As an ordinary genius

Ethan leaned back in his chair, staring at the spreadsheet on his laptop. He had been planning this for months now—his first big purchase as an adult: a house. Not just any house, but one that felt like it belonged to him, a place he could truly call home.

The idea had started small—a fleeting thought about having his own space, away from the noise of shared apartments and city life. But over time, it had grown into a full-fledged plan. He wanted something modest but practical: two bedrooms, an underground storeroom, a simple garage for his projects, and a natural fence to give the property a sense of privacy.

Before diving into the house purchase, Ethan decided to tackle a smaller milestone—buying his own car. His current mode of transportation, a combination of public buses and carpooling, wasn't cutting it anymore, especially with his work commute.

After weeks of research, he finally settled on a small electric car—efficient, eco-friendly, and within his budget.

At the dealership, the salesperson handed him the keys with a smile. "Congratulations, Ethan. First car?"

"Yeah," Ethan said, running his hand over the sleek dashboard. "It feels… surreal."

"You'll love it. Quiet ride, minimal maintenance. Perfect for someone like you."

Driving it home that day, Ethan couldn't help but grin. It wasn't flashy, but it was his.

With his car sorted, Ethan turned his focus to finding the perfect house. He spent weekends visiting neighborhoods, attending open houses, and pouring over real estate listings.

One Saturday, he stumbled upon a small property on the outskirts of Central City. The house was quaint, with a natural fence made of hedges surrounding the yard. Inside, there were two bedrooms, a cozy living room, and an underground storeroom that immediately caught his attention.

"This could be it," Ethan murmured as he stepped into the garage. It wasn't large, but it was perfect for the small DIY projects he had in mind.

The real estate agent smiled. "It's a simple house, but it's solidly built. And the underground storeroom? It's a rare find in this price range."

Ethan nodded. "What's the asking price?"

The figure was within the upper limit of what he could afford, but it would mean taking out a loan.

That evening, Ethan sat in his apartment, running the numbers again. He knew it would be a big financial commitment, but the thought of having his own space filled him with excitement.

He called Priya for advice.

"Do it," she said without hesitation.

"Just like that?" Ethan asked, laughing.

"Ethan, you've been dreaming about this for months. You're in a stable job, and you've been responsible with your savings. Plus, you're not just buying a house—you're investing in your future."

"You make it sound so simple," Ethan said.

"It's not," Priya admitted. "But you'll figure it out. You always do."

A week later, Ethan signed the papers. As he walked out of the real estate office, the keys jingling in his pocket, he felt a mix of pride and nervousness.

Standing in front of his new house for the first time, he couldn't help but smile.

"This is it," he said to himself. "Home."