[lee.jae.han]

## Update 91: The Exam Begins (Avi and Riya)

My exams started today, marking the culmination of weeks of intense study. Some classes' exams had ended yesterday, including Mala’s, which meant I wouldn't be able to meet her until my own exams were completely over. I resolved that when I finally saw Mala again, I would first apologize for my sudden silence and focus.

After meticulously preparing for the exam, I carefully put all the necessary items into my bag. Before leaving, I went to the main room and touched the feet of my great-aunt, Suman Chachi, Seema Chachi, Meena Chachi, and my uncle, taking their blessings. Meena Chachi made a grand gesture of ceremony, feeding me a spoonful of curd and sugar to sweeten my luck, watching me with hopeful eyes as I swallowed the sweet mix.

I left for college at 10 a.m. My exam center was, conveniently, my own college. Komal also got our college as the center. More than half of our college's students had their center there, alongside students from other village colleges. There were about two hundred students in the college, out of which forty were from our college and the rest were strangers from other colleges and villages.

It didn't take me much time to find my designated place in the classroom. I got the second bench from the back wall. A girl was already sitting in front of me, her posture erect and rigid. She wasn't from our college. She was beautiful to look at, with sharp features and quiet intensity. I leaned forward and asked her name, trying to be friendly. "What is your name?" I asked, tapping her shoulder lightly. But she didn't even look up to tell me her name, dismissing me with her silence. I didn't give her much more attention after that; anyway, what was I going to do by knowing her name?

There was an empty seat right behind me. After a while, another girl came there, claiming the seat. This girl, I recognized, was from my own class. The girl sitting behind me was named Riya.

I turned slightly and talked with Riya for a while, making light conversation. "Are you ready for this paper?" I asked, settling the tension in my chest. I asked her about her studies and last-minute preparation. She leaned closer, her eyes wide, and whispered that she had studied some subjects thoroughly and left some major ones completely to the will of God, sighing dramatically.

We kept talking like this, easing the pre-exam tension, and then the invigilator sir came into the class. It was 10:30 a.m. now. The sir gave the blank answer sheets to everyone. After calmly writing my roll number and other details on the answer sheet, I closed my eyes and calmed my mind for a moment, recalling all the concepts I had recently studied. My body felt alert, ready to work.

We got the question papers at 11 a.m. sharp. I quickly looked at the paper once—the first one was of language—and started writing immediately. I didn't have much of a problem with it, as I had studied hard. I began to write the paper well, my hand moving smoothly across the page. I looked at Riya once; she was also writing her paper calmly, her tongue poking out in concentration. After looking at Riya, I returned my focus entirely to my own paper.

It had been about an hour into the exam when the girl in front of me abruptly got up and told the sir she needed to go to the washroom. "Sir, I need to go to the washroom," she announced, standing tall. Her answer sheet was left unattended on the bench. Because of the ceiling fan, some pages turned over slightly. My eyes inadvertently went to her answer sheet. She had only written two pages in the span of an hour. I immediately understood that this girl didn't know anything about the subject and was going to fail.

After fifteen long minutes, she finally came back. I mentally calculated the time she had wasted. *How can someone waste fifteen minutes during a crucial exam like this?* I thought, my mind racing with confusion over her lack of seriousness. I started to write my paper faster. I was genuinely happy that I knew the answers to most of the questions, a direct result of Meena Chachi's enforced study schedule. I kept writing the paper steadily.

Now only one hour was left when the girl in front of me told the sir that her paper was entirely done, even though the time wasn't up. "Sir, I am finished with my paper," she stated confidently. I was shocked to hear this—she had barely written anything. Then I thought that since she didn't know anything anyway, she was getting up and leaving out of frustration. But the sir, following the rules, didn't let her go. "No one can leave before the three-hour time limit," the sir announced, shaking his head. The girl told the sir to ask the principal sir once about early submission. "Please ask the Principal Sir once," she requested firmly. The sir, probably intimidated by her confidence, asked the principal sir. The principal sir surprisingly gave her permission. The girl collected her belongings and confidently left the class. After she left, I immediately returned to writing my paper, using the remaining time fully.

Then a sharp bell rang, and the sir announced that only ten minutes were left now. I was done with my paper entirely. I started to look over the paper once while sitting, checking to see if I had missed anything. Just then, Riya leaned forward and whispered, asking me the answer to a tricky, final question. "What is the answer to the last question?" she mouthed urgently. I looked at the sir. He was wandering here and there, distracted, looking out the window. I quickly slid my answer sheet over and showed the answer to Riya. She copied the answer quickly, scribbling furiously until the last second. My heart hammered against my ribs, fearing the invigilator would catch us. My palms were suddenly slick with cold sweat from the risk. I quickly pulled my paper back and smoothed it down.

Then the final bell rang loudly, signaling the end. With this, the first paper was over. The sir collected everyone's papers. I started to put my things into the bag, feeling the immense relief of completion. Riya leaned over and quietly said thank you to me for the help. "Thank you," she mouthed, smiling warmly. I smiled back and came out of the class.

I found Komal waiting outside in the corridor. She immediately asked me about the paper, wanting to compare notes. "How was your paper?" she asked, grabbing my arm. After talking about the paper for a while and discussing our strategy for tomorrow, I finally came home, ready for a much-deserved break before the next round of studying.

---

[lee.jae.han]

## Update 92: The Empty House and Panic (Avi and Komal)

I came home after the exam, feeling the familiar relief, but the moment I reached the gate, I knew something was wrong. The house was locked, completely secured with a heavy padlock. It meant absolutely no one was home—a highly unusual occurrence. I rattled the gate hard, waiting for a response that never came. I asked the nearest neighbors, but they didn't know anything either. This was the first time that my home had ever been locked like this when I was due back. Normally, if my Chachis had to go somewhere important, they would tell me once, or at least one Chachi would stay at home, knowing my exam ended at 2 p.m. It was fine with my uncle; he would be in the fields at this time, but my Chachis should have stayed at home for me.

My anxiety surged. I immediately went to Pooja Bua's house, hoping to find my Chachis gathered there. Pooja Bua's house was also locked, the gate chained shut. Now my heart started to beat fast, thumping against my ribs. I felt a cold knot forming in my stomach. *Did something happen to my Chachis? Or to Raj or Pooja Bua herself?* I couldn't understand anything, the possibilities racing through my mind. The panic was sharp in my throat.

Then I quickly went to Neha Bua's house. I felt a small flicker of relief upon reaching her gate—her house was not locked. I knocked hard on the gate, desperate for answers. Komal opened the gate, and her face broke into a happy smile seeing me.

"Where is Neha Bua?" I asked immediately, the tension in my voice overriding my greeting.

Komal frowned, looking confused. "I don't know where Maa went," she shrugged, adjusting her dupatta.

I became even more worried hearing this. My mouth felt dry. "You're at home, yet Bua didn't tell you anything before leaving? No message?" I pressed her, my eyes searching hers.

Komal shrugged, her confusion turning to mild annoyance. "When I came home after the exam, the house was already locked. I had my own key. I opened the lock with it and came into the house. And I just started to study for tomorrow," she explained simply, moving aside.

My mind was about to burst with the illogical string of locked houses and unannounced departures. I rubbed my temples, trying to think clearly. "Didn't you go to Pooja Bua's and Neeta Bua's houses to find out what was going on?" I asked, my voice low with frustration.

"Maa always goes somewhere or the other with the others," Komal said dismissively, rolling her eyes. "What's new in this that requires me to go hunting for them?"

The thought of Komal knowing anything about my Chachis or Pooja Bua's complicated movements felt impossible. I said a hurried bye to Komal, turning on my heel, and went straight to Neeta Bua's house, the last hope. Her house was thankfully not locked. I knocked on the gate with a sudden sense of urgency. Kavita (Komal's sister) opened the gate. I walked inside, and Kavita went directly toward Leena's room.

I felt a genuine sense of relief wash over me after coming inside the safety of an open house. There, sitting inside, were Pooja Bua and Neha Bua with Neeta Bua. The familiar voices of Kavita, Leena, and Raj were coming from inside the room, an anchor of normalcy. My Chachis were clearly surprised to see me here, knowing my exams were ongoing. *Why was I here instead of studying?* their expressions seemed to ask, faces crinkling with surprise.

Neeta Bua leaned forward, her expression concerned. "Hey Avi, how come you're here right now? Your exams are going on. You should be studying at home," she said, patting the sofa beside her.

"I had some urgent work with you all," I explained, gesturing vaguely at my empty hands. "I went to Pooja Bua's and Neha Bua's houses, and no one was there, so I came here as a last resort."

Neha Bua looked puzzled. "Why did you go to my house first?" she asked, tilting her head.

"Pooja Bua's house was locked completely," I told her, my voice strained, feeling the fear return. "So I immediately went to your house."

Pooja Bua's brow furrowed. "What work did you have with me that was so urgent?" she demanded, her casual demeanor gone.

I went straight to the point, the words tumbling out. "Do any of you know where my Chachis are? All three of them?"

Pooja Bua laughed lightly, waving her hand dismissively. "They must be at home, Avi. Where else could they be? It's the middle of the day," she insisted, still smiling.

"The house is locked," I repeated, the three words heavy with concern, watching her smile fade.

Pooja Bua's amusement instantly vanished. She snapped upright. "What? The house is locked? This is the first time I'm hearing that your house is locked when Meena is supposed to be home," she exclaimed, shock painting her face.

"Do any of you know anything about where they might have gone suddenly?" I pressed, looking from one face to the next, my gaze desperate.

Neeta Bua shook her head, sincere in her reply. "No, Avi, we genuinely don't know where they went. We've been sitting here talking for the last three hours, since lunch," she confirmed, her lips pressed tight.

I stood there, feeling helpless and worried. My body tensed. "I don't know where my Chachis went without a word," I mumbled, my hands curling into fists at my sides. A knot tightened in my gut. My heart hammered against my ribs, refusing to slow down. The silence from the room seemed to press in on me.

Pooja Bua tried to reassure me, waving a dismissive hand. "Don't worry, Avi. They'll come back. They're not little kids who would go somewhere and get lost like this," she insisted, her voice trying to be calm.

"But," I started, needing a better explanation, my voice rising slightly.

"Oh yeah, maybe they went to the fields with your uncle," Pooja Bua suggested, an idea suddenly striking her. "He must have called them all to help with something urgent."

"But they could have at least told me, knowing I was coming home," I argued, the logic failing. "And how can all three go at once?"

"Don't worry about the logic," Pooja Bua insisted, ushering me toward the inner room. "Your uncle must have called them. They'll be back soon. You go and sit down to study with Komal and Leena for a bit."

Neeta Bua nodded in agreement, pushing me gently. "And don't think too much about this. They'll come back safe," she promised.

Neha Bua gave me a gentle push. "Now go and study with Komal. Your exam is tomorrow," she ordered softly.

I left the room, still sad and highly uneasy, the mystery of the empty house heavy in my thoughts. "Yes, Bua," I mumbled.

I went to find Komal in the inner study room, the strange disappearance of my Chachis lingering in the back of my mind, demanding an answer.

---

[lee.jae.han]

## Update 93: The Triumphant News (Avi and Meena Chachi)

I started to study with Komal, but the anxiety over the missing Chachis still gnawed at me, a cold worry in my stomach. At 4 p.m., Raj suddenly came to the study room to call me and Komal. "Maa called you to Leena Didi's house," Raj said, gesturing wildly. My fear intensified. I was deeply afraid that the reason for their absence was a sudden accident or disaster involving my Chachis. Komal and I rushed back to Neeta Bua's house with Raj.

As we approached, I could hear a loud, joyous commotion from inside—laughter and excited chatter. My heart hammered against my ribs with confusion. *Did something bad happen, or something good?* I gathered my courage and pushed the gate open, stepping inside.

