Alone.

Sambhavna

2020

I angled the camera just enough to focus on my boobs. I had made sure I had the best costume for the live stream. A couple of weeks had passed and my profile was exploding with viewers. I had a mask on so nobody could recognize me.

I arched my back and toyed with my hair on the nape, my lacy lingerie was on full display for people to watch and enjoy. And boy was I worshiped. I enjoyed the attention. They loved my body and they were willing to pay more to see me more in action. I couldn't complain.

Live streaming was growing on me. It was the only time of the day I was looking forward to. It helped me distract and escape from all the daunting experiences at CSU. My life was a joke. My identity was limited to being the daughter of the criminal. I had next to no friends and I was looked down upon by my peers. I wasn't allowed to sit in the cafeteria and I didn't remember the number of times Maira and Ella tripped me or tossed their food or beverage on me.

The ding of my laptop drew me out of my miserable thoughts and I clicked on the recent notification. I had a text request and I entered the chat room mindlessly. The profile read, The Devil with the happy devil emoticon and I quickly read his text that followed.

The Devil: I couldn't stop myself from approaching you. You are sexy. ;)

Me: It's good that you did and thank you.

The Devil: Are you open for a private show? I'm willing to pay more than your usual.

His blatant text had startled me. I didn't know what I was expecting out of him or her—I had no idea but that caught me off guard. My fingers hovered over the keyboard before I texted.

Me: I'll charge extra if you're kinky. ;)

I removed my mask as I waited for the text which felt like an eternity. I nearly jumped when my laptop chimed.

The Devil: You don't worry about the buck. Focus on all the things I'd make you do.

Reading the text had crept chills on my spine; the profile after all was named as the devil. I wonder who the person was—was it even a man? What was he like and what was his kink? Curiously, I got on my keyboard and typed.

Me: Ooh, that sounds interesting. ;) Are you a boy by any chance?

I pursed my lips and waited for the reply as I slipped into a comfy t-shirt and a pair of yoga pants. My attention was back on my laptop a little after a minute.

The Devil: With a very impressive dick that will rock your world.

The innuendo was so smart, it made me laugh. I was impressed.

Me: You have the charm for sexting.

The Devil: Feisty, aren't you?

Me: Does that turn you on?

The Devil: Not yet but you will get there. When do we begin?

I bit my lower lip nervously. I had no idea what I was getting myself into. He didn't seem like a regular old man who was desperate for a strip show. He seemed...intimidating. My hands were shaking when I typed.

Me: Tomorrow. 5 pm IST.

I shut my laptop the next beat without reading his reply when I heard a knock on the door and Papa wandered into the room with a smile plastered across his face.

"I got something for my little girl," he said as he sat near the foot of the bed and I set my laptop aside. I eyed the mask that was concealed under my blanket and I tucked it under the pillow furtively.

I beamed. "You know you didn't have to Papa."

"Nonsense," he said and drew a velvet box out of his back pocket. I eyed it silently as he handed me the box and I examined the intricate details of the golden engravings on the box. "I never gave you a present for starting at your college and I found this in a tiny shop in Chennai last week."

The box revealed a delicate chain and a pendent of my initial on it. It was simple yet so classic and elegant. I gasped. "Papa, this is beautiful!" I threw my arms around his neck and pulled him for an embrace. My visions blurred with tears and I sniffled to the crook of his warm neck. "Thank you. I love it!" I leaned away and tucked my hair behind my ear.

He chuckled. "Of course my darling," he said and kissed my temple quickly. "Are you joining me in the living room to watch a wrestling match like old times?"

That made me grin. "Do you even have to ask?" I hopped out of the bed and clasped the chain around my nape carefully. "It's our tradition." I smiled at his reflection on the mirror before I admired the pendant around my neck.

That was the best evening of my life. For the first time in long months, I didn't feel like my life wasn't worth living. My father made sure I was happy and I was grateful for that. I turned around to face him and his eyes crinkled as his smile widened.

