Vengeance or Faith

“Which is the next flight to New York ?” I asked the to the operator while packing my packing my cab.  “Ma’am the next flight from Mumbai to New York is at 15 hours Star Airlines. We only have business and first class tickets available“ he replied. “Yeah that’s okay. So I will send me the ticket fo booking and payment” I just need any ticket to reach USA. I hurriedly pack a small trolley bag with only essentials only. I don’t have the time to pack everything. After checking my passport and credit cards I leave my room and head towards the reception.  Rose Meridan Hotel was my safest option after running away from Indore. The room was neat not like any five star hotel which I was used to but still it was manageable. After settling the hotel charges, the hotel manager got me taxi for the airport.  Only a couple of hours more and then I will be flying to a free country where people don’t know me and where my enemies can’t reach.  I reached the airport and checked in my luggage at Star Airlines counter. Business class had its own perks and I didn’t have to wait like the rest of the passengers.  First step was done and now the second step was left - Immigration Counter.  I knew I had visa, air tickets together with hotel vouchers for New York but still I had a feeling that there would be some difficulty at the immigration counter. Officially all my documents were valid and legal however my gut feeling was telling me that today something is going to change my life.         Before going for immigration I head to Starbucks for a coffee. Maybe a cup of coffee would calm my nerves. I placed my order for vanilla latte and took a seat in the corner. Around me there were people who were either lost in their thoughts like me or talking with people while having a good time.  My name was called loudly “Miss Pooja your coffee is ready”. I got up from my seat to get my coffee when someone called me “Pooh bear ! Oh my god we finally meet” I could recognise her voice and turn around to find my school best friend Rhea staring at me with wide eyes.  “ s**t we finally meet today ! How have you been ?” I ask her while she was crushing my bones with her hug.   “I’m just the same. I heard about you in the news. I’m sorry for your loss. I tried to call you but your number was unavailable” she said while dragging me towards her table.  “Yeah it was getting crazy around me. I needed a break to handle my situation.” I tired to stop the tears and calm myself. I didn’t want to cry all over again. I hand to control.   She saw my teary eyes and tried to console me “ its ok Pooh Bear. I hope things are better now. You have always got me so call me once in a while. I’m here for you. So were are you traveling ?”  “You know I just have one place left to go, New York. I’m hoping to start over again in a new city”  I told her while sipping coffee.  “ohh that’s great. I’m going to California so will catch you there. Let’s take a picture for the old times sake” without waiting fr my response she unlocks her phone and poses for a selfie. I didn’t really think much and I posed her with her.  We further talked about her life and her travel stories  while talking to her I realise I missed being a normal girl and around my friends. My school days were filled with happiness and laughter. I don’t know how things took a turn for worse and my days became darker and full of void. We both left together for security check and immigration. We had two hours left before our flight  so we thought we could shop at duty free after immigration.  We cleared our security check and I was waiting for my turn at the immigration counter. Once Rhea completed her formalities at the immigration counter I went ahead. I handled over my passport and tickets to the officer. He asked me “Madam why do you want  to go USA”  I simply replied “I want to travel around and meet my friends who stay in New York”. Everything was going good and he was about to stamp on my passport before some other official came over with a letter.  The officer later asked me “Madam please follow this officer. You will have to follow certain procedures before going ahead“ I was scared so I called Rhea and asked her to wait for me. “Rhea pleas wait for me. I have to complete some paper work before going ahead” She agreed to wait for me while I followed the other office. “ Sir why do I have to complete extra procedures ? My documents are all valid so why am I being held back ?” “Madam please follow me. You don’t have to stress. It’s just a normal routine check” he replied. I was scared but determined not to show him my fear. I followed him confidently to his cabin. He asked me to wait and brought a bottle of water. His cabin was like ordinary. A simple table and chair with couple of stationery and a table fan. I was looking for phone while scrolling through my contacts. I had to call someone for help before its too late, probably my lawyer.  While I was scrolling my contact, I heard faint footsteps from back so I turned around. There he was walking towards me like a predator who is catching his prey. My breathing became slow and tears were flowing uncontrollable. I felt like I was having a panic attack and before I knew I collapsed into darkness.