2 #1
HER POV
It was finally the day we all had been waiting for. A holiday, a vacation, away from our overbearing parents. It was the one thing me and my friends have been going back and forth on. Deciding how to exactly execute this trip.
A spring day, flowers blooming, mouth-watering scent of the food coming from the kitchen, and then I smelt it... My underarms. I hadn't had a shower last night. To lazy to bother with it. But that horrid smell definitely helped me wake up better than any alarm in the world!
Getting off the bed was the next big task. Although after that, everything was a breeze. I got up, went to the bathroom, applied face wash, brushed my teeth, showered..finally and put on my men's deodorant.
Checking the packed bags in my room one last time I left for the kitchen. Some delicious food sounded good right now. A glass of warm, sweet milk with a hearty serving of cheesy omelettes tasted finger licking good!
Checking the phone while eating is a must. So I was scrolling through the group chat to see what everyone was saying. And as always, at the very last fucking moment, everyone but Stuti decided to bail. No shocker there. It's fine though. Not like I'll be missing anything. I knew something like this would happen. It always does.
Whatever. Stuti and I were enough to create a rumble in Vegas. Yup you heard it right, we all are going to Las Vegas. Well now it's only Stuti and I. It's alright, she'll be my drunken partner in crime.
°°°°°
The time currently was 6 in the evening, Indian standard time. The flight would take off at half past nine and would take approximately 22 hours to reach McCarren International Airport,Las Vagas, from Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi.
I rang up Stuti to confirm when she and I would meet at the airport. My parents were still reluctant to let me leave. Not surprised. But this was one decision I wouldn't budge on. While my internal conversation was still ongoing, Stuti eventually picked up.
"What the fuck happened to the others? It was supposed to be a one time opportunity for a long ass time. And it was one where all of us could've been together without our parents' over protectiveness." Stuti, spoke.
"Stu, leave it. Don't ruin it for the both of us too. You knew something like this would happen. And you also know that something must have happened for all the others to cancel at the last moment. And anyway, they won't get to see my dream man. You'd be the first one to meet him. So cheer up, spit all the anger out and get ready." Was my reply.
"I'll be leaving in 15 minutes and you better be at the airport when I get there. No more delaying."
"Yeah yeah." She said in a bored tone.
Rolling my eyes, I said my goodbyes and cut the call. No situation will change the stupid sisters. But they were my stupid sisters. And I wou-
I was cut off from my procrastination when hearing my phone blare the alarm. You might be wondering why I have an alarm set for 15 minutes past six. Well getting my parents to actually leave the house and get me to the airport is a task in itself. Almost everywhere we go, we are late because they can't be bothered to get ready early. The joy I experience being the latecomer all the damn time!
°°°°°
"Where the fuck are you? I've been waiting at the airport for the past 10 minutes. You get your butt here right freaking now. I'll beat your ass so bad. You thretene-"
This was my dearest friend, Stuti. For short we just call her Stu. See what I mean when I say almost everytime we are the last to arrive.
"I'm right behind you, stop screaming my ears off." Eye roll.
We hugged, said our final goodbyes to our parents for the next 15 days, checked in, got our boarding passes, passed the security check, got some snacks, and lastly, sat down waiting for our flight number to be called out.
One hour later, SpongeBob voice, our flight was boarding. I huffed out, I get to sleep finally after all of the day's turmoil. I was out like a light after takeoff. I was awoken for dinner. I don't even properly remember what I had for dinner. Just know that it was vegetarian. And yes I eat eggs. I just don't eat any kind of meat.
Breakfast on the flight seemed like it came five minutes after dinner, but was probably hours later. That's how deep my sleep is. After that, I searched for a movie or show to watch, got my snacks out. After that I think you can guess what I did. I binge watched Marvel movies, until it was time to leave.
After 22 hours, we were in Vegas. It took us around two more hours to collect our luggage, leave the airport, take a cab, reach the hotel, check in, settle and relax a bit. It's a fucking process to do all this. Phew!
We decided to stay in for the remainder of time at the hotel and go sight-seeing tomorrow morning and club-seeing tomorrow night. If you didn't know, I was not a nerd but a nerd in school. Was that understandable? I mean I wasn't a bookworm but I did get good grades.
Roaming on the roads in a foreign country is a different feel all together. It's in a way freeing but is also hectic. All day Stu and I just roamed around the streets of Las Vegas, had food which was troublesome to find for me being vegetarian and all, had lots and lots of coffee and bought a few souvenirs.
°°°°°
I changed my clothes from sweats and t-shirt to a blue jeans and a flannel with a black tank top underneath and black sneakers. Pretty basic outfit. Comfort before pain. That's how I choose my clothes.
Stu although was all decked out. She had a pretty navy blue dress on. She had smokey blue eyes, some pretty jewellery to compliment the dress and navy blue heels. She was always the fashionista kind. I look like a servant in front of her right now. Doesn't bother me though.
After some talking with random people on the streets and with the hotel staff, we found out the most happening club here. XFINITY was it's name. By the way the people were talking about it, it's gonna be hard actually getting in the club.
It was a 30 minute ride from our hotel. Reaching the club, I saw the longest line I ever had. We wouldn't get in the club for a few days. But we still queued up at the end. I don't mind waiting for an hour or two. I'm worried about Stu though. Chuckling to myself I look at her. She's gonna have blisters on her feet the coming morning.