I was utterly shocked as soon as I entered. Pooja Bua, Neha Bua, Neeta Bua, Chachaji, Meena Chachi, Seema Chachi, and Suman Chachi were all sitting together, talking, their faces beaming with profound happiness. On the other side, Kavita, Leena, and Raj were enthusiastically eating sweets.

Meena Chachi saw me and immediately came toward me, her eyes shining with triumph, pulling me into a fierce hug. I couldn't comprehend what was happening; the confusion was thick in my mind. Meena Chachi kissed my forehead tenderly. Suman Chachi and Seema Chachi also came to me and hugged me tightly, one after the other, their bodies warm with excitement.

Pooja Bua, her face radiant, clapped her hands together to get our attention. She told me the astonishing news: all three of my Chachis—Meena Chachi, Seema Chachi, and Suman Chachi—were going to be mothers. They had just returned from the city after secretly meeting with a doctor to confirm the pregnancies.

Chachaji, standing slightly apart, his eyes shining with tears, immediately chimed in. "All this happened because of the blessings of the Maharaj," he proclaimed, shaking his head in amazement. He added that if the Maharaj hadn't intervened, he didn't know if he would ever have been able to become a father.

Suman Chachi turned to her son. "Raj, listen to me," she instructed, her voice thick with emotion. "Go to Mangala Kaki's house right now and tell her that we have called her to celebrate." Raj got up and ran out of the house, eager to share the news.

Neha Bua was the only one in the room who didn't look completely happy, her usual cynical expression still holding, though she smiled faintly. But Pooja Bua and Neeta Bua's happiness knew absolutely no bounds, their loud laughter echoing through the room. The same was the case with Chachaji. He was so overwhelmed that he was sometimes sitting on the sofa, sometimes standing, unable to process his joy. He would sometimes hug me tightly and sometimes thrust sweets into my mouth.

Meena Chachi made me sit close beside her on the sofa. She was visibly the happiest of all; she should have been, as all this was possible because of her sharp brain and strategic planning.

I, too, was ecstatic. *Why wouldn't I be happy?* I thought, my chest swelling. I had become a father. I was going to be a father at such a young age, and not just of one, but three children—or maybe even more, I didn't know the exact count! I was internally thrilled, but I was careful not to show it, displaying only as much happiness as a grateful nephew should show for his Chachis' good fortune.

Meena Chachi nudged my shoulder, her eyes twinkling with shared knowledge, her smile wide. "Avi, you should be overjoyed! Your new brothers and sisters are finally coming into the world," she whispered.

I smiled widely. "I am the happiest of all, Chachi. I've been wishing for this for a long time," I replied sincerely.

Suman Chachi reached over and pulled me into a deep, motherly hug, squeezing me tight. "You are my son, Avi. And you will always be. Even if your brothers and sisters come, you will always be my first and most beloved son," she promised, her voice thick with emotion.

Meena Chachi nodded firmly in agreement. "Didi is completely right. We will love Avi as much as we used to before, and we will continue to do so in the future as well," she asserted, giving my hand a reassuring squeeze.

I became even happier hearing Meena Chachi's reassuring words. I knew that whatever Meena Chachi says, she inevitably does. We kept talking and celebrating like this for a while.

After half an hour, Komal went home to study, aware of the time. Chachaji, meanwhile, went out to distribute the special sweets he had bought from the city to the entire village, sharing his unprecedented joy. After a while, Mangala Kaki also arrived. My Chachis immediately told her the news about their pregnancies. Kaki became intensely happy hearing this and offered her own blessings.

Then my Chachis and I came back to our house. My Chachis, in their excitement, invited all three of my Buas and Mangala Kaki for a grand dinner at our house that night. My second language paper was tomorrow, but I had already prepared for it well, so I allowed myself to join the feast. Komal even left her studies for an hour and came to our house to be part of the celebration.

Today felt no less important than Diwali for everyone. It was truly fun eating food together today. After so many days, the whole family was eating together, united in joy. I felt a surge of warmth and resolved that I would never forget this moment of pure happiness. Chachaji, raising his voice, announced that he would go to my grandpa tomorrow and personally give him this good news. After eating, everyone started to talk about the future children, full of hope. Komal eventually went back home. After eating, I also went to my room and started to study, energized by the success of the secret plan and the promise of a future reward.

---

[lee.jae.han]

## Update 94: The Early Leaver at the Bus Stop (Avi and Riya)

The next day, after studying for a while in the morning, I set off for college to take my second paper. My Chachaji, meanwhile, went to the ashram to see my grandpa and give him the incredible news about the triple pregnancy.

After reaching college, just like yesterday, I talked with Riya for a while, exchanging notes and last-minute worries. After a while, the girl who sits in front of me also came. Today, there was absolutely no tension about the paper visible on her face. She was sitting calmly, radiating a strange sense of confidence, waiting for the exam to start. After the sir came into the class, the exam started at 11 a.m.

I started to write my paper immediately. The paper was easy compared to last year's standard. All the students were busy writing the paper, their heads bent in concentration. Just like yesterday, that girl in front of me stood up and handed in her paper, leaving after only two hours. Today the sir took her paper without protest, nodding slightly. He must have received instructions from the principal sir after yesterday's drama.

I focused on my own paper. Today Riya didn't ask me anything right away, concentrating on the easy language questions. The bell rang, signaling the end, and the sir started to collect the papers from the front of the class. After taking the papers, the sir left the class. "How did your paper go?" I asked Riya, stretching my arms. Riya stretched, sighing, and said it went well enough. After talking with her for a while, I came out of the class. After talking with Komal about the paper for a bit, I came home. Meena Chachi immediately started to ask me detailed questions about the paper, checking my confidence. After answering her questions and reassuring her, I ate my food. Then I started to study for the next subject. The whole day went by in studying, the excitement of the previous day fading into focus.

---

The next day's paper was of third language. Just like yesterday and the day before, today's paper also went smoothly. After the paper, I came home, ready for the next challenge. Tomorrow's paper was the dreaded Math-I. That's why Komal had called me to her house in the afternoon for a serious study session. I started to go toward her house at 4 p.m., needing to cover some difficult concepts with her. To go to Komal's house, I had to walk past the main bus stop.

I reached the bus stop and was instantly shocked by what I saw. That same girl, the one who sits in front of me in the exam hall and leaves early, was standing at the bus stop, waiting alone. I was shocked to see her still there. She leaves the class early after writing the paper in two hours—meaning she finishes and leaves the exam center by 1 p.m. It was now 4 p.m. *Then where was she for so long in the interim?* I wondered, my curiosity piqued, a strange knot forming in my chest. Maybe she must have gone to her friend's house in the village to study and was only now going home. Or perhaps, the darker thought immediately intruded, she goes to have sex after giving her exam, just like I do sometimes? *What am I thinking?* I chastised myself, shaking my head. Ever since I had sex with my aunts, all I can think about is sex, seeing opportunities everywhere. *What do I truly have to do with where she goes?* I stopped thinking about her. I looked at her once more, seeing her still waiting, and then started to go quickly toward Komal's house.

I reached Komal's house. After helping her in her studies for a while, breaking down the difficult math concepts, I came back home and got some rest.

---

The next day, the paper was Math-I. The exam was scheduled for two and a half hours. Riya came into the class right before the start and whispered to me to please help her a little bit today. "Please help me a little bit today," she pleaded, her hands clasped together. Riya confessed that she couldn't study for math, admitting defeat. "I couldn't study for math," she sighed sadly. I immediately said yes to her.

The paper started. It had been only forty-five minutes since the paper started when an unexpected officer came into the college. He was an official here to conduct a surprise check to see if anyone was cheating, a tense moment for everyone. My heart hammered against my ribs, and my palms felt instantly slick with cold sweat. That officer stayed in the college for about fifteen minutes, circling the desks and inspecting the answer sheets, and then went to another college.

After the officer left, we all started to write our papers calmly, the tension easing. The students who had studied for math were writing their papers intensely, and the rest were looking here and there, desperately seeking inspiration. It had been only one and a half hours since the paper started when the girl in front of me gave her paper to the sir and went out, maintaining her strange early departure routine.

I started to write my paper with renewed focus. While writing, Riya would occasionally ask me for answers in a soft, hurried whisper, tapping her pen for my attention. 

"What is this answer?" she asked urgently.

I also subtly started to write my paper in a way that Riya could easily see the answers from behind, angling my sheet just enough. My paper was done ten minutes before the final bell. 

In those ten minutes, Riya quickly wrote down two or three more answers, capitalizing on the time. Riya had copied enough answers from me to pass in math, I was sure. 

After the paper was done, Riya thanked me profusely for my help, grabbing my arm affectionately. "Thank you so much! You saved me," she grinned. After talking for a while, Riya left the hall.

I went to find Komal. Looking at her face, it seemed like her paper went well—she looked relieved and proud. "How did your paper go?" I asked her, smiling. 

Komal smiled brightly and said that her paper went excellently. "It was excellent!" she declared. Then Komal told me to come home with her for lunch and a short break before she went to her own house.

---

[lee.jae.han]

## Update 95: The Girl in the Sports Room (Avi and Komal)

I came home after the Math-I paper, and Meena Chachi immediately started to ask me about it, checking my confidence. "How was the paper?" she asked, her hands already pulling me toward the food. I told her that the paper went well, and I was sure I had passed. Tomorrow's paper was the final mathematics exam, Math-II. I went to Komal's house again to help her with the concepts.

Today, that girl was standing at the bus stop yet again. *What is the explanation for this matter?* I thought, deeply puzzled, a furrow in my brow. She leaves the class early, usually by 1 p.m., then what is she doing at the bus stop at this late hour? She should have been back in her village hours ago. I couldn't stay at the bus stop for long; time for studying was precious. I looked at that girl once, saw her patient, unbothered posture, and then went quickly to Komal's house. After helping Komal with the most difficult chapters, I came back home and immediately started to study for Math-II. That evening, I couldn't bring myself to go back to the bus stop just to confirm she was gone.

---

The next day, the paper was Math-II. My paper went well; I had put in the effort. Today Riya didn't need to ask for anything, managing the paper herself. That girl also left early, just like every day, handing in her paper and walking out after two hours.

The next day, the paper was of History. My paper went well, focusing on dates and key figures. That girl also left early.

The next day, the paper was of Geography. I asked Riya for the answers to the map location questions in this paper, needing a quick check on the small details. "Which village is this?" I whispered, pointing to the map. The geography paper didn't go well overall, but I was confident I would pass easily.

Tomorrow's paper was of Sci-I. I went to Komal's house to ask her for some notes and practice questions. After two days of her absence, that girl was seen at the bus stop again today. I decided then and there that I would find out where she goes tomorrow. *No serious student wastes time aimlessly during an exam schedule. Then why is she doing it, disappearing for hours every afternoon? It makes no sense.* I resolved to find an answer. I looked at her, then went to Komal's house, using my time productively.

---

The next day, the paper was Sci-I (Science Part I). I started to write the paper with focused speed. While writing, I kept looking at the time, tracking the minutes. Now there were only three minutes left until the time she usually got up to leave. I felt a sudden jolt of excitement. I made a sudden, desperate excuse to the sir. "Sir, I need to go to the washroom," I whispered urgently, standing up. I came out of the class and quickly positioned myself near the bathroom entrance, where I could look toward the classroom and the hallway without being seen.

After a short while, that girl came out of the class, clutching her belongings. After coming out, she didn't head for the main exit; instead, she walked quickly and went directly into the sports room, a rarely used section of the college building at the end of the hall. I knew I didn't have much time; I had to go back and finish my paper, which was still incomplete. Still, the mystery pulled at me. I crept near the sports room window, hugging the wall.

