9 A new friend

"This place allows you to stay for a week too. Once you find a place to stay you can move out. Till then we can provide accommodation here." The receptionist in the Sauna said. "We will also provide you a locker to keep your belongings.

"Thank you," Inaya prepared to pay the advance. She for the first time felt safe.

"Please come this way," the lady led the way to the locker. "You may keep your things here in this locker," she said. And walked forward to another area. "This is the shower area, where you can fresh up," the lady then walked further away. "This is the steam room, hot sauna, and the other side is cold sauna. The food and drinks are free only the first time. The four eggs and two prebiotic drink the first time will be complimentary, after that you may buy using cash. There are other dishes on the menu too, you may go over to the dining area sit there or take it wherever you want inside sauna. The dress will be provided for you, using slippers are must, for the days you will stay here. The section for men and woman are separate at night. There will be security, for anything emergency, you may call them, using the whistle." The lady handed a whistle and a band to tie in the hands. "Wearing this band is must, please do not take it off until check out. Stay must not exceed seven days. After that pay will be with additional charges."

"I get it," Inaya nodded.

"Thank you for choosing us, have a happy stay at Marigold Sauna," the lady wished and left.

Inaya looked at the complimentary food coupon. Accidentally she had gotten two of them. "Excu..." Inaya began but she stopped immediately. "I will be immoral this once.. just once.. and never repeat it again," she told herself deciding to use both the coupons. One for dinner and another for another day.

Inaya walked around. Nobody cared about her. She felt happy. She looked around the Sauna and chose to sit in the rest area for a while. She saw groups of women gathered around watching something on their phones. They were laughing and gossiping. Inaya leaned back on the bench and sat with a smile, watching them.

"You mind if I sit down?" Someone asked her. Inaya looked up. A tall young lady with golden brown hair and dark eyes stood smiling at her. Her slender fair legs looked attractive and she looked like a hard worker as there were muscles.

"Sure," Inaya said and moved a little.

"Thanks," the lady said and sat next to Inaya. "I'm Jiya, What's your name?" She asked. "I have not seen you before."

"I'm Inaya," Inaya shook hands with her.

"I work part time in many places. Cafe, a restaurant, subway, and as a janitor every morning in a coaching centre." The lady said.

"Oh I thought..." Inaya began was cut off.

"I know... but sadly not any white collar jobs. Uneducated, orphan, how will I land in such jobs, without a good background? What about you? What's you doing? I forgot to ask that," she said handing Inaya an egg.

"I'm fine, thank you," Inaya did not want to take Jiya's food.

"That's fine. I'm not an egg fan. Don't wish to waste it so having it'" she said and gave one to Inaya.

"Thanks'' Inaya said again.

"Tell me. What's you doing? Where do you work? Are you studying? You look young," Jiya said.

"I'm an orphan too," Inaya smiled and looked away. "Parents died last year, lost everything, didn't know what to do, so ran away from my village, hoping to start new," Inaya vaguely spoke about her life.

"So how old are you?" Asked Jiya again.

"18 years old," Inaya said.

"Too young. Where you working somewhere before?" Jiya wanted to know more.

"Waited tables in a restaurant, but pay was very less. Somehow survived through the year," Inaya took a deep breath.

"Come with me, I help you find jobs," Jiya promised her. "Pays here are better than what you get in villages. As for stay, once you begin to save up, get a place, till then Sauna is the best option, still cheaper than getting a home," Jiya gave ideas.

Inaya's heart pounded faster in excitement.

"Really?" Inaya asked in disbelief.

"Yes, come with me tomorrow to the cafe. I will ask the manager to give you some work. It won't be enough, you will have to find couple more jobs to make a good earning. You can try after experiencing this and create a resume based on this," Jiya encouraged the girl who is trying to live on her own. "People like us deserve better my dear girl. But here we are, stuck." Jiya sighed. "27 year old now, do not have anything attached to me so far," she said. "My dream is to live without fear. To own a small house and protect myself. I'm only half way there.. half more to go," she said and gasped, sipping her orange juice.

"It will be fine. You will be fine," Inaya said and touched Jiya's arm. A tingling feel was felt in both of them. Inaya took her hands back and looked at it carefully.

"What was that?" Jiya asked and looked at where Inaya touched her.

"I don't know," Inaya panicked.

"Is that what people call static electricity?" Jiya wondered. But no, it was not. It was Inaya's trace of sorcery left in her. Inaya still did not understand that. Inaya moved a little and left a gap between them. Jiya laughed loudly. "Relax," she said and patted Inaya.

"Go get your dinner and get some sleep. Tomorrow morning I will wake you. Get dressed and come with me," Jiya said and pinched Inaya's cheek.

Inaya's eyes were filled with tears. "You reminded me of my mum," Inaya said and wiped her tears.

"You are such a darling," Inaya's mother always used to say and pinch her cheeks whenever Inaya helped her out with chores.