She gives me a quizzical look but doesn't say anything. There was a bouncer at the front. I've read in books how girls bribe their way in by flirting. I wasn't even gonna try. First, I haven't ever talked to a boy or man in a flirty manner. Second, dressed like I am, he surely won't let me in. I'd look like a beggar compared to all these people here. Third, Stu doesn't ha-
I was cut off. Please keep a count on how many times I get cut off mid sentence. Anyhow. There was a sudden frenzy among the girls standing in the queue. Why? I have no fucking clue. Maybe some celebrity was gracing this club by their god-like presence.
I don't give a damn about whoever it is. I just wanted an in, into the club.
I had a bored look on my face. Like what the fuck man?! It is a wasted night after all. Eye roll. I turned around to talk to Stu.
"Let's just leave Stu. We won't get in. It's a waste of fucking time. I wanna eat food. And your feet must be hurting by now. And I'm sure you're hungry too."
By the way, we had been standing in this long ass line for about an hour and a half now. Eye roll.
"Your eyes are gonna be stuck in the back of your head one day." Stu said rolling her own eyes. That made me double over with laughter.
"And you're right. Let's go. I don't wanna waste any more time standing here in this stupid ass queue."
With that said, we both turned around and started towards the main street to hail a cab.
Tap!
I turned around abruptly. Who tapped on my shoulder? I'll kill that person. It's a fight or flight situation. Adrenaline rising. I should've brought my knife with me. How am I so stupid to forget it at the hotel?!
"The manager of this club wants to talk to you." It was the bouncer from the front of the club.
"Why?" He's gonna kill us in the back alley. My subconscious replied.
"I don't know. You'll have to have a word with him yourself. Now if you will please follow me?"
I was about to reply but before I could even open my mouth, I was cut off yet again by the one and only, Stuti.
"Yes sure. Where is he?" Are you dumb Stu?? What the hell? This is the dumbest shit she's done since time immemorial.
She grabs my hand and drags me behind her. Now, if you look at her you might be surprised by what she can do. She's barely five feet tall. But she's strong enough to drag me around if she wants. And that's saying something because I'm neither flat, living only on salads, nor short.
"Are you stupid Stuti? He's a stranger. We're in a foreign country. And you choose to make the stupidest decision of your life at this time and place?" I whisper shout at her with gritted teeth.
"Look, the manager is standing right there. He's outside. So if he seems strange, we kick him in the balls and make a run for it. I really want to go in. Please?!" She says extending the please beyond need.
I didn't realise that we had reached the Manager already.
"Hi, I'm Mr. T, the Manager of this prestigious club." He shakes both our hands. "I'm delighted to tell you that we have randomly picked two people from the queue and decided to let them in without any charge." He said. I was surprised after hearing this. But also overjoyed. Finally we could get in. "And the drinks are on the house for the two beautiful ladies." He rambled on. I'm sure I missed some parts inbetween.
Weird but fine. They must do it every night. Meh. I get to go in finally.
"Thank you!" Stu chirped way to excitedly.
We went inside, and the loud music blasted my eadrums off. The decor wasn't visible. So if you asked me to describe the interior of the club, I wouldn't be able to. It was dark, with just a few different coloured lights. Not very brightly lit, that's what I'm trying to say. I'm wierd, getting off track!
Stu went to the bar. Of course she would go there first. She ordered a Virgin Mary. I just ordered ice water.
We turned to look around the club. It was jam packed. With sweaty girls and boys dancing and grinding on each other. I don't enjoy this kind of a scene. With all the dancing and all. But Stu finished her mocktail in a flash and was off to the dance floor. Good, she didn't ask me. She would've just been irritated with my nonchalant response.
Tap!
Again!?! God! What is it today? My funeral? Because I'm definitely going to get a damn heart attack with all these sudden taps on my shoulder.
Turning back to the bar, I see the bartender placing a drink in front of me. That I definitely did NOT order.
"I didn't order anything." I said before the bartender had a chance to say anything.
"The man up there, ordered it for you." The guy pointed.
I look up where he was pointing. I didn't even notice there was a second floor here, which was better lit up than the downstairs. The man who I'm assuming sent the drink for me stands up from the very comfortable sofa he was sitting on and stands near the railing, his hands in his pant pockets.
This is so cliché. I am laughing inside!
I turn back around the third time. "I don't drink. Please tell that man I'm not interested in his honeyed words."
For a second, just a split second, fear flashed on the bartender's face. He schooled his features from me and looked up at the man, who I reckon is still standing. Again that hysteria and fear on his face. He subtly shakes his head. Most probably sending the message to the man that I declined his advances.
The barten- wait that's getting old. What's his name? Joey his nametag reads. "Joey?"
The guy looks back at me. "Who is that man?" I say referring to the man in the suit. Fear. That's the third time in a row. Something's not right with that man. I don't even wait for his reply and get up. "Leave it I don't want to know. Good night Joey. I'm gonna head out."
I rush to the dance floor, grab Stu's arm and drag her outside. This is enough fun for one night at the club. On the way to the exit, I make the mistake of looking back up at the man. I shouldn't have though. He was smirking. His blue eyes shining in the dim lighting. He now had a glass of something in his hand. He raises his hand with the expensive glass like making a toast to something silently.
I don't even want to think about the shudder that passes through my body after seeing his glinted eyes.
I do everything in a rush after getting out of the club. And in a matter of 45 minutes a very creeped out me and a very grumpy Stu reach our hotel room.
I crash on the bed immediately. Two ticks later, I open my phone. Checking some messages from family and my other friends, I open YouTube and sleep like a baby at I don't remember what time.
