IN HIS BED

I get up.

My vision is blurry. A little sunrise is falling on my face, and I feel the redness in my cheeks. I can't remember anything. But the pain in my thighs remains a reminder of the last drink I had at the party. I started touching my skin and realized I am not wearing anything. Before I realize what happened the door opens and I can see Maria with a tray in her hand. She smiles at me in the usual way.

MARIA: Good Morning Mrs. President. I have brought the tonic for you. Mr. President ordered

me to give you soon after you get up.

She is a woman in her 35s who is middle-aged. As Ansh's assistant, she follows his orders strictly. Not only does she consider Ansh to be the president of the country, but she also worships him as "God". Despite coming over here for 4 months, I still don't understand his thick relationship with Maria.

Madam President.. (Maria calling Ani)

Her amusement can be seen in her face as she looks into my body while I was unaware Maria was calling me. My body is covered in bruises and there are a few drops of blood on the bed cover when I look at myself.

Maria's strange behavior filled with joy and amusement makes me feel embarrassed, so I cover myself with a shirt beside me. She now has red cheeks as well.

It was impossible for me to ignore our awkwardness.

MARIA : Aunt Maria, please call me Ani and not Mrs. President. (I act irritated so that she knows I am angry with her)

MARIA: I apologize, Madam President, but the rules are the rules. My boundaries cannot be crossed. Let me wait for you in the dining room with breakfast if you would like to freshen up and drink the tonic.

She left the room without waiting for my response and closed the door quietly. Slowly, I got up from the bed and started toward the bathroom. The feeling I get in this bathroom will never leave me. It is as big as a bedroom with a bath tub and an elongated shower cap. It also has a Mirror as big as a cupboard. I look into the reflection into the mirror. The women front of me has a medium length hair with big red eyes and a smudged red lipstick and kajal. Maria took some face was on her palms and rubbed it for few moments on her face. She is now out from the mess she was before.

Maria now can see her true self. She looks like a mini panda version. She is not so beautiful and flawless. She indeed have some acne marks on her face and her skin has a dis coloration. She goes under the hot shower and starts rinsing herself neat with lukewarm water after removing her shirt. She now can remember few moments of yesterday's night.