Free lunches do exist. 

Sambhavna 

2020

I descended the stairs while glancing through my plans for the day on my phone—I had so much to do—so many assignments to finish before the exams. My device chimed with a notification and I tapped on it to reveal a text request from The Devil. His simple greeting has made me smile and wonder what he was up to. I dropped my bag on one of the counter and quickly texted him back. I heard the knob click and footfalls followed.

"And there comes the con artist!" Maira jibed and Ella chuckled as I advanced to one of the stalls. I ignored them because I was in no mood for that nonsense. "And she is acting too good to ignore us."

Ella scoffed. "Give that girl some credit M, she managed to reach V behind our backs," she shot and towered over me. I backed away from her, needing the distance for my sanity, and looked away. "What is it, princess? You thought ratting us out to Vaanya will save your ass? What? You thought she's our mother?"

"No I thought she is at least decent to stop you from doing what you are," I snapped back and Maira's head fell back as she laughed. I had no idea what was so comical about that. Ella shoved me and I stumbled back.

"Oh that's rad," Maira said and clicked her tongue. "Sadly Vaanya doesn't have a say in this. If you decide to run with your tail in between your legs at least make sure you run to someone worth it."

My gaze swept around the room to note that there was nobody around in the ladies' except the three of us.

Maira grabbed me by my jaw; her grip was tight when she glowered. "I've had enough with your shit. You're an outcast. You don't deserve to be here and you have the fucking nerve to threaten me?"

"I don't think she understands what she's dealing with," Ella daggered and I caught Maira's wrist to pry away from her grip. Her nails dug into my skin and my back hit against the wall with a thud. I was cornered and terrorized. "So you'd involve the administrations huh? Do you honestly think you can pull this through?"

"Do you know who sponsors the scholarships here?" Maira smirked and glanced at Ella. She cackled. "A little birdie told me you need that, don't you? Your applications have been filed, isn't that right?"

"No, please don't," I pleaded restlessly and she rolled her eyes. "I need that scholarship, please." I was practically begging with whatever dignity was left in me and my eyes stung with fresh tears.

Ella made a tsking noise and I looked at her pleadingly. "See? You look so better when you're desperate for help and nearly groveling."

"Your father has conned a fortune and you're willing to beat the more needy faction of this college," Maira bit out icily. "That scholarship is for students who can't afford to be here. You're not one of them."

"Please, stop," I whimpered lowly and pried out of her grip. "You don't understand. I need it. I have been working hard for that. You can't take that away from me."

"Says who sweetie?" Ella tilted her head and shot. I groaned incredulously and hugged my tummy. The fluorescent lights in the room made it all the more sterile. It hurt my eyes.

"We own this college," Maira said in a matter-of-factly tone and I wiped my tears.

"Doesn't mean you make the rules," I mumbled and glared at her. "That scholarship is mine, believe it or not. You'll have to call it off if you want me to back out."

Maira's nose flared as she snapped. "I don't think you get it." She snatched my phone and threw it across the room. I heard the echoing crash of it against the floor and bit the inside of my cheek. I was not going to give them the satisfaction of ruining me. I had no idea how to buy a new phone and that had all the details of my assignment.

"Is that it?" I asked her curtly. "Did that make you feel better about yourselves?" I couldn't get away from them because they were inches away from me and in the next beat, the echo of the smack on my face ringed through the air. I felt my face burn as I gasped, not believing their audacity.

Ella fisted my hair hard and I whimpered as Maira cursed under her breath, encouraging her to physically hurt me. I caught her hand and her grip tightened around my hair. "That's it. I'm done with both of you," I muttered and the door flew open again revealing Vaanya.

My hopes surged as her gaze caught mine. "Thank god, you're here." I walked to her restlessly and caught her hand.

She looked at me and then averted her gaze on Maira. "Are you done yet?" she asked and crossed her arms on her chest. "It's getting late." Vaanya ignored me as though I didn't exist in the room.

