I was sitting in my Chevy truck, palms sweating and heartbeat fast. I was trying not to think anything. But my mind was reeling, thinking a thousand thoughts at the same time.
What if it was not safe? What if I contaminate something really serious like, AIDS or anything? What if I experience this and still remain the same? What if...
I heaved a deep sigh trying to still my nerves. I looked around the parking lot noticing the only SUV parked at the end of the hall. That means Katie was right. It was going to be the one I was supposed to... meet.
For the umpteenth time, I sucked a deep breath and unlocked my seat belt. Pulling out a chap stick I reapplied it on my lips, hoping it was okay with the subtle make-up I wore. Then after a lifetime I pulled my car door open and got down. Crisp cold air of November made me shiver a little, or was it my nervousness?
After securing my car I started walking towards the door with neon red ENTRY sign. I pulled the heavy door and it opened into a hallway. There was no one around and everything was dead silent. All I could hear was my heart hammering wildly inside me. I thought of running away, leaving this spooky building as if I never came here. But then something caught my eye.
It was a security camera looking right into me. I stared at it for a while. Someone was seeing me, even recorded it. So I couldn't go back anymore.
How bad it would be? It's not like I am going to die here. If it was dangerous Katie would have never suggested it.
I took a step forward and then another. No one came from behind and attacked me. So I kept going until I reached the end of the hallway.
There at my right there was another door, same as the previous one. It read PUSH on the handle bar. I was curious by now, so I opened the door without thinking much.
It was a small room, dimly lit with red fluorescent light. I had to readjust my eyes before I could take in the interior. Walls were furnished with tiles that complemented the red light. There was nothing but a big digital wall-clock on right wall. A small white sofa sat at the middle of the room and a wooden nightstand beside that. There was an old-fashioned telephone on that nightstand. In front of the sofa there was a table, with some magazines on the glass table top.
Just when I was thinking what to do next, the telephone started ringing. The sudden shrill tone of it made my heart jump once again. There was no one in the room and certainly not in the hallway. So was that call meant for me? I stood there, deciding whether to pick it not, until the call ended. The whole surrounding had already become so spooky I wanted to run.
Then it started to ring again. One more time I looked into the deserted hallway and then I crossed the room and answered the call.
"Hello", my voice was barely more than whisper.
A velvety female voice answered, "Hello there. This can be a little creepy for the first time. But I can assure you this is all about anonymity and privacy. Please, bear with us."
It was a relief to hear a human voice after being so scared.
"Please, have a seat."
I looked at the sofa and then around the room. I could barely find any security camera in those fluorescent lights burning right into my eyes.
"Yes, there are cameras and I can see you, ma'am. There is nothing to worry. Please have a seat so we can talk."
Something in the anonymous voice held authority and surprisingly I found myself sitting in the sofa.
"Welcome to the Club, ma'am. I see you are recommended by one of our beloved clients. Is that true?"
"Yes, I am" I said, uncomfortably.
"I don't know if you are aware of our rules so, I'd like to discuss it. If there is anything not per your liking, you are welcome to share. But once you agree to our rules they should not be broken."
I felt like I was in principal's office being punished for breaking a rule only except it never happened in my school life and here I could not see the principal.
As if the she could read my thought said in the same smooth voice," it felt good to break the rules, didn't it?'
I gulped, gripping the receiver more tightly to my ear. This voice had an addiction.
"I am not looking forward to break any rule", I said.
"Fair enough, our members here are 100% safe and anonymous and we like to keep it that way. So I would suggest you to place your medical report on the table, please. "
Hurriedly I pulled out the file from my bag and placed it on the table in front. A several test results were imprinted on the paper, just as Katie suggested.
"I can see you have cold allergy and mild asthma. Do you use inhaler in daily basis?"
"No, but I have to use it when I catch cold."
"Does mask make you uncomfortable?"
"No."
"Good. I see your test results are satisfactory. We would like to satisfy you in every way you wish. Before that if you have any questions feel free to ask."
"ermm.. yeah..", nervously I licked my lips before I asked, "what are the ground rules you were talking about?"
"We run our club in a very secretive manner. Every member in the group is safe and we keep their true identity hidden. No names and personal details are shared or discussed. Our club is legal and drugs are strictly prohibited. Although indulges are cherished as long as they don't affect our policy. Please pick a business card from the table and there we have our email id. Explore our site and choose partner/partners of your liking. Set up your own profile and arrange the time and date. The club assures you the finest pleasure."
And then the call ended, just as suddenly as it rang.
I sat there and muttered hello a few times before I realized it was useless. I collected the file from the table when I saw a bunch of cards placed beside the magazines. I looked at the stack for a moment, took one and left.
It was so weird!
***************************
I was looking at the building under construction across the road with a coffee mug in my hand. I had just finished my night shift and I was free for about an hour before my ad day begins. I closed my eyes and they burned from lack of sleep. I sucked a deep breath. It's going to be a long day.
Two years ago I could easily picture myself being a home maker for the love of my life. I could give up my career, my ambitions to make my man happy
. My man!
I groaned inwardly. I didn't know Will even thought of being with some girl before I found out he was already married and even had a daughter. I had no clue how long he had been living this double life.
I was so shocked when I found out; I could hardly believe that the man I knew Will was from Med School could even do this.
I remembered how humiliated I felt standing in front of his house catching him with his wife and daughter. They portrayed a happy family and his wife had no clue what a scumbag of her husband was. My eyes stung remembering all the hurt and betrayal and humiliation.
It took me a year to get over from Will. I stopped working at the hospital where I used to work with Will. I cut up all the contacts. His parents were very fond of me. Even they were clueless about their son's marriage. They apologized to me repeatedly and asked to give Will another chance. But I couldn't. It had hurt me beyond recovery.
I gave up my apartment and shifted to Katie's for a while. She had supported me so much. I used to lock myself up in a room for days and cry day and night. My parents came and tried everything to get me out of that room. But they failed. It was Katie who finally did the work. Katie is not my best friend. She is more than a sister; she is behind everything I am today.
Three months later I moved in to my new apartment and started working in a hospital as the dean of Cardiology department. I was trying my best to get a new start but deep inside I was never more vulnerable.
I trust Katie, blindly about anything. So I went for the club in the first place. But it had been two days and I hadn't checked the website yet.
Something in me was still hurting. I was never a people person. I only loved one guy for 5 years and I was betrayed badly. So I wanted to live alone for a while. But my best friend, with all due respect, couldn't see me at peace.
************************
"So? How was it?"
I was curled up in my couch and enjoying hot chocolate when Katie finally started interrogating me.
"Okay, I guess."
Katie took the cup from my hand and sat in front of me. Her face serious, "Hannah, spill the bean."
