On the Road Again

Chapter 21

          "Ugh, it's soooooooooooooo hot!" I groan, taking care to emphasise the so. As I walk down the metal stairs leading off the plane, I swear I can distinctly feel the heat settling between my stomach and shirt as if it is a blanket that I have just shoved between my torso and clothing. I am coming extremely close to letting out a string of cuss words due to the fact that the people in front of me happen to be human snails. 

          I take a huge breath of cool air when I enter the shuttle bus. I get a lot of strange looks, but I'm okay with that. I mean I would probably look at someone strangely too if they just walked onto a bus and took a huge gulp of air like their life depended on it. I drop my carry-on beside my feet and lean on the glass divider that keeps the driver safe from stumbling passengers. I wipe my clammy palms onto my leggings and let my heart's pace steady. I don't mean to sound dramatic, but that was a life and death situation back there. As the shuttle makes it's melodic way along the road, I find it hard not to let my eyes shut and sleep.

***

          "Thank god." I say, getting up off the couch in the foyer where I have temporarily set up camp. I mean, one can only stand for so long while they wait for the hotel staff to finish cleaning their room. I drag my suitcase down the hall, my feet stomping grouchily without me noticing. I press the up button on the elevator and wait for it to arrive. It takes a little longer than usual and I have the sudden urge to start bashing on the doors. But I know that this will earn me some more strange stares that I will mind so I refrain from doing so. After what seems like a short millennium, the elevator doors squeak open and we all clamber in. Compared to the hotel, the elevator is actually quite stuffy. Then again, all elevators become stuffy when you try to shove ten people and their luggage into them.

          I walk down the corridor, my eyes for some reason, keep a steady gaze on the multi-patterned ground. We finally  get to our room, number 375. As soon as I slide the key card across the scanner to our room and I push the door open, I find that I am lost for words. The place is so beautiful and spacious. This room makes the cramped bedrooms of Belgium look like a prison cell. I walk around and find that there is one completely empty room. I suspect that this is for the suitcases and bags and I direct everyone here before they go and have a look around. After I have set my things down, I decide that it's about time that I have a look for myself.

          There's the sitting room, complete with huge TV, desk and modern lamp. Then there's the dining room featuring all the latest and most updated kitchen appliances. I let out a little laugh, knowing that while we're here, these steel monsters won't be used at all. I move into the hallway and find that there is the perfect amount of beds for everyone. Actual beds. I run and leap onto the first bed I see wrapping myself up in the freshness of it's crisp white sheets. Mimi does the exact same on the bed opposite mine letting the sheets engulf her in their cleanliness. I can't see how anyone could have a hard time staying here, I think to myself, remembering the couple who I had overheard complaining to the front desk that their room just wasn't up to the standard. As I breathe in the air conditioned oxygen and my body becomes warmer and warmer beneath the covers I can't help but let my eyes flutter shut.

          "WAKE UP INDI!! WE'RE GOING SOMEPLACE SPECIAL! I'M NOT GONNA TELL YOU BECAUSE IT'S A SURPRISE!!!" Mimi's voice shouts. I can hear the sound of a service bell ringing right beside my ear. I am convinced I am only dreaming but when my eyes blink open I see that there really is a service bell right beside my ear. And Mimi is ringing it. 

          "Where did you get that from?" I query, as I slowly sit up in bed. Mimi lets a smug grin strut across her face.

          "Ahh, the advantages of being famous, my dear sister, with a signature, you can get just about anything." She brags, before going back to prancing around our room and ringing the bell. I roll my eyes and smile.