Hotel California

By Krishna Ahir

The book's yellowed pages seemed to tell a story of years gone by,

yet there was a feeling of timelessness in the air. Awakening with a

pounding headache, Shivam finds himself on a bus, disoriented and

surrounded by unfamiliar scenery. A conversation with the enigmatic

bus driver leads to revelations about a conventi

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ukiyoto Publishing
• Release date: Feb 13, 2024
• ISBN: 9789361722080

Book preview

Hotel California

Krishna Ahir

Ukiyoto Publishing

All global publishing rights are held by

Ukiyoto Publishing

Published in 2023

Content Copyright © Krishna Ahir

All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or stored in a retrieval system, in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher.

The moral rights of the author have been asserted.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, resold, hired out or otherwise circulated, without the publisher’s prior consent, in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published.

www.ukiyoto.com

Dedication

In the tapestry of my life, you both are the most vibrant threads, weaving joy, love, and endless warmth into every moment. To my husband, your unwavering support and boundless love have been my anchor, grounding me in every storm. To my precious daughter, your laughter is the melody that fills our home with happiness.

This book is a testament to the love, strength, and beautiful moments we've shared as a family. Each word is dedicated to the countless memories we've created together and the countless more we have yet to make.

Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

About the Author

Chapter 1

*B

am* Shivam jolted awake from the sudden pain blossoming in his temple.

What? Where am I? he groggily muttered rubbing the sore spot on his head. Turning his attention to his surroundings he found himself sitting on a bench like padded seat, in a vehicle with two rows of the same type of seating. Apart from a single man at the wheel he was alone. Outside the window was an unfamiliar scenery leisurely streaming by. …A bus?

Are ya awake son? the man at the front asked over his shoulder, barely turning his head. The man was thin in both body and presence, as soon as the eyes left him fine details were immediately forgotten; leaving only a vague impression of a tall lanky figure. Sorry if my stories are a bit boring.

No no, it's not that, I was just tired from driving all day. He waved his hands as if to blow any possible insult. It's just that the convention took place pretty far from my house. You see the it took place in… uh…

California?

Yeah, that's it. Thank you, Shivam gave him an embarrassed smiled, Wait did I already tell you this?

No, just a lucky guess. The man kept his eyes on the road as a meaningful grin stretched across his face, one whose meaning escaped Shivam. So, this convention was it a comic book convention, I hear those are getting more popular nowadays?

Yeah… it was… no wait, it wasn't… it was business related… puzzled Shivam trailed off, wracking his brain for the reason he was out there. Grasping at straws until the answer finally came to him. It was an insurance convention my company held to discuss… something…

I see. The man commented when Shivam remained silent for a while. The silence stretched out between them as Shivam became loss in his thoughts. During this time the bus slowly came to a halt; the man stood up and faced Shivam finally giving him a full view of the stranger's face. Alright this is your stop, don't forget all of your belongings.

My belongings…? Shivam took a look around taking inventory of what could possibly be his. In the seat next to him was a suit jacket that matched the gray pants he was wearing. A photo of a mother and her child. The silver, analog watch on his wrist was definitely his, unless he stole it. But he still had a vague feeling that something was missing. No wallet? Where did it go? There was something else besides his wallet something just as important… Jumping up alarmed Shivam swung his gaze left and right frantically searching for the missing bit of luggage. My briefcase… where did it go?!

Something wrong? the other man watched Shivam crouch down to his hands and knees searching under the seats nearby.

My briefcase, it's missing! I had it right here in the seat next to me. My laptop was in there. Shivam's panic grew exponentially by the second. Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath and began retracing his steps, but the longer he tried the harder it became. I had it this morning… and put in the front seat of my car before setting off…

Then that's where it is, the bus driver simply shrugged and stated, Ya must have left it with your car.

Yeah, I must have… Shivam sat down again confused, But where is my car? I don't remember what happened to it…

As he concentrated attempting to recall the mornings events, pain once again blossomed in his skull. Groaning he sat back from the sudden burst of vertigo.

Maybe ya should lay down. Ya did hit your pretty hard; ya might've given yourself a concussion. The bus driver commented with wry smile, chuckling to himself from what was apparently a joke. Go on ahead I already contacted The Hotel and explained everything.

Contacted who? What hotel? Raising his head from his hands Shivam looked towards where the bus driver was pointing. A wide six story building stood in all of its grandeur at the end of a spacious drive. Much of the property was hidden behind the villa styled hotel. Off to the right of the building there appeared to be a large irregular shaped pool; while to the left appeared to have various sports field and other recreational facilities. With the white stucco and cobble stone walls along with its long sweeping low angled rooves; the hotel gave off a five-star luxury the Shivam knew was well out of his price range.

Ya should get going. The bus driver ushered the still muddled Shivam out setting him along the path to the front doors, fading from conscious thought along the way.

Entering through the open double doors Shivam is greeted by the sight of an expansive lobby. Situated between two curved staircases is the front desk, currently manned by one person, to his right was pair of closed double doors, while to his left the matching set of doors were open revealing a dining area occupied by a few people catching a late lunch or early dinner.

Welcome, are you Shivam? The man at the front desk beckoned Shivam closer. Upon first glance, the man appeared to be ripped from the pages of a travel magazine; with his bronze tan, perfect straight, white teeth, and a single lock of his short, dark hair twisted into a small curl on his forehead. He wore what appeared to be the male uniform of the hotel: a red and black waistcoat, black dress pants, and a white button up with a black tie.

Ah yes, I am, Shivam hurried his pace over to the front desk, sorry to trouble you, but I appear to be lost. Do you know how I can get back to… um…?

The interstate? the man provided.

Yes… thank you… Shivam rubbed the back of his neck, Yeah, I need to get to the interstate, …I-5…I think. Do you have a map?

Of course, we have maps for travelers, is what I would have said a few years ago, we did have maps it's just with the popularity of smart phones we no longer bother stocking physical maps anymore and I'm afraid I don't know the way personally. He gave an apologetic shrug.

Shivam pulled out his phone from his pocket only to find he didn't have service. Um… there's no service.

Yes, we are in something of a dead zone here. The other man replied and before Shivam could say anything added, We also don't have a free wifi service either. Our guests never had an urgent enough need for it, so we never bothered with it.

Okay, so you don't have a map, or wifi, and you're situated in the middle of a dead zone. Shivam frowned and fought to keep his voice professional and friendly, How can I get back?

I'm afraid I can't answer that, the man sympathetically shook his head, "I can however, considering your circumstances, offer to let you stay here in my Hotel for a few days; free of charge. Until you can