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Hotel Valeron.

I skimmed my fingertips over the unwrinkled hotel catalogue on my way to room 1102 of Hotel Valeron. The golden hallway seemed never ending even though there were only three rooms on one floor. It was illuminated by spacious, glowing lights and with white lilies in the corner of each room.

I unwrapped a sweet gum and shoved it in my mouth while walking towards my room.

"Ahem"

I jumped on my spot

Turning around, I saw a staff man peering at me curiously. He looked in his early 40's and was wearing a blue suit and the right top corner of his coat hung a pin which said 'Manager'.

"Excuse me, ma'am. I think you are forgetting something" he said sternly.

"Oh, w-phat?" I frowned and the bubble I blew suddenly popped, surprising us both. His nose contorted and he shook his head in a way that made me feel like I was the worst person in the room. And yes the gum was all over my mouth. I grabbed a tissue from my purse in haste and disposed it off in a very, very awkward move.

Disappointed the manager on the first day, wonderful.

He gestured toward the floor and I followed his gaze towards the gum wrapper lying there and bent down immediately to pick it up.

"I'm sorry. I was just busy admiring. The hotel is very beautiful"

He gave me half a nod. "Thank you and do be mindful about the same while you're here"

"Um, yes"

"When do you check out maam?"

I laughed nervously. "I just checked in"

He frowned with an expression that said. do I have to tolerate this woman everyday?

"Have a nice day" he said curtly and left without any pleasantries that managers usually convey, like ensuring that I have good stay, if I need room service or at least making me feel welcomed? Ugh maybe the people here are not as pleasant as the place.

I turned on my heel and locked myself in my room.

My phone rang and I jumped when I saw Rishi's name flashing on the screen.

"Hey, I'm in the hotel"

"Is everything aright?" he asked.

"Should'nt I be asking you that?"

"He doesn't know yet"

"That's not surprising"

He probably just assumed I crashed at a friend's place after being out last night or went to work early. I use to leave for work before he even woke up so most of the times he doesn't even know where I am. But should I even care anymore?

The only thing I'm worried about how my boss would freak out when he notices I didn't show up to work today. I bit my lip at the realization.

"I'll text you when he does. The hotel is safe and you can stay there for a month or so and then you'll be shifted to an apartment elsewhere on the island, okay? Did you settle in right now?"

"Not really" I murmured as I saw myself in the mirror beside the bed and realised my hair was greasy, my clothes wrinkled and I smelled bad. The only thing I needed right now was a shower.

"Alright, get comfortable. We'll talk later"

Hanging up the phone, I stripped out of my clothing and locked myself in the bathroom, turning on the knob for the bathtub to fill. The long flight made my muscles ache yet I still managed to open my luggage and fetch some clothes and toiletries.

I sank into the embrace of the warm water and peach fragrance and a hum of weariness escaped my lips the moment it touched me. The water massaged my skin in a way that if I spent more than ten minutes in it I'd doze off. The weariness of the anxiety-fueled night that I had yesterday seemed to be slowly dissipating as I rested my neck against the edge and groaned whenever I had to move even to grab the soap. As I felt better, I dried myself and changed into a pair of loose pants and a soft t-shirt.

It was time for dinner and food was something I just couldn't miss. My body craved some calories. I also needed to pick up the itineraries and local contacts from the reception so as much as I wanted to order in, I decided to just go downstairs and eat.

Mustering the energy, I headed downstairs to the dining hall on the fifth floor. I was not prepared to see so many people already there. The manager saw me approaching and glanced once but then ignored me, fixing the cufflinks of his coat. I'm not so good with crowds so I just walked silently towards the buffet and started filling my plate. It smelled really good. I sat down at a table, near the large windows, far away from the centre tables and without further ado, I started to shove the food in my mouth.

"Can I sit here, if you don't mind?"

I looked up and saw an old man with a polite smile on his face. The chair in front if me was empty anyways, I could enjoy some company.

"Sure"

The man wasn't having anything. I wonder what he is here for. A waiter took three good rounds of offering him everything on the buffet but he denied it. So they are hospitable to some people, I guess and maybe just not me.

As I got busy with twirling the spaghetti in my plate, my elbow nudged the knife on the side of the table and it hit the floor with a shrill clink. My eyes widened and each and everyone's head turned to me for a second. It was kind of a startling moment since I hadn't even looked up from my plate after my second filling. 

Uh why are you so cringy Siya. I bit my lip and glanced sideways towards the people. The manager glared at me through his narrowed eyes and I wanted to drown into the ocean outside.

The old man's chuckle distracted me and I know it may sound weird but he wasn't just an ordinary old man. He looked good and well put together. I smiled in embarrassment.

"Sorry"

He shook his head. "Don't be. Actually, it was good you did that. At least people acknowledged each other's presence instead of being busy on the phone"

Touche.

I nodded. "Why is it so silent though?"

"I don't know that either. I come here a lot and it's always this silent"

"Oh. Don't you get bored?" I asked casually.

"I like to watch the ocean from here. The view is good. And sometimes my son is here so I like to spend time with him. But he too is slowly turning into the silent ones"

I couldn't help but awe at the calmness with which he was talking. He looked at peace.

Just then another waiter walked towards us with a glass of wine and the old man refused it again.

"So you're on vacation with your son?"

He scoffed. "No, he is going to pick me up in some time. Beside, we live here"

In a hotel? I mean I'm no one to judge since I have no idea how long Rishi wants me to stay here either and soon I too would be in the same position like the old man perhaps. The old man must have his reasons too. But at least he enjoying himself.

"What about you?"

I blinked. "Me? Oh. . . I just ran away from home"

He chuckled, his wrinkles stretching. "That's great but may I ask why?

"My. . .fa - folks are not very accommodating so, I left" I tried putting words.

He nodded. "We all need to get away at some point. And why did you choose this place" he smiled brightly.

My dad's right hand chose it for me, I didn't even know it existed, uncle.

"Um, I-I just searched online about a beautiful, peaceful island far away and this one came up first"

"It is indeed a very beautiful island. You must visit the beaches during sunsets and have coconut water there. Young people should travel more, I keep telling my son but he doesn't listen. But I'm telling you, there is so much culture to experience here for all age groups" His wise eyes shone as he stared outside the window, staring at the ocean and talked like he was in love with the place. That's how peaceful yet excited I want to be when I grow old.

I smiled. "I do want to explore the island, thank you for the insight"

"No worries. It' good you ran away, you seem like a smart kid. "

I smiled. He reminded me of a grandfather I never had.

The manager butted in out of nowhere. "Sir, the car is ready for you" What is wrong with him? I gave him an annoyed side-eye.

"I guess my son is here."

I smiled at him in gratitude and he got up slowly as the manager handed him a walking stick. Even though he has difficulty walking, he is still so passionate about life.

"You reminded me of my son sitting quietly the same way so I thought I'd join you. It was nice to meet you, kid"

Aww, he is so sweet.

"You too sir, have a nice evening" I waved goodbye to him. Before he left, he took the wine glass in his hand and spilt a bit of the liquid on the table cloth.

"I love annoying him " He said, eyeing the manager and I burst out laughing. 

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