• eleven
Word Count: 2450
Contd.
NITI took a deep breath, deciding it was time to take control of the situation. She resolved to sort everything out and be more responsible for her actions. First, she needed to get ready for work and deal with the aftermath of last night.
She knew she had a lot to do before reaching her destination on time. First, she needed to get dressed and hail a cab to go to her car. Leaving her laptop inside the car while parked on the roadside was not an option. The seven coffees she had to grab was a problem for future Niti.
She winced as she moved closer to the mirror, trying not to hurt her foot further after her failed attempt at jumping. Gazing at her disheveled reflection, she couldn't help but feel a bit embarrassed that a stranger had seen her in such a state. "Next time we meet, I should at least ask for his name," she mused to herself with a frown.
With a sigh, she continued to remove the robe that was covering her glittery dress, realizing it was definitely not something to wear in her day-to-day life.
Glancing at the neatly placed paper bag under the table, she knew it contained the clothes and shoes the orange guy had left for her. Curious to see what he thought she would wear and what he assumed her size was, she unfolded a white t-shirt with a big smiling face on the front and 'I love Ji Min Jun' written beneath it. Niti's eyes widened with shock at the sight of it. A laugh threatened to bubble out but she suppressed it. She neatly folded the t-shirt back, not even bothering to look at the light blue pants with flower prints. "These are definitely not street-appropriate," she exclaimed to herself, amused.
And I cannot wear that to my office...
Niti groaned and slumped down on the side of the bed, feeling frustrated. She wanted to strangle the guy at that point, but she knew it was her own fault that she was in this situation. And it was definitely me who probably ranted about Jimmie last night, anyway.
The thought of seeking help from Sammy crossed her mind, but she hesitated. She wasn't quite ready to face him yet, especially after his grandma's disapproval of her, which had unsettled her deeply. Besides, explaining the orange guy to Sammy would only raise unnecessary suspicions and possibly provoke his anger. Niti understood he would be upset not just about her being with another guy, but also for jeopardizing her safety and acting recklessly.
The young brunette carefully scanned the room, remembering the note left for her by the mysterious guy. It stated that she was welcome to use anything in the room. Her curiosity piqued, she noticed several bags scattered around, the very same ones he had been carrying the previous day.
Intrigued, she approached the bags without hesitation and began to peek inside. To her delight, they contained an assortment of brand new clothes—neatly folded business formals. She meticulously examined each of the four packages, trying to find pieces that would suit her frame. Although intended for men, she couldn't resist the idea of pulling off an oversized look.
With a hint of excitement, she laid her chosen outfits on the bed and studied them closely. There was a sleek black pant, a stylish beige coat, and a classic black turtleneck. For footwear, she bypassed the contents of the bags and instead headed straight to the shoe rack. Her eyes caught the sight of the black boots she had seen him wear the day before, and she decided they were the perfect match.
As she stood there, a mixture of uncertainty and determination lingered in her mind. Borrowing these items made her feel a bit uneasy, but she reasoned that the situation demanded it, and she promised herself she'd return everything later that day. Besides, she couldn't help but speculate that he probably wouldn't even notice their absence. After all, he appeared to be quite well-off.
"And he did say I can use anything," she reminded herself, hoping to quell any remaining doubts.
As she stepped into the shower, the warm water washed away the tension from her body. Thoughts raced through her mind as she contemplated her next move. Dressing up in borrowed clothes, exploring the mysterious stranger's room—these actions were unlike her usual self. But desperate times called for unorthodox measures, and she was determined to accomplish her mission for the day.
Once she emerged from the shower, the room was filled with steam, and she felt a renewed sense of energy. She slipped into the business formals, savouring the luxurious feeling of the fabric against her skin. Yet, when she fastened the beige coat around her figure, she realized her initial guess at her size had been off. The coat draped loosely over her, lacking the tailored fit she had anticipated.
Undeterred, she refused to let the slight mishap dampen her spirits. She was resourceful and quick on her feet, so she improvised. Tying her own dress belt around her waist, she cinched the coat, creating a flattering silhouette that she surprisingly adored.
