Consent. You don't know the power of your consent. No one has the power to intimidate you without your consent. If your mind tells you, this is wrong... listen to it. It knows better. Stand up and explode.

Can a moment of madness make up for an age of consent? - Basil Bunting.

Shreya hurried inside the alleyway and volumed up the music. She was listening to 'I'm fine' by the korean boy band BTS. She really liked this song because of the immense amount of positivity it exuded. People lacked positivity these days, and this band of seven boys was like an oasis in a desert. Their music uplifts and they really helped her at the time of stress.

Like currently, she was so nervous as it was too late. She and Ashwin were so engrossed in chatting that she actually forgot to check the time and when she did, it was already late. Ashwin dropped her at the high road but she had to cross this cobbled road to reach her house.

Trishna would be worried she knew, but at this point she couldn't do much but to feel apprehensive about her near future that awaited for her in silence, just like the silence of this dark street. The streetlight broke a long time ago, but no one repaired it. Even the corporation didn't repair it. So it had been this way since she passed out of her school.

As she adjusted the strips of her bag that slipped from her shoulder, she got abruptly pulled to the side by someone. She panicked and about to scream for help when the person clasped a hand over her mouth and whispered, "It's me. Don't shout."

Naveen! What was he doing here and at this time? Shreya knitted her brows in a frown and plucked his hand off of her mouth.

"What the hell Naveen? What are you doing here?"

Although Naveen's and her houses were just two blocks away from each other, they rarely talked inside their locality. If they talked, that would give the middle class minded people who made the eighty percent population of their locality more content to gossip on. So, they always met outside or talk only on the phone. Naveen was a software engineer, and since she started her caregiver's course, she observed he was extra attentive towards her. Although he never confessed that he loved her face to face, he made it very clear that he wanted her.

In the beginning, she was reluctant to form any kind of relationship with him. But when he started showing support for her choice of career and dream, her heart softened for him. The emotional unfulfillment that she suffered being with her family, Naveen provided her with that, and she fell for it. They got intimate without any promises and without crossing the line. They had done everything except sex. It was much like, she needed mental support which he gave to her, and in return she gave him the intimate satisfaction which he needed.

He pulled her hastily and pushed her against the boundary wall of the house beside which they were standing. His cologne whipped over her nose as he leaned forward and pressed his lip on the crook of her neck. "I wanted to see you."

Shreya's breath hitched at the suddenness of his action. She never expected him to behave like this inside their locality. "How come you know I'd be returning at this time?"

He kissed her again as his hands slid down her arms leaving tingles all over. He pressed himself against her and breathed on her bare skin. "I've been waiting here for the past one hour. Where were you?"

She moaned when his nose grazed along her neck, reaching to her ear as he lightly bit on her earlobe.

"I went to an interview... kind of."

He pressed a kiss on her earlobe and asked, "Very good. Who was with you?"

"Ashwin." Her breath caught in her throat when he pulled both of hands together and held them behind her back while his free hand grabbed one of her breasts and gave it a squeeze. "What are you doing?"

"I want to kiss you." He stared into her eyes as she studied them cautiously. They didn't hold the longing she looked for. It was filled with the craving for his need to have a taste of her. He was strongly attracted to her but it all ended with the fulfillment of his need. He grazed his hand down and pressed it on her private part. "May I?"

"Have you lost it? Get off." She struggled to free her hands and wiggled in front of him to get away from him. "Someone might see us."

"Shreya!" The authority in his voice made her stop struggling as she looked into his eyes with her eyebrows furrowed in concern. He was being weird.

"I need to kiss you. Now."

"But-"

"No. Now!" He emphasized his words and rubbed his hand up and down. The friction made her feel weak in the knees. She whimpered as her eyes fluttered close. "Okay."

As soon as she consented, he leaped onto her hungrily and kissed her with full force. He pressed his manhood against her and grabbed her throat while kissing her roughly. She let him take the lead as she closed her eyes and reciprocated his kiss. They kissed urgently as his lips sucked on her bottom lip. She moaned and tugged on her hands held by him. He tightened his hold both on her hands and throat as she groaned in complain. He held her like that for a few more seconds before releasing her hands and grabbing her waist. Then he pulled her closer.

She mumbled, "Naveen, stop." She placed her hands on his chest and pushed. He groaned but a moment later he let her go. His hands grazed up her sides and stopped at the base of her bosoms. She opened her eyes and gazed at him. "Anything bothering you?"

He brushed his thumbs over the thin material of her top and bra until her nipples puckered up. "Yes. Work and stuff. But I'm fine now. Thanks to you."

