Jayashree Rajda

I work out of my flat in Kandivali West. It is Flat Number 710 on the 7th floor of the C Wing. Living and working in the same place has its own rhythm. The building is quite tall, and being on the seventh floor means I get a bit of a breeze when the windows are open. Kandivali is always moving, always noisy, but up here it feels a little more separated from the street level. My setup is pretty basic. I have a desk, my computer, and some shelves for my papers. It’s not a corporate office with a front desk or anything like that. It’s just a home where work happens. Most of my day is spent right here at the desk. The kitchen is just a few steps away, so I make my own tea throughout the afternoon. Sometimes the elevator takes a while to arrive, especially in the mornings when everyone is leaving for school or work. I’ve lived in this wing for some time now. The neighbors are mostly families, so there is usually the sound of kids playing in the hallway or people talking near the stairs. It’s a practical way to run things. I do not have to deal with a long commute across Mumbai, which is a relief. Everything I need is right here in this room. It’s a small space, but it works for what I do every day. The balcony gives me a spot to stand for a minute when I need a break from the screen. Sometimes the city sounds are too much, but I just close the windows.