I held his hand when we sauntered to the living room. "I'll grab the popcorn. Will you please get the soda?" I asked but Papa was already at it. I'd admit it was the first time I had laughed that hard with him. He was mostly away and I was busy sulking for the ordeal at CSU but that evening was bliss.

*

I bolted the moment I spot Ella and Maira at the end of the hallway. Ella's gaze had met mine briefly but I was quick to escape. I ignored their existence with a burning passion and I wasn't ready for another round of torture. They were the third degree that nobody deserved.

I reached near the library and decided to spend my lunch with the books instead. I set my bag on one of the chairs and strolled around aimlessly. My attention was soon caught by a book on child psychology and I decided to pick it for a read.

"Sambhavna?" I had heard that voice before. That gentle tone was familiar. I pivoted to face her and Vaanya beamed at me. "Hey! I'm so happy to see you. I didn't know you spend your lunch hour at the library."

"Yeah about that," I muttered lowly and looked around to check if anyone was around. "I wanted to speak with you about something."

She tensed and her winged brows furrowed. "Sure, what is it?" We began to walk to the chair and I set my book on the desk.

"Vaanya, you're the only friend I have got here," I began and she looked at me intently after she propped her hip against the edge of the desk. "But I think I'm gonna need your help."

Her brows shot up. "Okay, sure. What can I help you with?"

I mentally debated over spilling the details but I realized I had to come clean and seriously seek some help for the matter. I straightened and looked at her. "Would you like to sit? This is going to be a long chat. I guess."

She smiled and nodded in agreement. We both settled in and I stroked the pendent mindlessly as I said, "Okay, so there are these...um." I looked around and sighed. "Couple of bullies who have made it a point to make my life a living hell." There. I had said it out loud and I knew that wasn't something Vaanya was expecting out of the conversation.

She was shocked. "Uh..." She frowned and looked away. "First of all, I'm sorry you had to go through that."

"Yeah, I just hope I can end this for real this time," I told her and she nodded thoughtfully.

"Well, how would you like to deal with this?"

"I'll probably have to take this up with the dean. There must be some policy in this college that talks about bully and harassment." I watched her rub her temple gently. "What is it? You don't agree?"

"No—I mean—yeah. But why go to the dean when my mom can take it with the board and we can kick those people out for good?"

I was baffled. "We can do that?" I was grinning and I had no idea how to thank her. She smiled and nodded in agreement. "Okay, so how do we do this?"

"I have to do it silly," she said lowly and chuckled. "You just tell me a little about them. What did they do to you and what are their names?"

I leaned back to the chair and stared at the book on the desk mindlessly. "How much time have you got?"

She beamed and fetched a bottle from her bag. "Enough for you to give me the right details."

It took me more than twenty minutes or so to finish off my endless rant but Vaanya didn't complain. She heard every word of it, patiently and urged me to go on until I was breathless with all the talking. I was glad it was the lunch hour for the library staff too. I was pitchy and frustrated and I was glad there was nobody to ask me to keep it down.

"I'm so sorry Sam." She caught my hand gently. "I can call you Sam right?"

"Yeah, sure, I don't mind," I mumbled and looked away. She squeezed my hand to comfort me and I looked at her.

"Well, it's gonna be over real soon, you'll see," she promised and that managed to make me smile through my tears. I wiped the tears off my face. "God, I can't believe these people. How pathetic are they?" Her lips curled ruefully and I sniffled. "They deserve to be out of this place and I'll make sure they never set foot in this college ever again."

I sighed and nodded mildly. "It's Ella and Maira."

She froze to her stance and gawked at me as I tucked my hair behind my ear. "What?" Her voice was a whisper and I frowned at her. She shook her head and chuckled. "Those girls have been behind this all along?"

"Yeah and if this doesn't stop then I'm gonna have to involve this administration into this." I bit on the nail of my thumb. "I'm sorry, do you know them?"

