Chapter 3

Rey lay on his bed staring at the ceiling .. clutching a photo frame to his heart .. silently sobbing .. tears making their way slowly from the sides of his eyes making his pillow wet ..

"I know it's not gonna be easy for you to forgive me .. but I have to do it for myself .. " he struggled with his clogged breath .. "I know I am being selfish .. but I need you Kria .. I need you in my life .. I really do .. "

"Just give me a chance .. just one chance .. I want to prove it to you .. " he turned and buried his face in his pillow hoping from all his heart that Kria would just hear him out ..

"Kriaaa " he let out a choked whisper as he recalled his depressed past ..

"Rey .. what happened ?" Ajay asked as Rey entered their apartment ..

"As usual .. they heard my story , praised me .. then said that at the moment they don't think they want to start a venture with a new story writer .. and gave me a number of excuses and in short told me to get out .. " he threw his bag in frustration and sat on the sofa with his head in his hands ..

"Rey .. its going to be fine .. just be patient .. " Ajay came and sat next to him ..

"For how long .. damit .. for how long .. " Rey suddenly flared up with hot tears in his eyes and smashed the glass of water which Ajay had offered him on the center table ..

Ajay was shocked with his reaction .. He had known Rey now for more than 6 years .. They both had met when they had enrolled into the Film Institute of Pune .. Rey for story and script writing and Ajay for acting course .. they had been roommates that time .. and since then they had shared a very strong friendship bond ..

Even during their struggling days they had shared the current 2 bedroom apartment and had been sharing all their ups and downs in life .. more than the ups .. they had faced the downs in life a lot and had become strong individuals ..

But .. in all the hardship times also , Rey had been very resilient .. he was always optimistic .. he was always positive ...

Rey was the reserved sort of a person .. but at the same time he knew how to have fun .. he had this very unique way of talking .. he had a very subtle sense of humor .. he would tease or flirt with girls but they would not even realize it .. Even with good looks and great body , he could have entered the acting line .. but he knew his dream was to write movie stories , scripts and he was determined to achieve it..

It was for the first time he had seen Rey so broken up .. he knew Rey was not getting the much needed and the much deserved break .. and on top of that he had hell lot of personal problems .. He guessed every person has a saturation point .. he can take it only till a limit and maybe Rey was reaching that ..

"Rey .. I know what you are going thru .. but please .. don't loose hope .. " Ajay could never forget how much Rey had helped him when his own family had disowned him because he had chosen the film career .. He had come to Mumbai without any plan .. without any idea what he was gonna do .. he just knew he wanted to making his career in acting and so he just took the first train and landed in the city of dreams ..

He had literally knocked at each and every studio , every production house for work .. but everything had gone in vain .. Then he was suggested by somebody to do some course from the famous institute in Pune .. and that's how he had landed in Pune and met Rey ..

Ajay had somehow managed the course fees .. but Rey had helped him throughout .. even during their struggling days , he had always supported him financially .. Now after almost 5 years of struggle , he had landed a very good role in a tv show , but Rey was still running around to find a buyer for his story ..

It was now Ajay's turn to help Rey in whatever way possible ..

Rey hailed from one of the affluent families.. his father owned a production company and had produced a number of blockbusters .. but for a particular movie he had picked up a lot of money from the market and a lot of other people .. and that movie doomed at the box office .. this lead to an actual disaster in young Rey's life .. his father had a stroke .. and all their properties were sold off to pay the debts .. but it was not enough .. and the worst part was that , his father had money dealings with some of the underworld .. this was initially unknown to Rey .. but later when the whole responsibility came on him to re-pay the debt , he realized what a mess he was in ..

Ajay knew more than his words , Rey needed money right now .. but even he didn't have much to lend him .. Whatever he could manage , he had given it to him ..

Ajay kept his hand on his shoulder .. Rey couldn't control himself .. "I really don't know if I will ever be able to see my Dad fit and fine .. " he was crying bitterly now .. "The doctors are saying that his condition is going from bad to worse .. the hospital expenses are rising but that's not my concern .. that I can handle with the script writer's job which I am doing currently for one of those tv shows .. my main worry is the huge debts which were on his head .." his helplessness easily seen thru his cracked voice ..

"Ajay .. I haven't been able to gather the amount for this month's installment .. and I am scared .. " he whispered almost to himself ..

He looked at Ajay .. Ajay could see the fear in his eyes .. "I have almost taken loans from all the people I knew .. I really don't know whom else to ask .. what to do .. " he was desperately trying to stop his tears but he couldn't help himself ..

