The Devil's Harem

“Look at that smile,” Rebecca could not hold herself back when she saw Alex smile as he stared at his phone, “You were acting so grumpy moments ago, but now look at those white teeth. You aren’t even trying to hide them.”

Alex smiled even more, hearing Rebecca but did not say anything to explain.

“Who is it?” Curious, Rebecca tried to peek.

“My girlfriend,” Alex said but did not let her see his phone. This was also the first time Alex had openly admitted to his relationship with Margaret with anyone. He has not done that with Margaret per se.

“You have a girlfriend?” Rebecca asked but soon changed her tone, “Well, you are indeed a bit good looking, so it’s no wonder you have one.” Rebecca nodded to herself.

“Who is she? Is she beautiful? How did you guys meet?” Rebecca suddenly sprung towards Alex, and with her face inches away from his, she bombarded him with questions, “Who was the one who proposed first?”

.....

‘Calm down, girl,’ Alex looked at Rebecca in surprise by her reaction, ‘She ain’t your girl.’

Alex placed his finger just above her nose and pushed her away, “Why are you so curious about it?” Alex asked.

“I have always liked those out of the world romance fantasies,” Rebecca explained, “So I am always in search of them,” Rebecca said, excited.

“Well...” Suddenly Alex also felt like sharing how Margaret and he got hot with each other, “She lives next door. She is kind off infamously admired by everyone,” Alex chuckled.

“What do you mean infamously admired?” Rebecca asked, curious about the terminology.

“Nothing, it’s just that she has a lot of suitors,” Alex chose not to address the rumours surrounding Margaret because by now, he was sure that they were nothing but gossip, “And no one is vanilla among them.”

“So, how did you skip the queue?” Rebecca asked.

“That...” Alex thought, but he could not think of anything remarkable he did for Margaret.

There was always an approach from Margaret towards him. But all she did was tease him, and Alex could do nothing but shy away from her. Things seriously changed after he joined Theation. Here also, Margaret made the first move. She joined the Rutherfords at dinner. From there, the coincidences began to occur in their life. First, they met during shopping at her mall, then they bumped into each other during shopping. After that, Margaret invited him to her house. That was a huge leap in their relationship.

Then the turning point was when Margaret was found on top of him by his mother and the ladies from Theation. That incident set things into motion. But in all this, Alex had done nothing explicitly for Margaret except cook a meal for her once.

This sudden realisation unsettled Alex. Wasn’t he a bit lacking on his side? Except for regularly messaging her, Alex has yet to buy a rose for Margaret.

“Hey... Did the cat catch your tongue? Why did you suddenly go mum?” Rebecca shook Alex and asked.

“Nothing,” Alex shook her head, “To be honest, there is nothing unique to tell you. It’s all boring stuff.”

“Still...” Rebecca wanted to continue.

“We have arrived,” Mr Doodle, who was sitting in the passenger seat, said, interrupting the conversation.

As soon as the car stopped, Alex got off and gave his body a good stretch. He had been up and running for almost twelve hours now, and he couldn’t help but feel stiff.

In the barren and sandy land of Thar, which they saw along the way, the resort in front of them was like an Oasis. It was simply out of place, literally.

“Sir, let’s head in. I will have your luggage sent to your room,” Mr Doodle came forward to guide Alex inside. By this time, the three buses with others had also stopped behind the car in a line.

Alex looked at the guys get off and, nodding towards Mr Doodle, followed behind him inside.

All the preparations were already done by Mr Doodle. Alex just showed his passport and checked in.

“This is your room,” Mr Doodle said as he opened the door and let Alex in, “This is the best room in the whole resort with a swimming pool and lots of greenery as you requested.”

And Alex was indeed pleased by the arrangements. His luggage had also been brought simultaneously. Mr Doodle was surely taking pretty good care of them so far. And why wouldn’t he? It was a very rare opportunity for a big party to come his way. The commission he would earn taking care of them for the time they would spend here was going to be extravagant.