She was lost in the haze and then her gaze snapped on me. "They are harmless. Don't worry!" She shrugged. "You don't have to involve the administration. I'll deal with it."

"Wait, so you mean to tell me that you aren't taking this to the board with your mother?" My gaze narrowed on her and she chuckled.

"Don't have to if I can do it myself right?" She winked and I parted my lips to protest but she cut in, "This whole thing has to stop and that's all that matters in the end, isn't it?"

"That doesn't mean I don't want them to be held accountable for this," I snapped at her and she backed away from me. "I swear I'll take this to the dean if this escalates any more than it has. Those girls don't let me eat at the freaking cafeteria. I don't have any friends because everyone thinks I'm a bloody criminal who deserves to be miserable. They go on humiliating me and my father and nobody care about that. I had to spend lunchtime in the bathroom just to ignore them. I'm still bruised from the last time they whacked me at the staircase."

"And you think the dean will care about all of that?" she shot instead and I stared at her quizzically. "Ella's father is the mayor of this town. He is more powerful than my mother and this college both combined. Trust me you don't wanna be a part of this mess."

"So there's no way out of this," I concluded and leaned back to the chair. "They win and they will always keep on winning."

"Which is exactly why I am the only one who can deal with this," she told me conclusively and I had no other option but to trust her on this. "You don't worry okay? It will be fine. It won't happen again." She smiled and I sighed. I hope to hell she was right about that one.

Mayank

2020

My gaze swept on the girl sitting alone in the café and drinking a hot beverage. I instantly recognized her from my class and decided to approach her. Her head was bowed down when I stood near her. "Are you expecting your friends to join you?" I highly doubted she did.

She was quick to wipe her face and that immediately caught my concern. Why was she crying? She didn't look at me when she said, "I'd have if I had any." Her voice was hoarse and low. I took my seat across her and she peered at my mug of coffee.

"Is there a reason there aren't any?" These kids could have had it all in the tips of their fingers yet they were the loneliest and the most depressed crowd. CSU students were weird, I'd realized.

She shook her head in denial and sniffled. "I prefer to be alone."

I blew the steam off the surface of the mug. "That's a hard choice for someone your age, don't you think?"

Her eyes were puffy and teary when she looked at me. "Age is just a remember, don't you think?" she shot back and I smirked to the mouth of the mug.

"Does this have to do with those girls?"

"What do you know about those girls?" Her tone was grave but she was worked up. Her cheeks were flushed but under all that anguish was also a bright woman.

"I know that you wouldn't be taking a seat in the front row in my class," I told her and she plopped her elbows on the tabletop. "I also know that they tossed your food in the cafeteria." I sipped from my mug and searched her face. She was so hard to read. It was usually easy to read right through people but not with her.

"Did you do something about it?" Her tone was clipped and she finally met my gaze.

"I have a meeting with the administration tomorrow and I plan to raise this issue," I said and she stilled a horrid look on me. "Clearly I'm late to this party. I had some unfinished businesses to tend to but I'm paying closer attention."

"That won't be necessary," she told me and I drank from my mug. "This person—friend—I don't know, she made it abundantly clear that standing up for myself is a bad idea."

I was totally lost. "Enlighten me, how?"

"They are too powerful and I'm a nobody, can't you see? People like us are meant to live on the sidelines and get picked upon. That's how things have been and always will be."

I thought about that. "And what if someone found a way to make them pay?" I instantly regretted my choice of words. I was supposed to show her the direction and not propel her to fuck things up.

She shrugged. "They are practically untouchable and besides, I really don't care about that. I just need them away from me so I can finish this damned course and get the hell out of here." She had the fire that was so rare to find. I knew she was bright but nothing about her surprised me.

"That doesn't mean I can't involve the administration. Someone needs to take care of this."

She shook her head quickly. "I'm sure they will stop," she said fiercely and I looked away. "It will get better. I have taken care of it."

