Chapter 8

"Hey, do you mind if I come in?" Shirley's high-pitched voice came from the door of my room.

For a moment, I looked as if an alien has just landed at my doorstep. I snorted internally. That would have been more plausible than Shirley wanting to talk to me.

After a second, I realised that she is still standing at my door, patiently waiting.

"Ya, sure. Come in. What's up?" I asked as my lips stretched in a semblance of a smile. Or I tried to stretch. It must have come as a grimace.

Thankfully, Shirley is busy inspecting my room with a critical eye that rose goosebumps over my skin.

What is she looking for? Is she going to raise my share of the rent?

If so, I'm doomed.

"Umm... do you want something?" I asked, hoping she would say no,

"What? No. No. I was just looking at your room. It's surprisingly neat," she chirped, her eyes scanning every corner of it.

Ya, not everyone lives like you in a pig sty.

I smiled and said, "thank you" politely instead but my eyes are sending the message clearly what are you up to now?

She never bothered to do small talk or bother with my routine. Why now?

Sensing my not-so-positive vibes she said, "I can see you are busy with some work. I just wanted to ask what are your plans for this Saturday?"

My eyebrows lifted up, almost touching my hairline.

"Umm..." I opened and closed my mouth, feeling confused at her sudden enthusiasm in my schedule.

"It's no big deal. I'm just asking," Shirley waved her hand between us seeing my struggles.

"No. It's nothing. I mean, I haven't decided yet. Mostly I will lounge here and watch something on my phone," I shrugged my shoulders.

Awkward.

That sums it up.

"Oh no!! You have no plans?" She covered her mouth as if I imparted some terrible news.

"Nope," I stressed, dragging the letter 'p'.

"How about... you join me?"

"Me?" My voice croaked at her implication. Don't get me wrong. There is nothing wrong. But Shirley and I don't mix. It's like adding cereal to pizza. She is the pizza if you are wondering.

"Yes, you. Why? Do you have anything against me? You said, you are free," she narrowed her eyes.

I shuffled my feet trying to avoid her scrutinization.

"No. Nothing of that sort. What do you have in mind?"

Please tell me it's painting our nails and gossip.

"What else? Clubbing of course," she clapped her hands as if it's not an obvious one.

"Of course, silly me. I... I will be ready"

"Great!!!"

She didn't linger longer once she got what she want. Which doesn't makes sense. Shirley has friends in abundance. Why is she suddenly chumming to me? What's her motto?

But first, I have a bigger issue at hand. It starts with C and ends with B.

I never went to a club before in India. My aunt would kill me if she get to know. But now that we are oceans apart, surely, I could go to one?

My heart fluttered at the idea of experiencing new things. Other than circling around that police station and approaching some Private Investigation offices, I was the epitome of a good girl.

What's the use of coming to U.S. if I have to be a good girl here too?

With that in mind, I went to shopping and bought myself a red number which made me blush just by looking at it. I don't know whether I have guts to wear it in public yet or not but for now, I decided it will do well for backup.

Saturday night came dark and dusky (me trying to insert some pun here. Not) and with that my nervous.

I checked myself in the mirror trying to pull the dress down some more and failing. It looks could add some fabric I would be a seamstress by now.

Giving up on it, I checked my hair and makeup which I kept minimal after the flare of red color of my dress. It's off-shoulder and full sleeves only increases the allure.

I feel like a forbidden fruit. All red and blushing.

Snickering at myself, I grabbed my clutch and went in search of Shirley. If she says she was just kidding, I swear I will rip her hair off. At least, I will try to.

Surprisingly, Shirley is up and ready before me.

That's a first.

"Wow!! You look great Sameera. You will knock them out dead. Look at those legs. Where have you been hiding them?" She actually sounded surprised. Should I feel offended or thank her?

I stopped in my tracks.

"Who?"

"Who? Oh, I mean boys. It's just slang"

"Yes, of course. I... shall we leave?"

"Sure"

Once we are at the club, I seriously started to question my decisions. This is not my scene. Like in any end of my spectrum.

The music, the dim lights, and the drinks. It's giving me headache that I thought I knocked down with a pill in the afternoon.

"You look nervous. Why don't you have a drink?"

"Umm... I usually-"

"What? You are not going to say no to a drink, are you?" She raised her eyebrow and practically looked down her nose at me.

"No. I mean, yes, why not?"

"That's good. Let's go grab some seats," she started moving towards the stairs.

"Umm... Shirley, don't you think they are too pricey up there?"

"What? No. Don't worry. Today's drinks are on me. You just enjoy yourself," she said without turning towards me as she swayed her hips and trailed away.

Feeling left out, I caught up with her when she reached a secluded corner of the VIP zone of the club which gives a vintage view of the dance floor but also gives a semblance of privacy.

The other side is covered with glass and seeing that only reminded me of my escapade in the penthouse suite.

Cheeks flaming, I tucked the back of the dress before seating and checked the club. I can feel the cool glass over my back as I tentatively leaned on it.

My attention is snapped apart when Shirley came back with our drinks. I took mine reluctantly, slightly sniffing to guess the taste.

Truth be told, I only tried once before on a dare during my college years. Once is enough for me but to keep up the appearances, I took a sip and tried not to gag at the taste.

Feeling that I have done my duty I nursed it as Shirley slurped glass after glass.

"So, Sameera, tell me, what do you think of it?"

"About?" A line formed between my eyebrows. What is she asking about?

"In general. How is your life going? What do you want in your life? Like... everything," she waved her hand as if she could conjure a wand in it if she want to.

My gaze became more doubtful as I checked her for the beginning of any prank. No. She is serious.

I chewed the corner of my lower lip as I considered it. Truth be told, since all this started I'm dying to unburden myself to someone. It's hard to keep it a secret when all I want to do is bawl my eyes out in frustration.

So, that's what I did. I told her everything even if she asked casually. Starting from my failure to get a visa to my poor attempts to locate my father and then my failure to get admission in any of the colleges.

"Oh. I didn't expect that"

"Me neither," I bit the inside of my cheek at spilling my beans. Is she going to make fun of me now?

"Umm..."

"Wait here, I will just go to restroom and come back," she didn't give me time to reply as she upped and left the seat.

Isn't it girl's code to go together to the restroom?

I heaved a sigh. May be I dumped too much information on her. Came out clingy and desperate for a friend.

Other than scuffing my shoes on the carpet, I have nothing else to do. I gave up the pretence of drinking a while ago.

Instead my eyes tracked the floor below and I saw the silhouette of Shirley going through a small corridor that strictly mentioned 'employers only'.

Is she picking someone while I'm here? Seriously? After hearing my sob story?

I was contemplating whether to ditch the club and walk away (more like crawling into my bed and hiding my face) when Shirley came back with a new drink.

I opened my mouth to ask- 'where were you?' But then shut it. I'm not some discipline police for her to keep tabs on.

"You know what, while I was in the restroom, I got a brilliant idea that will help you with one of your problems," Shirley said, watching me carefully from the curtain of her eyelashes as she sipped the drink.

"You did?" I backed away slightly as if she is going to suggest something extreme.

And I'm not disappointed when she blurted, "yes, it's simple. You just marry someone from U.S."