Asif lay on the bed, eyes wide open. Ayra, curled up against him, slept peacefully, her small hands wrapped around his long arm. She had suffered a great wound today, but the presence of her brother made it all bearable.
Regret and helplessness filled Asif's heart, but her calm sleeping face eased his soul."Tomorrow I have to return him 10k... I'll only be left with 600 taka."
The thought of running crossed his mind — but the creepy face of that man flashed again, making him shiver."I'll return the money and quit. This life isn't for me."
Next Day
Under the burning noon sun, Asif worked at a construction site. He was distracted — just this morning, he had quietly handed over the money and received an order to meet again that night.
He stumbled over a brick and fell. He avoided smashing his head, but bruises formed on his arm. Worse, he fell onto a bag of cement.
From a distance, a harsh voice shouted:"You blind piece of shit! Do you know how much this costs? Your life isn't even worth a bag of cement! For the next two months, no salary. Don't even think of asking!"
Asif had enough.He stood up, eyes burning."I quit. You won't have to endure me anymore."
Just like that, a new chapter began.
Later that Night
In a quiet alley, Asif waited. His face said it all — "Screw morality. Life sucks anyway."
A familiar voice echoed,"So you came, boy. Thought you'd chicken out and crawl back when you run out of cash."The man took the packet and left."Alas... I don't have the luxury to quit," Asif muttered.
Deal Scene
"Didn't you sell me a gram for 800 yesterday? Why is it 1000 today?"A junkie whined, snorting.
"Boss's orders. Buy it or leave."The customer scoffed but took the bag. One breath in — and he was alive again."People really are idiots."
That Night, Back Home
"Why are you late again, brother?" Ayra asked curiously.
"I've been working night shifts. Don't worry — soon, we'll rent a nice house."
Ayra hugged him."Don't push yourself so hard. I'm fine living here."
Asif smiled."You'll get into high school soon. I can't homeschool you forever. You'll have friends, maybe a lover. You can't bring them to a place like this."
Ayra pouted."Speaking of lovers... you're hitting on someone, right? Did she accept you?"
The memory stabbed his pride."Don't interrogate me. I gave you homework — did you finish it?"
"Hmph, I'm going!" she replied and stomped off.
Days Pass
Asif started attending college — but slept through every class. No one bothered to wake him.
That night, he was invited to a meeting.Rajjak, his new boss, had summoned him.
Inside the Nightclub
Asif sat nervously among boys his age — dyed hair, torn jeans, strange tattoos."Do girls actually like guys like this?" he wondered. "Their taste is trash for sure."
"Why aren't you drinking?"Rajjak called out."Chik, bring some whiskey! On me!"
Asif hesitated but accepted."Would you like some ice?" asked a surprisingly young girl with striking looks.
"I'd love to," Asif replied, embarrassed.
"How does a gorgeous girl end up working here?"
"So, what's your name, newbie?"
"It's Asif, boss." he answered humbly.
"Good, good. I used to live in that slum too."Rajjak spoke while focused entirely on the woman beside him.
Suddenly, shouting erupted. The girl who served Asif was being harassed by two men.
Nobody moved — bar fights were just casual drama here.
Asif, dizzy from the alcohol, stood up."Yo... you gu..ys... lea...ve the girl alo...ne."
"Mind your own damn business, kid." They laughed.
Asif was drunk, but anger overrode fear. He swung — it landed hard. Years of labor had built his strength unknowingly.
The guy fell, vomiting. The crowd exploded in laughter and cheers.
Two more attacked him, but Asif fought back.He won.
Drunk and barely standing, he staggered.
The girl helped him outside.
"Look at that — kid scored a chick. If not a mafia, he'll be a ladykiller for sure!"Rajjak laughed, his hands busy with the woman beside him.
Outside
Asif followed the girl through the empty alleyways.
Then he realized...She was taking him to her home.
"Am I gonna graduate from being a virgin tonight?"