Some faint, low voices were coming from inside the room. I strained my ears to listen, holding my breath. I caught a snippet of the conversation: "Tomorrow is the last paper," a low, male voice instructed. "You stay in college until 6 p.m. tomorrow. Tell them at home that you will be late."

I heard this and my mind raced with possibilities—a secret meeting? A private study session? Whatever it was, the secrecy and the late meeting time spoke of something forbidden. A knot tightened in my gut. My heart hammered against my ribs, fearing discovery. My curiosity was burning, demanding to know the truth. I decided I'd have to figure it all out tomorrow, on the very last day.

My eight precious minutes had been wasted. I ran back to the class and started to write the paper quickly, trying to make up for the lost time. The paper went well, thankfully, despite the distraction. After the paper was done, I went near the sports room again and looked inside the open door. No one was there; they must have left quickly. Then I came home.

Tomorrow was the very last paper, Sci-II. I went to meet Komal for final preparations. That girl was waiting for the bus at the bus stop again. I watched as she calmly sat on the bus and left. She was consistently using the afternoon for something private. I went to Komal's house to take her help in my studies, after which I came home and started to study, fully determined to find out what that "last thing" was tomorrow.

---

[lee.jae.han]

## Update 96: The Secret in the Sports Room (Avi and Principal Sir)

The final bell of my exam was about to ring, but my mind was already far from Science-II. A cold, hard certainty had settled in my gut. Today, I would learn the truth, no matter the cost. I scrawled the last few answers on my paper, my handwriting a frantic scramble. With twenty minutes still on the clock, I stood up and approached the teacher’s desk.

The sir frowned, shaking his head before I even spoke. "It’s not time, Avi. Sit down," he commanded, pointing to my chair.

My heart hammered against my ribs. "But sir," I insisted, my voice low and urgent, leaning in close. "She leaves early every day. You always let her. Why is my paper any different?"

A flicker of annoyance, perhaps guilt, crossed his face. He let out a short, exasperated breath and snatched the answer sheet from my hand. The unspoken question hung in the air between us as I turned and practically ran from the room. My legs pushed hard against the floor.

My shoes slapped against the quiet hallway floor, the sound echoing my frantic heartbeat. I didn’t slow down until I was pressed against the cool, rough wall beside the sports room window. The wire-mesh glass was grimy, making it difficult to see. I cupped my hands around my eyes, blocking out the light, and peered into the dim interior.

The air froze in my lungs. My fingers, pressed against the glass, went numb. The Principal Sir was there, his back partly to me, tucking his shirt into his trousers. And that girl… she was standing half-turned, her silhouette pale in the shadows. She was naked from the waist up, her hands moving quickly to fasten the clasp of her bra. A cold wave washed over me, from my scalp down to the soles of my feet. My blood felt like ice. This was the secret, the ugly, breathing truth I had been chasing. I watched, paralyzed, unable to move my feet.

I watched, paralyzed, as they finished dressing.

"Get dressed quickly," Principal Sir's voice was a muffled, impatient command through the glass. "The paper is about to end."

The girl’s voice was a pleading whisper. "Yes, sir. Sir, please let me write the paper for a little longer today," she begged.

"No," he stated, his tone leaving no room for argument. He adjusted his tie, his movements sharp and final. "I can only give you one hour."

"Please, sir," she pleaded, pulling her college tunic over her head now, her hair tousled.

"I told you, right," he hissed, a sharp edge of fear or irritation in his voice, his eyes darting toward the door. "that the officers come to take the papers two hours after the paper is over. If they find out about all this, I can go to jail. That’s why I give you the paper half an hour after the paper is over and take it half an hour before the officers come."

A hollow pit opened in my stomach. My head felt light. The extra time, the early submissions—it was all a carefully orchestrated lie built on a shocking truth.

"Okay," she relented, her voice small, her shoulders slumped in defeat. "I’ll get enough marks to pass in an hour."

"You have to look at that yourself," he said, smoothing down his hair, his composure returning. "And yes, you stay after writing the paper today."

"Why?" There was a tremor in her question, her face tight with worry.

He turned to look at her fully, and a slow, ugly smile spread across his face. "Today is the last day. I want to take you hard," he demanded, his voice low and possessive.

A shiver, violent and uncontrollable, racked my body. I had to clench my jaw to keep my teeth from chattering. A bitter taste filled my mouth. I wanted to run, but my feet were glued to the ground.

The girl hesitated for only a second before her shoulders slumped in defeat. "Okay, you can take me…" her voice dropped to a whisper, filled with resignation, "…you will also remember."

"Come on now," he said, checking his watch impatiently. "Come at 3:30 p.m. sharp."

"Yes, sir," she replied, her voice empty.

They moved toward the door, and I jerked back from the window, pressing myself flat against the wall, my heart trying to beat its way out of my chest. I heard their footsteps recede. A moment later, the college bell screamed through the building, announcing the end of the exam, the end of the year, the end of everything I thought I knew.

I stood there, rooted to the spot, until I saw Komal and Riya emerge from the classroom. Riya's face lit up when she saw me. "Avi! My math paper went so well because of you, thank you!" she gushed, grabbing my arm, her voice too bright for the darkness swirling inside me.

Komal gave me a small, grateful smile. "Yes, thank you," she added softly.

We walked home in a daze, their chatter a distant buzz in my ears. We reached Komal’s house, and she disappeared inside. Now it was just Riya and me, walking in a silence that felt heavy.

"What are you going to do next?" Riya asked, her voice soft, pulling me momentarily from the vortex of my thoughts.

My own voice sounded foreign to me, flat and empty. "I don’t know," I mumbled, looking straight ahead.

We had only exchanged those few words when we reached her gate. She turned to go, but then paused, looking back at me over her shoulder. She smiled, a shy, hopeful curve of her lips that I couldn’t begin to process. I offered a weak, non-committal nod in return. My mind was a thousand miles away, trapped in that dusty sports room, replaying that sickening conversation on a loop.

I walked the rest of the way home alone, the image of the principal’s smile and the girl’s resigned face burned onto the back of my eyelids. Meena Chachi was waiting when I arrived. "How was your paper, beta?" she asked, her face full of expectation and warmth.

"The paper went well," I heard myself say, the lie coming automatically, my gaze distant. I ate the food she placed in front of me without tasting it, each mouthful like ash. As soon as I was done, I pushed my plate away. "Meena Chachi, I’m going out. I’ll be back in the evening," I announced, standing up quickly.

She looked at me, a question in her eyes, but she simply nodded and gave me permission. I walked out the door, the image of the sports room door closing at 3:30 p.m. sharp already searing itself into my plans for the afternoon.

---

[lee.jae.han]

## Update 97: The Uninvited Guest in the Sports Room (Avi and Principal Sir)

I came near the sports room at 3:30 p.m., my entire body throbbing with anticipation, a dull ache in my groin. The moment had finally arrived. I wanted to see, and more urgently, I wanted to have sex. I hadn't had sex for the last one full month—two weeks before the exam and two weeks of the exam period with no breaks.

I started to peek inside through the dirty windowpane. The secret act hadn't started yet.

After a short while, the Principal Sir and that girl came into the room, their movements furtive and quick. As soon as they entered the room, both of them immediately started their work, shedding their clothes. They wasted no time in getting naked. The Sir bent that girl over, making her a "horse," and, without ceremony, put his lunď into her chooť.

I was waiting for this exact moment. I moved swiftly toward the sports room door, my heart pounding a frantic rhythm against my ribs. I jammed a small piece of wood into the crack of the door and used the leverage to slowly lift the latch from the outside. They were so intensely busy having sex that they didn't even notice the soft grating sound. I opened the door slowly and slipped inside the small, cluttered room.

The Principal Sir's face was on the side opposite the door, so he saw me instantly. I closed the latch of the door again, securing us inside. I took a few steps and went to stand directly in front of the Sir, watching their rhythm.

That girl's eyes were squeezed shut, either in pain or pleasure. The Sir froze, his thrusting motion stopping completely as pure fear washed over his face. His eyes darted to the closed door, then back to my quiet, standing form. A knot tightened in my gut; I knew he was calculating how to save himself.

The Sir decided on his course of action. He started to thrust again slowly, re-establishing the motion. He looked at me, his eyes questioning, and then made a clear gesture with his head, asking if I wanted to have sex with the girl as well. I shook my head yes, my lips curling slightly into a greedy smile. I was thinking: *He didn't even say a word, he just agreed.* He was the principal of the college, after all, and he understood everything without me having to blackmail him.

That girl's eyes were still tightly closed, maintaining the rhythm with the Sir. I quickly took off my clothes. She opened her eyes, startled, hearing the sound of my clothes dropping to the floor. She saw my naked form and became instantly scared, her eyes wide with shock.

The Sir, maintaining his pace, quickly spoke to her, his voice low and firm. "Don't be scared, beta. He will also have sex with you. He is my special student, and he has earned the privilege," he commanded.

How could she possibly refuse the Principal Sir's direct order? I decided to take out my month-long sexual frustration on the Sir's new willingness to compromise. I took my rock-hard lunď near her mouth. She instantly understood the command, took my lunď in her mouth, and started to suck it vigorously. *She didn't even tell me her name the first day I asked!* As soon as this thought came, I started to fuck her mouth aggressively with my lunď, pumping in and out, setting a rough pace. The Sir was also continuing to fuck her chooť from behind, his rhythm steady.

The Sir was already done with his internal work. He took his lunď out of her chooť. There was a transparent object on his lunď—a condom. This was the first time I was seeing a condom being used during sex. The Sir quickly peeled the condom off his lunď and handed me a fresh one.

"Have you ever had sex before, Avi?" the Sir questioned, his brow raised.

"Yes, I have," I replied, my voice raspy.

"With a condom?" he asked, pointing to the wrapper.

"Not yet, never needed one," I admitted, looking at the wrapper in my hand.

"Here, put this condom on your lunď," the Sir instructed, gesturing with his hand.

"I don't know how to put on a condom," I confessed, my eyes on her waiting body.

The Sir sighed, seeing my lack of experience, and reached out. "I'll put it on for you quickly," he offered.

He smoothly put a condom on my lunď. I placed my lunď on her chooť entrance. I started to rub my lunď on her chooť for only a moment and then rammed it all inside in one long, hard thrust. A stifled scream came out of her mouth, a sound of sharp pain. The Sir immediately took his bare lunď and put it deep into her mouth, silencing her.

I had to take revenge for the month-long denial and for her silent arrogance in the classroom. Because of this, I started to thrust hard and fast without stopping. Suppressed, gagged sounds were coming out of her mouth, mixing with the slap of my body against hers. I held her waist tightly and started to pump relentlessly. The Sir was also doing his work. His lunď, which had become cold and soft after his climax, started to swell and harden in her mouth. After a short while, his lunď became fully hard again. Now the Sir started to fuck her mouth, matching my furious pace.

The Sir and I were now making a complete mess of her body. When I would thrust from behind, she would involuntarily move forward. As she would move forward, the Sir would thrust in her mouth, which would make her head move backward, and my lunď would go deeper into her chooť. When the Sir would thrust, she would move backward, which would make my lunď go more inside her chooť. But his lunď would come out of her mouth a little. I would instantly thrust from behind, which would make her move forward again, and the Sir's whole lunď would go back into her mouth.

We kept having sex with her like this, a merciless tag-team, for about twenty minutes. Because I hadn't had sex for an entire month, my semen came out quickly. I released my semen into her chooť, inside the rubber condom. My work was done, but the Sir's was still left to finish again. I took my lunď out of her chooť. As soon as I took my lunď out, the Sir took his lunď out of her mouth and put it back into her waiting chooť. Then the Sir started to have sex with her alone, finishing his second round. He fucked her chooť for five more minutes, and then he finally released his semen.

