✿
The cold wind harshly whipped at at her hair and she shivered in the biting cold, wrapping her faux fur coat around her tightly.
Coming on a solo trip to Manali has always been on top of Kaira's bucket list but after witnessing the weather here, she is reconsidering her choices.
She chose to discover the place instead of staying in her hotel room despite the cold, mainly because she wanted to enjoy herself while she was here. The wide street was crowded and every now and then a vehicle whizzed past her. All kinds of shop were lined on both of her sides and the loud chatter of people accompanied by the honks of vehicle resonated around the throughfare.
Kaira moved forward and decided to buy some souvenirs for her family. Her phone started ringing and she took it out from her pocket, frowning at the screen.
It was a video call from her brother and she swiped to answer it.
"Hey!" Advith exclaimed from the other side. "Maa paa look she is in Manali!"
"Hello Advith," Kaira replied as a smile adorned her lips.
"What are you doing?" he asked. "Without me," he added after a second and started moving around the house.
"I was buying souvenirs for all of you before you called. Your jealous self couldn't help but call me after every hour or so," Kaira replied playfully.
Advith whined. "Maa, look she is enjoying all alone!"
"Shut up, you can go and enjoy when you are big enough," she chided and kept walking forward unaware of her surroundings, her attention solely on her phone.
"I will, lady, I will," he answered.
Kaira let out a laugh and before she could answer she felt a shove on her shoulder, her phone flew out of her hands due to the impact.
"What the-" she murmured and bent down to pick up her phone. She noticed a figure looming over her. A girl to be precise. Kaira met her stare and took in the clothes of the stranger.
She was cladded in all black except for her shoes which were obnoxiously high golden heels. A messy bun rested on top her head with a gajra wrapped around it.
Kaira raised her eyebrows but refrained from commenting about the stranger's unusual attire.
"Is someone following me?" The girl asked, fear lacing her bold voice.
Kaira furrowed her eyebrows but inspected their surroundings nonetheless. People were busy in their own business and no one was staring at them or following them.
"Uhm, no," Kaira replied facing the person infront of her and she heard her sigh in relief.
"I- okay thank you." The stranger whispered and for a moment Kaira thought about asking what was the matter with her. She seemed weird.
"Are you doing illegal stuff?" Kaira blurted out and regretted it a moment later. The stranger looked at her in amusement before her lips pulled into a smile.
"Does running away from your own wedding counts?" she replied smugly and Kaira blinked a few times. That explains her golden heels and messy bun.
But what was the point in running alone? From what she has heard in the news, people usually elope with their lovers right?
"Oh." Was all that Kaira replied.
"I am Aisha by the way," Aisha said and offered Kaira a little smile.
She was beautiful Kaira thought to herself but just because she bumped into her didn't mean that she could be friends with her.
"Okay," Kaira said and continued on her journey. A second later she felt a tap on her shoulder.
She turned around and came face to face with Aisha. She towered over Kaira slightly which made her a bit uncomfortable.
"I know I am coming out as a creep but please tell me if there is some place around," Aisha murmured helplessly. Kaira shook her head and wondered why Aisha was in such desperate need of help.
"Please," Aisha muttered. "Just tell me if there is an inn nearby."
"Why? For all I know you could harm me," Kaira muttered and shrugged.
"I swear, I swear I won't and I'll tell you everything. Just find me a place for a few hours then I'll leave," she replied. When Aisha looked at the uncertainty looming behind Kaira's eyes she added, "god promise."
She even pinched the base of her throat for extra effect. Kaira thought for a moment and after looking at the desperation behind Aisha's word she nodded.
"You can stay where I am staying," Kaira murmured and Aisha nodded with a grin on her face.
"Thank you! Thank you! You are an angel," Aisha said and Kaira ignored her, leading the way towards the inn.
It was a five minute walk from the place they were currently at. Kaira stuffed her glove cladded hands in her pockets and turned towards Aisha who was typing furiously on her phone.
"Why did you runaway from your wedding?" Kaira couldn't help but ask.
"I am lesbian and they were marrying me off to a man." She rolled her eyes.
Kaira's eyes widened in shock. "Really?!"
"Of course, why would I lie?" Aisha said, her tone an octave higher.
They kept strolling towards the inn until the five star hotel came into view.
"You can take a room here for yourself," Kaira muttered nonchalantly and moved ahead without waiting for Aisha.
She was also pissed off due to the fact that her trip to the market has been futile. She decided that she has nothing to do with this girl now. Though her personality intrigued Kaira, she has already faced enough troubles for today.
Moreover, she can only help a stranger till her hotel.
"But I am short on money," Aisha murmured innocently and peeked a glance at Kaira.
Kaira knew that Aisha was trying to play innocent and helpless.
"None of my business," Kaira muttered and started walking towards her hotel room.
After a few minutes she reached her room and laid down on the bed. She decided to take an hour rest and then she'll go and discover the night life of Manali.
She ordered some food for herself through the hotel service and waited patiently, scrolling through her instagram.
She saw a few messages from Advith asking her what happened. She told him she will call him later.
She couldn't help but wonder whether Aisha found a room for herself or not. What if Aisha thought that Kaira refused to help her because Aisha was a lesbian? What if Aisha thought that Kaira has a thing against gay people?
She thought of a thousand possibilities. She felt guilty for not helping Aisha. Maybe she was a pure soul and was in genuine need of help.
Kaira stopped overthinking mainly because she didn't want to drown herself in a pool of guilt. She has always been that way- she made a decision and then regretted it later on.
