A Fortuitous Night (With A Stranger)

Anisha is gone.

A few minutes before, Anisha and Hayal have been talking about having breakfast together, so Hayal doesn't understand this at all. Hayal runs down the entire flight of stairs, all the way to the reception.

After confirming with the receptionist about Anisha's checkout, Hayal goes around the motel to check if she can still catch on to Anisha. First, the nearby convenience store, then the eatery, and then the bar, Hayal simply just keeps looking for Anisha in one place after the other. Hayal practically looks for Anisha at every place she can think of, but it seems Hayal has run out of luck. Heartbroken and tired Hayal comes back to the motel.

After returning to the motel, Hayal requests, more like begs the receptionist to let Hayal have Anisha's contact number. Somehow, after a lot of persuasion and requests, Hayal gets Anisha's number. The situation seems to get much worse when Hayal dials the number and it says, "The service to this number has been deactivated permanently."

These days when you check in any hotel or motel, they ask you for some sort of ID for verification. Seeing Hayal in such a state of turmoil the receptionist out of pity offers Hayal that she can go through a copy of Anisha's ID.

Hayal, upon hearing this goes like, "Don't jeopardize your job because of me. Either way, who knows which ID or name she is gonna use the next time? She has many faux ones."

Hayal gives the receptionist a fake smile and starts to walk toward the stairs. Whereas, this receptionist still stands there in utter confusion as she can't figure out why would someone have many names or IDs. "Puff" and the receptionist ignores all this and gets back to her work.

It's 3 p.m. now. Hayal doesn't realize at all, how long she has been looking for Anisha until she reaches her room. Hayal sees that the breakfast that she has got in the morning is still on the table. Seeing the same breakfast tray, Hayal realizes that she has run away placing the food tray on the floor and also without even closing the door. The motel guy, who has brought the breakfast must have kept it inside the room before closing the door.

Hayal finally checks the breakfast and finds that it's a single person's portion. Also, with breakfast, there is a blue-colored sticky note. Hayal picks it up and reads it out loud.

"It was nice knowing you, Hayal. I wish you the very best in your future endeavors, girl. XOXO."

Tears roll down Hayal's cheek as now she knows that Anisha has already planned to leave Hayal like this, better to say, more like leaving without even saying goodbye.

Three years have passed since this.

Since that trip to Kathmandu, Nepal, Hayal has become a totally changed person. That bubbly, carefree Hayal is long gone and seems to be lost forever. Now, no more funky leather jackets, ripped jeans, or gloves. All she wears now is business suits. Hayal has started to work in her family's company. This Hayal is not that insouciant, untroubled, 21 years girl who can barely manage to pass her college exams, but rather a 24-years aspiring businesswoman who is capable of taking big business decisions, bringing in investments, making joint ventures with different companies, investing in various sectors and a hell lot more. Almost everything has changed.

Hayal reaches her apartment at around 3:00 a.m., and without washing up or changing clothes, she goes straight to the bedroom. Hayal throws her coat and shoes on the floor and jumps into the bed like a lifeless log.

It’s 4:30 a.m. when the alarm goes off. Hayal turns it off and gets out of bed. Hayal washes her face, changes her clothes, puts on her earphones, and goes for a run. After coming back from the run, Hayal straight away goes to the room next to the living room, which basically means her in-house gym. Hayal spends a good one hour here. During all this time, Hayal's phone keeps on ringing, but she pays no attention to it and lets it ring. Hayal goes for a shower and then goes straight to the kitchen to fix herself some breakfast. No matter how late Hayal gets off work or no matter how late she reaches home, this routine of hers never changes.

Hayal is in the middle of her breakfast when her doorbell rings. Hayal gets to the door and finds out that it's her secretary.

"Come on, in. What brings you here so early in the morning?"

"Ma'am, you weren't picking up the phone. Your grandfather is in the hospital."

Hayal chuckles and asks, "Is he really in there for some reason or is it just one of his pranks to call me home?"

