It was late at night, the moon's reflection seeped through on the swimming pool, equm's feet was dipped into. He was casually smoking, what seemed to be him whisking away his problems. He was unaware though, of the presence of an unknown figure, who crept up behind him with reluctant steps, as a pat on his shoulder made him finally turn to it.

"Jasmine? Kya hua, itni raat ko kya kar rahi ho yahan?" questioned equm, as jasmine seemed to be extremely nervous yet eager to utter the next few words from her mouth.

"Mujhe cocaine chahiye!" exclaimed jasmine abruptly, as equm merely frowned at her.

"Kya?" responded equm with shock, as jasmine panicked, turned to run away, unfortunately, equm had pulled her down to sit by grasping her ankle.

"Jasmine, tumhe seriously kahan se aaya yeh wahiyaat idea aur kyun?" questioned equm in a rebuking tone.

"Look, you know na mera state mein kaisa performance tha? I trained so hard but I managed to come only 2nd...i mean nationals mein toh bronze ke liye bhi double mehnat karni padegi...It's just--I---I cannot disappoint dad again... He wants me to be the best but main shayad hoon bhi nahi..." chocked jasmine through her words, as she started to tear up, equm only consoling her by patting her shoulder.

"I just need to perform really well...and I really need to practice more too... I read ki, cocaine so neend ki zaroorat kam ho jaati hain... If I train at night, I actually have a chance! Please equm, I really need it... " requested jasmine, so earnestly he found it cruel to say no.

"Ok.. But... Tumhe mere saath chalna hoga kahi... Kal shyam 8 baje ready rehna." instructed equm, as jasmine immediately wiped off her tears, nodding in agreement.

"Thanks..." Said jasmine whole heartedly, half a smile on her face, as equm reciprocated too.
It's hard not to find it endearing when someone opens up to you.
                               
                               ****

Equm shut the door behind him, to what was evident to jasmine from one look, that it was a big mansion.
It was crowded, people occupying even the tiniest of corners. The music blared through loudly from the speakers, least to say, it was overwhelming.

"Equm, hum yahan kyun aaye hain?" questioned jasmine, as she was feeling a bit uneasy.

"Cocaine chahiye na? Ao phir... " stated equm bluntly, already walking ahead, as an unconvinced and unsure jasmine followed behind.

They reached by the swimming pool, where the crowd of drunk teenagers was only going wild. But amongst all of the crazy drunks, there was a guy who equm signalled to of his arrival, as he signalled back in what appeared to be to a location he should be at, to which equm just promptly nodded.

"Chalo.. " stated equm, confusing jasmine even more, as she was getting irritated at this point.

                              ***

"Equm hum kahan hai, kiska ghar hai yeh, aur kaun tha woh jisse tum ishara kar rahe the?" questioned jasmine, as equm casually walked by what appeared to be a lavishly well furnished room.

"Arjun singhania, yeh wahi banda hai jiska yeh ghar hai, jiski yeh party hai aur jisse main ishaara kar raha tha. Aur yeh wahi banda hai joh tumhe cocaine dela sakta usi, kyunki iske personal contacts hain drug dealers ke saath. Ab chup chap uska wait karo, apna maal lo aur nikalo.." informed equm, as jasmine was just understanding the depths of trouble she has gotten herself into, when the door to the room opened.

Arjun entered completely shirtless, only a towel hanging around his neck, as his swimsuit still dropped wet. It was hard for jasmine to take her eyes off his muscular, ripped body.

"Teri pichli payments ka bhi abhi hisaab karna hai...kab lautayega?" questioned Arjun in an intimidating way, as equm was attempting to keep him calm.

"Mahine ke end tak mil jayega... Baaki yeh waala order mera nahi, iska hai..." pointed equm to jasmine, as she gave a cordial and polite smile, unsure of even if it was the right thing to do.

"Jasmine, meri behen hai..." revealed equm, as Arjun looked her down from head to toe.

"Well, toh tumse bhi kabhi timely payments ki umeed nahi ki jaa sakti kya?" remarked Arjun, placing his hand on his hip, amused to look at her.

"Nahi, bilkul nahi, main uhhm, laayi hoon abhi kuch paise... I mean abhi itne hi hai but kam padhe toh main arrange karungi.. " Got up jasmine from her place, handing over ₹10, 000 worth of cash to him, only leaving him more amused.

"Theek hai phir, abhi ke liye jaa sakte ho, baaki hamara toh ab milna julna laga hi rahega, hmm?" commented Arjun, taking the money, as equm was already on the door to leave, as jasmine followed too, but suddenly, her wrist was grasped back tightly by Arjun, as he pulled her to himself, such that her back touched his chest.

He placed his chin on her neck, before leaning in to whisper, "baaki ki payment ke liye cash nahi, kuch aur dena padega tumhe..."

Jasmine froze right at her spot, with a heavy breath, she immediately let go of his grip.

"What do you mean? Yeh kya nonsense hai!" exclaimed jasmine, completely appalled by his actions, as he had an unshaking smirk in his face.

"Why are you lying to yourself? It's very clear from your look that you are attracted to me. Ab yeh faltu ka time waste kyun, jab seedha point pe aaya jaa sakta hai?" argued Arjun, leaving jasmine feel only more disgusted.

"Well you sure know how to kill the attraction any girl might feel for you..." remarked jasmine.

"So you did feel attracted to me... " deciphered Arjun with his cocky smile.

"Why do you have to be such an asshole?" retorted jasmine.

"Cause I'm proud to be one... You on the other hand, are just trying to look perfect for someone else, when you don't even like it." shut down Arjun any other possibility of any argument from jasmine's side, as he walked out of the room.

                              ****