"Did you catch anyone outside?" Ella asked nonchalantly and she shook her head in denial. "Oh good. Why don't you wait outside while we finish speaking with her?"

I gaped back and forth between them. "Wait, you knew they have me cornered here?" My voice was a low whisper and Vaanya's gaze lowered but she didn't answer me. "You promised you'd speak with them and all of this would stop." I choked on my tears but she was made of damned stone.

Maira smirked. "Vaanya is my best friend. You think she'd go against me?"

"I believed you and I'd have taken this up with the administration myself but I trusted you and this is what you do to me?" Blood rang in my ears as my stomach flipped. I thought she was the last good person left in that godawful college but I was so wrong.

"This poor thing still thinks she has hope," Ella singsonged, picking on her manicure and then rolled her eyes. "Huh, I almost pity you."

I caught Vaanya's hand and urged her to look at me. "Why did you do this to me?"

"Not everything is about you, sadly." Vaanya jostled out of my grip and I stepped back from her in disbelief. She sighed. "I have other things to deal with." She threw her arms up in the air exasperatedly. "And if you need that scholarship then you don't take this up with the administration." She was unbelievable. Vaanya wasn't the beautiful angel she wanted people to believe. She was beyond ugly. "Get out of here before they change their minds and you end up somewhere you don't want to be."

"You're a fucking liar," I snapped at her but Vaanya was impassive. Ella laughed like she was having the time of her life. "You tricked me into believing you or this would have been over by now." I refused to cry but I also failed to hold back my tears. I was furious and broken.

I gasped as Maira tugged my hair down and the follicles of my hair burned. My visions blurred. "This will only be over when I want it to be. Now get the fuck out of here." She shoved me and I stumbled back. I gulped and grabbed my bag from the counter.

"If you dare to cross us again, I'll make sure you're banished from this town," Ella threatened darkly and I fetched my broken phone from the floor. I didn't bother to say another word and looked at Vaanya's indifferent face. I honestly thought she was my friend—that she'd help me out of this but she pushed me even deeper.

I was walking out of the campus in no time.

*

My head was pounding by the time I reached home. Papa was out of town on a trip to the North and I had to buy a new phone. My gaze landed on the door of my mother's room ajar and I treaded towards it before peeking inside incredulously.

The room was dimly lit by the evening lights, casting silhouettes on the opposite wall and I leaned closer to catch a better look. My mother had company but I was curious to know who she was choosing to spend her evening with. I darted my gaze around carefully and gasped lowly as I spotted a man with her—a man who wasn't my father. He was much younger, almost my age, and a shiver slide through me. She was cheating on my father—she was fucking someone else. Her labored breaths misted in the air of the room and I paused to take it all in.

I glanced at the mirror and spotted the man on top of her—fucking her roughly and I had to stifle another threatening gasp. I only managed to note the side profile of the man but I couldn't figure who he was. My scowl deepened but I wasn't angry anymore. I wanted to leave—run far, far away from her, from this bloody town. I walked away and breathed steadily to ease my fury before I made it to my room.

I needed an escape, maybe a friend, a stranger—anyone to take my mind off of my miserable life before I completely lost my sanity.

Afterward, I logged into the live streaming platform via my laptop. I was surprisingly welcomed by many messages and I clicked on the ones by The Devil. One of the messages read, 'Are you alright?' and another one read, 'Why aren't you texting?' I scrolled further and checked another text that read, 'I'm waiting for you to get online."

I smiled at the texts and quickly typed, 'I'm back!'

I glanced at the clock on the wall across my room and realized it was late. I didn't know if I was still in the mood for a stream but I also didn't want to be alone for the rest of the night. Deciding against my better judgment, I slipped into the lingerie and launched the live stream. Smiling, I swayed my body and hit my playlist on the laptop before I puckered my lips at the camera and toyed with my hair.