“Thank you, Mr Noodle,” Alex looked at the man and said, “I am alright. You can take care of the others.” Alex politely asked him to leave.

“Not Noo...oo... It’s fine,” Mr Doodle wanted to correct Alex, but then he remembered what his mentor used to say, ‘The client is always right.’

And with that, with a smile on his face, Mr Doodle walked out of the room, handing over the key to Alex.

*Buzz! Buzz!

With Mr Doodle gone, Alex was about to change into something comfortable when his phone buzzed.

Alex wanted to ignore the call, but when he peeked at the name flashing on the screen, he jumped toward the phone to answer the call.

“Hello? Mom?” It was Martha’s call, a rare treat nowadays.

“Has your flight landed?” Martha asked from the other side.

“Yes... Yes... I am already at the resort,” Alex nodded happily. The trip had already begun on a high note. First, it was Margaret, and then it was Martha who broke her long silence.

“Good... I called to know just that. Then...” With Alex’s well being known to her, Martha decided to end the conversation.

“Hey... Mom... Listen... Listen...”

“What is it?” Martha put the phone back over her ear and asked.

“Mom...” Alex called out to Martha extra sweetly.

“Hmmm...?”

“Mom...”

“HMMM?”

“Mom...”

“Is your gramophone stuck or something?” Martha finally commented, not indulging Alex anymore.

“I am sorry, mom. Can’t you just let go of that matter? Ain’t you too old for this silent treatment?” Alex asked of Martha in a pleading tone.

“What do you mean too old? Do I look that old to you?” Martha asked.

“Who said you are old? You don’t look a year more than sweet sixteen,” Alex quickly defended himself, “But don’t girls hit puberty a bit early? You should not act like one still going through it.”

“Don’t try to wind me up in your word trap,” Martha rebuked Alex, not playing his word game, “I will, however, not stretch this matter any longer. But...” Martha was serious in her pause, “But you need to mature and distinguish between a joke and a serious accusation.”

‘But I was not joking,’ Alex thought, “Yes, mom. I understand...”

“Now, rest... It has been a long journey.”

“Yeah, it has been long.”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Somewhere on a beach, A girl sat silently with her legs supporting her head, staring at the vast ocean in front of her.

Wearing a white, loose, shirt and blue ripped jeans, no one was there to appreciate either the beauty of the view or the girl.

While she was lost in her thoughts, her phone rang. She stretched her hand to grab it and, without looking at the name, answered.

“What do you want?” The girl asked, “I told you not to disturb me if it’s not about him.”

“Listen to me... Your tantrums are not going well with anyone. If you don’t pull yourself together, you are going to be pushed aside, and it won’t end well for you. Remember, no one retires in this line of business.” An impatient and nervous voice of a guy was heard from the other side.

“If there is nothing else, I will...” The girl did not look much interested in whatever the guy was talking about.

“Don’t... Don’t even think about it,” The guy stopped her, “If not for that guy Johnny, you would be alive to end my call... Please, don’t just throw your life away like...”

“Are you done?” The girl interrupted. She was here for some peace and not to hear a lecture from him.

“Not yet, Ahh...” the guy sighed, “I think I have got something on him.”

“Tell me,” the girl asked. She was not very optimistic about the news. Still, it was better than nothing.

“I have sent you a picture,” the guy said, “Look at it and tell me what you think?”

The girl pulled the phone away from her ear and scrolled through her messages before she suddenly stood up. Her emotions began to churn, and the desolate look on her face began to change. She had trouble breathing. Her eyes turned teary, but there was a blooming smile on her face. So many emotions encased her that she had no way to describe herself.

“It’s him,” the girl whispered.

“What? What did you say?” The guy asked.

“It’s...” The girl wanted to confirm but stopped when she saw someone walking toward her. Her smile faded and turned into disgust. Not wanting to let the man in front of him hear her conversation, she sneakily ended the call.

“Why are you here?” The girl asked.

* * * * *

(Now a girl can’t even enjoy some peace. Such patriarchy)

Also,

[Do read my other story: Against The World, All Alone?]