Thank you koalanindya for the feedback :)

****

As I predicted, convincing Jiju took a lot of energy, but in the end, It was worth it.

I called my best friend Aditi, who was my partner in crime during my college days. She wasn't happy with my evil plan to spend the holidays alone but after understanding my situation, she gave in. She knew I'd never get this chance again!

Anyways, we talked about how I would  convince Jiju to let me go and we came up with a brilliant idea. So the next day, I told Jiju that one of my college friends was in Hawaii and I wanted to stay with her because it would be uncomfortable for me to spend vacation with a newlywed couple.

Of course, Jiju wasn't happy with my decision but my sweet cousin Shanaya supported me. She informed him that she had lunch with my friend and explained that my friend asked that I stay with her. Jiju was still not happy because he felt it wasn't safe for me but Shanaya finally convinced him. She explained to him that I was staying in the same location, just our Hotel wouldn't be the same.

Well, I wasn't really planning to stay  in the same location but I didn't want to take the risk by telling them. Maybe it was Shanaya’s plan or she wasn't seriously aware of  the distance between Honolulu and Waikiki beach.

Jiju still wasn't fully pleased and wanted to argue more but his cell phone started blasting, reminding him about the meetings he needed to attend, so he left and I got my chance to escape.

I called for a taxi and hugged my cousin.

“Thanks Shanaya. You’re the best. Now enjoy your honeymoon.” I winked.

“Don't do anything stupid, okay? And call me twice a day,” she said in an authoritative tone.

“Twice?! Are you kidding me? I’m not a kid, Shanaya. Let me enjoy some freedom, please." I rolled my eyes.

“You'll call me twice otherwise stay here,” she demanded. “And you have to give me updates about your whereabouts too.”

I looked at her with a serious expression and let out a defeated sigh. “Fine,” I muttered.

“I want to see you happy. That's why I'm supporting you but I also care for you.” She gave me a sad smile.

I felt guilty. She was right. If anything happened to me, they would blame her only.

“I'm sorry and I'll be in touch with you via text and calls,” I said and hugged her again.

“Texts are fine.” she grinned and hugged me back.

There was knock at the door and I turned to open it.

“Ma’am, your taxi has arrived,” the bellhop  informed me with with smile.

“Thanks.” I smiled back. “Can you carry my luggage?” I pointed towards my large and medium sized bags.

“Sure, Ma’am.” he nodded and stepped inside to take them out.

Once he was out of the room, Shanaya turned to face me and asked, “So you’re going to Honolulu, right?”

I gulped down nervously and nodded.

“Okay in which Hotel?” She inquired.

“Ah, I'll text you the details. I’m running late now. I need to get there soon or they’ll cancel my booking because I haven’t paid yet.” I faked a worried expression. I knew her very well. As soon as I would tell her my hotel name, she’ll Google it and she would have definitely backed out once she found out it wasn’t in Honolulu.

“Fine. Call me when you get there and be careful. Don't let anyone inside your room, specially alone. No drinks and no night outs. Don't you dare to do anything stupid, Sukirti. I'm counting on you,” she ordered and I sighed.

“I know. I won't let you down,” I smiled and hugged her one last time. After that, I stepped out from the room, grinning widely, ready to enjoy the most memorable phase of my life.

*****

I reached my hotel and asked the woman at the reception counter for my room. I’d booked the room via an online hotel booking service.

“Yes Ma’am, I found the booking with your name.  We require you to pay in advance for 20 days.” the Receptionist said, looking at the computer.

What? I was dumbstruck.

“Why? I’ve already paid in  advance for 10 days as per the online deal. Check it out in your account details. I paid with a credit card,” I furrowed my eyebrows.

“Yes Ma’am. The rates have increased since you booked your room a months before." she shrugged.

“So? I should get the room at the price I booked it for. I don't care if the rates have increased or not. I’ll pay you for the remaining 10 days but I won't pay the increased price,” I said, getting angry.