The comment section began to crawl with so many people and I answered one after another for another hour. It felt liberating and I was feeling really good about myself. Basking in those compliments helped me escape my daunting reality.

The Devil: Enough with giving me what I like. Tell me what you do like.

I stilled and gawked at the text on the screen of my laptop blankly. He wanted to know me? I thought that was so odd. I never wanted to mix business with pleasure but I had blurred those distinct lines the last time I climaxed in front of him. I signed out of the live stream and clicked on the text to answer him.

Me: It's sad. There's nothing you can give me.

I chewed on my lip and decided to send another text but he was quick to reply before I could type. My laptop chimed again.

The Devil: Are you sure about that? You're more than welcome to try me. ;)

Me: Actually, there is indeed something I want from you but I'm not sure if you can give it to me.

I sighed and waited for his text as I sat back and drank some water. It didn't take long for him to text back.

The Devil: Let's not be so quick to conclude now.

I pursed my lips as I began to type.

Me: I want more money.

I was convinced he already saw that coming and thought I was a money-hungry slut but I didn't care. I needed a new phone and I didn't want to trouble my father and answer his hundred questions.

The Devil: That's it? That's all you want?

Me: What did you think? I have everything else I want.

I'd admit that made me laugh. Did he think I'd ask him out on a date? He was out of his mind if he thought I'd want anything from him more than what little arrangement we had.

The Devil: Except someone very good in the bed. ;) How much do you want?

I gaped at the screen skeptically and frowned. He was so ready to pay me off and I thought that was shady but I didn't mind because I was desperate. I began to type.

Me: Enough to buy a new phone. My last one died, in case you're wondering. And no, I'm pretty sure I'm okay being alone in my bed, gives me enough room to play with myself. ;P

I bit my lip and hit send before I waited for his text. My ears perked up as I heard my mother in the living room speaking with someone and I assumed it was my father. I winced to myself—Papa must have tried calling me. I had to speak with him. I lowered the volume of my music and heard my laptop ding.

The Devil: Check your statement. Haha. Can I join you there? You should be bored playing with yourself all the time.

Me: Got it! Thanks and no. What do you want me to do now?

I stared at the digits on the other tab and gasped. He had sent a lot more than I had required. I wondered what he wanted out of me. I jerked startled as the text dropped in my inbox.

The Devil: Nothing right away. I'm the devil and what do you know about that? I always come back to collect.

I knew it—knew he didn't give away a small fortune just like that. He wanted something and I wasn't sure if I was willing to pay or worse; if I was even in the capacity to pay back.

Me: What if you get nothing in return?

The Devil: Let's just say I have my ways. I always get what I want.

Me: In that case, I don't want your goddamn money.

The Devil: Don't kill this buzz. Calm your tits. I swear I'll make it worth your while. ;)

Oh, I sure as hell hoped he would because I had no idea what I had gotten myself into. The Devil was a good guy—so far but he also gave me the vibe that he wasn't a man to be messed with.

A little later at night, we had a really good time together. I also agreed to text him after I got my new phone. I didn't know what to feel about that. It was happening too fast but he was also the only person I talked with—the only person next to my father who didn't treat me like trash. He thought I was sexy and beautiful and his anonymity was getting under my skin. I didn't remember falling asleep a little after without grabbing dinner.

Mayank

2020

Crystal was in my parking lot when I unlocked my car. "I'm getting late for work," I told her and tossed my bag in the backseat before I slid behind the wheels.

She hopped into my car anyway. "Not quite," she said as I ignited the engine. "Why don't you stop near a café and we can chat for a while?"

I bowed my head down and sighed. "I can't." I began to drive and she held my hand. "I'll drop you somewhere near your house, Crystal. I can't do this right now."

"But why?" she asked grudgingly, "So I was wondering if you'd be interested in dinner later tonight. I have booked us a table and we can spend some time like old times."

"Yeah, sure," I murmured mindlessly and glanced at the rear mirror. "Where were you last night?"

