𝗔𝗥𝗬𝗔𝗡'𝗦 𝗣.𝗢.𝗩

“Before you say anything, I want to say sorry. I didn’t know she was underdressed. I thought she was dressed properly—I really did. When I was a kid, I used to go out like this without a sweater and thought it was cool. I never wore warm leggings because they made my skirt ride up, and I hated that. I thought Advika would hate it too. Please don’t say I’m not taking care of her properly. I’m trying my level best.”

She blurted it all out in one breath. I had to admit her nervous rambling was kind of cute. And what she said wasn’t entirely wrong; I could feel her sincerity.

“What about mausi?” I asked.

“Mausi…” she hesitated. “I know from the start you were misunderstanding things. But when I thought you were married—to a man or a woman—and had a child, and you were misunderstanding things too, I wanted you to live in sorrow thinking you slept with a married woman.”

I blinked. Me? Married? To a man or a woman? Did I ever do anything that made her doubt my sex orientation?

“A man and a woman?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Yes. I didn’t know,” she said bluntly. “I saw you with a kid outside the school, and in the hospital you were kissing a man.”

I just stared at her silently.

And strangely… a small bubble of happiness bloomed in my chest when I realized she wasn’t married.

“No,” I said firmly. “I’m not married. And I have no interest in men.”

She nodded stiffly, like a robot processing new information.

“I’m leaving,” I added. “You don’t have to worry about the money. I’ll arrange it. Call me if she gets a fever again. And keep her dressed properly.”

My eyes briefly scanned her clothes.

“And you,” I added, “stay dressed properly too.”

With that, I left.

She looked confused—maybe even a little sad—but I still walked away.

⋇⋆✦⋆⋇

𝗜𝗞𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗧𝗔'𝗦 𝗣.𝗢.𝗩

It’s been a week.

Aryan vanished like he never existed.

I knew he was probably bluffing when he said he’d arrange three crores. I’m nothing to him. Even if he had the money, why would he spend it on me?

While working today, I saw an advertisement.

And now… here I am.

I walked inside slowly, fear curling tightly around my chest. I knew exactly what I was walking into.

My heart jumped into my throat when I saw a girl on stage wearing a chain skirt that exposed most of her back, paired with a bra top, dancing under harsh lights.

Was I really about to do this?

Yes. I had to.

It was easy money, right?

They paid five thousand per night. That meant one lakh fifty thousand a month.

Ignoring the almost-naked girls walking around, I made my way to the office. Several girls stood there silently. When I picked up the contract, they all looked at me strangely but I ignored it.

I flipped to the last page and was about to sign when a small hand suddenly grabbed mine.

A little girl maybe fifteen looked up at me with terrified eyes.

“What are you doing? Take her to the room,” the man behind the desk shouted.

The girl flinched and shook her head, stepping back. The fear on her face chilled me to the bone.

“Wait,” I said sharply, pulling her toward me. “Where are you taking her?”

“Just sign the contract,” the man snapped. “These girls do this to every newcomer. They want to run after getting money. Leave her.”

Suddenly, two bulky men appeared beside him.

Within seconds, the girl was dragged away.

“I… I need to use the bathroom,” I murmured, backing toward the exit.

Two men guarded the door. I looked from them to the man behind the desk.

“I really need to use the bathroom,” I repeated.

He waved a hand dismissively, and they stepped aside.

Instead of going to the washroom, I followed the direction of the screams.

My hands shook as I opened my phone camera and started recording.

Something was very, very wrong with this place.

They shoved the girl into a red-painted room. The old man followed her inside. Once the door shut, the two bouncers walked away.

Holding my breath, I crept closer and slowly pushed the door open just enough to peek inside.