Escape to Reality ✔

CHAPTER 3

✧• 3 •✧

I got up to the whirring sound of the hairdryer. Usually, my morning scene would be, waking up to the chirping of the birds with some rays of sun peeking through the curtain as if asking for permission to enter, slow breeze that carried the aroma of scented dhoop-sticks which lingered in the air longer than they were supposed to be, foggy and yet bright clouds playfully having their Hide & Seek game.

This is how I woke up every day for the past 1 year in the Quarantine. To say it was a bliss would be an understatement of the week. It was more than that. Heaven on Earth might be the right choice, but we use them frequently to describe such small things; so I think the word has lost its significance. But anyway, this sound of the hairdryer made me want to throw a pillow at her, and that's exactly what I did.

"Why do you always ruin my perfect sleep?"

"I didn't. It's your too-sensitive-for-this-world personality that doesn't allow you to sleep."

"Yea, whatever."

All I wanted was to sleep peacefully but guess what- I got disturbed again- by the doorbell this time.

"Shanaya, can you check the door?" I half screamed-half mumbled from the sleep.

"I'm stuck with the curling iron, Lee. Can you please check this time?"

"Okay!"

I got up with a huff and opened the door with an annoyed sigh. There stood a very fresh-looking young guy with some kind of bill in his hand. Poor guy, I hope I didn't scare him. But, I'm pretty sure I did the opposite of what I hoped for, because I could see his expression change from happy to scared to neutral and back to happy in about a few seconds, as I stood there.

"Yes?"

"Mam, here's your coupon for the breakfast and the bill from yesterday's dinner and wine."

"Wine? Who ordered wine?" I heard a voice from the bathroom saying 'I did.'

"Okay- we don't need the coupons because we made reservations elsewhere and about the bill; Add them under this room during check out."

"Sure ma'am, do you need anything else?"

"No, that's it."

And he left with a 'thank you' .

"Shanaya, why on earth would you order a wine and have it all by yourself when you know we are going to meet our friends!"

"Chill, my dear Lee, take a deep breath and calm down. I didn't have all of it by myself, if that's what you're worried about. Aditi caught an early flight yesterday, and she was the one who called me when you fell asleep. She's on the floor above us and so, we gotta take her with us when we leave."

"Wow, that sounds like a plan."

"Oh yes, it is."

She left the room to curl her hair since they had to be curled twice to stand the entire day. I checked my phone and saw 3 missed calls. All from my Paati.

OMG! How the hell did I miss calling her!?

Guilt surged through my veins, and I felt terrible for making her worried. She told me several times to call her, and I forgot despite every reminder.

I dialed her up and heard the call get into voicemail. Maybe she is asleep yet, after all it's just 7: 28 now. I'll call her for sure when we get back this evening.

After having my guilt-session, I texted my mom, Sid and Varun.

I also texted Sharuk and Aadhil asking about their status since we all are about to meet for brunch at Thyms Restaurant- which seems to be suitable for brunches and casual meetings, from what I heard.