"I had something come up with my husband last minute," she said and I felt her gaze on me. "Why, did you miss me?"

"Don't kid yourself," I shot and scoffed. "I was curious and horny." I chuckled and I knew she was glaring at me. "Anyway, I'll be busy tomorrow and the day after." I released the brakes and glanced at the traffic signal around the gridlock. Mumbai's traffic was bonkers. "And that's why I agreed to the dinner tonight. Don't do fancy things you're not supposed to."

"You always try so hard to keep your emotions at bay but you can never do that, can you?"

I glanced at her soft face sideways and rolled my eyes. "Don't let your ridiculous notions make you believe something it's not. We both know what we want from each other and that's the only kind of arrangement I'm willing to accept."

"Yeah, right." She chewed on her gum noisily and that was irritating. "Because you are made of what exactly? Ice?"

"Precisely," I muttered and watched the light change its color. "Which is why you shouldn't be around so much. I don't want you falling in love and ruining this beautiful thing we share."

"Has anyone ever told you how perverted you are?" She laughed and I couldn't help myself but smile.

"Actually quite a lot of them," I said and halted the vehicle near her house. "Is this it?" I asked and averted my gaze on her but her attention was fixated on the world outside the vehicle.

She looked back and arched a brow. "You know there isn't anyone around," she insinuated and I rolled my eyes. "Come on, nobody's at my place and I'll make it real quick."

"Crystal, you shouldn't—"

"Don't think too much!" she interrupted and clambered out of my car in quick motions. "Trust me, it's worth it." And like the bastard I was, I believed her and followed her to her villa, and later to her bedroom where I was certain her husband banged her up at night.

I couldn't care any less—didn't because I knew she was a cheating whore and I let her because I was just the same. I was an ass for cheating on my wife and I was worse because I didn't stop—didn't want to.

*

"Your track record is pristine," I said as I browsed through Aagnay Bhasin's college records. He was bright—the brightest among his peers. No wonder he carried the sense of entitlement inherently. "You must work hard for this."

"Damn right, I do," he told me and averted his gaze on me. He leaned back and drummed his fingers on his knees mindlessly. "Do you believe in free lunches?"

"Free lunches do exist believe it or not," I said and opened another tab to note the details. "It's only a matter of time you figure out how to score them."

"I loathe that," he said evenly. "More than anything. Tell me one thing you got for absolutely free and that didn't turn out substandard."

"Ah, that depends on how you look at it," I remarked and noted that immediately. I was leaning towards the conclusion that he might have had a hard time with OCD.

"I seek perfection." His tone was smug and that was the second time he said that. I nearly rolled my eyes and noted that anyway. Sure OCD. His gaze loomed around the room and I could read it on his face that he was displeased with the interior or whatever these kids really liked about a damned office room.

"Perfection is subjective," I told him and slid my gaze on his face. He even put effort into his clothing. It gave me the impression that he hailed from a family who always pressured their kids into being the kind they hadn't been able to. "Do you even live your life the way you want?"

"Absolutely," he said and I noted that. "I have everything I had ever wanted. Money, reputation, and success—things most of the people lack here."

"Except now is the time you should let your feet touch the ground," I told him mildly and he glared at me. "Sure you have everything but you're still a kid in college. You should have some fun, give yourself some time, live your life the way you want and not the way your parents have planned for you."

"And what do I get out of that?" he shot back and I sighed. He was one uptight kid. "What do I get out of giving up my time like that? I'm the best and I plan to remain that way. You wouldn't know anything about that because you have settled for mediocrity. You haven't tasted the victory, the feeling of being on the top. Get there someday and then I'd heed to your advice."

"Have you ever been in love?" I decided to change the subject instead and noted his thoughts immediately.

"Why would I ever be in love?" he shot back and I stared at him. I was sure he had a girlfriend—that was after all a part of the 'perfect image'. "If you're wondering about Ella then sure, she is my girlfriend but that has nothing to do with love."

