One Night Stand

One Night Stand

The flight landed early in the morning. The rented car was waiting; I put my luggage in the boot, took the keys and started at once. I had a long way to go and it would take me full day. However, by 4 in the evening I was able to reach only up to the city. I was not accustomed to driving in the hills and journey was slow. It would take me at least four more hours to reach the site and it was dangerous to ride in the night on the hill roads. I decided to stay for the night. I asked one of the passers by the way to the guest house. It was 2 kmt. from the city on a hillside.

I honked the horn and gate was opened after a few minutes and I parked the car inside, came out and introduced myself. His face immediately brightened and he took my luggage from the car and led me inside. The room was spacious, well furnished and neatly maintained.

“I’m caretaker, Younus.” He informed me and took out a water bottle from the fridge and poured me a glass of water. He appeared to be in his mid fifties, an average and simple person. He disappeared inside, and came back after some fifteen minutes, holding a tray. He put it on the table and prepared a cup of tea and offered me a plate of biscuits.

I started taking the tea. It was all right. He asked me politely, “Sir, what you would have for dinner ? Anything can be cooked here. Please tell me, as you are the only guest and I would have to go to the nearby village. It would take at least two hours.” I asked him for chicken and he nodded and went in. He came out carrying a cloth bag, wearing a white cap, and said “If you need anything, ring the bell. Fatima is here and she would serve you.”

I gave him some money and he left closing the door behind him. I heard the rustle of cloths and Fatima was before me.

She was a young girl, in her early twenties, quiet good looking with dark eyes and hair with very fair complexion. “You look tired, I would heat some water, you may take a bath.” She said and went in.

Though fully covered, her figure appeared to be promising. She came back with a pail of water and put it inside the bathroom and went away. I took a leisurely bath, changed, and came out. I was feeling freshen up. It was getting dark outside. The birds were chirping back to trees and wind was rising gradually.

“Why are you sitting in the dark.” She had come back, put the lights on and was closing the windows. “It would be very cold in a short while.”

 “Now you would like to have some drinks.” It was a statement. I was comfortably settled on the sofa.

“Why?” I was startled with her frankness.

“I know everything. When people stay here they always take drinks. They say it helps in cold.”

I was really feeling tired and taking a few drinks may not be a bad idea. “Do you mind ?”

“Me? Who am I, just a servant? Let me bring the things.” She rushed in and I sat there thinking what to think about that.

She came back after a few minutes, holding a tray. It had a sparkling glass, a plate of salad and some roasted peanuts. “Where is it?” She asked, putting the things on the table. After a brief hesitation I indicated towards my bag. She opened it, brought out a bottle, and peered at it curiously. I nodded and she brought it to the table, sat on the carpet and opened it. She poured the correct measure into the glass, poured some water and handed the glass to me, saying, “See, I know everything.”

“You are expert.” I took a few sips. The drink was all right.

“Very few people come here. “Two or three in a month.” She said.

“Why?” I asked.

“People like to stay in the city.”

“Don’t you like it here ?” I said.

“Who would, there is nothing to do.”

By the time Younus came back, I had finished two drinks and was about to make another one. Listening to the sound of opening of gate Fatima had gone out to take the bag from him and went inside.

Younus, eyed the drinks with interest and I asked, “Want some ?”

He hesitated, then went inside and came out holding a steel bowl. I poured a generous portion in it and he left saying, “I’m going in to help Fatima.”

He came back after about half an hour with the bowl and I gave him more. He left with unsteady steps.

Fatima came out announcing that dinner was ready. I went to the dining hall and Fatima served the dinner. I asked about Younus and was informed that he was already asleep. Dinner was a simple affair but delicious. By the time I finished I was really feeling tired and the drinks were also taking their toll. I retired to the bed and immediately fell asleep.

I don’t know how late it was, but there was disturbance and somebody snuggled around me. Alarmed, I tried to get up, but was restrained with a sharp command, “Keep still.” It was Fatima and I don’t know whether it was the effect of drinks or simple passion that I took her into my arms and there after we could sleep no more.

I got up late in the morning. Fatima had already gone and I was still feeling tired. The sun was shining brightly and I jumped from the bed and went to the bathroom. I got ready in a hurry and was ready to leave after taking only a cup of tea. Fatima was nowhere to be seen.

I reached at the site at noon. The job that I expected to take one month, took 45 days. And after one and half month I was ready to leave.

When I reached near the guest house, it was almost noon. I decided to take a look at the things. This time the gate was opened by Fatima. She looked happy to see me and took me inside.

“I want to tell you something” she said after I sat down. “I am going to have a baby.”

“What! Your father would certainly kill both of us.” I jumped up.

“ My father?” There was a puzzled expression on her face, then a realization struck her and she started laughing. I was getting more and more angry.

“You mean Younus ?” She stopped laughing. I nodded.

“Younus is my husband and he would be happy” she was serious now, “ He bought me from my father, two years ago.”

“Your father sold you to an old man?”

“Younus had lost two wives without giving him a child. Both died due to one or other illness. Then he approached my father. Such type of things are common in this area. I have five more sisters and my father would be a rich man.”

Younus was out to city on some errand and I decided to leave before he came back. Fatima didn’t insist otherwise and I left in a hurry. Before leaving I gave her my card and asked her to call me if she ever needed something. Back journey was easier and it took shorter time.

+++++***+++++

It was only after five years that I received a call from her.

I was sitting in my office when my phone gave a ring. It was my secretary, “Some Fatima is calling from long distance. She wants to speak to you only.”

It took some time for me to remember her. I said, “Put her on, immediately.”

“I am Fatima, do you remember me?”

“How could I ever forget you. How are you?”

“I am calling from the city. I just want to make one request to you?”

“Please, ask for anything. Don’t hesitate.” I said desperately.

“Are you planning to visit this place again?” She asked.

“At present there is no program on schedule. If you want I can definitely come.”

“Please try to understand. Even if you come here, don’t try to meet us again.” She pleaded.

I was really alarmed, “What is wrong.”

“ Your son has started looking exactly like you. If anybody looks at you together, he would instantly realize the fact and my life would become miserable. I beg you."

The connection was broken before I could give any reaction.