We both cleaned our lunďs with the water kept in a bottle in the room. That girl was looking at me with a fiery expression, as if she would leap up and eat me alive, silent in her humiliation.

The Sir wiped his mouth and smiled at me. "Did you have fun, Avi?" he asked, zipping up his trousers.

"Yes, I had fun," I admitted, pulling up my own pants. "But I want to have fun again tonight."

The Sir chuckled, buttoning his shirt. "Will you be able to do it again after all that?" he challenged me.

"You'll be left watching me," I boasted, my confidence soaring.

"You can have fun with her all night today," the Sir offered, nodding toward the girl, who was now dressing quickly.

"Is she going to stay here all night in the sports room?" I asked, surprised by the extreme arrangement.

"Yes," the Sir confirmed, adjusting his tie.

"Okay," I agreed instantly. "I'll do it once more now. Then I'll go home, eat dinner, and come back late tonight for the rest of the fun."

---

[lee.jae.han]

## Update 98: The Violation of the Vow (Avi and Principal Sir)

"Let's begin," the Sir announced, his voice a low command. At his words, the girl glared at me with pure, intense anger, her jaw clenched.

i was thinkingi: She couldn't say anything to the Sir, but she was looking at me, her eyes tracking my every move, watching to see when I would put my lunď in her chooť. She had already been fucked twice, once by the Sir and once by me, both sessions having started without a proper break. First, the Sir had fucked her chooť while I was busy with her mouth. As soon as the Sir came, I began to fuck her chooť, and the Sir put his lunď in her mouth to finish. When my cum came out, the Sir fucked her chooť again. She hadn't gotten a chance to rest at all. Now she had just received a small, insufficient break, and I was already talking about fucking again. That exhaustion was what made her mad at me.

This time, my mind was consumed by a different, darker desire. *I wanted to fuck her ganď.*

I began to whisper in the Sir's ear, leaning close to his head. "Sir, I want to fuck her ganď," I said, the request a sharp intake of breath.

The Sir's eyes widened in surprise. "What? You want to fuck her ganď?" he asked.

"Yes, I do," I replied firmly.

The Sir shook his head, his lips twisting. "I haven't fucked her ganď yet. I don't like anal sex myself. And maybe she won't like getting her ganď fucked either. You should ask her and see. If she agrees, that's fine. If not, you can just fuck her chooť again," he suggested, placing the responsibility on me.

"Sir, if you ask her, using your authority, she will agree instantly," I insisted, pushing the boundary.

"I don't think she will agree so easily," the Sir countered, studying the girl's rigid posture. "Looking at her, it seems she has never had anal sex before in her life."

"Sir, try asking her with a little anger, with a tone of command," I suggested, my voice low and manipulative. "If she agrees, that's perfect; otherwise, we can back off."

"Alright, I will see what I can do," the Sir sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. *(Internal thoughts of the Sir: What a predicament I've gotten myself into. If I don't listen to Avi, he could tell anyone and ruin my career. This girl won't tell anyone, but Avi is unpredictable. I'll just ask her one more time to avoid a scandal.)* He turned to the girl, his face hardening, his voice dropping to a dangerous baritone. She immediately refused, shaking her head vigorously, but the fear of the Sir was greater than her pain. She had to give in to the command. She whispered, "Yes." As soon as she said yes, my lunď sprang back to full, demanding hardness.

I made her go into the doggy position again, her body trembling with dread. This time I was careful to put a condom on my lunď myself, rolling it down with practiced ease. I then put my lunď in her mouth briefly to wet it with her saliva. She silently sucked on my lunď to make it wet. After a short while, I took my lunď out of her mouth and went behind her. I gestured for the Sir to put his lunď in her mouth. The Sir complied, putting his lunď into her mouth, silencing her last avenue of protest. She began to suck on the Sir's lunď, her eyes squeezed shut.

This time I didn't have any oil or cream to prepare her ganď for penetration. "Sir, how will I do it without any oil?" I asked, worried about the friction.

The Sir shrugged, watching his own pleasure. "Just put some spit on it and push it in hard."

I followed his terrible advice, putting my spit on the tight hole of her ganď. This was the first time I was going to fuck her ganď without oil or even a finger to prepare the way. I knew the complete lack of lubrication was going to hurt her excruciatingly.

Even so, I put my lunď on the hole of her ganď and gave a single, hard thrust. My glans, the head of my lunď, went into her ganď with great, grinding difficulty. Her ganď was as fiercely tight as I had imagined. Suppressed gasping sounds of pain were coming from her mouth, muffled by the Sir's presence. I held her waist firmly and gave another deep thrust, and about 4 inches of my lunď forced its way inside.

Her entire body started shaking violently with pain, and I saw tears streaming from her eyes, even though her mouth was occupied. I decided I would stay still like this for a little while to let her adjust. The Sir, noticing her intense pain, began to press her breasts firmly to try to reduce her pain, but he did not take his lunď out of her mouth.

After a long minute, she visibly became a little more normal, the shaking subsiding to a shudder. The Sir told me in a low voice to continue fucking her ganď with the amount of lunď that was already inside. Seeing her become calmer, I slowly began to move the half-inserted lunď inside and out. At first, she still felt sharp pain, but with the Sir's lunď in her mouth and his hands on her boobs, she seemed to be enduring the pain, perhaps even feeling a strange mix of pain and pleasure. For two minutes, I kept fucking her ganď like this. The Sir then took his lunď out of her mouth, but only to hold it, and focused solely on pressing her breasts.

Now I felt she could take the whole lunď inside without causing immediate injury, so I pushed the entire lunď inside with one final, deliberate thrust. This time she writhed so violently that the Sir quickly put his lunď back into her mouth to muffle her scream completely. I knew I had to stop and wait for a while. She took more time to become normal this time, her body convulsing slightly.

After a tense minute, I began to move my lunď again. The whole lunď was going into her fiercely tight ganď with great difficulty and pressure. Even so, I kept thrusting my lunď into her ganď, determined not to stop. After five minutes, her pain finally subsided, giving way to a more rhythmic movement. Then I increased the speed of my thrusts, hammering into her ganď. The Sir was smiling now, watching my aggressive, powerful movements. We both fucked her ganď hard, in a punishing rhythm. Her body clearly didn't have the strength to take it anymore; she was completely exhausted. It was only good that I was holding her waist tightly and the Sir was holding her shoulder for balance. This way, she was able to stay up and endure it while in the doggy position. Otherwise, she would have fallen down from exhaustion long ago.

But her ganď was so tight and unyielding that after ten minutes of violent thrusting, I had to accept my defeat in front of her body's strength. My cum came out inside the condom, a quick, intense release. Along with that, the Sir also released his cum into her mouth, finally completing his own work.

I took my lunď out of her ganď. There was a shocking smear of blood on the tip of the condom. I quickly took the condom off and tossed it. As soon as I and the Sir took our organs out, she collapsed onto the ground, sobbing, completely spent. Seeing how brutally I had fucked her ganď, I thought it best to leave now and come back later to avoid any confrontation. I cleaned my lunď, quickly put on my clothes, and told the Sir I was leaving for the time being. I told him I would be back around 7 PM. The Sir, relieved to be alone with his secret again, simply gestured for me to leave. 

---

[lee.jae.han]

## Update 99: The Strategic Compromise (Avi and Meena Chachi)

I came home from schoool, my legs heavy and my mind buzzing from the intense encounter. As soon as I entered the door, Meena Chachi stopped me dead in my tracks.

"Chachi, I'm so tired," I pleaded, leaning against the wall, my shoulders slumped. "Please let me rest for a while, I can barely move."

Meena Chachi smiled faintly, a knowing look in her eyes. "You go to your room. I'll bring you some milk, and that fatigue will go right away," she promised.

I trudged to my room. After a few minutes, Meena Chachi came in, holding a glass of milk. She handed it to me. "Drink this milk quickly," she urged. Then her voice became sharp with suspicion. "And tell me exactly where you're coming from that you're so exhausted."

I took a large gulp of the milk and decided honesty was the best policy for protection. "I just finished a fucking session," I confessed, watching her face closely.

Meena Chachi's eyes narrowed. "What? Whose? You could have at least told me before you went," she demanded, planting her hands on her hips.

I proceeded to tell Meena Chachi everything—the girl in the exam hall, the locked sports room, the early departure, the Sir's presence, and the forced anal sex. I wanted Meena Chachi to be fully informed so she could help me if I ever got into any trouble with the principal.

"The principal, Sir, was also fucking her?" Meena Chachi asked, her voice quiet with surprise.

"Yes, and not just that," I added, lowering my voice. "The Sir has also fucked Mona, apparently."

Meena Chachi shook her head, her surprise turning to a cold calculation. "I thought Principal Sir was a decent man, focused on his job. I didn't know he was capable of this," she murmured.

"Leave the Sir's character aside for a moment," I said, gulping the last of the milk. "Let me rest for a while, because I have to go back to the schoool at 7 p.m., as promised."

Meena Chachi immediately put down the empty glass and blocked the door with her body. "No, Avi. You absolutely cannot go again tonight," she commanded.

"Why?" I asked, my frustration mounting.

"If Suman Didi asks where you are, it will be a major problem that I can't explain away," Meena Chachi reasoned, her brow furrowed. "You have already fucked once today. You will not risk our secret tonight."

"But I promised," I protested, waving my hands.

"Listen to me carefully," Meena Chachi instructed, placing a hand on my arm firmly. "If you go today, you won't be able to go out again tomorrow or the day after, because you will be suspected. If you don't go today, you can go out tomorrow, claiming you're meeting Komal to study. I'm saying this for your own long-term good."

I slumped onto the bed, deeply annoyed. "It would have been better if I hadn't told you anything at all," I grumbled.

Meena Chachi stood over me, unbothered by my sulking. "Think for yourself, Avi, am I saying anything wrong in terms of strategy?" she challenged me.

"But my lunď is still hard," I mumbled, gesturing at my groin.

"Look, you have already had your release today," Meena Chachi insisted, making her point forcefully. "There's no real need to do it again immediately. If you go today, you will get only one chooť that is already bleeding, and the risk is enormous. But in the future, if you listen to me, you can get a line of chooťs to enjoy. If you don't compromise and lose access to one chooť today, the access to all the chooťs you will get from tomorrow will also be closed," she explained clearly.

"Whatever you think is right, then," I conceded, my voice flat with disappointment, accepting her control.

Meena Chachi sat beside me, her expression softening slightly. "Now, tell me one thing, and be honest. Did you use a condom when you fucked that girl?" she asked, her gaze steady.

"Why?" I asked, a defense rising in my chest. "Can't I do it without a condom sometimes?"

"You should *always* use a condom with a girl like that, who is being passed around by men like the Sir," Meena Chachi stressed, her voice firm. "They can carry diseases, Avi. That's why you should always protect yourself."

"I did use a condom," I replied quickly, remembering the Sir's instruction.

"Where did you get the condom from, if you don't keep any?" Meena Chachi asked, surprised.

"The Sir had a supply of them," I said, watching her reaction.

Meena Chachi reached into her saree pouch and pulled out a small, wrapped bundle. "I also brought some condoms and a pack of birth control pills for you to keep here," she said, placing them on my pillow.

"What's the use of that, if you won't let me leave the house?" I asked, pointing at the contraband.

"You can use them to fuck," Meena Chachi said simply, shrugging.

"You don't let me fuck you because of Didi's pregnancy, and you don't let me go to anyone else," I argued, throwing my hands up in exasperation. "What exactly am I supposed to do with the condoms now?"