"It doesn't look too bad," she affirmed, admiring her reflection with a contented smile. "Now, onto my next mission."
She needed to get to her car first. The laptop and a means to carry the coffees were essential. Her car was indispensable in this situation. Shaking her head, she picked up the phone that had been left for her.
Using an app, she hailed a cab. The waiting time seemed endless, and her anxiety only intensified. Her pounding headache added to her discomfort, a reminder of the stress that had accumulated throughout this bewildering day. She hurriedly grabbed a paracetamol from the emergency aid box and swallowed it, hoping for some relief.
Alone in the room, she sat in a momentary lull, her mind drifting further into the past. Her heart ached as she remembered the days when she didn't have to worry about earning a living or dealing with the daily grind of a job she loathed. The monotony of her life weighed heavily on her, and she longed for the carefree joy she once knew.
Amidst the chaos and confusion, Sammy was her beacon of happiness. His presence had always been a source of comfort, bringing warmth and light to her gloomy existence. But now, even that seemed uncertain, as she grappled with the consequences of her spontaneous actions.
As she retraced the trajectory of her life, she pondered how it had come to this point of despair. There was a defining moment, a turning point when everything started to go downhill. The memory of that crucial incident resurfaced, causing a pang of pain deep within her.
It was a moment from her past, etched vividly in her memory—the event that changed the course of her life.
She remembered being torn between the desire to have fun with other friends and her loyalty to her best friend. Niti had hesitated before finally deciding not to go to Kavya's house at the promised time. Regret gnawed at her heart as she had played with others, trying to suppress the guilt that washed over her. Later, when she had hurriedly rushed to Kavya's house to share her day and apologize for being late, the sight that met her was soul-crushing. The house had caught on fire, and the flames devoured everything in their path.
Panic and anguish gripped Niti's chest, tears streaming down her cheeks as she saw Kavya's mother in despair. When she saw her coming, she shouted words at her that little Niti couldn't even comprehend. Kavya's mother blamed her for the tragic turn of events.
The weight of guilt multiplied exponentially, as Niti couldn't help but believe that if only she had been there on time, this devastating catastrophe might have been averted. In that moment, Niti's heart had shattered into a million pieces, the overwhelming emotions of remorse, sorrow, and grief becoming too much to bear.
The pain and vulnerability she experienced at the tender age of twelve had left an indelible mark on her soul, shaping the cautious and measured person she had become. She knew she would carry that burden with her for a long time, forever haunted by the painful consequences of her innocent decision.
But today, she had deviated from her usual self, stepping into the unknown without reservation. She had let herself wander into the unknown and let her heart make the decision, again.
The phone rang and brought Niti out of her reverie with a jolt. Her legs bounced up and down and she proceeded to answer the call from the driver asking her to come to the pick up spot.
As soon as she stepped out of the hotel, a cold wind greeted her. Unlike the artificialness of the air conditioner, the air outside carried a refreshing coolness that danced on her skin. It brought instant relief and delight to her senses. The gentle breeze whispered through the trees, carrying the earthy fragrance of fallen leaves, evoking a sense of nostalgia and tranquility.
Niti wrapped her arms around herself savouring the exquisite feeling of the cool wind against her cheeks before stepping into the car.
"Miss Dooly?" the driver asked for confirmation even before she could strap herself in.
"Uh—" Niti quickly glanced at the phone and clenched her teeth in irritation, "Yes, that's me."
"OTP madam," he asked.
"Yes, 5876," she replied.
She couldn't believe how the someone she had met yesterday could have the audacity to mock her so much. First with the awkward T-shirt and then with this name, Dooly.
How does he even know that Jimmie's nickname in Korea is Dooly?
"Could it be that he is also Bow-Wow's fan?" she exclaimed just as the door to the other side of the backseat clicked open.
"Come again?" The wind carried the musky orange scent from the person towards her.
The masked guy propped himself inside the car.
What is he doing? Niti's mind screamed as she tried to voice her thoughts.
He turned towards a speechless Niti and she could see the faint impression of his lips curling upwards behind his mask. Bits and pieces of last night's escapades rushed through her veins. She barely remembered it but she had clearly grabbed him by his face at some point. She could give the form of his lips an actual shape but she didn't know why.
