Chapter 3

Once I reached US, I thought it would be easy to get a room in New York.

I thought wrong.

My assumption shattered when I saw the rent's rate. It's ASTRONOMICAL. Seriously, are they renting room in space or what?

Getting a room near a university is easier said than done. With my savings dwindling down at rapid rate for my hotel room, I need to rent a room ASAP. At last, after much roaming I had to settle for a room in Brooklyn. It's just a two-bedroom flat with tiny kitchen and small living room (standing space small). I have to share my flat with another girl.

The first time I met Shirley, I was awestruck by her flamboyance while her jaw dropped when I said I'm from India.

The look she gave me... it's like I came from a tribe fresh out of forest entering civilisation for the first time.

I really wanted to thump my chest and shout "hula-hula-Hu-Hu" just for the gags but I curbed the urge. Barely.

"India? Is it like in Asia?" She wrinkled her nose.

Here is what you have to know about Shirley. Her beauty is inversely proportional to her brains. There is not a man out there who wouldn't lust after her. But the more she glows up, the dumber her brain works. Harsh, but sadly it's true. I don't know if she is just playing with me or she really is like that.

Whatever be the case, Shirley doesn't like me as a roommate however, she is stuck with me until she finds new one.

The first time she brought a man to our humble abode I stood dumb like a deer-caught-in-the-headlights. This is completely new territory for me. I don't know what to do.

Do we shake hands? Does this thing has a code or something that I know nothing about, like she hangs up a scarf on the hook of our bathroom and I have to make myself scarce?

If only there was 101 on how to be a roommate. But it soon became apparent that Shirley doesn't want me loitering in the kitchen when she brings men. Yes. Plural. Sometimes. But still. It only fanned my vivid imagination about how's and where's. I'm curious. Sue me.

And don't get me started on food. She eats celery sticks for lunch.

"Gosh, I'm full just by inhaling it's aroma," is her famous line when she looks at the salad.

And here I'm, from a healthy South Indian family where we compete on who will get to eat more. The things she eat in a whole day- I eat it for a snack after lunch. Sometimes, I feel like an elephant walking beside her even though I'm not fat by any means.

Thankfully, after that Shirley gave wide berth whenever we crossed paths. Suits me, it's not like I'm understanding her accent or the slang. GenZ slang is on another level.

If I thought that's the only setback in my well-thought out plan, then I was proven wrong once again by fate.

With each passing day, the pile of rejected college applications mounted. It's been a week and I have to do something. If this goes along then I won't even be left with a penny to buy a return ticket. Forget about paying rent. I'm sure Shirley won't mind kicking me out.

Embracing myself, I started searching for a job. Since My only experience is linked with hotels, I tried there first. By sheer luck, I find an opening in one of the most expensive hotels- Hotel Equinox.

Among the hotels, Equinox chain is on the very top. It left hotels like four seasons and Ritz in dust with the price range and service it provides. It has many branches scattered all over the world with the number some being said up to 27 branches. Only celebrities or well-known figures can afford to stay at such place. Or anyone who is ready to sell the kidney to afford the room one night. So, to be interviewed for a position in one such hotel is pure dumb luck.

It's not until I attended the interview did I come to realise that the post is for a hotel maid. Forget concierge, I was at least hoping for the post of receptionist. Not that I can understand the different accents of the customers/guests that hail from all over the world. That's different matter. But the point here is if I take this job, I will be demoting myself.

But... I have no other choice.

With my dwindling savings and the search which has yet to begin, I have no other choice but to take it.

So, here I'm, nearing almost a month, doing a job I was not hoping for, living in a place where my roommate takes great "pleasure" in keeping me all night up and finally, lying through my teeth to my family.

And... that's my second alarm alerting me to stop daydreaming. What, it's not like you won't wind up second alarm!

In my book, anyone who doesn't use more than one alarm to wake him or her up is a freak. A creature against nature. Really though, who would wake up at the first round of alarm all cheery and sunny? It's overrated anyway what with all the movies promoting a sunny disposition with the wake-up scene.

Today is the beginning of my fourth week in US, my third week of my job. A little bit of guilt niggled in the back of my mind for wasting my education over something that is not solid but I promised myself to try.

Six months.

I will give myself six months to search HIM, to get college admission in US. If even after six months nothing changes then I have to take some serious decision regarding my next course of action. A certification course something to do with business management maybe until I can land a job in software?

No time to daydream now. I quickly got ready making myself some toast and eating as I collect my things before bursting through the door.

Another minus when Shirley brings men to the flat. They always flirt with me the next day. It's as if they think there is an offer on the boards try one, get one free.

What irks me more is Shirley doesn't mind.

Bappa, if this keeps up I will go mad or become a saint just to avoid them. I want to do none. Something has to give. But not now.

I checked my watch absentmindedly.

Damn it!!! Where did the time fly by?

Morning went as it normally did.

- Stood still while the director of housekeeping recited our duties like every single day.

- Leaned forward to hear better when some maids gossiped about finding a naked couple locked outside of their room- what they are doing out of their room is anyone's guess but it sure makes an entertaining news, especially when said couple are well-known figures. Thanks for the NDA contract the hotel makes all the staff sign or else these maids can ruin many big-shots with just a few words.

-Did my duty dusting and cleaning the rooms of my floor by dragging my feet albeit on time.

By the time lunch rolled around, I'm all but dead on my feet. My back cracked as I arched trying to loosen up the knots.

But not today. Today, I decided to take my first step in my search. It's about time or three weeks late already. I don't want to make a bad impression this early at my job hence the wait.

However, it can't be helped now. If I wait any longer, my visa might expire.

With that in mind, I went in search of Rose, the manager of housekeeping.

"What?"

"I'm sorry Rose but I think my stomach is cramping a bit. It might be flu, I'm not sure and I don't want to shed all those germs on guest rooms. May I take leave this afternoon?"

I hunched over placing my hand over my stomach and squirmed a little at the place where I stood for emphasis.

Yes, look at me writhing in pain. Have mercy, you stone!!!

Rose's eyes narrowed exponentially as if checking any defences in my 'story'.

Dammit!!! I have to take out the big guns.

I groaned and swayed a little as if the pain is unbearable and then stumbled towards her slightly coughing without covering my mouth.

Just as I thought, she took a step back frowning at me for daring to shed my germs on her.

"You better take some medicine for that. I don't want anything spreading over here. We are tightly packed as it is, if someone else catches the flu then we will be short staffed as well. And you better stay at home until you are better. I mean it Ms. Krish... Krish... I mean it. Report to me once you come back"

She walked away as my lips pulled up at one side in a smirk. She want to intimidate me but always falls short when it comes to tackling my last name. It is surprisingly coming handy in America. Who would have thought?

Quickly making myself scarce before Rose changes her mind, I changed my clothes and took the papad with address scrawled on it out of my bag.

Fisting it, I boarded the subway that will take me to my destination. If only, I had known that one journey will set everything into motion.