Stumbling Towards You

House Hunt

         I rushed out of the airport, so far I had not noticed anyone suspicious but dad would make the best choice of the lot, so the chances of my noticing anyone were less. It was a clear day and I went to the taxis lining outside the airport. I saw a plumb driver with a clean uniform and told him the address, he just nodded.
A minute or so passed and neither of us moved. Finally he turned around, looked at me and then raised a questioning brow.

       "What are you waiting for miss?" What I was really waiting for was for him to open the taxi door and to let me in , and then it struck me. I'm just a normal girl and privileges and manners such as these are limited to the rich. Embarrassed, I let myself in. After putting my bag in the trunk the man started the taxi and I got busy looking at the surroundings.

   Trees were lined by the roadside, the parks were full of lively young kids and an occasional tourist was enjoying his donut among the locals.  It was overall a very peaceful getaway. California was just as I remembered, it was just as beautiful and it was very close to my heart because of the memories of my family here.

         Time flew by as I got lost in my memories, I didn't even notice when we reached the hotel. The car stopped. I paid the driver and got out. The hotel was modest, perfect for a student. I went in, there was no lobby as such. In a corner sat an old lady with the desk having the sign of reception.

         I went up to her and told her about the booked room and my name, she handed the keys quietly. There was no elevator but my room was on the first floor so I managed to drag my suitcase up. I found my room and opened it. It was a tiny room compared to what I was used to but it would have to do. It had a small window, a dressing table was stacked to the side, the bathroom was on the opposite wall and a small bed lay in the center.

          I rushed to the bed and sat down. As I looked around my eyes fell on the mirror, the girl in the mirror was almost a stranger to me. I got up to have a full view. I was surprised to see how different I looked, granted I had tried the clothes before but now it seemed amazingly real, the flight had tired me and the room had its own effect. My auburn hair that I usually styled lay in a messed-up bun. I had no makeup on and the liner had faded out leaving black traces. My hazel brown eyes hid behind the spectacles.

  My overly expensive designer outfits were replaced by a simple T-shirt and washed-out jeans. The inch high heels no longer held my feet and blue sneakers took their place. I looked like a completely different person and believe it or not I was happy about it. I was no longer cautious about how I looked, how I walked, how I stood and the sneakers were a welcome change.
I freshened up a little and lay on the bed.

       I missed dad, but I had to do this, he believed that I could not handle the company alone, that I needed someone that I was stubborn to not let anyone in my heart and or even close enough to peek in, I disagreed ( well the last part was true ) but I was too angry to agree. He tried to make me understand that it was not because I was a girl but because it was a harsh world, he tried reasoning with me that he too had mom by his side, but I had a different opinion. He loved mom and I hated the idea of spending my life with someone whom I don't adore. Plus I did not need anyone. The discussion had soon turned into an argument and we ended up making a bet.

      I was to prove myself by living a simple college life without revealing my identity, if I survived without his help, I would lead the company after proper training if I lost I would have to partner up with the person he chose and eventually marry him. An idea that I totally absolutely truly hated.