I pulled my top down to show my cleavage and reapplied my red lipstick. My hair had come out from its braid after the activities and I freed it running my fingers over the reddish brown tendrils, letting the fan cool off the heat. I put on my skirt which barely covered my ass and went towards the mirror to check my reflection.

My lips were red, I couldn't tell if it was because of the lipstick or the hungry kisses that I shared. My forehead was slightly bruised from the thrashing I had received.

"Here." The guy for tonight, said leaving few bucks on the table. "I'll be back tomorrow and I'll want only your mouth then."

I gave him a sultry smile, the one which was practiced and perfected over the years. Now, with that smile playing on my lips, even the dead would wake up with a hard on. I bit my lip and rubbed my thumb harshly across it. Apparently, it turned them on.

"I'll be looking forward to it."

He grabbed me by my hair and pulled me towards him, pressing my chest to his. He yanked it harshly, hurting me. Yet, I kept my smile intact. He put his lips on mine viciously, making it bleed.

"Tomorrow." He left slamming the door.

I sat on the overused bed with crumpled sheets, nursing my lips. I grabbed the sheets and threw it to the laundry bucket putting on a new one which was recently pressed. Mumbai at this time of the day was busy with bursting customers and my boss had ordered me to keep up.

"Di?" The laundry boy, Chotu came in after our customary two knocks. "Sheets?"

"It's over there." I said, closing my eyes, taking a minute before I worked around the next guy. "Di, you have left the money here only."

I opened up to see the boy standing in front of me, stretching his hand towards me giving me the notes that the guy had left. I smiled at him, a genuine one this time. I took the notes from him and tucked a fifty rupee note in his shirt pocket, winking at him. After all, he was a boy of twelve from another one of my neighbors.

"Thank you, Di." He said, as his face brightened. "I'm going to get some chats, do you want some?"

I shook my head no. "If there is no one else today, I'll just wind up."

"Okay, I'll go check." He said, running out with the used sheets. After few minutes he came back with a guilty smile. When I widened the door open to hear him out, another man stood behind him. "For the whole night." Chotu said as he mouthed, sorry before he left.

The guy was good looking and I wondered what made him come here when I knew there would be girls throwing themselves at him. I pulled him into the room shutting the door close, putting my arms around his neck. 

He was fit, probably with toned muscles underneath that branded shirt. My fingers habitually ran down his waist to hold him in my hand. As I made my way down, his hands clasped mine. I looked at him confused. He shook his head, no.

"I want company for tonight, but not that kind." His voice was velvety, soft even. Something that took me by surprise. It was very hard to find someone who spoke with such gentleness in these streets. 

"Okay, so want to talk?" I asked, getting ready for my sext talks. "Or do you want to see me strip."

He laughed at this. "I'm just tired, why don't we just sit and talk?"

I stared at him. Most men didn't want to waste time. Sometimes, they demanded a overtime just because they were not satisfied with my job.

"Are you sure?" I asked, still baffled by his demand. "You are not going to complain my boss about me, are you?"

He laughed, shaking his head as a no. "Come on." He said, patting the bed. "So, how was your day?"

At this I chuckled. "I'm a call girl, what do you expect? It's only get in and get out. No questions asked."

"Sorry." He said. "I fucked up my job today. My mom's behind me to get me married to some rich girl. My girlfriend is about to get married to my best friend. In short, my life is fantastic. So don't complain if I'm nagging."

I only rolled my eyes at him. "I had rough sex with the guy before you, and I'm probably bleeding all over my chest, but you don't hear me whining about it, do you?"

"Sorry." He repeated. "It was a bad day. What's your name?"

"I can be whatever you want me to be, darling." I said, winking at him but he looked apathetic. I sighed. "Why are you here when you are not interested?"

"Wanted to rebel." He shrugged, looking around. "You like it here?"

"Fucking everyday? Who doesn't love it?" I asked sarcastically.

"That explains the bruise on your head." He said pointing my forehead.

"We were... trying something new." I hesitated, running my hand over the small bump on my head. 

I was still in complete shock as I saw the guy looking at my face rather than my breasts. He noted my scratch on my head rather than the small skirt I wore. He talked to me, rather than pushing me to the wall, making his way in. 

I mean, who the hell did that? Was he insane?

It was new for me. Heck, for any girl in this place!

"And he hurt you?" He asked. I didn't answer. "How long have you been here?"

"An year. I'm guessing this is your first time around? "I asked, trying to get the lime light off of me.

"You could say that." He said, looking away. "How did you get in here? I don't think you are very happy here."

I looked horrified at his questions. I could have survived another one of those rough men rather than a talkative guy like him. How dare he ask such personal questions to me?

What did it matter how I came into this job? Who gave a damn about it, anyway? Even if I did say it loud to him, was he going to help me out with it?

"What makes you think I'm going to rip out my livelihood to you now?" I asked, glaring at him. But he only looked back with a grin, that wasn't covered with lust.

"I don't know you and you don't know me, what's the issue then?" He shrugged.

"That makes you think you're my therapist?" I asked, crossing my arms over my bra-less top. "Look, why don't we just get it done, and you and I, both can live in peace."

"Okay! You don't have to tell me anything. I'll do the talking. Did you have your dinner? Wait I'll order it."

Chotu was called and he got our dinner within the next ten minutes. I was awed with the care he was showcasing me, a complete stranger. We ate as he talked about his office and his mean bosses. For a second, I had forgotten that we were fighting only a few minutes ago. He joked about it making me laugh.

"And they didn't even know when the presentation was over." He snorted. 

He looked so happy with his job even though he said that he had messed it up. Only if things were in my favor, then I would have turned out to be something in life, apart from being a call girl.

"I was kidnapped." I muttered, wanting to talk about myself. "I was a rebel too, fought with my parents to get into fashion, but got here instead."

"Come here," He said, pulling me to him, cradling me in his arms. It was a first. "You can't quit?"

"It's too difficult." I looked away. To lighten the mood, I shook my head and looked at him. His dark eyes took me in, bringing me to his bosom as I continued to speak. "So, I'm trying to enjoy while it lasts."

He laughed at that. "You are funny."

I told him about the funny incidents of the drunken men I had encountered. He chuckled and when I told him about how I was mistreated, he held me. I had been touched in many ways, but this gesture made me want to cry.

As we ran out of topics, we listened to the creaking fan on the ceiling as we lay next to each other. "Do you mind if I lay down?" He asked. I nodded my head, moving away to make some space for him. "Can I just hold you as I sleep?"

"What else am I here for?" I smiled, still wondering if I wasn't hallucinating. "Are you sure you only want to do that?"

He laughed, pulling me into his arms. "It was good talking to you." 

My head on his chest and his arms circled around me. The peace was something that I thought I could never feel in this place. But this guy was giving it to me without any hesitations. Even when I was a complete stranger to him, he was nothing but a gentleman to me. How often did I find this kind of a person here?

"Will you be liking to meet me tomorrow too?" He asked, hesitantly. "You know... just to talk?"

"I'm going to be costly for the whole night." I warned, turning to look at him.

"I don't care." He pulled me closer to him.

"Sure." I smiled, already liking the idea.

Tonight, I wasn't treated like an object. Tonight, I was held with care and compassion. Tonight, I was given the opportunity to be just a girl. Tonight, I was treated with respect and no ill words. 

That alone was a luxury. 

He held me all night as his breath tickled my skin. And for the first time I was asked if I was okay in doing what he had in mind. If he came by every night, I would escape from the torture at least for a little while.

With a promise of seeing him again, I fell asleep cradled in his arms.