The Heart Lies...

Chapter 5

Koyal's eyes fluttered open to the stretched smile of a harrowed airhostess. She was still disoriented from her nap. "Ma'am please straighten your seat. We are about to land." "Huh..?" "Ma'am, the seat.." "I have got this. You continue forward", saying so Dhiraj stretched towards Koyal and gently straightened her seat. She snapped out of her daze. "Mister I could have did that by myself. Keep your hands to yourself. I had told you to stay away..." She squeezed her eyes shut midsentence as the plane landed and begun rattling as it sped through the runway. "Afraid of landing huh? Here clutch my hand if you want.." "Arghh...just shut up!" He eyed her with an amused grin. "Hey, you may open your eyes now. It has stopped." "I..I know..and I wasn't afraid, it's just that my eyes were itching." "Yaa sure", he said, flashing one of his smiles again. "Moron.." She began walking out of the plane, keeping as much distance from him as possible. Eyes were itching. Seriously Koyal. That's the best you could come up with.

Koyal collected her baggage from the conveyor belt and began walking ahead. She wheeled the trolley forward for some distance and then she suddenly went blank. It was as if her train of thoughts had derailed from it's tracks and she couldn't quite remember where those tracks were supposed to lead to. Now what Koyal, now what? Getting away from the marriage was her sole driving force. Each of her actions was aimed at that sole motive. Now that she had achieved it, she didn't know what to do with herself. This was the craziest and most exhilarating thing she had ever did. Yes, inspite of the grim situation, she felt exhilaration over this adventure she had suddenly found herself in. Shit! What have I done? Should I go back? No, no I can't face everyone right now. I need a break. I'll simply travel in this path ahead wherever it leads to. Planning and thinking has got me nowhere. Maybe spontaneity will. She parked herself in a queue for a cab. Having booked the cab she strided out of the airport with the receipt. An eager face with a huge smile took the receipt and bag from her and guided her towards his cab. "So, where to, ma'am?" "A good enough hotel." "So, don't you have a booking somewhere?" "Would I ask you to find one if I already had a booking?"she asked exasperated. He shrugged. "It is tourist season now ma'am. It would be quite a task to get a room now." "Can't you even give it a try? I guess I should get some other cab." "NOO. No madam, I'll drive you around. There aren't much hotels here anyway. Don't say I didn't warn you." "Get going now, will you?"

Two hours and dozens of hotels later...."There are some other cheap and modest accomodations available. Should we go check those out ma'am?" "Noo..no way." True these are desperate times but such places do not even have basic hygiene! "Are there no more hotels in this godforsaken place?" "Ma'am I already showed you around all the decent places." "But is there no other option?" "Well, there is this one very posh place, probably the best around here.." "Arghh...why didn't you take me there earlier you fool?" "It's a bit too costly." To this he was met with an icy, icy glare. "All cheap tactics to get extra money", she muttered under her breath.

After 10 minutes the cab pulled on to the driveway of the said hotel. The hotel or rather calling it a palace would be more apt, was still a long winding way away from the main gate. The whole way from the gate to the palace was adorned with pine trees and fairylights. She couldn't take her eyes off the road. Well, I certainly will have to use my card for this extravagant affair. But it would be soo worth it. After a while, the deep canopy of trees gave way to the lobby. The car came to a halt and she began getting out of it. Koyal could already envision herself rejuvenating her mind and body there. Maybe this was what she needed afterall. Going with the flow was proving useful. I'm sure these guys would have the best spa services, and the food... Her dreams of luxury were interrupted by the posterior of an all too familiar person, Kamini aunty. Kamini aunty, her mom's pal stood there in all her glory, with her family. She could vividly remember her mom lamenting the fact that Kamini aunty wouldn't be able to make it to the marriage because some relative of her's had passed away. Whereas the truth, as she could see now was that she was on a family holiday. She felt disgusted with Kamini aunty. Plus her being there meant that Koyal could no longer afford to stay in that hotel. It was sure that she would rat her out to her mom. This only added fuel to her fury. She wasn't really a fan of Kamini aunty to begin with. Oh but she can't rat me out. She has lied to mom Koyal. Exposing you would mean exposing herself aswell...But this woman is too sly, she will weave yet another web of lies and get her name cleared. Before Kamini could notice her, she quickly jumped into her seat startling the poor driver and quickly rolled up the glass. "Quick, get us out of here." The driver did as he was asked to do with no questions asked. The silence stretched for a while. Koyal was way too agitated over the loss of her precious stay and the driver didn't dare utter a word to her. He was hoping for this high and mighty madam not to deny him his money. He had drove around for half the day. He plucked up courage and decided to speak, he couldn't drive her around forever. "Umm...ma'am. I have a friend who runs this lodge. It..it is a decent enough place. I'll ask him to take special care of you. The night is upon us. You need a place. I'm sure by tomorrow there will be some vacancies in a good hotel." "Fine." He couldn't believe his ears. He had anticipated some arguments. He drove towards the lodge in a daze. It's only the matter of a night after all. The lodge was squeezed between two shops. Krishna lodge read a sign precariously hanging over the entrance. "What's your name by the way?" "Kumar, ma'am." "Kumar I want you here first thing in the morning tomorrow. I won't stay here longer than is necessary." Mumbling a quick yes he scurried in to make arrangements. "This is my friend Bhola, ma'am. He is the manager." He handed her the keys to her room. Contrary to his fears she payed him his entire dues. She dragged her tired feet into the room and collapsed onto the bed. I should probably take a bath. What? No way. I don't want to witness the sorry excuse of a bathroom, that too infested with germs and what not. I'll rather wait for tomorrow. She pushed herself up from the bed with disgust and spread her shawl on to the bed. She slowly relaxed herself onto the bed. Aahh...better.. It took her a long time to relaxe her mind and body. Her eyes were only beginning to droop when...someone began banging the door incessantly...