"No, ma'am it's not a prank this time. His blood pressure has been shooting up a lot lately."

"Okay. Anyway, did you come here via car?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Great. Then give me a ride to the hospital and after that, we can go to the office together. My driver called in sick last night. And also, I didn't get much sleep last night. So, I am in no mood to drive. Please help me with it."

"Sure, ma'am. I'll wait till you are ready."

Upon reaching the hospital, the first thing Hayal does is give her grandfather a tight hug. Hayal's grandfather is a bit angry at her for not visiting him frequently, so Hayal ends up promising her grandfather that she'll visit him at least twice a month.

Hayal then goes to her office. Today, Hayal doesn't have much work, so she gets off work early. As usual, Hayal goes straight to a bar for drinks. Actually, it's the ground floor of a hotel which is converted to serve as a pub.

Hayal is a bit tired as she could barely get any sleep last night. While Hayal is silently sipping her drink, a guy comes and sits next to her.

"Hi, lady. Last time, I didn't catch your name as you left before I could wake up."

"Sorry. Excuse me?"

“Oh! Come on. Don't play dumb. Last weekend… hotel Pahua… room no. 208... ring any bells?"

"Oh! The red-haired guy."

Hearing this, this guy smiles and says, "Not anymore, coz... I dyed them black. By the way, this red-haired guy has a name i.e., Michael. And, before you ask why I am here talking to you; I'll tell you that last time with you was fun. I thought we could do something like that again... like tonight."

Hayal chuckles sardonically and goes like, "I don't care what your hair color is or what it was. The only thing I can remember is that you can't even stand a second round and passed out before... you know what I mean."

This guy named Michael gets up and walks out ashamed. Hayal ignores everything and gets back to drinking. It's not even 10 minutes when another person comes and sits next to Hayal. But this time around, it's a female. Hayal doesn't pay any attention until this girl comes close to Hayal and whispers in her ear, "There is a rumor going around here. Till now, nobody you have met in this place has been able to satisfy you. I can ameliorate that. Would you like to give me a try?"

Hayal isn't much in the mood, so she picks up her glass and takes another sip without even looking at this person. This woman doesn't appear to be giving up as she starts touching Hayal here and there, like placing her hand on Hayal's thighs, trying to hold Hayal's hand, etc. It appears she is trying really hard to woo Hayal.

Hayal hasn't been looking at this person up until now. But, after being tortured for some time, Hayal turns to face this person so that Hayal can shoo her away once and for all.

Suddenly, something changes the moment Hayal sees this person's face. Without even thinking for a split second, Hayal goes like, "Please lead the way, lady."

"Well, this lady has a name... Faria. And, as I am going to lead in bed, I would like to give you a chance to lead the way." Saying this Faria hands over the keycard to Hayal.

"Thank you, my lady... I mean, Miss Faria."

Hayal gets up and starts walking. Faria is walking behind her at a distance of about 4-5 steps. Both get inside the elevator as the room they need to go in is on the fourth floor.

The moment the elevator door closes, Faria pushes Hayal to the back side of the elevator carriage and starts to kiss her ferociously. Faria is kissing Hayal non-stop, not even sparing time to breathe. Faria is no longer standing as her legs are wrapped around Hayal's waist. Hayal is holding Faria by her bottom. Faria is clinging onto Hayal the same way as a baby monkey does to its mother.

Faria has started to untie the ribbon at the top of Hayal's blouse. Faria's hands are inside Hayal's blouse and are moving all over Hayal's back. The desperation to savor Hayal can be clearly seen in Faria's eyes. The way Faria is licking and kissing Hayal's neck is making it unbearable for Hayal.

"Ding." The elevator door opens on the 4th floor. Hayal thinks that maybe Faria would like to get down, but instead, Faria tightly wraps her hands around Hayal's neck and starts to suck Hayal’s lips again.