Meena Chachi leaned in close, her eyes glittering with a new, enticing proposition. "Because of Didi's condition, I can't fuck you right now, or risk the babies. Wait for a while, and then I'll fuck you fully. As for others, I have already planned. I will hire a new woman, Rati, to work in the house starting from tomorrow," she whispered conspiratorially.

"Rati?" I asked, intrigued, sitting up straight.

"Yes," Meena Chachi confirmed. "Then you can fuck her whenever you want, as much as you want. But you must use a condom every single time."

"But will my Chacha agree to hire Rati for household work?" I asked, thinking of the cost.

"Your Chacha will agree to anything the moment he hears the word 'baby' mentioned," Meena Chachi said with a smirk. "Rati will also do some of the heavy household work, and you can fuck her whenever you get a private chance."

"Chachi, you are so good to me," I whispered, pulling her into a tight hug.

Meena Chachi hugged me back, but her voice was stern as she pulled away. "I am. But Didi should not, under any circumstance, know about your relationship with Rati."

"When Suman Chachi goes out or is resting, I will fuck Rati then," I promised, my spirits lifting immensely.

"Are you happy now with this arrangement?" Meena Chachi asked, pulling back to look at my face.

"I'm very happy, Chachi," I beamed, nodding vigorously.

I hugged Meena Chachi once more. She was also clearly happy that I had told her everything, trusting her completely. The Principal Sir kept waiting for me in the sports room, but I didn't care. I also thought about the look of hatred on that girl's face and realized that if I went back, she would probably try to hurt me or expose me. I decided not to go, securing my long-term future over a moment of short-term lust.

---

[lee.jae.han]

## Update 100: The Mother's Embrace (Avi and Meena and Suman Chachi)

I went to my room and tried to sleep, but the adrenaline from the day and the long sexual fast had my mind racing. I couldn't. I was just tossing and turning, my body restless. I didn't know why I couldn't settle down tonight. I kept tossing and turning until it was midnight.

While desperately trying to sleep, I started remembering my old days. I began thinking about the forceful way I had fucked that girl today. Then my thoughts shifted to the beautiful month of love I had with my aunts, the sex-filled rhythm of my life. I thought about how I fucked Chachi and how, because of that, all three of them became mothers, receiving the biggest happiness in the world. As I kept thinking like this, I went further back in time. I started contemplating the easy, simple times I had with Rati and Mona.

Then, I got lost in the thoughts of Pooja bua. I thought about how Pooja bua now loved me like her own son, and how Madam (the principal's wife) had completely changed the course of my life with her teachings and kindness. As I kept thinking like this, I went even further back in time, spiraling. I went so far back that I started remembering my mother. As soon as I remembered my mother, a deep, aching sadness hit me, and tears sprang to my eyes.

I immediately turned on the light in my room and took a book out of my study bag. As I turned the stiff pages, the tears started flowing freely from my eyes, wetting the paper. I was looking blindly at the book, lost in grief, and it was 2 AM. I was still turning the pages when my room door softly opened. It was Meena chachi. When Meena chachi saw me sitting up and crying, her face registered shock, and she quickly rushed to me. She immediately held my face with her hands and gently lifted it up. When I looked into Meena chachi's concerned eyes, I started crying even harder, letting out a raw sob, and hugged her tightly. Meena chachi simply held me, letting me cry for a while, providing silent comfort. Then, she kissed my eyes, her lips soft against my lids, stopping the flow of my tears. She settled onto the bed with me and, holding me close, asked what had happened.

"Avi, what happened? Why are you crying like this so late at night?" Meena chachi asked, her voice hushed with worry.

I couldn't speak, only shook my head. Meena chachi didn't ask again. Instead, she picked up the book that had fallen onto the bed and started looking at its cover. "My Family" was written across the top. Meena chachi opened the book and looked at the first page. There was a photo of me, my mother, and my father. Below the photo, "My Sweet Family" was written in childish handwriting.

Meena chachi understood instantly why I was crying. She closed the book gently. "This book is so lovely, so carefully made. Who made it with you?"

"My mother and I..." I managed to choke out.

"You're missing your mother, aren't you?" Meena chachi asked, her voice full of empathy.

"Yes," I replied, a fresh wave of sadness hitting me.

Meena chachi's eyes suddenly filled with tears, and her voice cracked with deep hurt. "You have three living mothers here, and still you are missing your mother? Am I not your mother? Are we not your mothers? We love you like our very own son, and you are sitting here crying like this. Did you not stop to think about how we would feel seeing tears in your eyes? When Suman didi sees you crying, have you thought about how she will feel? She will die on the spot, her heart broken. If something happens to you, we feel the pain as if it were our own. If you get sick, it feels like we got sick. We can't even sleep until you fall asleep peacefully. Today you completely broke our hearts... you showed us that all our love and care was not enough for you. Today you made us feel like strangers in your life. I honestly didn't expect this from you, Avi," she finished, and then Meena chachi herself started crying, tears spilling down her cheeks.

Seeing Meena chachi cry because of me, I instantly realized the magnitude of my mistake. *What did I do? I made Chachi, my own mother, cry.* I quickly hugged Meena chachi tightly and kissed her eyes, trying to soothe her pain.

"Forgive your son, Chachi, just this once. I promise I won't do this again," I pleaded, rocking her gently.

Meena chachi didn't say anything, her sobs continuing. I knew exactly how to cheer up Meena chachi, and she also knew how to fix my mood. I started tickling Meena chachi's side—it was her famous weakness. As soon as I started tickling her, Meena chachi jumped, laughing uncontrollably, pushing me away onto the bed.

"Avi, stop it! Don't do this!" Meena chachi said, laughing, trying to shield herself.

"First say you forgive me completely," I demanded, continuing the tickle attack.

"Yes, baba, I forgive you! I forgive you! Now stop tickling me, you little devil," she gasped, tears of laughter replacing tears of sadness.

I immediately stopped, pulling her close. "Chachi, please truly forgive me. It will never happen again," I said, contrite.

"I forgive you," Meena chachi confirmed, wiping her eyes. "But why did this happen all of a sudden? Why did you remember your mother tonight?"

"I don't know," I confessed, shaking my head. "I couldn't sleep at all today. So I was remembering my old days, thinking back. While remembering, I went so far back in time that I ended up remembering my mother."

"I am not angry that you remembered your mother," Meena chachi said, her voice soft and honest.

"Then why were you crying so hard?" I asked, confused by her reaction.

"I was crying because there were tears in *your* eyes," Meena chachi explained, pulling me close. "I was crying because even though you were missing your mother, you didn't come to *us* first. Instead, you were sitting alone in your room and crying in silence."

"Next time, whenever I miss my mother, I promise I will come to you first," I vowed, kissing her forehead. "Please forgive me for this first big mistake."

"I already have," Meena chachi said, finally smiling fully. "Now I'll sleep with you tonight. But first, show me your lovely book again."

I started showing Meena chachi the book, turning the pages slowly. In a single moment, Meena chachi had successfully brought me back to my normal, happy self. Meena chachi truly knows how to handle everyone and every situation.

"Avi, when did you make this book, and why didn't you show it to me all this time?" Meena chachi asked, genuinely curious.

"My mother and I made this book together," I explained, tracing the words. "When I was a kid, I always used to ask my mom why Dadaji didn't come to meet us, or why Bua never came to meet us. I had never seen Dadaji come to our house. Whenever my friends' Dadaji came to meet them, I also wanted to meet my own Dadaji and play with him, but it never happened. I used to sit sadly and watch my friends play. One day my mom saw me sad and asked me what was wrong. So I told my mom everything. Then my mom made this book to make me happy. And she put all the family members' photos in the book. Then whenever I missed Dadaji and Bua, I would look at the book to feel better. Whenever a new guest came into the family, my mom would put their photo in the book."

"This book is very good. Is my photo also in it, even though I never met your mother?" Meena chachi asked, her expression hopeful.

"Yes, your photo is also there," I confirmed.

"But I never met your mother. And six months after my marriage, there was her terrible accident..." Meena chachi trailed off, confused.

"My mother put your photo in the book regardless," I insisted.

"Maybe she found it somewhere from the house. Leave that puzzle aside, show me my photo now," Meena chachi requested eagerly.

I showed Meena chachi her photo. Along with Meena chachi's photo, Suman chachi's and Seema chachi's photos were also present in the family section. As soon as Meena chachi saw the picture, she hugged me tightly and kissed my head, her happiness clear.

"Whose else's photos are in it?" Meena chachi asked, turning the page.

I showed her the Bua's photos. Pooja bua, Neha bua, and Neeta bua's family photos were all there. Sweta didi, Sital didi, Raj, Komal, Kavita, Rajesh, and Leena's childhood photos were also lovingly included.

"This is really a good book, Avi," Meena chachi said, running her finger over the images. "It's like the whole family has been lovingly put together in one house, just like we are now."

"Yes, my mom also used to say the same thing, that she wanted to see the whole family together in one house again, before she died," I said, remembering the sadness in her voice.

"Chachi, do you know why my mom said that? Why did she want us all together?" I asked, a question that had always puzzled me.

"How would I know, Avi? I never met her," Meena chachi said quickly. "But I will ask Pooja bua tomorrow and tell you. *(Internal thoughts of Meena chachi: I can't tell you that thing right now. You are too young and emotionally fragile to understand it.)*"

"Yes, you can ask Pooja bua; she will know everything," I agreed. "Chachi, I want to ask one more thing before we sleep."

"Yes, ask, ask anything," Meena chachi encouraged.

"Why does Neha bua hate me so much? I've never done anything to her," I asked, the old confusion resurfacing.

"I don't know that either, Avi," Meena chachi said, her face becoming thoughtful. "But you should always love Neha bua and help her. One day, your persistent love will surely turn Neha bua's hate into love."

"Neha bua openly hates me, and you're telling me to help her and love her in return?" I asked, finding the instruction impossible.

*(Internal thoughts of Meena chachi: Now what should I tell Avi about why Neha hates him and his father? I can't possibly tell Avi the truth about the family's past. What if Avi completely breaks down after hearing the truth? No, I can't tell Avi the truth. I have to tell him something that he can accept.)* "Neha bua doesn't have a son of her own, that's why she unfairly takes out her hatred on you," Meena chachi explained, presenting a partial truth.

"But Neha bua only focuses her hatred on me. She should also hate Raj and Rajesh then," I pointed out, my mind searching for logic.

*(Internal thoughts of Meena chachi: Oh no, he's going to find out the whole truth today with all these questions!)* Meena chachi shifted the blame subtly. "Dadaji always loves you more than he loves Komal, and that's why Neha doesn't like you, seeing you as the family favorite."

"Yes, but sometimes she gets angry at me, and then sometimes she talks to me with great love, confusing me," I noted.

"See, that means the hate is not complete," Meena chachi said, seizing the opening. "You can finish that little bit of anger with your persistent love."

"Okay, Chachi, I will do that," I promised, accepting the challenge.

*(Internal thoughts of Meena chachi: Good thing he agreed so quickly and dropped the line of questioning.)* I thought of one last question. "Chachi, there is one more thing that confuses me."

*(Internal thoughts of Meena chachi: Is he going to find out the truth today, after all these evasions?)* "Yes, tell me, what is it?" Meena chachi said, bracing herself.

"Chachi, Raj, Komal, and Leena's fathers all work in Dubai, earning a good living, so why do their families all live in this small village instead of the city, which would be better for education?" I asked, pointing out the major contradiction.

*(Internal thoughts of Meena chachi: Why didn't Dadaji go to Avi's house after his parents died? Why does Neha hate Avi? Why do his three buas live in the village? All these questions are connected to one dark family secret. If I tell him one thing, I'll have to tell him everything. But Avi shouldn't find out the truth right now, not with his exams and our pregnancies.)* "The husbands of your buas are great friends, and they really like to live together as a single unit," Meena chachi quickly fabricated a story. "That's why they choose to live in the village, near each other."

