The room was shrouded in an eerie silence, broken only by the insistent knocking on the door. Maria's heart raced as fear and embarrassment churned within her. She glanced towards the entrance, anxiety gnawing at her, unsure of who might be on the other side of the door.
The knocking persisted, and she finally mustered the courage to move. As she approached the door, it creaked open slowly, revealing an unexpected visitor—an old lady with a benevolent smile. Her eyes held a knowing glint as she took in the sight of Maria and Ravan on the floor, wrapped in a seemingly compromising position.
The elderly lady said nothing, but her actions spoke volumes. With a sly smile, she closed the door, leaving the two inside the room with their mortifying situation. Maria's face burned with embarrassment, and anger surged within her. She decided to take matters into her own hands and knocked Ravan out cold before tossing him unceremoniously onto the bed.
With Ravan unconscious, Maria turned her attention to the older lady, who had retreated a few steps. She began to stammer an explanation, trying to clarify the bizarre circumstances, but before she could form a coherent sentence, the elderly woman chuckled softly. Her laughter was filled with a wisdom that transcended generations.
In that moment, Maria realized that the older lady had a deep understanding of human nature and the complexities of life. She put a finger to her lips as if to signify that she would keep their secret, allowing Maria to save face.
Not knowing how else to react, Maria decided to accept the situation. The elderly woman seemed to think that she had misunderstood their predicament.
As it turned out, the elderly lady was their neighbor, an acquaintance of Maria's family for a long time. She had been running a food stall that provided support to Maria's family over the years. As a gesture of goodwill, the elderly lady offered to buy food for Maria and the unconscious Ravan. As she left, still chuckling with embarrassment, Maria couldn't help but be grateful for the neighborly understanding that had spared her even more embarrassment.
Maria, filled with anger and embarrassment, swiftly left the elderly lady, returning to the room where the unconscious Ravan lay. She couldn't help but focus her frustration on the person who had put her in such an awkward situation. It was his actions that had led to this mess.
She entered the room, her heart still racing from the events that had transpired. The scene that greeted her was not what she expected. Ravan lay motionless on the bed, a stark contrast to the evening's chaos. His eyes were closed, and his breathing was shallow, his face etched with distress.
Unsure of what to do, Maria set the packed food on the table and took a seat, her emotions swirling in a tumultuous sea. She leaned back in the chair, still trying to make sense of the recent incidents. She couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss.
Suddenly, her thoughts were interrupted by a loud, labored breathing. Her eyes darted to Ravan, who was now sweating profusely and gasping for breath. It was evident that he was in the midst of a nightmarish experience. Without hesitation, Maria rushed to his side, her earlier anger and frustration now replaced by concern.
With gentle hands, she attempted to soothe him, placing a cool cloth on his feverish forehead and rubbing his trembling hands. The minutes felt like hours as she waited for him to calm down. Slowly, Ravan's breathing began to stabilize, and the tension left his body.
Watching him, Maria couldn't help but feel a strange sense of tiredness, as if she were inexplicably drawn to deep sleep. Despite the chaotic events that had unfolded, she couldn't leave him alone in this vulnerable state.
Her efforts seemed to work, and Ravan eventually settled into a peaceful slumber, his head resting on Maria's lap. The night's turmoil was forgotten , her initial anger fading into an overwhelming feeling of protectiveness.
Morning light began to filter through the curtains, casting a soft glow on Ravan's peaceful face. As he stirred awake, his eyes met Maria's. For a brief moment, he gazed at her, an unspoken akwardness forming between them.
Ravan's thoughts were a whirlwind. He found himself thinking that Maria, the maid, was not like others he had known. She had a unique strength and grace that was intriguing. He had an urge to pat her head, as a sign of approval and appreciation for the support she had offered.
As his hand moved closer to her, Maria's eyes fluttered open. She saw Ravan's hand inching towards her head and, in a swift reaction, slapped it away. She fixed him with a steely gaze, her earlier anger resurfacing.
Without a word, they turned their attention to the table. The room was filled with silence, only broken by the sounds of their breakfast. It was a peculiar moment, where two individuals from vastly different worlds found themselves eating their food with Maria killing gaze towards him and a red handprint on ravan's cheek .