Ajay hugged him .. "Rey .. its ok .. we will do something .. we will come up with something .. don't worry .. "

"I have no idea what to do .. if I don't get the money in the next 2 weeks .. they will not leave my Dad nor me .. " he choked ..

"Ok ok .. just calm down .. listen .. lets see how much you need right now .. "

"For this installment ..30k is pending .. "

"Hmm "

"I think I will have to sell my house .. that's the only thing .. " Rey said after a while..

"No .. Rey .. don't do that .. that's the only thing left with you .. you have sold everything else .. keep that for .. " before he could complete .. Rey interrupted hoarsely .. "For what shall I keep it .. ?"

"I know .. I know .. but selling the house won't get you the total debt amount … its way too large .. I am just saying .. keep that as the last option .. "

"Do you think I have any other option left with me .. ?" Rey asked dejectedly ..

"Yes .. you remember I had told you about one option last month also .. I had told you to think about it .. " He placed his hands over his for support ..

"NO .. " Rey almost stood up from his place .. "I will never do that .. it's illegal .. it's unethical .. I can't do it .. "

"Listen Rey .. " Ajay tried to make him calm and sit ..

"No Ajay .. I said just don't force me "

"Damn .. I am not forcing you .. but you know .. it's better than killing someone .. or stealing or drug dealing .. " Ajay lost his temper now .. "Damit .. why don't you understand .. "

"I said No.. that's it " Rey spoke with finality ..

"I know how you feel about it .. but it's the only way I can think of as of now .. and it will offer the money .. that too in cash .. the way you need it .. "Ajay composed himself a bit and spoke again ..

"Ajay I can't do that .. I can't .. please .. just drop the topic .. " Rey literally pleaded him..

"Ok .. Ok .. fine .. I will ask some of my friends for money and think of something else .. I need to go right now to the studio .. but I just want to tell you something .. I had sent your photos to the agency without your knowledge .. "

Rey looked at him shocked ..

"I am sorry about that .. but if you say yes .. there is a client who was impressed with your photos and is ready to pay 30k .. here is the card of the agency .. you can call and talk .. if you want to ..

Rey just stood there frozen .. he kept staring at Ajay .. and his words kept echoing in his ears .. 30k .. if you say yes .. 30k ..

Before closing the door .. Ajay turned once again and said .. "Rey .. I am not forcing you .. but I want to confess .. I also went thru this .. when I was in need .. Think about it .. it will at least solve your financial problem to some extent .. " and he went out leaving a stunned Rey behind ..

******

Rey was walking up and down the street in front of the 5-star hotel talking himself out of the situation .. his booking had come within a week and he had been on edge for 3 days leading up to it ..

Rey .. you still have the time .. just leave .. you can do anything else to get the money .. but not this .. don't get into this dungeon .. it will ruin your life .. once you enter this lifestyle .. getting back to a normal one is almost impossible .. a part of his mind argued ..

What life are you thinking about .. do you really have any ? you are still struggling to get a good opportunity .. you don't have a girl in your life .. so basically there are no complications ..just think .. see the benefits .. you will be able to pay off the debts .. your Dad can recover soon .. he is the only family who is left .. and all the so-called namesake relatives of yours left as soon as they realized that you were not even worth a penny .. the other part of his mind countered back ..

But ,Rey .. its against your principles .. don't you have any self respect ..

What's the use of those principles when you are in dire need .. they just become a hurdle for you ..

Rey .. you can still walk out of this .. just go back ..

Why go back .. remember it's a temporary arrangement .. the minute you pay all the debts .. you will leave it .. just keep your emotions locked up .. go ahead .. just do it ..

Finally after a lot of mind debate, he persuaded himself to go ahead ..

******

He knocked on the hotel room door .. It was opened by a lady somewhere in her early 40's .. He had seen her photos and had even chatted with her on the email before coming ..

She already seemed to be high as she swayed a bit with the glass in her hand .. she was draped in a saree which was completely transparent .. Her flimsy blouse which was nothing but a bikini top revealed her skin .. She had a good figure which she had meant to flaunt ..

Rey felt a bit awkward .. but he pushed his hand forward .. "Hi .. I am Raj .. " he said plastering a sweet smile on his face ..

She took his hand gently in hers .. "Maya" pulled him towards her .. and whispered seductively in his ears .. and placed his hand on her bare midriff … and then closed the door behind him …

******

A small update this time .. and lots of POV .. past .. all coming up .. keeping my fingers crossed that it doesn't get so boring ..

Please do comment or like ..

Happy Reading !!!

Love,
Amy