Currently she was regretting the decision of not helping Aisha.
A deep sigh escaped her lips as a knock sounded on her hotel door. Thinking that it must be the hotel service, Kaira opened the door.
She felt frustrated yet relieved when she saw Aisha leaning against her doorframe.
"Well," Aisha started. "Since, you didn't come to meet me, I came myself."
Kaira stared at her. "I never asked you to."
Aisha waved a hand around lazily. "Come on, I know somewhere or the other you are feeling guilty."
Kaira thought of hitting her forehead against a wall.
"See, I do want to apologise for how I behaved earlier," Kaira said and looked around in the deserted hotel lobby to see if anyone was watching them. "I hope you found a room," she added as an after thought.
"I forgive you and no I didn't find any room," Aisha said and looked at her, her eyes silently pleading her to share her room.
Kaira closed her eyes and as she opened them again she saw a waiter coming around with a tray of food.
Aisha joined her hands together. "Please, let me stay with you. It's just a matter of hours and then I'll leave pakka."
Kaira raised her eyebrows at that. "And where will you go?"
"I have a girlfriend. I am not stupid enough to run from my parents without any support."
Oh.
Kaira sighed exasperatedly and the waiter glanced at the two women.
"Room service ma'am," he muttered and Kaira took the tray from his hand murmuring a small thank you in return.
As if on cue Aisha's stomach made a grumbling noise and her cheeks reddened in embarrassment.
Kaira laughed silently and with a shake of her head beckoned Aisha to come inside.
Aisha entered inside with small steps while Kaira settled herself on bed.
"Now that you have successfully ruined my peace you can make yourself comfortable," Kaira said jokingly but her smile dropped as she noticed hurt flash across Aisha's features.
"I am helpless otherwise I would have never troubled you," Aisha said and tore her gaze away from Kaira, taking a seat on the plush brown couch near the window.
"I know, I meant it as a joke," Kaira answered and heavy silence hung between them.
She has made things awkward.
Kaira nibbled on her food and contemplated whether she should offer some of it to Aisha.
From the way she was sitting Kaira knew she would probably refuse.
She decided to be the better person and asked her nonetheless, "do you want some?"
Aisha shook her head in response without glancing at Kaira.
Something heavy dropped in Kaira's stomach as awkward silence filled the room once again. She finished her food in quietude while discreetly glancing at Aisha.
Her hair were in a messy bun with a gajra and she was sporting a black leather jacket. Her face was devoid of makeup but she looked gorgeous anyways, Kaira thought.
Aisha's phone ringed, breaking the silence surrounding them.
She took it out hastily from her pocket and answered the call.
"Hello?" she said and her voice was much more brighter.
The speaker on the other side said something which earned them a grin from Aisha.
"Geez, calm down. I am alright. I got some help and I am staying at a hotel right now." Aisha smiled and for a moment Kaira couldn't take her eyes off her.
"Yes, when are you coming?" she asked. After a few seconds of silence she smiled brightly.
"Okay, I'll be ready with my stuff. I'll send you my live location. Drive safely okay?"
Kaira tried but she couldn't act as if she didn't care. She was dying to know who she was talking to. Probably her girlfriend.
"Bye, love," Aisha whispered with a smile and cut the call.
She glanced at Kaira and offered her a smile too. "Thank you for helping me. My girlfriend is arriving in half an hour."
For some unfathomable reason that made Kaira sad. She mustered up a smile and nodded.
"It's okay."
"I am so excited you know!" Aisha exclaimed. "I'll finally spend some time with her."
Kaira smiled at that, wondering what the feeling was like. After all she never had a boyfriend or a girlfriend.
"I am happy for you," Kaira said genuinely happy for the person she met just an hour back.
"You never told me why you were in Manali?" Aisha asked. "You are also running from your wedding?" she raised her eyebrows playfully and Kaira wondered if she was the same person who was sulking in a corner just moments back.
"I am here for a solo trip," Kaira answered and Aisha's mouth fell open.
"Oh my god! That must be so thrilling. My parents would never allow something like that." She shook her head in amusement.
Kaira let out a small laugh. "It wasn't easy to convince my parents. I did a lot of pleading. Oh and not to forget my little brother was so jealous, when my parents said yes." Kaira smiled remembering how Advith had thrown a fit when Kaira started packing for Manali.
"You have a little brother too?" Aisha asked.
"Oh, yes. He is a devil though," Kaira muttered.
"Sibling rivalry," Aisha said.
Conversation flowed between them and half an hour passed within a blink.
Aisha's phone rang once again, interrupting their conversation.
"Hello?" Aisha muttered and then a pause.
"Okay, I am coming." Aisha beamed.
She turned towards the Kaira and got up from her seat.
"I think it's time to leave," Aisha said and smacked her lips together.
"I spent a great time with you," Kaira replied.
"Thank you for helping with my elopement." Aisha winked and Kaira shook her head in amusement.
Aisha proceeded to move out of Kaira's hotel suite and glanced at Kaira one more time before finally leaving, her backpack which Kaira didn't notice before slung on her shoulders.
Aisha definitely gave her memories worth remembering.
Kaira stared at Aisha's back and her bisexual self couldn't help but feel teeny tiny bit of attraction towards the person she was never going to see again.
✿
A/N,
Thank you for reading. I really hope you enjoyed.
To all the LGBTQ+ people out there- you have have my wholehearted support!
Also, any favourite story so far?
I would really appreciate if you could share this book with your friends!