"They can live together in the city too, though," I countered.

"They only come home for one month every year, Avi," Meena chachi explained, focusing on the reason. "After that, your buas have to live alone for eleven months. Your Dadaji loves your buas a lot, and he didn't like your buas living alone in the isolated city, where they could be lonely or unsafe. So Dadaji told your buas to live in the village together."

"I also thought that was probably the reason," I said, finally satisfied with a logical explanation that covered Dadaji's kindness.

*(Internal thoughts of Meena chachi: Good thing he agreed so quickly. He didn't even ask how Sweta, Sital, and everyone else would study if they lived permanently in the village!)* "Now you got all your answers, right?" Meena chachi asked, exhaling a quiet sigh of relief.

"Yes, and this book is also finished," I said, putting it under my pillow.

"Now you won't make me cry again, will you?" Meena chachi asked, her eyes searching mine.

"Tears will never come to your eyes because of me again, Chachi," I promised sincerely.

"Now come on, let's go to sleep. See, it's 3 AM," Meena chachi said, pulling the blanket up.

I hugged Meena chachi one last time and quickly fell asleep, secure and warm in Chachi's embrace. After I fell asleep, Meena chachi also fell asleep beside me. Because we slept so late at night, we both slept late into the morning.

Like every day, Suman Chachi woke up first and started doing her household work. When Badi Chachi came to my room to wake me up for the morning, she was completely shocked to see me and Meena Chachi sleeping together in the same bed.

"Meena, why are you sleeping here with Avi?" Suman chachi asked, her voice sharp with surprise and concern.

"Didi, Avi was crying at night because he missed his mother," Meena chachi explained, sitting up. "While consoling him, I also fell asleep here without realizing it."

"What happened to my son? Why was Avi crying?" Suman chachi asked, instantly placing her hand on my head.

"Avi was missing his own mother, that's why he was crying alone," Meena chachi repeated, explaining the core issue.

"Why didn't you wake me up, Meena?" Suman chachi scolded gently.

"I was going to, didi, but then I thought I would handle it myself and not disturb you all," Meena chachi defended herself.

"Don't ever think like that again. If something happens to Avi, you must tell me first, understood? If you try to keep a secret like this again, no one will be worse than me," Suman chachi warned, her voice thick with raw maternal love.

"I..." Meena chachi began.

"What 'I'? Just tell me exactly what happened last night," Suman chachi demanded, her attention fully on her sister.

Meena Chachi told Suman Chachi the entire story, detailing my tears and my deep sadness about my mother.

"Meena, you did a good thing by not telling Avi the truth about the family," Suman chachi said, her voice softening significantly. "I don't know what Avi would do if he found out the dark truth. Don't feel bad about what I said, I was just worried about Avi's well-being."

"Why would I be angry with you, didi? I know exactly how much you love Avi," Meena chachi replied, reaching for her sister's hand. "And I also love Avi just as much. If I were in your place, I would have said the exact same thing you said."

"It's because of your great understanding that this house and our secret is safe," Suman chachi admitted, relieved. "By the way, where is that book Avi was looking at? Show it to me."

Meena Chachi showed Suman Chachi the book. Suman Chachi saw her own photo in the book and started reading what was written below it. "Chachi" was written below the photo, but it was boldly crossed out, and the word "Maa" was lovingly written in its place. When Suman Chachi read the word "Maa," tears instantly came to her eyes, matching the tears of her sister. Suman Chachi looked at me, sound asleep, and kissed my head tenderly. She then lay down silently beside me, holding me close. Meena Chachi understood her need, let Suman Chachi sleep with me, and quietly went outside to do the household work. 

----

[lee.jae.han]

## Update 101: A New Arrangement (Avi and Pooja Bua)

When I woke up in the morning, the first thing I saw was my  Suman Chachi, instead of Meena Chachi next to me. Suman Chachi woke me up with a soft, affectionate touch and kissed my head, her eyes still a little red from her tears last night. I felt a surge of gratitude for both of them. We went about our morning routine. I had nothing to do but rest and enjoy myself. The exams were completely over. I had a glorious three months to enjoy my long vacation.

After working out and taking a refreshing bath, I felt energized and went outside to play for a while. After stretching my legs, I headed straight to Pooja Bua's house. Kavita, Leena, and Raj's exams had just started, so the house was relatively quiet.

I found Pooja Bua alone in the main room, folding clothes. She looked up, her eyes widening in surprise and then blazing with recognition. A soft gasp escaped her lips as she dropped the fabric in her hands, recognizing the intense, primal need in my expression.

"Avi... you can't, not right now," Pooja Bua whispered, glancing instinctively toward the closed door of the house. The sight of her, dressed in a loose saree, with the promise of her growing belly beneath, only fueled my desire.

I didn't waste time on talk. I went to Pooja Bua's room, grabbing her hand and pulling her with me, not toward the bedroom, but toward the relative privacy of the kitchen. I backed her against the cool, marble counter, trapping her body with mine. The heat radiating off my body contrasted sharply with the cold stone behind her.

"Two months, Bua," I growled, my voice low and thick. "Two long months without you."

I silenced her next protest with a savage kiss, claiming her mouth with an urgency that stole her breath. My hands immediately went to the front of her saree, ripping the cloth away to expose her full, heavy breasts. She moaned into my mouth as I freed her. My mouth descended, pulling on a nipple, while my hands quickly worked to lift her saree and loosen her petticoat.

She was already wet. The two months of abstinence, the tension of the house, and the mere sight of me had made her chooť ache. "Avi, please, the door isn't locked," she pleaded, her voice breathy, but she made no move to stop me.

"No one is coming," I promised, already dropping my own trousers and underwear to free my hard, thick lunď. I mounted the counter slightly, forcing her to lean back further. I guided the tip of my lunď to her slick chooť entrance. I started slowly, agonizingly slowly, to slide in, pushing against the swollen lips of her desire.

"Ahhh... Avi," Pooja Bua gasped, clutching my shoulders. Her eyes were closed, her head tilted back, focusing entirely on the feeling of my lunď filling her to capacity.

I continued the rhythm gently for the first few minutes, moving with the measured pace of a lover savoring a reunion. I watched her face, seeing the tension melt into pleasure, the small cries of release building in her throat. My lunď felt massive and hot inside her, expanding her perfectly.

"You said no ganď again," I reminded her, pulling back slightly, the friction of the withdrawal making her whine.

"I know, but Avi... I can't think when you do this. Your lunď... it's too much," Pooja Bua whimpered. She was already half-mad with thirst, her fingers digging into my back. "Just once, Avi... but be quick, please."

I pulled out completely. Her chooť pulsed, dripping onto the counter edge. I spun her around, bending her over the counter. I quickly spat on the hole of her ganď, providing the only lubrication I had. My lunď pressed against the tight, waiting muscle. She flinched, remembering the pain.

This time, I didn't ease in. I gave a single, hard thrust, ramming the tip of my lunď deep into her ganď. A sharp, muffled cry escaped Pooja Bua's lips, her whole body momentarily convulsing against the cold marble. I held her tight, letting her adjust to the unexpected intrusion.

My patience was gone now. The slow, gentle phase was over. This was a raw, rough, and aggressive session to release two months of frustration. I pulled back a few inches and then began to fuck her ganď with furious, relentless pumps. My hips hammered against her backside.

"Faster, Avi! Don't stop!" Pooja Bua cried out, no longer complaining about the pain but demanding the release that only this aggression could provide.

I matched her demand, increasing my speed and force until the sound of our bodies slapping against each other echoed slightly in the quiet kitchen. I was utterly satisfied; after two months, I had her chooť and her ganď, and my thick lunď was working its magic. I continued the relentless, hard thrusting, driving myself deeper and harder with every stroke, until the massive internal build-up became unbearable. With a final, explosive series of thrusts, I released my hot, thick semen inside her ganď, flooding with my pent-up passion.

I immediately withdrew, my lunď slick and spent, and Pooja Bua collapsed forward onto the counter, her breath ragged, her body trembling with exhaustion and climax. She was incredibly satisfied.

After a minute, I pulled her close, kissed her sweaty forehead, and quickly pulled up my clothes.

After fucking Pooja Bua, I went home, ate a quick lunch, and immediately fell into a deep sleep in the afternoon. I was completely drained from the morning's activities.

"Avi, wake up right now. We have to go to the market," a voice said, and a hand shook my shoulder. It was Meena Chachi.

"Just let me sleep, Chachi. I'm so comfortable," I mumbled, pulling the blanket over my head.

"Wake up, or I'll throw water on you right here," Meena Chachi threatened, her voice determined.

"Wait, wait, I'm getting up!" I said, throwing the covers off.

"Come on, we have to go to the market, and I need you with me," Meena Chachi urged.

"I'll be ready in just ten minutes, I promise," I said, hopping off the bed.

Meena Chachi and I then went to the market. She went straight to Mangala Kaki's shop to buy some things. Meena Chachi and the Kaki immediately started talking about village matters. I noticed Rati standing quietly in the shop, and we exchanged quick, loaded glances, a silent recognition of Meena Chachi's plan.

Meena Chachi leaned over the counter. "How are things in the shop, Kaki? All good?"

"Everything is good, Meena," Mangala Kaki replied, stacking some goods.

"There's been no new news about Rati," Meena Chachi remarked casually, glancing at the girl.

"Yes. She just sits with me in the shop now to help," Mangala Kaki said.

"Well, I have a possible job for Rati," Meena Chachi announced, dropping the bombshell.

Mangala Kaki immediately became defensive, shaking her head. "What kind of job? I won't send her anywhere to work for strangers."

"At least listen to the proposition first," Meena Chachi said, calming her down.

"Yes, tell me what you have in mind," Mangala Kaki said, crossing her arms.

"You know I'm going to be a mother soon, along with the others. So Suman Didi was saying that we should hire a trustworthy girl to do the heavy household work for us for a few months," Meena Chachi explained, using her pregnancy as leverage. "So I immediately thought Rati can do this job easily. Rati is just sitting here anyway, barely busy. If she comes to my house, she can earn some good money and help us out."

"But, Meena..." Mangala Kaki began, hesitant.

"She's just coming to *my* house, Kaki, where she is completely safe. You are worrying for nothing," Meena Chachi assured her. "I'll also give her good money, better than what she earns here."

"Okay," Mangala Kaki finally conceded, nodding slowly. "But you have to keep a constant, sharp eye on her; I don't want any trouble for my daughter."

"I'll take complete care of her; consider her my own ward," Meena Chachi promised, smiling. "And what else is happening in the village that I need to know about?"

"Nothing special, but there is one piece of gossip," Mangala Kaki said, leaning closer to whisper.

"What is it?" Meena Chachi asked, genuinely interested.

"You know Mona? The girl whose marriage was arranged in childhood to that boy in the city," Mangala Kaki said, looking around nervously.

Meena Chachi quickly glanced at me, then looked back at the Kaki. "Yes, I know her well," she said.

"Her family is now getting Mona married immediately next month, instead of waiting till next year," Mangala Kaki revealed.

I was genuinely shocked to hear this news. My blood ran cold, realizing the implication.

"What's the big deal about that, Kaki? She had to get married someday," Meena Chachi said, feigning disinterest, shrugging her shoulders. "And her marriage was arranged in childhood. So what's new about moving up the date?"

"Listen to the real reason, Meena," Mangala Kaki whispered, leaning in conspiratorially. "She was having a secret affair with the person she was supposed to marry. One day her mother happened to see them alone together. That's why she's rushing the wedding for next month."