"You risked it today."

He pinched her nipples, earning a hiss from her before stepping away. "I needed to. Bye. Talk to you later."

Shreya looked at his way as he walked away. She took a deep breath steadying her nerves, then went towards her house. Trishna would be really mad.

~~~

18th September

It was almost 9 in the morning when she reached the Isha Mansion. The bungalow was huge with an ample amount of security. Shreya's heartbeat rose as she inhaled deeply and let out a shaky breath. God saved her, she was already nervous. She walked ahead and saw the two security guards at the main gate.

As she approached the gate, one of them stopped her hurriedly and inquired, "Excuse me ma'am, what are you looking for?"

Sheya gulped before responding, "Um- I have an appointment with Ms Tiyasha Chatterjee."

"What is your name?"

"Shreya Mitra."

"Please wait a minute."

He went back towards the watch room on the left and pulled the extension phone and dialed a number. "Hello, Madam. Some Shreya Mitra has come to meet you. Should I send her inside?" He paused for a moment listening to the other side, then nodded. "Okay" and put down the receiver.

The guard turned towards her and gestured towards the entry. But before she could make a move, both of the guards jumped in alarm and ran to wide open the gate hurriedly. As soon as they opened the gate and moved to stand aside, a sleek BMW rolled out and whooshed beside her.

Whoa! This was the first time she had seen a BMW from this close. She turned her head along with the car as it gained speed and vanished among the traffic. She raised her eyes before blinking away her daze.

"You can go inside. Madam is waiting for you," the guard said.

Shreya nodded at him then walked ahead and stepped inside the area. The bungalow was three storied and white colored. She walked along the drive through and reached the main entry to the bungalow. There was also a man sitting on a chair. He stood up and opened the wooden framed glass door.

Shreya clutched her bag she refrained herself from jaw drop. Luxury was an understatement. Everything was so classy and sophisticated that she looked overtly out of place. The place was spacious but cozy and nice. Upon entering the large hall divided into two separate ways. One led the way towards the right where there was an imported sofa set and behind the sitting place the stairs led to the first floor. The hanging balcony of the first floor overlooked the entire hall. This side was brightly colored. Lilac, yellow, white, and teal which was completely opposite to the other side.

Shreya watched the swimming pool separated by the huge glass window at the back of the hall. Her eyes darted towards the comparatively more spacy left side. Dull sage green and white. Whoever chose the colors to the left side had no fun. She was engrossed in taking in the interior design when the noise of footsteps caught her attention.

She turned around hastily and saw Tiyasha Chatterjee coming down the stairs. She was looking elegant in her stylish white pantsuit.

"Shreya," she said as she came and stood a few feet away from her.

"Ma'am." Shreya flashed a formal smile.

She waved her dismissively. "Call me Tiyasha. Come, let's sit and talk."

"Sure, Tiyasha."

They went towards the sofa set and sat down.

"How is your son?" Shreya was the first one to ask.

"He's doing much better." Tiyasha nodded. "You know what, it was my fault. If I had been more careful..."

"It's fine, Tiyasha. Accidents do not come informing beforehand."

She smiled halfheartedly and nodded. "I like you. You know the rules already. I need someone who would be there with Devdoot all the time. As I stay busy most of the time I can't spend much time with Devdoot. As an autistic child he needs a constant companion."

Shreya nodded. "I understand. It must have been very hard for you."

"It indeed was very hard." Tiyasha's eyes darted towards the decorative plant as she seemed to zone out. "After he was born, I shifted here from Asansol. Chinimma helped me a lot but she also had work and at those times, I felt so alone. Being a single parent isn't easy, and when you're a teen-mom, it's double the pressure. But I'm glad that I have a nice and protective family. Chinimma provided me everything I needed or didn't need. But still..." she trailed off.

Shreya nodded. "I understand. I'm sorry."

Tiyasha sighed. "Anyway. When can you start? They will be releasing Dev tomorrow."

"I can start from tomorrow then. I have no problem as long as you're okay with it."

"Allright. I talked to Abhimanyu about you. He didn't seem to have any problem, but he couldn't stay to meet you. He has a meeting today, so he left early."

"Yes, I saw his car leaving."

"You did? Good. Good." She leaned back and said, "I've asked Rishi to complete the formalities of your employment. He might be on his way. Make sure you read and understand everything before signing the contract."

"Sure. Tiyasha. I'm very grateful to you, and I won't leave any scope for you to have any complaint against me, I promise. Thank you so much."

"You're welcome, Shreya. I'll hope you'll hold onto your promise."