“I’m sorry, Ma’am. Our policies dictate that the difference must be paid. You can review our  rule book. We work according to the season. You’ll have to pay an extra 30%,” she said in a bored tone.

“What the hell? 30% for this kabada (shit) hotel? Are you out of your mind?” I shouted, totally pissed.

“Excuse me? Can you please lower your voice. We have other guests too. If you don't agree with these rules then you’re welcome to look for another one. We won’t charge for the cancellation.” she glared at me.

How dare she? I won't stay here.

“Fine. Cancel my booking and refund my money." I slammed my fist in the counter.

“The initial payment is not refundable. Sorry,” she apologized but I didn't fail to notice the evil grin on her face.

“You. . .” I was fuming from anger. “I’m done wasting my time talking to you. Call your manager,” I crossed my arms and took some deep breaths.

Her face turned down pale when she murmured, “he is busy today.”

“Well then give me his contact number,” I smirked, realizing it.

“He is in an important meeting. You can wait if you want to." she pointed towards the waiting room.

I nodded and turned around but before I could take a step she shouted behind me, “The rules are the same for everyone.”

“Go to hell with your rules,” I muttered under my breath and walked towards waiting room.

‘I need to control my temper,’ I reminded myself.

I’ve already wasted 25,000 INR in advance booking and I needed to pay the additional  50,000 INR for the remainder of the trip, which was completely fine with  me because  I had a decent amount in my bank but I couldn't afford the additional 30%? It meant a direct loss of 23,500 INR. Ugh! I could have spend that money on  shopping or buying gifts for my family. I’m spending one whole month here and for that I also need money.

‘So, I can't afford it. They need to charge me for the room according to the deal or they have to refund the money,’ I mentally decided.

“You shouldn't fall for online deals,” I snapped out of my thoughts when I heard a deep husky voice.

I turned my face and noticed someone reading a newspaper. I couldn't see his face because  it was hidden behind it.

He must be an Indian.

“Excuse me? Are you talking to me?” I asked, bending my head in his direction to catch a glimpse of his face.

“I think, you’re the only one here.” I could sense the mischievous grin in his voice.

Definitely Indian.

“Well, I thought you were talking to that newspaper." I shrugged, tilting my head further in his direction but still saw nothing except that paper.

“Why? Because a newspaper would fall for the online deals?” I heard him chuckle.

“Are you trying to hide your face or something? And no, but a newspaper could make us fall for those stupid online deals,” I groaned, reminding myself of my stupid mistake.

“No. I’m not hiding my face. I don't want you to fall for me.”

My eyebrows furrowed. “Why would I fall for you?”

“Ever heard of love at first sight?” He asked and put the paper aside, revealing his gorgeous face, which made my heart stop for a second. His silky black hair was a mess but he was looking so hot with it all tousled. He had a fair complexion and a perfect jaw with brown eyes. He noticed my expression and smirked. “Breathe.”

Shit! I didn’t realised that I was holding my breath. Way to boost his ego! But, I was glad that he was someone from my country.

I rolled my eyes and said, “I was just shocked, okay? Don't you dare think that I was checking you out.”

“I don’t think because I know,” he grinned. “Why were you shocked?” He added and cocked his eyebrow.

I bit my lip unsure what to say so I said the stupidest thing came to my mind. “You looked familiar.” He smiled devilishly like he got some kind of jackpot.

“Of course, we were at same play school, remember? We used to sit together, play together and eat-”

I cut him off, “Are you done?” I glared at him.

“What? You were the one who made me remember that,” he said, innocently. “Where have you been all my life?” He added and smirked.

“Hiding from guys like you,” I rolled my eyes but couldn't stop myself from smiling.

The guy was crazy, just like me. What? Ugh.

“Did the sun come up or did you actually smile at me?”

“So cheesy!” I turned my face so that he didn’t see my smile again.

Why I was smiling? I don't like those type of guys who flirt around. I usually don't even spare a glance at them, yet here I was, talking with him for the past fifteen minutes. What the hell?