"So what? He's her future husband anyway," Meena Chachi dismissed the concern with a wave of her hand.

"But they were celebrating their wedding night *before* the actual wedding," Mangala Kaki said, scandalized.

"That's also fine, Kaki," Meena Chachi said, cutting the conversation short, pushing a bag of flour across the counter. "Let's not get involved in other people's affairs. You should send Rati to my house tomorrow morning, from 11 AM to 6 PM, starting tomorrow."

"I'll send her as you asked," Mangala Kaki agreed, nodding.

*It seems that after the abandoned storehouse where we used to meet was closed down, Mona started fucking her fiancé at her own home instead. Mona's mother must have walked in on them and, to save the family honor and prevent any further scandal, decided to get her married quickly.*

---

[lee.jae.han]

## Update 102: The Messenger's Secret (Avi and Monu)

Next day, after working out, I went to Neha Bua's house. Neha Bua made a noticeable face of distaste as soon as she saw me, turning slightly away. But Meena Chachi had specifically told me to be persistently loving with Neha Bua, so I consciously chose to ignore her expression and the cold greeting. Kavita had gone to schoool to give her exam. I went to the study area and started talking to Komal. I knew Komal was diligent and never went outside the house during study hours. I kept talking to her, distracting her gently, for two full hours. Komal was also visibly happy to have my company and attention, the stress lines on her forehead easing.

After leaving Neha Bua's house, I came to my house. Rati was already there, diligently doing the household work, just as Meena Chachi had promised. I quickly ate my food and took a nap, saving my energy.

In the evening, I went out for a walk. I had left the house with the specific intention of trying to meet Mala again. As I walked, I saw the same young boy who used to bring me food during my earlier forced exile playing right in front of Mala's house. I called out to the boy and brought him over to me.

"What's your name, little one?" I asked him, smiling.

The boy folded his arms stubbornly. "Why should I tell you, mister?" he asked, his chin thrust out.

"Why are you getting so angry? I was just asking," I said, pretending to be offended, shrugging slightly. "Never mind." I reached into my pocket, took out a chocolate bar, and handed it to him. "Eat this chocolate and fix your mood."

The boy immediately unwrapped the treat and took a large bite. "My name is Monu," he announced, his mood instantly better.

"That's a nice name, Monu," I said, putting a hand on his shoulder. "You don't recognize me, do you?"

He shook his head, chewing. "No," he mumbled.

"You used to bring me food sometimes when I was staying near the well," I reminded him gently.

He snapped his fingers. "Yes! I remember now, the man who stayed in the heat," Monu exclaimed.

"I haven't seen you around this village before, Monu," I remarked, looking around the area.

"I've only just come to my Mousi's house here for the holidays," Monu explained.

"Whose house is your Mousi's?" I asked, looking toward the closest houses.

"That one over there," Monu said, pointing a sticky finger directly toward Mala's house.

"This is Mala's house," I said, confirming the location.

"Yes, it's Mala Didi's house," Monu confirmed.

*He's Mala's maternal cousin, then. He's new here, only visiting. Then how did Neeta Bua manage to use him to bring me food? She must have been coordinating with Mala.* "Do you drink cold drinks, Monu?" I asked, a new plan forming in my mind.

"Yes, I love them," Monu said, his eyes lighting up.

"Come on, then, I'll buy you a cold drink from the shop right now," I offered.

"Let's go!" Monu said, dropping the last of his polite reserve and running ahead.

I bought two cold drinks from the shop. I handed one to Monu and, while we both drank, I started talking to him again, this time to trap him in a lie.

"Monu, you are such a good boy, full of innocence. Then why do you lie to me?" I asked, looking him seriously in the eyes.

He froze, his drink halfway to his mouth. "I don't lie," Monu insisted, looking nervous, shifting his weight.

"Then tell me, truthfully, which is my Bua's house? You said you didn't know the house," I pressed, my voice low.

"How would I know your Bua's house, mister? I'm new here," Monu argued, shifting his feet quickly.

"If you don't know my Bua's house, then from where did you bring the food to me every day?" I pressed, cornering him, stepping closer.

Monu looked down at the ground, defeated, twisting the bottle cap. "It wasn't your Bua. Mala Didi used to give me the food in the morning and told me to run it to you. She used to tell me that your Bua had sent it, but it was Mala Didi who would send me to you every single time," he whispered.

My heart gave a sharp jolt in my chest. I felt a sudden, hot rush of blood to my head, and my hands trembled slightly around the cold drink bottle. *Mala used to give me the food! The lie had been maintained for days, and Mala was the architect of my survival. Then why did she run away that day when I kissed her? She must care for me. I have to meet Mala as soon as possible.* "Where is your Mala Didi right now?" I asked, trying to keep my voice even.

"She went to my village, her original home," Monu replied, pointing vaguely into the distance.

"Do you know when she will be back to her Mousi's house?" I asked, feeling a tightness in my chest.

"Maybe she will come back for Mona Didi's wedding next month," Monu said innocently.

*I have to make sure I meet Mala then, at the wedding.* "Okay, Monu. Thanks for the chat. See you later," I said, patting his shoulder and turning away.

Monu smiled, satisfied with the cold drink and the chocolate, and ran off. I came home lost completely in my thoughts, the news that Mala had been my silent, secret savior dominating my mind.

---

[lee.jae.han]

## Update 103: The Wedding Interlude and a Glimpse of Mala (Avi and Mala)

After talking to Monu and confirming the truth, there was only one goal left for me: to wait patiently for Mala to come back to the village for the wedding. The days were passing by with agonizing slowness as I waited for her return. But I refused to let myself become a lovesick Devdas just by thinking about Mala. So, whenever Suman Chachi and Seema Chachi went out of the house, I would steal away to fuck Rati. Rati was eager and happy to fuck me, always ready and accommodating. Sometimes, I would also go to Pooja Bua's house and fuck her. As long as Raj's exams were going on, I could easily slip away to fuck Pooja Bua. However, after one week, Kavita, Leena, and Raj's exams were over, which meant the house was constantly full of people, drastically reducing my chance to fuck Pooja Bua.

Now, in the afternoons, my routine was different. I would sometimes go to Pooja Bua's house, sometimes to Neha Bua's house, and sometimes to Neeta Bua's house to play or talk with Komal, Kavita, Leena, and Raj. It was actually quite fun playing casual games with them. Komal never went outside the house, a habit that was probably a good thing for her protection. Whenever we played at Neha Bua's or Neeta Bua's house, I would always leave quickly on the pretext of having to go home. On the way back, I would detour to Pooja Bua's house and quickly fuck her chooť before anyone could notice my absence.

Guests were also constantly coming to our house. The house was now full of life and activity every day, making private moments difficult to find. Whenever I got a chance, even a short one, I would fuck Rati. Rati was happy because of the sexual release, and Mangala Kaki was also happy, but for a completely different reason. Kaki thought her daughter was earning money, doing honest work, and wasn't doing anything questionable now that she was working inside our house.

The days passed by so quickly in this cycle of waiting and intermittent sex. The day of Mona's wedding also came closer, until only one week was left for the ceremony. I immediately became friends with Mona's brother, initiating conversations and offering help. I did this strategically so that I wouldn't have any problem going to his house without raising suspicion. This was a unique event in the village: the first time a wedding was happening where both the groom and the bride were from our own village. The festive wedding atmosphere, complete with music and preparations, had started a week before the actual wedding date.

I started helping Mona's brother with the numerous tasks. Mona herself, fortunately, had no idea that I had been one of the many people who had fucked her back when the storehouse was operational. The girls of the village were constantly coming to meet Mona and talk to her, offering advice and gossip. Riya also started spending time with Mona, often staying at Mona's house until late. Because of the wedding, guests had also started coming from out of town.

Whenever I went to Mona's house to help, I would inevitably see Riya there, sitting with the other girls. Now, I started talking openly with Riya, using the chaotic wedding atmosphere as cover. Riya also didn't miss any chance to talk to me. She just kept watching my face, eager to see when I would start the conversation so she could take it forward and keep the chat going. I felt certain that I would definitely get some kind of sexual reward from her for helping her with her exams.

Only three days were left for the wedding ceremony. I went to Mona's house as usual, offering my assistance. Mona's brother was just about to leave for the city to get some last-minute things. He asked me to come with him, but I politely refused, needing to stay close to the house. After Mona's brother left, I started working in Mona's house, feeling my usefulness. Then Mona's mother called out to me. I quickly went to her. Mona's mother asked me to take some new clothes and keep them in Mona's room. I took the bundle of things and went to Mona's room.

Inside Mona's room, Riya and Mala were sitting with Mona, giggling over something. I saw Mala. She was back! Her presence instantly drew my full attention. She was also looking at me, her expression unreadable. The precise reason why I had become friends with Mona's brother was fulfilled the moment I saw her face.

I finally got a chance to meet Mala again. I carefully kept the bundle of clothes in Mona's room and, after a fleeting look at Mala, I immediately left the room. After coming outside, I started waiting for Mala to follow me, trying to look busy near the courtyard. But Mala didn't come outside. I kept looking anxiously toward Mona's room, my heart thumping hard against my ribs. Whenever I got a chance to go back to Mona's room on a new errand, I didn't miss it. Whenever I went into the room, Mala would look at me with that same intense, quiet gaze. I also looked at her, communicating my desperate desire to talk. I vaguely felt someone else was also looking at me, watching our exchange, but I would forget everything except Mala's eyes the moment I saw her.

It was evening now, and the light was starting to fade. I realized I had to leave before I was missed. I started walking slowly toward my house. On the way, I met Mona's brother, who was just returning from the city. He happily greeted me and convinced me to come back to his house with him, insisting I needed to rest there. I went to Mona's room again to quickly check for Mala. Only Mona and Riya were there, surrounded by wedding items. Mala must have gone back to her Mousi's house already. I came home with a sad heart, the brief glimpse of her only intensifying my need to speak with her.

---

[lee.jae.han]

## Update 104: The Confession by the Temple (Avi and Mala)

The wedding was just two days away. Like every day, I left for Mona's house in the afternoon, hoping for another glimpse of Mala. On the main road, I met Mona, her parents, her brother, Mala, Riya, and some of Mona's older relatives. They were all going to the ancient village temple, nestled in the jungle, to perform a crucial pre-wedding ritual. The temple was about five kilometers away from the village. I immediately joined them without hesitation.

Mona's brother walked with me, talking constantly, filling my ears with nervous wedding details. His words, however, slightly annoyed me, distracting me from my real purpose. Meanwhile, Mala and Riya walked and talked quietly with Mona. Everyone got tired from the walk; we had only walked three kilometers and still had two more kilometers to go up the rising path. We rested briefly in a field, everyone catching their breath before continuing. We reached the temple shortly after.

The temple was quite old and rustic. Everyone began to prepare for the worship ceremony. Mona sat down with Riya and Mala on a stone bench. The worship began and was scheduled to last for nearly two hours. After about forty minutes, I saw Mala quietly get up and walk away from the group, heading behind the temple structure. I saw my opportunity and quickly followed her, trying to blend in with the shadows. Everyone was deeply busy with the chanting and rituals. Mala was clearly going behind the temple to use the bathroom area.

Mala reached the quiet back side of the temple. Before she could do anything, I called her name softly, my voice just loud enough for her to hear. Hearing my voice, she froze and slowly turned to look at me.

"How are you, Mala?" I asked, my heart thumping hard in my chest.

Mala looked surprised but maintained her composure. "I'm fine. What are you doing following me here?" she asked, her eyes darting nervously toward the temple corner.

"I need to talk to you right now," I said, taking a step closer.

"Here? Right here?" she questioned, indicating the religious space with a flick of her hand.