I wasn't convinced. "Do you think this is a joke?"

Her gaze was sharp when she looked at me. "You have to trust me. I don't wanna be mixed with this drama. It isn't a part of my memo."

I smiled at her. "In that case, I want you to focus on the classes. The end-term exams are around the corner and you have to work harder than most of these people."

"I'm well aware of that," she mumbled and drank from her mug. "I'm Sambhavna, by the way. I never got a chance to introduce myself." She finally sparked a smile and I nodded.

"It's nice to meet you Sambhavna," I told her and she nodded. "If you have any doubts regarding the course details or the subjects. You can always find me in my office."

"I'll bear that in mind," she said lowly and looked away. "Thank you for doing this. I'm glad they hired you." She circled the mouth of her mug mindlessly. "But aren't you too young to be a professor?"

"Not too young," I chuckled and she smiled. "Listen, I'm sorry it's hard for you in college. I want you to know that I'm always around if you need someone to talk to. Nobody pays attention to the little symptoms that gradually build-up to the final nail in the coffin."

She scoffed. "That's easy for you to say."

"It's not." I chaffed my fingers on my stubble. "Someone has to report this to the authorities. Maybe that will teach them."

"Why are you so dead set on taking this up with the administration?"

"I lost my little sister to the bullies in her school." My chest deflated and I heard her gasp. There was a moment of silence that prolonged for what felt like hours.

"I'm so sorry." She winced to herself but I was beginning to feel claustrophobic. "May I ask what happened?"

"She didn't know how to deal with everything at her school." I wasn't sure how I still continued. I couldn't hear my voice any longer. "She committed suicide a few months later."

"Did she ever tell you what went down with her?"

"She didn't," I whispered and my fist clenched with brutal aggravation. I wanted to break something. "But her friends did." I forced a smile instead. "Told us how she was picked upon. How they spread fake rumors about her. She was torn down for things she didn't do."

"You guys didn't pay attention when she got back home?" She clasped her hands on the table after she finished her coffee and I sipped from my mug.

"We thought she was busy with her work and friends, none of us knew she was snapping from reality." I still blamed myself for everything that went down with her. My parents lost their faith and their daughter with her. I lost my sister and my best friend. I never found a way to make peace with that. "Maybe that's why I want to help you. Don't do anything rash. If things get heavy for you then I want you to approach me."

Her returning smile was promising as she nodded. "I will."

"Good," I muttered and drank from my mug. "Bullies are everywhere—they always have been but someone has to flip the tables. These kids have to pay because I'm done wrapping these losses one after another."

"I don't know I really shouldn't be a part of this." Her eyes were curious when she asked, "Do you have a plan?"

"I'll get creative if I have to," I told her and she gaped at me. "And no way in hell you're getting into this. You have tests to ace. That's your priority." I had to find a way to put an end to it that didn't involve innocent people.

*

Crystal was in my living room when I unlocked the door and sauntered inside. The clamor of my set of keys broke the silence when I placed it in the bowl on the console table. "I didn't realize you'd be here."

Shawna scurried into the room and beamed at me. "My work is almost done. What would you like for dinner?"

My mind was lost in the daunting memories of my sister—I missed her. "Not sure. Surprise me." I trudged to my bedroom and Crystal followed me. "I'm not in the mood."

"Then it's good that I'm here," she said and locked the door of my bedroom. I sighed before I shrugged out of my waistcoat and dropped it on the bed. "Why are you so upset honey?"

"None of your business," I murmured and loosened the knot of my tie.

"Did something happen earlier?"

"I don't want to talk about it." I removed my watch and unbuttoned the cuff.

"Did your ex-wife call you again?"

I threw my watch on the floor exasperatedly and snapped, "I said I don't want to talk about it." Her lips pursed as she looked away and I sighed. "Why are you really here?"

"I missed you." She walked to me and began to unbutton my shirt. "I know you're upset and I propose we fix your mood right now."

