A Fortuitous Night (With A Stranger)

The after story-II.

Later in the evening, Anisha tries to wake up Hayal. Hayal is in such a deep sleep that Anisha gives up and lets her sleep some more. Two hours later, Anisha tries again to wake Hayal up but fails again. It's not a complete failure as Hayal does wake up for microseconds only to tell Anisha that she'll sleep some more. As a result, with no other options left, Anisha goes downstairs and brings the food to a food tray. In an attempt to make Hayal eat something as she hasn't had anything all day long, Anisha tries to negotiate with Hayal.

Anisha asks Hayal to just sit up and do nothing, not even open her eyes. Though reluctant, Hayal does sit up. Anisha starts to feed Hayal some curry and rice. This is the maximum Anisha can do i.e., spoon-feed Hayal. Hayal is still slumberous as she is barely chewing her food and just swallowing.

"Hayal, Don't just gulp it down, chew it. Eat properly."

"Nom... Nom..." As a 4-year-old, Hayal is making cute sounds while eating her food.

Once Anisha is done with feeding Hayal, she gives Hayal some water in a glass with a straw. Hayal drinks water and Anisha wipes Hayal's face with a tissue. Anisha then gets up to leave, telling Hayal that she can go back to sleep. Hayal instead of lying down gets out of bed and stands up. Anisha is shocked to see this.

"What's wrong? A minute ago, you couldn't even open your eyes. I had to feed you and now you're wide awake."

Hayal places her finger on Anisha's lips, going like, "Shh... Just tell me, why did you give me lilies and that too three lilies? Why?... I mean... It could be any flower and also in any number."

"You woke up to ask this. Are you kidding me, Hayal? You didn't even open your eyes the entire time I was spoon-feeding you and now to ask me this silly question... Wow... Hayal... you really are something."

"Nah... Not for asking this... I woke up because I just had food. So, I need to brush my teeth as I can't go to sleep like this."

Anisha is left astounded by Hayal's behaviour who is still standing there yawning. So, Anisha asks, "What are you waiting for? Go to the washroom."

"Your answer..."

Anisha is in a perplexed state of mind right now. Seeing Hayal wait for her answer like that, Anisha says, "We'll talk about this tomorrow. Now, be a good kid and go brush your teeth."

By the time Hayal is done, Anisha has returned after placing the utensils in the kitchen sink. Hayal continues to act like a four-year-old, showing her teeth to Anisha saying, "See, I am done."

Anisha plays along and tells Hayal, "Off to bed now."

Anisha also gets in bed. Hayal is still sleepy, so she pulls Anisha in her arms and closes her eyes. On the other hand, Anisha isn't that sleepy so she is thinking to herself, "How can someone be so simple and pure as Hayal? The innocence she exudes is so priceless. How can someone not fall in love with such a determined and loyal person? Every time Hayal says anything it seems as if she is baring her soul to me."

All these thoughts about Hayal have brought an instant smile to Anisha's face. Finally, Anisha also falls asleep and both are now sleeping soundly in each other's embrace.

The very next morning, when Hayal gets up, Anisha ain't by her side. Before Hayal can panic about this, she sees a rose placed on the side table with a note. The note reads, "Morning, sunshine. I am downstairs cooking breakfast for you. Freshen up and come down quickly."

When Hayal comes down she sees Anisha setting the table for breakfast. Hayal sits at the table and tells Anisha, "Last night you said that you'll tell me today, so tell me now... Why three lilies?"

"You still remember that?"

"Obviously, Anisha. So, tell me."

"Well... You used to ask my name, right? My birth name is Lily. My mom gave me this name because it was a beautiful memory shared by my mother and my biological father. He would give my mother lilies every time they met."

"Are they still around... I mean your parents?"

"No, Hayal. They aren't. My mom died of an overdose when I was six and my father passed away when I was 17 due to a terminal illness. And as for my biological father, I never cared enough to find out who he was. He left me and my mother for another woman despite how much my mother loved him. So, what was the point in looking for him when I grew up."

Hayal finds out how tough Anisha's life has been. Hayal wants to learn more about Anisha's life, but Hayal remembers her promise from the last night so, instead of saying or asking anything, Hayal gets up and gives Anisha a tight hug while kissing her forehead as a gesture of love and care.

"Anisha."

"Yes, Hayal."

"But, why three?... not two... not four... Why only three? Does this also have something to do with your parents?"

Anisha separates from Hayal and goes like, "No, it has nothing to do with them but us... Hayal... as I have given you three lilies, in exchange I would want three years."

"3 years... For what?"

"To wrap up everything over here and quit my current job. I want to live a normal life with you. I hate it whenever I can't give you answers. I don't want to keep secrets from my lover. I love you, Hayal... so much that l don't want to live without you."

Hearing this, Hayal is so happy, excited, surprised and only god knows how many more emotions, she is experiencing right now. Seeing Hayal so awestruck, Anisha to lighten the mood, further says, "I hope you don't leave me when I am unemployed saying that you can't afford to live with me."

Hayal laughs and says, "Silly woman! You don't have to worry about that. I am a person of my word, so I won't leave you in any case whatsoever. As for affording your lifestyle, don't bother... your girlfriend is damn rich."

"Hayal, I have got something for you."

"What is it?" Anisha gives Hayal a beautiful customized platinum necklace that has a pendant whose design is a combination of a lily flower and the alphabet 'H'.

"Wow... It's beautiful, Anisha. Help me put it on."

"Do you like it, Hayal?"

"Like it... Love it."

Anisha makes Hayal sit on a chair and goes to the backside so as to help Hayal put it on. While helping Hayal, Anisha tells her that she has asked a friend to design it for her.

"What friend, Anisha?"

"Ahh! More like my ex. Actually, we used to date while I was in college."

Hayal tries to get up from the chair, but Anisha presses Hayal's shoulders and makes her sit again. "Let me close the closure of the necklace first."

"I don't want the necklace anymore. And Anisha, why would you still keep in touch with your ex."

"Oh-ho silly. The necklace was my idea she only helped me a little to design it. And besides, you don't have to be jealous of her. She has been happily married to her wife for the past 5 years. The only reason I reached out to her is that she is a really good jewellery designer. Don’t be envious of her as I have my eyes only for you."

Hayal pouts like a spoiled brat and tells Anisha, "In the future, if you ever need someone to design jewellery for you, I will get the best jewellery designers for you. But, please don't go looking for your ex."

Seeing, Hayal get jealous and throw tantrums like a small kid, Anisha smiles and kisses on Hayal's cheek, saying, "Okay, I won't see her again, Hayal. Come on. Let's eat before breakfast is cold. And we also have to go to the hotel to pick up your luggage."

Both enjoy breakfast while feeding each other and chit-chatting.

And this is how a fortuitous night spent with a stranger has led to the start of Hayal and Anisha's love story as a couple. There it begins, their HAPPILY EVER AFTER.

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See you all in the next story.