Chapter 19

The next day, I went to sit with Laila.

"Go to the washroom, the second one, and you will find a note behind the toilet seat." I told her, keeping my expression as casual as possible. Her eyes twinkled.

"I have written down what really happened. In my short vacation. Read it, then tear it down and flush it immediately." I said, and she nodded and went to the washroom.

My mind was blazing with alarm at telling the girl I met yesterday all the sensitive information, but I needed her help. She was my only shot.

After ten minutes, she came back to my seat, and I watched Millie staring at us. She was a smart woman, I would have to look out for her. I made a mental note.

In the end, I asked her if she was ready to help me in my revenge, and if her answer was affirmative, come back to the table and smile, else just pass by.

She was smiling a broad smile.

Thank God.

"So, what's the plan?" She asked, looking around.

"To think of a plan."

******

I was dressed as a cowgirl, in a red checked shirt whose knot was tied right under my breast, keeping my torso bare. My cleavage was flashing obviously, and I wore shorts and boots. I wondered what would happen to Singh because, in that dress, I seemed pretty irresistible even to myself.

There was a knock, and Singh entered and, looking at me, cleared his throat.

"I would have dressed up, but Millie leaves no cloth while meeting with 'clients,'" I said.

"Um, okay." He said, swallowing hard.

"Sir asked me to send him a picture of you in a new dress." He said.

"Nope, no way you are taking my picture," I replied directly.

"As you say." He said and stood with his hands locked behind him.

I went to my bed and covered myself from the bedsheet, and watched him wipe away the sweat.

"You can relax," I said, motioning to the chair near my bed, and he took the seat.

"So, sir told me about your revenge plan." He initiated.

"Yes. But before we get to that, I don't hate you or dislike you anymore." I cleared the air, and he nodded.

Then I got up and put on some music, which turned out to be erotic since that was all I had in here.

I watched him getting uncomfortable in his seat.

I took my seat near him before explaining. "Sorry, please don't get any wrong ideas. I have to make sure no one else listens to us."

I watched a ghost of relief on his face.

"I understand." He replied.

"Now, talking business," I said and narrated to him the information I had about the girls.

"It means we have forty-five girls ready for revenge?" He asked, amazed.

"No, Laila contacted them, but she guesses the number's twenty. Rest would like to get out, but don't want to get in trouble." I narrated what Laila filled me in with.

"I think we can work with twenty. We might not need their support, but we have to make sure none of them support Rover as well, ratting us out. Including those five." He thought aloud.

I liked the way he said 'we' and not 'you,' making himself the part of the mission rather than impartial and removed counsel.

"Why do I feel that you know what the destination looks like and all you need is a map?" He asked, studying me, and I couldn't help but smile.

"I am glad Roy wasn't overselling you," I replied.

"I think this letter system is good. But we have to make a personal note for everyone so that they could destroy it as soon as they read it."

"I will do that," I replied.

"Or, I could print them out and sir could bring them to you tomorrow? Because writing so much might be possible, but if you're caught, you'll be in trouble, for you can be easily identified by your handwriting."

"Good point, but I can't wait till tomorrow evening."

"Then I shall make arrangements to send you them by tomorrow morning." He affirmed and then seemed to hesitate a little before saying something more.

"Would you mind telling me the revenge picture you have in mind?" He asked, and I couldn't help but grin.

"Sure." I said and told him.

His eyes twinkled by the end as if a bulb got lit in them.

"I have an idea." He said.

Wow, the bulb really did!

*****

He was about to leave when his phone rang. He told me it was Roy.

Whatever Roy said bummed him out hard as he lost his balance and held on to the armrest of the chair for support.

"Is, is she okay?" His voice trembled. "Yes, she is standing in front of me." Singh said, looking at me, and my heart lept. Instinctively, I was reminded of Rosa.

Singh hung up a call and looked at me grimly.

"After she ratted you out to Rover, she was feeling really guilty, and she was going to police stations to file complaints. Rover bought them. Then she threatened him to go to the media or post it on social media. Then two hours later, she had an accident.

******

The next day at breakfast, Laila and I went to sit with Kareena, since we had to increase our social circle. The two blondes, who usually sat with Kareena and always ran away at the sight of me, stayed and even smiled.

Then Laila nodded, and I mounted the table.

"Hey, guys!" I called out to all the Firecrackers. "I know you all know me as the drama queen girl or the girl who ran away. Yes, I ran away, and I was punished. As for the drama, it was true. But I had an abusive childhood, and the guy made me do things to him. That's what I did with Roy, and I am ready to share this all with you as well. But I'd like us to be friends, make our lives better.

Firecrackers look better when they burst together." I said and mounted down the table in my chair.

The sex stylists were eyeing me suspiciously, but I had to make this move. Because almost every Firecracker by now knew something about revenge, and I had to bring them together and, most importantly, make them trust me.

"Weren't we thinking of a slogan, to give a sense of belongingness, to bind us? That sounds good. Firecrackers look better when they burst together." Laila remarked. "And let's call our revenge, Fireworks!" She beamed.

A more suitable name doesn't exist!

When I reached my room, I made sure Millie was nowhere around and stuffed my hand inside my pillow. There they were. Letters I need to hand out to the Firecrackers. Among the printed ones, there was a handwritten letter:

Dear Scarlet,

I messed up. I messed up good. I was so jealous of you that I ratted you out to that monster. No way in hell could I ever compensate for that. I was going crazy. I saw how Rover loved you, even though pretentiously, and I watched how Roy acted around you, even after having so many admirers. I didn't have anything like this.

So when Roy decided he wants you over me, I was crazy mad. It took me breaking my bones to realize what he wanted from me was so fickle and what he wishes from you was too massive. If only I had realized this earlier!

So when Roy told me you ran away, I knew where you would be. It was the only possible action.

I am very, very, very sorry, Scarly. I don't seek your forgiveness, because you know I don't seek what I don't deserve, but I beg you to meet me at least once, after your revenge, for a proper parting.

P.S. I am reading Khaled Hosseini's book.

I had always asked her to read his books. I wiped my tears.

*******

Hours later, Millie and a few other sex stylists came in carrying two struggling sex stylists, whose hands were roped together, and dropped them on the floor, shutting it right behind her.

She pointed at them and said "rats."

I frowned.

"We have to keep them somewhere until the execution of Fireworks. Or else these two will rat us out." She exhaled and I froze.

"Look at her expression." Another stylist said, and a few of them giggled at her statement.

"Scarlet. We are trained to be spies, to check on Firecrackers. Why else would he assign one whole stylist for an individual Firecracker? We know everything that happens around here. We know about the Fireworks. And we might not be Firecrackers, but I am sure the Fireworks will look great if we burst with you all." She smiled and I ran to hug her.

Having their support was like icing on the cake.

"I need all your help. Loads of it. And give these rats chloroform, and keep them in some basement or somewhere out. Roy will take care of them." I said.

"But girl, you really believe Roy, given he is Rover's brother?" Millie asked in a concerned tone.

"One hundred percent." I replied.