Aisha walked toward her room, unlocked the door, and stepped inside.
she sat on the bed, *shoulders slouched*.
She was exhausted.
She had come to Noida for a little vacation—to clear up her mind.
But this heat was killing whatever peace she had left.
She stared at the walls for a minute, *frustrated*.
She couldn't just sit inside this microwave-like room and waste the whole day.
So she decided to do what gave her the most happiness—
shopping
She walked into the bathroom, took a long bath, and cleared her head.
She came out of the bathroom, blow-dried her hair, applied sunscreen, a little makeup, slipped into a mesh skirt with a fitted top, and accessorized herself just enough.
Aisha had model-like facial features—puffy lips, wavy hair, mesmerizing eyes, and a smooth brown skin tone.
Her figure was the kind that made every guy she passed on the street turn his head.
After getting ready, she stepped out of the room, locked it, and walked toward the elevator.
Ground floor.
She went straight to the receptionist again.
They told her they could move her things to another room if she gave them the keys.
Aisha agreed and handed them over.
She decided to take the metro to avoid traffic jams.
So she booked a cab to the nearest metro station and headed straight to Sarojini.
The day passed in a blur of shopping bags, bargaining, and bites of spicy street food.
She spent her whole day walking through crowded lanes, picking out outfits, and stealing moments of joy between stalls.
For the first time in days—
she was happy.
She loved the city lights. The chaos.
It made her feel alive.
On her way back to the hotel, she stopped beside a tapri, because according to Aisha—
A day is Wasted without a perfect cup of CHAI .
Aisha asked the chaiwala,
"Bhaiya, ek chai aur Marlboro Advance Compact dena."
she lit the cigarette, took a slow sip of chai, and exhaled.
Relieved.
After a few minutes, she bought a full pack of Marlboro Advance Compact, paid him, and walked toward the metro station.
She was entering the hotel, silently praying that the AC situation had finally been fixed.
The receptionist saw her and, of course, remembered her.
"Ma'am, we've shifted your luggage to Room 303 on the 3rd floor—carefully. And the AC is working perfectly there now. Also, we're really sorry for the inconvenience."
"Thank you," Aisha said, taking the new key.
She reached the 3rd floor, opened her new room, and placed the shopping bags she'd brought back.
Then, without overthinking it, she grabbed the pack of cigarettes and her lighter, and headed to the terrace.
The view from the terrace was calm.
She could hear the chaos of the city from far away—muffled, distant.
The wind was blowing softly.
The city lights shimmered below.
She murmured under her breath,
"Perfect."
Then lit a cigarette.
She took a slow puff.
That's when she noticed a shadowy figure approaching her.
"Oh hi, Miss AC," he said.