an idea or opinion. And then, I do sound rude.
"Well, I haven't moved my stuff into the room, or taken out yours. I just wanted to change my clothes when you...Umm, walked in...", he said awkwardly.
"I already apologized for that. So... what do you like about this room? The other one's bigger and better. It even has a balcony.", I said, trying to sound convincing.
"You can have that if you like it. I have no use of a walkin' closet and there is a balcony in the living room too, in the same direction.", he replied in a calm and mature tone.
"..."
"But I don't have the budget for that.", I admitted with finality.
Usually, I'd have tried to convince him further without admitting the truth, but today I was too tired for that and maybe a little bit embarrassed as well.
"It's fine, I already paid for the bigger room.", he said trying to reason with me.
"Since you paid for the bigger room, you should be the one living there. I would feel too uncomfortable to use something which does not belong to me.", I stated.
"I won't force it then if you don't like it.", he gave me a reassuring smile.
He sounded very sure when he offered me the bigger room. Doesn't seem like the bad sort. One thing I like about him is he appears to be an Indian as well, but what I don't like is, he is a guy.
How can a girl from a middle class Indian family share a house with a man?
I called Mrs. Bücher, all she said was that I had nothing to worry about with him, and that she can vouch for his character. She seemed to be unbothered by the fact that I had to share a house with a guy. Maybe this was normal in Switzerland but no, not in India.
If I were to reveal this to my parents, I might as well be ready to be disowned by them...no that's too harsh. But anyways, I need to talk it out with him.