What the hell did I actually do yesterday?
As she gazed upon the man sitting beside her, her heart trembled uncontrollably. A blurry image of his intense grey eyes flashed before her, leaving her breathless and filled with a whirlwind of emotions. They had been too close, and the memory of his proximity sent shivers down her spine. Her hand instinctively reached for her bare lips, as if trying to capture the lingering touch of his presence.
A rush of crimson flushed her cheeks, betraying the storm of feelings surging within her. Her vulnerability was laid bare, and she struggled to compose herself in the wake of his overwhelming presence. In that moment her emotions were a tumultuous sea, trying to break free.
"Yesterday—" she quivered but was stopped mid word.
"I am here to pay for your ride, since you clearly told me you didn't have money," he said, motioning the driver to start the trip.
"I will pay after I get to my car," she replied defensively, annoyed at him for letting her finish.
He had moved himself to face outside the car window but Niti could not help but stare at him. Doubt crept into her.
Did we kiss?
She couldn't fathom herself doing that.
But I was drunk...
She didn't believe she would initiate a kiss with someone other than Sammy.
I would have remembered his face if we had kissed. At least.
"Stop aiming daggers behind my head," he remarked playfully as he turned towards her, "we had an amazing time yesterday, Niti." He winked.
The way he said her name annoyed her, although cute.
"And you look adorable in those clothes," he said, as a matter of fact. "I am sad you didn't wear the clothes I got for you, though."
I can't see behind his mask but is he pouting? Niti's heart hammered inside her chest.
He kept talking but Niti couldn't utter a word. She sat beside him like a mum. She couldn't let this continue.
"Look, why are you here?" she asked, all of a sudden. "Why are you actually here? What am I to you?"
Niti's questions made him go silent for a few seconds. He thought deeply and replied, "Someone who could save me?"
Niti rolled her eyes at his remark. She was expecting something serious with the kind of atmosphere he had created while lost in thought. "Forget it!"
A burst of laughter escaped him, and his eyes lit up with warmth, crinkling at the sides. "Okay, okay, a friend," he declared, "You're already like a friend to me."
"Creep," Niti retorted, but she couldn't help but feel a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. She moved her face away, attempting to conceal her happiness, wondering why this simple acknowledgment meant so much to her.
"What's your name, anyway?" she asked, without facing him.
"Ah, finally she asks!"
"Are you going to tell me?"
"No, actually," he paused as he took in a surprised Niti's expressions, "You can keep calling me orange guy, I like that. It's actually a perfume one of my friends gifted. It's his favourite."
Niti didn't respond.
"The same guy I bought that coat for?" he eyed Niti's cinched outerwear.
Niti's eyes widened, "Oh my god, I am so sorry!"
She attempted to remove the belt around the coat but the masked guy reached out for her hand and stopped her.
"It's okay, you can keep it."
"Why would you let me keep this for free?" Niti asked, wriggling her hands free.
"Who said it's free?" he grinned.
"Ugh fine, I will pay." I should have known.
"Really? You're going to pay me more than three lakh rupees?"
Niti's heart shattered. "What?"
She couldn't pay him that much. She would have to empty her whole bank account. She started to bounce her leg unintentionally, dreading the consequence of one of the things she did without thinking.
"Hey hey hey," The orange guy gently put his hands on her leg, stopping her from going into a nervous frenzy. "You don't have to pay me! I am sorry, I was kidding."
"So it doesn't cost that much?" she asked, hopefully.
"Uh— forget that," he said, shuffling for something inside his pocket.
A few seconds later, he had placed a piece of card-like paper in Niti's hands. Confused, she took it and read it and then gave a small gasp.
"Come with me?"
The small paper in her hands was the golden ticket to Bow-Wow's concert, backstage entry.
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A/N
Hi lovely readers! Sorry for the wait. This chapter was a bit longer but I hope it was as exciting?
Niti has gone through a lot, don't you think? Are you excited for her now?
What is the most exciting thing that you are waiting for in this story? Do let me know in the comments (:
Comment, Vote & Share!
Cheers~
Aeon
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