Chapter five

  Within eight months, I earned enough to achieve my first goal. It was getting plastic surgery on my face. When I first mentioned it to Felix, he kicked against it. “There is no need for that!, you can use that money to get another degree, get a property, or something else. You are beautiful”. I disagreed with his opinion. It was what I needed. This disagreement caused a partial rift between us.

     Felix got back from work one day and ignored me as usual but I stopped him. “You are upset. It is not necessary. You already stated that it is my money and my body too!”. He looked at me and walked past but he stopped. “I care about you Mira, believe me when I say this. You are beautiful”. I knew he couldn’t understand and I had to make him.

     “It is necessary. I look at myself everyday and still see the abused girl from a year ago. I still feel intimidated. Did you notice I took away the mirror in my room? It is because I am scared to look at myself, '' I explained, panting. He held my shoulder gently and rubbed it. “What you need is a therapist” he said. I pushed him away gently and hissed. “In a few months I will be out of Levino, I need a new identity. I am seeking revenge, I need this surgery”.

     Felix looked at me in disbelief and walked out. Twice I had talked about leaving Levino, he had talked me out of it. I never took my mission away from my sight. I woke up everyday to think only of revenge. I paid for the surgery without his consent and left on the appointed day. I was mentally prepared for how ever my new face is going to be. 

      Six days later, I was handed a mirror by the doctor. I slowly opened my eyes and it was the most satisfying sight for me. I looked totally different. I slowly touched my face, traced my fingers on my nose, chin and jaw. I looked more beautiful. After my recovery, I went to see Felix. I knocked on the door and it took him a minute to get the cue. “Mira?” he called doubtfully. He asked me a couple of questions to be sure he was talking to the right person. 

     He made way for me to come in and kept looking at me. “Are you fulfilled now?” he asked coldly. I nodded swiftly because I had no regrets. “I need your help this last time please”, I broke the long silence between us. “A new identity?” he asked almost immediately. I bowed my head because I saw through his words, Felix was not happy with whatever decision I was about to take. “Yes''. 

      Felix went inside and brought out a form. “I knew you would ask. Fill it” he said, tossing them on the table. He walked out after a while, leaving me all alone. I stared at the form and filled in the first column; FIRST NAME: KAIRA 

              LAST NAME: PULLEN.

   

       My last days in Levino were heartbreaking for Felix. As the day grew older, he became more grumpy. I remembered the day he handed me my new passport, he didn’t wait any second to look at me. He walked away immediately and locked himself in his room all night. He went to bed without dinner. 

   At dawn, I waited for him to open his door and I let myself in. “What the hell. You could have fell” he hissed. I cared less about myself, all I needed was to talk to him. “What’s going on? You have grown cold. Felix you have been too kind to me and I don’t want to leave this city seeing that we were not on good terms' '. Felix turned away from me and said nothing to me.

       I kept pushing but it was hard to get a cop talk. I got tired of trying and made an attempt to walk out when he stopped me. “Don’t go. Don’t leave, please”. His voice was breaking as he spoke. I paused. “Mira, I can take the thoughts of you leaving. I don’t want you to leave” he repeated. I shook my head because it was not possible. I knew I couldn’t do it and I told him directly. 

    “Felix, I can’t. I need to go and you know why. We can always link up and see each other, but I can’t remain here” I explained.  It was too hard for him to keep, it had to let it out. “Mira, have you ever fallen in love? Can you watch the person you love walk out of your life?” he asked. I stood without moving or saying a word.

       He walked closer and held my hands, “I had fallen for you for a long time. You are the reason I rush back home everyday, my life became interesting because of you. Please”. It was the first time a man had asked me out. The first time I felt wanted and desired by a man. The feeling was nice but my mind was already made up.

     “Felix, I can’t”. I took my hands off his and walked out. I stayed out of his way till it was time to finally leave Levino for Bombay. The drive to the airport was slow and solemn. I knew I would miss him. He turned back and pulled me into his hands. It was a surprise hug, I wasn’t expecting it. It happened when I thought he was gone. “I will miss you so much. I have friends in Bombay, don’t hesitate to ask for help. I am a call away”.

        His words caused me to tear up. Felix once again proved that I was worthy of love and kindness. He wiped my tears and kissed my forehead. “I want to do this again Kaira '' he smiled weakly. I chuckled and kissed his cheeks. 

     The telecom beeped and I got up to answer it. It was a call from the receptionist. “Hello ma’am, there is a man here, he claimed to have swapped bags with you at the airport. He has a bag with your booking name on it”. I paused the call and opened the wardrobe. She was right, one of my bags had the belongings of a man. I got back to the telecom and asked her to grant him access. 

     Four minutes after the call, my brain beeped. How did he know I was at  Queens hostel? Unless he was Harrison. My doubt was confirmed when he knocked on the door. I opened without hesitation and he walked in, standing by the door. “I am sorry Kaira, I promise I am not stalking you, I got home and discovered that we had swapped bags' ' he explained.

     I brought out his bag and noticed the bags looked alike. They were the same brand, same color and size.  “It’s no problem. Thank you for bringing it back” I tried to sound as casual as I could. Harrison was lost, he kept staring at the interiors of the room till I snapped my fingers. “I am sorry, what room number is this?” he asked me curiously.  “308’.

     As soon as he heard that figure from me, the bag in his hand dropped. Harrison’s countenance changed. I stood there trying to not give any suspicious reactions. Like a reflex, he held my hand and pulled me closer gently, his hands on my waist were shaking from nervousness. He leaned towards my ear and breathed on it. I had a flashback immediately. 

    Two years ago when I had escaped from doomsday, this was how he held me, he tried to kiss me but I turned him down. He then took his face to my neck. It was in the same room, the same position, the same people. I pushed him away and he came to his senses. “I am sorry, it was the heat of the moment. I can’t explain this but you are …I mean, you look so much like her. I get the same chills ,..”

      I snapped back at him immediately, shutting him up midway. “You can’t just walk in here and harass me. You can pick your bag and leave” I almost yelled. Harrison picked his bag and walked out. I breathed in relief and checked the bag he had left to confirm if it was mine. I opened the bag and the door burst open. 

   Harrison walked in and dragged me to face him, I was still scolding and nagging about his rudeness and behavior when he kissed me. For a second, my world paused, my mind went blank, my stomach had butterflies. Harrison kissed his brother’s wife.