"Isn't your husband around?" I shot and narrowed my gaze on her. "What would he think?"

"He doesn't have to know." Her lips curled to a smile and I rolled my eyes. "Besides, he has no time for me. Plus, you're better than him anyway." I was appalled by her brazen audacity but I was a sick bastard who didn't care about another man. I didn't care I was promoting infidelity—I needed a release and she was right there, willing me to take her.

In the next minute, we were cocooned under the shower, chasing our needs and desires.

I slipped into a crew neck when Crystal handed me the phone. "You highness awaits," she said mockingly and I silenced it. She eyed my movement and averted her gaze on me. "You aren't going to answer that?"

"Why would I speak with her when I have you?"

"Good point." She chuckled and banded her arms around my hips. "That bitch is crazy." She snatched the phone from my grip and I stared at her as she answered the line, "Yes?" I was apprehensively glaring at her when she said, "Oh no, he isn't available. Do you have a message I can pass along?" I had no idea why she was speaking with Alisha. I didn't even know why my ex-wife was calling me. "Aren't you happy with your new husband?" Shit. That wasn't good. She was complicating shit for me. Crystal scowled and my expressions mirrored her. "Listen, I want you to stop calling my boyfriend or I'll have to sue you for harassment." I snatched the damned thing from her grip and turned it off.

"Are you fucking insane?" I snapped and tossed my phone on the bed. "Did you really have to tell her all that?"

"What's the problem?" She frowned and stepped closer to me. "She will stop calling you once she knows you're not available. I know women and your methods won't work with her."

"What methods?" I pressed my hands against either side of my head exasperatedly. "I have no methods. What if she rats you out to your husband?"

"She has no idea who my husband is," she said evenly and I kicked the foot of the bed.

"So what? It's still a goddamn lie. You aren't my girlfriend."

I had managed to offend her. "Really? Then what am I?"

"I don't know, a fuck buddy apparently," I muttered and plopped on the bed before I sighed. "Listen, don't be so fucking intrusive. This isn't a part of our arrangement."

She sat beside me and caught me by my shoulder. "You will thank me later, you'll see."

"Did she tell you why she called?" I sifted my fingers through my damp hair and she scoffed mildly.

"You still love her, don't you?"

"She was my fucking wife, Crystal so kill me if I can't kick her out of my life." I turned my phone on and decided on a civilized conversation with Alisha. "You should leave."

"If you think that she will get back with you just because she is stuck in her new marriage then think again," she demanded tersely and I stilled in my tracks. "She caught you cheating on her Mayank—right in the middle of the action—with me."

The nonchalance in her features spurred me in the wrong way. "She knows exactly why I did that." I was a fucking bastard for defending myself.

She cackled. "It's still cheating, isn't it? Stop fooling yourself with these hopes of new beginnings with her. You will only hit the rock bottom again and again."

"With you," I muttered and she didn't bother to disagree. "Just because your life is hell doesn't mean mine has to be."

"And that's why I'm here with you, aren't I?" She scooted closer to me and I shifted in my place. "To make your life a lot better."

"You're the one who ruined it in the first place," I bit out and she smirked like the bitch she was. "You're the reason I don't have a family of my own."

"Go on, pin it all on me," she drawled slowly and exhaled harshly. "It's always convenient that way, isn't it mister therapist?" She pushed to her feet and I looked away. "Just so you remember the details correctly, it's all on you as much as it's on me." She walked to the door and twisted the knob. "I'll go see what your maid has fixed for lunch."

I lied on my back on the bed and it creaked. Upon turning my phone on, I noted a series of notifications popping in and I tapped on them. It revealed multiple pictures of women in lingerie or buck naked and I groaned lowly. The text message that followed the pictures read: Don't forget to back them up. I'll need these beauties in the future. I reread the text for another few minutes. It made no sense why Kunal would need the nudes in the future. What was he up to? 

~~~~

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