Page 36 of Made in Mumbai

“Oye, M,” he banged. “Are you ok?”

“Hmm…” she tried to keep her eyes open.

“Unlock the door.”

“Comi…” she flushed, gargled from the basin and washed her face, willing her lightheadedness to pass.

“Maya? Open, now.”

She dragged her feet and flipped the lock. He pushed in, just in time for her eyes to close.

“Oye…” his arm came behind her and held her steady. “Are you crazy? Locking the door when you are fainting…? What happened.”

“Be…d I feel… bed…”

He helped her to the bed and she lay down.

“AC… AC…”

In a moment the room’s temperature dropped and she took deep breaths, steadying her dancing head.

“Water?” He held an open bottle to her lips.

“In a while… what are you doing?”

“Calling the hospital doctor,” he asserted, the hotel phone plastered to his ear.

“I’ll be fine. I think I went a little overboard…”

“Alittle?”

“Fine, a lot. I often forget I am crossing to that side of 30s,” she chuckled. “Put the phone down G!”

He eyed her, then rolled his eyes. “Hey, hi. Yes, I need…”

“G!!!”

“A few packets of electrolyte, chilled water and green tea,” he ordered. “Thanks.”

“I am sleepy,” she rubbed her face.

“Drink the electrolyte, then sleep. I’ll go collect the samples.”

“No, I’ll come…”

“You will rest. If you are not ok by mid-morning then I’ll postpone our flight.”

“G…”

His hands went to his waist and he hovered over her, his gaze again that authoritarian scowl. Maya closed her eyes. “Fine.”

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When she woke up, the sky outside was bright, the birds singing. Maya took a deep breath, waiting for the nausea to hit. Nothing. She tentatively turned to her side, waiting for the lightheadedness to hit. Nothing.

“Yes!” She shot up straight, her energy recharged after the deep sleep. It was such great sleep. Her hand hit her phone and it lit up with a message from Gautam.

“I am going to the mill. Drink the electrolyte and order breakfast in the room.”

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