"Friends with benefits?"

"I don't do that sort of thing," he snapped, meeting my gaze sharply and I nodded before I noted that.

"Are you gay?" I asked instead and he was scowling at me when I averted my gaze on him. "You do have a girlfriend that has nothing to do with love or sex."

"That's because I value my time enough to not waste it on a few minutes of nonsense," he told me defensively and I frowned at him questioningly. "Ella is my arm candy. I dangle her around so these women would be far away from me. It's a kind of arrangement your dimwit brain won't understand."

"You don't seek perfection in behavior, I see." I wasn't looking at him when I browsed further through the notes I had made. Aagnay was frustrated and I was certain of that. What I didn't understand was, why was he hell-bent on hiding it?

"Only because I don't think you're worthy of any pleasantries," he told me and I nodded again. Sometimes I knew it in my heart that I wasn't paid enough for all the things my profession put me through. People were weird and I had to endure that because I saw hope even when there wasn't any.

"Fair enough," I muttered and averted my gaze on him. "Tell me about your family."

"You can google them and you'd know the answers," he said nonchalantly and I arched a brow in silent question. He stilled a look in my direction. "Wait, you want me to tell you about my private life?"

"This is a counseling session and you're free to talk about anything," I reminded him and he smiled mockingly.

He scoffed and propped his jaw against his fist. "You think someone like you can begin to understand my business?" He chuckled. "You don't even know what it's like to be like me. To be born into a family that only rewards you when you accomplish something. You wouldn't understand a family that will threaten you to take away everything they have given you like you're not the natural heir but someone they pitied. You don't know the dynamics around here so shut the fuck up."

We were both quite astounded by the fact that he let all that out in the open. "Your perfection is the result of your family pressure," I concluded and noted that in my tab. "I'm sorry you have to go through that. Have they threatened you significantly before? Do you see your parents as a threat to your life?"

He was thoughtful when he was peering out of the window. "They told me once I'd be homeless and out on the streets if I don't act the way they want me to."

"You never dared to raise your voice to that?"

"Those curtains aren't pressed and look bleak against the walls," he told me and I sighed. "I raised my voice multiple numbers of times but it got me no good so I accepted my life and made peace with everything. Now I'm invincible."

"And arrogance is your coping mechanism," I remarked dismissively and he smiled. It was the first time since the session started that he emoted at all. I smiled back at him.

"You're observant," he said and smoothened a wrinkle on his jacket.

"I'm a counselor, that's a part of my trade," I told him and typed on my tablet hastily. "Have you ever consulted a psychologist before?"

"Why would I do that?" He seemed offended by my question and it was time for the drill again.

"Consulting a therapist doesn't make you seem insane," I told him softly. "You aren't mad if you seek help or hire someone to talk to. You will, however, get mad if you don't speak with someone and try to sail your boat all by yourself."

He scowled at me. "So, you think some therapist can help me deal with my family?"

"At least he can help you navigate through your thoughts and help you conclude," I said and smiled at him. "You can find ways to deal with your family and the therapist will guide you through it without making you feel like a completely deluded person."

"Just so you know." He rose to his feet fluidly. "I don't feel like I'm insane. I think my family is."

I loosened the knot of my tie and leaned back to my chair slowly. I'd admit it was a load. The kid was going through a lot all at once. He had no other choice but to accept the life he was born into and I wanted to help him in every way I could. But Aagnay was smart and he didn't want any help. He knew he had found the right way to live and keep up with his family, and that was working well for him.

"Aren't you afraid you'll never get to live by your rules?" I asked and he sauntered to the window.

He peered out and held his hand behind. "I will live by my rules," he told me, his eyes fixated on the street in front of him. "My life will begin after their slow demise," he murmured and I rubbed my nape restlessly. "Until then, I'll have to be the sitting duck—the diligent son they want me to be." 

~~~~

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