Fortunately, it’s the third room from the elevator, so Hayal doesn’t have to carry Faria for long. As Faria’s tongue is busy exploring every nook and corner of Hayal’s mouth, Hayal can’t clearly see where to place the keycard for scanning. Luckily in her third attempt, Hayal gets it right and places the keycard correctly otherwise, Hayal won’t be able to support Faria’s weight any longer with just one hand.

Hayal right away gets inside the room and closes the door with a back-kick. Faria gets down and is about to take off Hayal’s blouse.

“Wait, wait… Can I use the washroom first? I need to pee. All I had tonight was drinks, one after another.”

“Sure. Take your time.” Faria lets go of Hayal and lies on the bed, more like free falls onto the bed spreading out her arms and legs, facing the ceiling.

In the washroom, Hayal stands in front of the mirror and takes out her phone to text someone. After putting her phone next to the toiletries on the granite slab, Hayal checks her neck for any marks. Not to Hayal's surprise, her neck is full of hickies and bruises, and this makes Hayal say, "Wow... woman, you really are fierce. If it weren't for who you are, I would definitely love to spend a wild night with you. Tsk. (Hayal clicks her tongue) I am gonna need to wear a high-neck for at least 3-4 days to cover these."

Hayal is all worried about her neck, when all of a sudden, she feels a sting in her lips. Only after looking in the mirror, does Hayal realize the situation.

"Pfft... My entire lipstick is smudged and the worst is my swollen lips. I freaking look like a pufferfish. Damn... I need an ice pack for this."

Hayal takes out tissues from the box and cleans her smudged two-colored lipstick. Only a colorist can know what a weird shade this is, a mix of Faria's purple matt and Hayal's blood-red lipstick.

Hayal takes her phone and comes out of the washroom while tying the ribbon of her blouse. And then, Hayal goes straight to the mini fridge to take out an ice pack. Faria is sitting on the chair and observing Hayal when there is a knock on the door. Faria in confusion says, "I didn't order room service."

To this, Hayal says, "I called it. Can you please get the door? It's a surprise for you."

Faria opens the door and is shocked to see the cops. Faria tries to run, but cops get her first and immediately hand-cuffs her.

"You... Hayal Erçel, I won't leave you... Let go of me... Let me go."

Hayal thanks the officer in charge and says, "Thank you, officer. If you need my statement, I can go to the police station with you."

"No, Miss Erçel. You don't need to come with us right now. You can come tomorrow for your statement. We have enough evidence already, she is gonna stay in there for a long time."

Hearing this, Faria laughs hysterically, going like, "Hayal, don't worry. I'll be out very soon. Rich people like you don't report me. Their fake reputation is much more valuable for them than the money they give me."

Hayal now turns to Faria and with a smirk tells her, "Blackmailing rich people, using their private videos and photographs, and extorting money for those. Do you really think these are the charges you are going in for?"

Hayal looks at Faria's perplexed face and finds it amusing to torture her some more, especially with her words, and hence, Hayal continues, "Funny, how credulous of you. Do you really think, I won't remember my ex-employee who created such a ruckus in my company?... Why?... Just because I don't visit that branch quite often, doesn't mean I don't know what happens down there. Money laundering, illicit gambling, and corruption are other major charges you are going in for. (Hayal chuckles before saying further,) Even your ex-boyfriend, Raj helped us get some more evidence. Like me, he also thinks that there are never a few desperadoes in the world, so better catch them whilst we can."

Hayal then requests the officer to take Faria from there. Later Hayal books a taxi and goes back home.

The next morning, Hayal after giving her statement to the cops has to go to Chiang Mai.

At a hotel in Chiang Mai, an inter-governmental meeting of ASEAN nations is supposed to take place. The agenda for the same is to discuss various environmental and biodiversity-related issues along with various other topics like atrocities faced by the l***q+ community, better infrastructure for renewable energy options like wind solar, etc., and a couple of more topics.