"Yeah! That's right. Take it like the whore you are."

And, another smack.

Ya Allah! When will he be done?

He pushed my head further into the bed and thrust vigorously one last time before collapsing on top of me. I quickly pulled away from this big-bellied guy and covered myself properly. I could feel his handprints on my bum as I sat there, trying not to cry.

"Come on! Don't I get a kiss?" He mocked and broke into a fit of cruel laughter. I tried to occupy a lesser area, getting far away from him. He took his time dressing up while dropping more of those harsh words. He winked at me before he finally left. It just made me sick to my guts. I could have cried, but I was too tired. My eyes stung; they felt dry. I was done.

I got on the floor to lie down for a little while. It was too cold. I wanted something soft and warm beneath me. Just then, Rashmi walked in with two other men.

"Rosy? You okay?"

And that's when it hit me. Hot tears rolled down my eyes despite the tears I shed while in the act. The two guys carried me to my room with the blanket wrapped around me.

Rashmi helped me wash his touch off my body. Seven months had given me enough immunity to live through those cruel minutes but not enough to keep up with those words.

Rashmi dressed me in a kurta and some loose pants and left me alone for a while.

Fatima had promised me that she would never let me go through the same fate as her. She even made Madhu promise me that no matter what, she would never force me to do this.

And she didn't. But they had told and taught us in our religion that absolutely anything you consume or use for free is haram; unlawful or forbidden. So, to pay for the food and bed they gave me, I looked for jobs.

Even after my BA, no one was ready to give me a job. Still, I was ready to even clean people's houses and toilets. But the moment I mentioned that I lived near Kamathipur, they told me that they would let me know.

This encouraged me to move out. And I almost did. I looked for places. Most of them were not ready to let a lone girl live with them. The PGs meant for women required money in advance. No one was ready to help me.

Then, as if Allah himself came on earth to be there for me, an old woman gave me a small room in her house.

On the very first night there, I was woken up by her husband as he felt me up. He kept a hand on my mouth and told me he would reduce the rent before I could say another word. I bit his hand and jumped out of the bed.

The thing I wanted to run away from was somehow always there. I did not want to hurt the lady and wreck her home, so I silently left. I could have told her. But that time, it felt kinder to not - even if it was rotten

I had to get back. Nothing seemed to be working out. I starved myself for days, I slept on the floor. And then I got sick.

Madhu sat down with me while I shivered in fever. What she told me still visits me in my dreams.

"Rosy, people like us...me, we are always wanted and unwanted, all at the same time." She sighed as she held my hand tightly. "I cannot see you like this. Here's some money, go to some other city. I owe you this after your sister."

I took it, and then she did something so cruel that I would not wish for my enemies, not even to those who took my Fatima away from me.

"Rosy, please come out." It was Rashmi and a loud knock on the door that pulled me from the spiral. I gathered all my strength and walked outside to our so-called reception. I spotted a couple of cops. Madhu's face was pale, her hands ever so slightly shaking. This was the first time I was seeing Madhu like that. At least she looked scared.

Madonna, the most desired among us, tried her tricks on one of the guys. He looked like the boss, tall and lean, all too focused. He did not even look at her and shoved her off.

A cop? Uninterested in free sex?

The world can still amuse me.

"We are just here to know if any of you ever gave your services to Rajiv Khanna." Someone else spoke as one of the other constables showed us a picture.

I could feel a sharp grip on my arm and waist. Before I could see who and what it was, the hands were gone from me, as quickly as they came in. Madhu had her burning gaze on me despite the whiteness on her face. I looked away, my eyes unwillingly going back to the boss.

And suddenly, his eyes found mine. His gaze was so cold yet something warm flickered in them.

"Come on! Speak up!" Another cop yelled. I jumped at his voice. The boss looked between me and Madhu in a moment of silence.

"You can-can't ye-yell at my girls like that." Madhu spat loudly.

The senior officer glared at Madhu. Not a freaking word, nor a pumped-up body yet the authority he has is amazing!

"I am aware of how greedy you can be, Madhu madam. If I find out anything later, you are aware of the consequences." His voice was calm, controlled. He then snapped his fingers and headed towards the exit. The rest of the team followed.

He is too good for the filth

No, wait. Weren't they asking about Rajiv?

"ROSY!" It was Madhu's sharp voice amongst the scattered girls around the yard. Rashmi dragged me to Madhu's chamber.

"I don't know if Fati–Gracie ever told you about that rich son of a bitch, that actor," Madhu paused. I gulped hard. She did mention an actor when I asked her about her personal treasure.

She told me he was married, but soon he was going to leave his wife and take her away.

"Yes, Zala, he told me he would divorce her after his film and take us both away from here. Well, he offered to take just me, but where would I be without you?" She kissed me on the nose.

"Are you sure about him? Is he really going to be truthful?" I continued to entangle her hair.

"As far as I can get you out of this shit hole, I am okay with everything that is to be done."

"DO YOU HEAR ME?" Her hand slamming against the table made me focus on her.

"Ye-yes."

With that, I was dismissed, suddenly all too curious and energetic for someone who did things against her will.

Madhu is a selfish woman. She is trying to hide things.

I need to find that cop.

But how? They don't let me step out.

I felt this hard stare on my back. Just as I turned around to look, Madhu caught my eye and pulled away from the bouncers she was whispering orders to.

Now I will be watched too? Isn't all this enough?