“I feel like a library card, since I’ve been totally checking you out!” I listened to his cheesy line again, which made me chuckle.

I looked at him and saw amusement in his eyes. “Did you notice that I'm like a best seller? currently available,” I retorted back with a grin on my face.

Two can play this game.

He looked surprised by my comeback, “Do you have Boyfriend?” he asked after a while, wiggling her eyebrows.

“Maybe or maybe not. None of your business.” I snapped, getting irritated again.

“No, I just want to make sure. I don't hit on girls who are committed or something. I don't want to be the reason for their break-up,” he stated confidently and smirked.

What's wrong with this guy? Who was he? Yeah, he looked handsome and had a nice body but it doesn't mean he could win every girl’s heart.

“Your ego is bigger than your height,” I replied. “And wait a minute, so you agree that you were hitting on me?” I raised my eyebrow, grinning mentally that finally I caught him. But he was already ready for this question.

“I never disagreed,” he shrugged casually and my mouth hung open. “It's not a crime and if it is then I’m ready to do it again and again,” he winked, making my heart jump.

“You’re impossible,” I groaned.

He burst out in laughing and said, “I know. Anyways what’s a nice girl like you doing in a place like this?”

“I can ask you the same thing,” I stared at his brown eyes.

“Well, I needed a place to stay with my low budget and my friend recommended this one to me,” he said, looking away.

“This hotel,” I said looking around, “is low budget!? I mean, it looks like a cheap one but look at the prices, ugh! I should have checked it first.” I made a disgusted face.

He chuckled, “You need to re-do your research. It's one of the cheapest hotels here. It's peak time, so they are trying to take advantage of that by raising prices because most other hotels are full now.”

“That makes sense but still it's unfair. I'll sue them,” I said, getting annoyed.

“Really? You can spend your money in hiring a lawyer but not here?”

I rolled my eyes. “Money is not the issue.” Can't tell him the truth, right?

He raised his eyebrow and I sighed, “Okay, it is an issue but it's cheating. I mean, they should have mentioned that prices could be increased  or something. Now, how do I manage with their sudden change in prices? It's not like I don't have money but if I agreed to pay the increased rate, I would be left with very minimal  and I’m here for whole one-” I stopped myself for saying anything further because I realised something.

I was sharing my personal problems.

I was talking to a stranger.

I don't know anything about him, not even a name.

What if he was a criminal?

What the hell did I just do?

As if he noticed my hesitation, he nodded. “You are alone here?” He asked, although it wasn't a question.

“No, I have friends here but they are staying at different hotel,” I half-lied. I don't need to tell him about my cousin, right?

He gave me a knowing look and said, “It's okay if you want to share with me. I’m not a criminal or anything. I belong to the same country as you and that's why I was being generous.”

“By flirting with me?” I raised my eyebrow and we both started laughing.

“You’re nice. I like you. Don't take it the wrong way.” He held up his hand and I nodded.

Taking a mental note; Stay away from this guy because he likes you!

“So, you don't have enough money to pay the revised prices and I don’t have enough to pay for my whole vacation. Let's make a deal and help each other. What do you say?” He asked hopefully.

“Thanks but no. I don't need your help. I’m not going to pay the increased rate... It's their fault. They should have mentioned it earlier. I’m waiting for the manager so I can put some sense in his brainless mind.” I shrugged.

“I’ve also been waiting for the manager for the past four hours,” he said through gritted teeth and my eyes widened.

“What?” I was shocked.

He sighed and ran his fingers through his silky hair. “It's their business and you’re in foreign country, don't forget that.”

He didn't know that I came from a lawyer family but he was right. I was in another country. They have different laws and rules. I rubbed my forehead because I was getting a headache.

I took a deep breath and said, “Fine. Let's make a deal.”

****

Sorry, for the late update but I hope you will like it.

Don't forget to Vote and comment.

Happy Reading!