The bright light of the sun fell on Karthik's face, pulling him out of his sleep. First morning in Goa. A new beginning. Yet, the start of his journey felt strange… unexpected. Who would've thought he'd fall for someone on day one?
He opened his eyes only to find her looking at him.He flinched and let out a startled, "Ahhh!"It honestly felt like a jumpscare.
But the moment his eyes settled, the fear melted away.There she was—her face, her smile—giggling at his reaction.
She helped him lie back down and asked in a sarcastic tone,"Am I that scary?"
He stuttered,"N-n-no… I'm s-sorry if you felt—"
She sighed dramatically."I was being sarcastic, dude. You gotta chill, fr."
Yup. He understood nothing.Just sat there and stared, blank like an idiot.
She removed the saline drip and shook her head."Bro, you are weak af. You need to eat something."
That part, at least, he understood.
"Yeah, sure, Miss—"
"It's Maya," she said quickly, almost guilty, assuming she had already introduced herself.She hadn't. But Karthik already knew her name. Someone had shouted it last night, and he'd heard it. Still… he wanted to hear it from her lips.
"Maya?" he repeated."Like a magician?"
"Yup. I can even do magic on you. Want me to?"
"You already did,"Karthik mumbled under his breath.
She helped him sit up, gently supporting his back. While adjusting his pillow, she asked casually,
"So… where have you come from? And what brings you to Goa?"
Karthik cleared his throat before replying,
"From Delhi… I came here to follow my dream—to open a bakery."
The moment the word bakery reached her ears, her eyes lit up. She leaned forward and held his hand delicately, her voice turning almost childlike,
"I reaalllyy love cakes. So please, complete your dream fast… or else my dream of visiting your shop will never come true."
"The journey is a bit long. I don't even have money to rent a room for a night. The money I have now will only last till tonight's dinner and the hospital bill—which I still have to pay. Yeah, that reminds me… where should I pay?"
"Oh don't worry. We give free service to our first patient. Lucky you—got free treatment and a baddie to talk to."
"Oh really? I don't have words to express my gratitude. I'm so relieved. Thank you. I won't forget what you've done for me."
"Yeah, sure. Take your tablets from the first counter on the right. And have a good day."
Karthik took the medicine bag. At least now he had a refill—his lifeline.
He exited the clinic only to find out it was already noon. He had so much to do—find a place to stay, find a job to survive, and somehow arrange dinner before sunset.
He scanned the busy lane—the street vendors, the restless crowd. He made his way toward a nearby hotel reception.
"Excuse me…"
An old man turned his chair toward him."Sorry, all rooms are full."
"No, no. I'm not here for a room. Actually… I want a job. Anything would be fine. I can clean well. I won't take a single holiday. Please let me work here."
"I'm sorry, son, but we already have enough staff. Still… if you're so persistent, go to that room. It's the manager's. Talk to him—and pray to be lucky."
"Thank you so much, sir."
He rushed to the room. Inside, a handsome man sat at his computer, working seriously. Karthik knocked.
"SIR—"
"What the hell do you want? Can't you see I'm busy?"
Karthik froze, tense."S-Sir, I'm here for a job… can you ple—"
"I don't have anything for you. Get lost."
"Sir, please—Sir—"
The man suddenly stopped typing, got up and smirked.
"Hahaha, I'm joking. Come on, sit. I do have a vacancy. Room cleaner. I hope you don't mind?"
"No, sir! I'm so happy! I will start today!"
"Yeah, yeah. But remember—I will pay only if your work pleases me."
"Yes, sir. You won't have a single complaint."
"Yeah, cool. Now please leave me alone… or Maya will get sad again. And it takes ages to make her happy."
Karthik froze. His heart skipped, then thudded like a drum in his chest. Maya? The name hung in the air, sharp and impossible. He felt his breath catch, his hands trembling as if they might betray him. No… it couldn't be her. There had to be thousands of other Mayas in this city. He whispered this reason to his shattered heart, praying with every fiber of his being that it wasn't the Maya he liked.