One Night's Steal

Chapter 4

I woke up later feeling disoriented by my surroundings but then it the solo trip came crashing down on me.  It was late in the evening, I got off the bed and decided to grab some dinner and explore London's nightlife. 

I picked a crop top with light washed denims. The outfit looked simple so I added a little jewellery to complete the whole look. I packed essentials in a small sling bag and started on the streets of London.

Soho was a little walk away from my Airbnb. The area was beautifully lit up with stark neon lights on restaurants and pubs. There were some rows of cafes with tables scattered in front of them. This area mostly had youngster about my age dressed up for the night of fun. There were many girls and guys wearing party clothes. 

I walked a little further and came to Leicester Square. There were so many options to choose from that I got confused where to start. I didn't want to spend my first being drunk in a different city therefore I settled in quaint eatery to enjoy some British food. I settled in one of the booths and saw the starters itself had alcoholic options.

I took a humble pie and a glass of champagne they had offered. I had picked a light jacket on the while walking on the street, which I wrapped around myself. My mind kept on wandering with possibilities. I was a very talkative person and I always had people to talk where ever I went but now suddenly, I felt lonely. It was a different feeling, I couldn't say it was loneliness but it was the time I had to give myself. 

I sipped on the champagne and watched people. I saw a girl waiting outside the cafe and I suddenly felt connected to her. I felt like she was like me, enjoying her time alone but then a guy approached her and kissed her on her forehead. They held hands and walked away. My singularity came haunting for me. Damini's words echoed in my mind,

"Love is not all that bad, you just have to give it a chance.", she had said one day.

I felt like I had never given it a chance, rather I had never given a chance to myself to fall in love and experience this feeling. I always thought, I would fall in love after I get married just like my parents did. The love I had imagined was responsible and mature. The young and reckless one never attracted me or crossed my mind.

That night, watching the couple under the London sky, kissing openly, I realized how I had been missing this. I was glad to be on this trip, I couldn't get into the reckless love but I could at least witness it.

"Beautiful, aren't they?", someone said beside me.

"Yeah.", I agreed without looking at the person.

"I hope we are witnessing the same scenery."

"The couple, right?"

"Yes.", I turned towards the person and saw a girl nibbling on a piece of pie.

"I'm sensing you have a story to tell.", I was asking a stranger her story, the champagne was getting to me.

The girl laughed bitterly understanding my thoughts, "that girl is my best friend and the guy she is with is my long time crush."

I was shocked by revelation but she continued, "Its better to tell things to strangers, at least the thoughts get vocalized somewhere."

"Right."

"So, are you alone?"

"I'm on a solo trip.", it was her time to be surprised.

"You go girl!", she clinked her glass to mine.

"Thanks."

"How is it so far?"

"Its my first night and I'm looking for a place to dance."

"Woah... first night and you want to be high?"

"Not high, I just want to... go with the flow?"

"I know the place for you.", she smiled for the first time. 

She was British, her accent and her looks gave it right away. Her name was Katherine but she preferred to be Katy. We finished our meal and walked out. We talked about everything except our personal life. She was a fin-tech engineer and worked at good company whose name I forgot after a while. She told me the best places to visit it in London. 

"We have two options now,", we were at Leicester square, "Club 49 or Lost in Alhambra?"

"Which do you think is better?"

"Club 49 is on the fancier side whereas Lost in Alhambra has good cocktails."

"The latter."

"Okay!!"

We made our way to the pub. We entered the place and it was packed with people. We had to squeeze our way through people to reach the bar. Katy decided to cocktails for us, I raked the menu for a good one but settled with a mojito while she got herself a Lemongrass Collins. A jar and a tall glass later, we marched to the dance floor. My body moved with the rhythm of the music. I finally got the meaning of go with the flow. 

We lost the count of the drinks, so when the bill came I was shocked with the amount. We divided it and exchanged contacts before walking in our respective directions. I reached the Airbnb quickly as it was near. I cleaned up the makeup and left to sleep. 

The next day, I was woken up with my phone ringing. I plucked my hand out of the duvet and grabbed the phone from the side table. I picked the call without checking the ID

"Hello?", I said groggily.

"Rhea, are you still sleeping?", My mother's voice filtered in.

"Yeah mom, its too early to get up."

"It almost 10 o clock there."

"oh, I'll get up then."

"How was your first day?"

"It was good..., "

"Did you rest well."

"Yes mom."

"Are you feeling lonely there?"

"No... so far everything is good."

"That's great..."

"Mom, I'll call you in the evening, I have to get ready and leave for the day."

"Okay but be safe and don't be very friendly to strangers.", her words echoed in my ear long after the phone was disconnected. I wondered if Katy regretted talking to me last night. 

I fell back in bed thinking about last night, a headache was slowly creeping in. My phone rang again but this time it was Katy. I picked the call,

"Hi, Katy?"

"Umm... whose this?", she asked.

A/n

Cliffhanger!!! Special update on qualifying round 1 of ONC.... I'm so over the moon atm coz this novel was a last minute idea and I didn't know if I could make it or not but I'm glad to be qualified. The plot is going to be interesting and I hope you enjoy the destinations through my eyes. This chapter might have typos which I'll edit soon. till then vote and comment... thank you!!