BRIDGING HEARTS

{34}

                              JEIA

I stepped out of the lavatory to the washroom, stopping in front of the mirror. The soft lights made everything in the room look more expensive than it probably was. My bare shoulders and arms felt exposed without the comfort of my jacket, the cool air brushing against my skin making me slightly uneasy. But the warmth of the enclosed space helped ease some of that discomfort.

I dried my hands, running them over my damp arms as I tried to steady myself. Looking into the mirror, I fixed my hair, tucking a few stray strands behind my ears, and adjusted my glasses.

Stepping out of the lavatory, I found the area empty. "Where is she?" I murmured to myself, a wave of unease washing over me.

I adjusted the front of my dress, tugging at the neckline nervously. The absence of my jacket made me hyper-aware of how exposed I felt. "Saniya," I called softly, my voice barely above a whisper.

The anxiety clawed at me as I hesitated by the door. I glanced down the corridor, trying to see if she had wandered off. When no answer came, I reluctantly stepped away from the washroom door, my steps hesitant and my arms crossed over my chest. I hesitantly walked back inside, my arms instinctively wrapping tighter around my chest. Without my jacket, I felt exposed, vulnerable, and the space around me seemed too open, too much. I could feel a few male gazes on me, their stares hungry and unsettling. The weight of their eyes made a shiver run down my spine, like they were dissecting my every move. It was as if they were all looking at me in a way that made my skin crawl. Sweat started dripping from my forehead, and the air felt thick with unease. Panic surged inside me, and I turned quickly, heading straight for the washroom. It was the only place I could escape, where I could find some kind of safety away from their prying eyes.

I closed the door behind me and leaned against it, taking a deep breath to steady myself. "It's okay, Jeia," I whispered to myself, the words repeating in my mind like a mantra. Even though the situation wasn't dangerous, it was just the absence of my jacket—leaving my shoulders and cleavage exposed—that made me feel so vulnerable. But it was their gazes that made my stomach churn.

Why did I even wear this dress? I should’ve just refused Saniya, or heck, why did I even buy it in the first place? I remembered it was Saniya who practically convinced me to buy this, telling me how perfect it would be for an occasion like this—pair it with a jacket, stay comfortable. But now, she wasn’t even around. My jacket was gone, and I was left exposed, both physically and emotionally.

I pulled my phone out and dialed her number, hoping to reach her.

One ring... two rings... three rings...

"The person you are calling is not answering. Please try again later."

I cut the call and tried again, my fingers trembling slightly.

Still no answer.

I tried once, twice, and then many more times, but each time, it was the same result. My frustration grew with every unanswered call. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, I heard the dreaded message:

"The number you have dialed is switched off."

I let out a heavy sigh, staring at the phone in my hand, my thoughts swirling. Where was Saniya? Why wasn’t she answering?

I heard a faint voice coming from outside, distant yet clear. My ears perked up, and I immediately tried to make sense of it. The voice was muffled at first, but as it got closer, I could hear the words more clearly. It was a voice I recognized, and it made my heart race.

I froze at the sound of Mr. Singhania's voice. "Sameer, is Aarav with you?" he asked again, his voice more urgent now, laced with frustration.

Mr. Singhania? What is he doing here? And where’s Aarav? Why is he searching for him? My mind raced with questions, but I couldn’t piece it all together.