"Yes, I think this is the right place," I insisted, my gaze holding hers. "I haven't had a proper chance to talk to you since yesterday. That's why I think this is the perfect place, in God's own house, to be honest."

Mala sighed, resigned. "Tell me what you need to say, quickly," she urged, folding her arms.

I took a deep breath. "Sorry," I said simply.

She frowned. "Sorry for what, Avi?" she asked, feigning ignorance, tilting her head.

"For that day, the day you came to my house," I clarified, my voice dropping.

"What day are you talking about?" she insisted on playing dumb.

"For what I did to you at my house," I repeated, my voice tight.

"What about your house? Did you break something?" she asked, trying to keep the conversation light.

"I'm sorry for what I did to you when you came to my house," I said, finally naming it directly.

"I don't know what you're talking about, Avi," she said, shaking her head.

"I kissed you, Mala. I'm sorry for that aggressive kiss," I said, my confession hanging in the quiet air.

"For that? Oh, that," Mala said, letting out a nervous laugh. "I have long forgotten about it. It was nothing."

"You got angry and scared, though," I reminded her.

"When did I get angry? I was just surprised," she countered.

"You ran away immediately. I thought you felt very bad about it," I said, my brow furrowed with concern.

"If you do that, suddenly and without warning, to any girl, any girl will run away in surprise and embarrassment," Mala said, finally confirming the reason.

"Sorry, truly sorry," I said, dropping my head slightly.

"You're saying sorry only now, after so many days, Avi," she observed, a hint of accusation in her tone.

"It's not like that, Mala. I was going to say sorry to you at schoool, but you stopped coming. Then your exams started, and then it was my exams. After that, when I went to your house, I found out you had gone to your mama's house. Today, I finally got a chance to talk to you alone, and I didn't want to lose this chance or carry this guilt," I explained, laying out the timeline.

"I forgave you for the kiss that very day," Mala admitted softly.

"If you had genuinely forgiven me, then why didn't you come back the next day to my house, even though you knew I was still in the storehouse?" I asked, pushing for the truth.

"If I had come the next day, you would have definitely started again with me, and who knows where it would have ended," Mala said, looking away, her eyes scanning the ground. "That's why I didn't come back."

"I wasn't going to do anything more than talk that day," I insisted, trying to lie.

"Looking at you, Avi, it seemed you wanted to do a lot more than just talk," she said, her eyes meeting mine, full of knowing.

"It's not like that," I insisted one last time, shifting my feet.

"Then why did you kiss me so suddenly?" she asked, her voice challenging.

"I started to genuinely like you, Mala. Maybe I even fell in love with you at first sight," I admitted, the full confession escaping me. "And as for doing something sexual, I would have done it to you in the storehouse that day, forcing you. You couldn't have stopped me there."

"I know that, Avi," Mala said, her voice unexpectedly gentle. "That's why I came willingly to your house in the first place. A girl only goes to a boy's house when she trusts him. And I also like you a lot, too," she confessed, her eyes wide and honest.

"If you liked me, then why didn't you come the next day?" I asked, still unable to reconcile the actions.

"You're right that I like you, I do. But if I had come to your house again, who knows what you would have done to me, forcing me to cross a line I wasn't ready for," she explained, her voice tinged with fear. "That's why I didn't come to your house. But I sent food for you, through Monu, to repay the help you gave me for my exams."

"You used to send the food all that time?" I asked, the realization hitting me again, my voice catching in my throat.

"Yes, didn't you know who was sending it?" she said, looking genuinely surprised.

"Your mama's son, Monu, only told me today that you used to give him the food. But I thought my Bua used to give it to him to deliver," I said.

"Your Bua?" she said and laughed, a beautiful, genuine sound that echoed softly.

I looked directly into her eyes, deciding this was the moment of truth. "Mala, do you love me, truly?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper.

"What?" she asked, taken aback by the sudden, intense question.

"Do you love me?" I asked again, firmer this time.

She looked down, then up again, a profound sadness in her eyes. "Yes, Avi, I like you very much. I love you, but..." she trailed off, unable to finish the sentence, wringing her hands slightly.

"But what, Mala? What is the problem?" I urged, taking her hand.

"Is it because I'm older than you, that I'm three years ahead of you?" she asked, concern etched on her face.

"No, that's not it at all," I dismissed the age difference completely, shaking my head.

"Then what is the real reason?" I asked, ready for any challenge.

Mala shook her head, tears welling up in her eyes. "Look, Avi, I'm the only daughter of my parents. I know they want to get me married and settled as soon as possible, to fulfill their duty."

"So what? I will marry you, I promise," I declared, my conviction absolute.

"But your Chachi will rightfully make you study first, get your degree. Then you'll get a good, respectable government job. After all that, when you are 26 or 27 years old, you will finally get married. By then, I will be 27 or 28 myself. I simply can't wait that long for you to catch up," she said, her voice shaking with resignation. "I like you, Avi, and I love you, but I can't marry you. You should forget about me too. You'll find a much better, younger girl than me."

"But, Mala..." I protested, feeling a hollow ache in my chest.

"Besides, I'm leaving this village for good very soon," she revealed, the final blow. "We will leave right after Mona's wedding is finished."

"Leaving the village... Why are you leaving?" I asked, feeling desperate, my voice strained.

"My mother has already arranged my marriage with my Mammi's brother's son. I will get married in a year, and then I will leave the village to live with him," she explained, the decision irreversible. "He has a respectable government job, which is all my parents care about."

"You're getting married to someone else?" I asked, the world spinning slightly.

"Yes. It's too late for us, Avi. You should forget about me and move on with your life," she said, gently pulling her hand away.

"I can't forget you, Mala," I whispered, the words true and painful.

"You have to forget me," she insisted, her resolve hardening. "Look, it's very late now. I have to go back to the temple before my mother notices I'm gone for too long."

Mala left for the temple, saying only that I should forget her. *How could I forget her? The first girl I had ever truly liked, the only one who didn't want sex but instead protected me, and she told me to forget her.* I stood there, lost in my sudden, profound grief. *Why is Mala doing this? Is it only because of the age gap and the timing? Am I truly in love with Mala? What should I do now to stop this? I know one person who might help.* I immediately thought of Meena Chachi. *I'll talk to Meena Chachi about Mala tonight. Meena Chachi might find a solution to this impossible situation.* The thought of Meena Chachi gave me a small measure of comfort, a lifeline. I composed myself, smoothed down my clothes, forced a neutral expression, and slowly went and sat down in the temple, watching the ceremony resume.

---

[lee.jae.han]

## Update 105: The Distraction of Riya (Avi and Riya)

After Mala left, I was utterly lost in my thoughts, standing motionless behind the temple. *It was neither my fault nor hers,* I concluded, trying to rationalize the pain. *Whatever is written in destiny happens. Mala was absolutely right. Her parents are poor. The sooner she gets married, the better it is for them and their security.* I was so deep in thought that I didn't even realize when the worship was finally over. Riya's sharp voice and touch brought me violently back from my profound thoughts.

I blinked, looking around, feeling the sudden, bright light of reality. Everyone was now relaxing, stretching their legs after sitting stiffly for two hours during the long worship. Riya was calling my name again, but my eyes were scanning the group desperately for Mala. Everywhere my eyes went, I was met with disappointment. I couldn't find Mala anywhere, but Riya firmly shook my arm and started talking.

"What happened to you? Are you daydreaming while standing in a temple?" Riya asked, raising an eyebrow.

*(When I have to get married, I will. Meena Chachi is right, I should stop thinking with my heart and start using my mind strategically. There is time to think with my heart later.)* I consciously fixed my mood, adopting a flirtatious grin. "When there's such a beautiful girl standing directly in front of me, dreams are bound to come, aren't they?" I countered smoothly.

Riya immediately blushed, the color rising quickly to her cheeks. She playfully hit my arm.

"Is the worship finally over?" I asked, looking toward the main deity statue.

"Yes, it's completely over now," Riya replied.

*(It wouldn't be right to ask Riya about Mala directly and look desperate.)* "Where is Mona now?" I asked instead.

"Mona has gone with Mala to freshen up and adjust their sarees," Riya informed me.

*(I didn't let her finish behind the temple; maybe that's why Mala went now to finally use the bathroom area.)* "You didn't go with them?" I asked, looking her up and down slowly.

"They were in a desperate hurry, so they didn't wait for me," Riya said, shrugging her shoulders.

"Let them go," I dismissed them with a wave of my hand. "You're already so beautiful; you don't need to freshen up and put on all that extra makeup."

"Oh, stop it, Avi..." Riya protested, but her lips curved into a flattered smile, and she blushed even deeper.

Mona and Mala returned a few minutes later, their faces washed and refreshed. Mala looked straight at me and Riya, a slight frown crossing her expression.

"You blush at every little thing I say," I remarked to Riya, taking her arm lightly. "Look, Mona is also back. Let's go now, before we're left behind."

Everyone started walking down the dirt path toward the village. Riya and I intentionally lagged behind, walking together alone. I was talking to her, trying to charm her. Mala kept looking back at us every few minutes, her eyes lingering on our proximity.

"How were your exams? You never told me the results," Riya asked, trying to steer the conversation back to serious topics.

"The exams are long over. Now it's long vacation time, all three months of freedom. Why are you asking about exams now?" I replied, keeping the mood light.

"Then what should I talk about, Avi? You're not making this easy," she complained, kicking a stone with the toe of her shoe.

"Don't talk at all, then. Just let me look at you properly," I said, my eyes scanning her body slowly from head to toe. I stopped my gaze on her cleavage. "You look incredibly beautiful in this dress."

"Thanks," Riya said, quickly smoothing the fabric over her chest with her hand.

"You seem to be having too much fun at Mona's wedding preparations," I observed, making it sound like an accusation.

"It's nothing like that. Why do you think so?" she asked, surprised by my sudden seriousness.

"You're wearing such nice, new dresses. You're killing everyone with your beauty. You're helping everyone with the work, chatting constantly. And a lot more... it looks like you want something big to happen," I speculated suggestively, holding her gaze.

"It's not like that at all," she insisted, shaking her head.

"I feel like you also secretly want to get married as soon as possible, like Mona," I pressed, keeping my gaze suggestive.

"I'm not old enough to get married, and you know it," Riya retorted, huffing slightly.

I let my eyes trail down Riya's body again, lingering on her developing curves. "I don't think so," I said, a slow smirk spreading across my face.

Riya caught the full meaning of my eyes this time. The first time I had complimented her, she said thanks. This time, she reacted to the sexual implication.

"You're very bad, Avi," Riya said, her cheeks blazing, but she didn't seem truly angry.

"I just said what was right, looking at the evidence," I defended myself, shrugging easily. I leaned in, my voice low and teasing. "Tell me, do you want to celebrate your wedding night right now, before the wedding?"

Hearing my extremely explicit words, Riya immediately abandoned me, running forward to catch up with Mona. I chuckled and slowed my pace, falling back to walk with Mona's brother.

"What's the matter, Avi? You were talking a lot just now, whispering close to Riya," Mona's brother said, nudging me playfully. "Did you finally fall in love?"

"It's nothing like that," I denied quickly, shaking my head.

"Then you tell me what the matter was between you two," Mona's brother insisted.

"She was only asking me about the exam results," I lied easily.

Mona's brother shook his head in amusement. "You'll always be a kid, Avi. You'll never learn to fall in love and talk sweet nothings."

*(If I was truly a kid, I wouldn't be fucking your sister's chooť without you knowing.)* "I can't seem to figure it out. Have you ever been in love, or are you just talking big?" I challenged him.

"I've been in love everywhere, with every pretty girl I've seen," Mona's brother boasted, puffing out his chest.

"Then teach me too, so I'm not such a 'kid'," I said, feigning eagerness.

"We'll see about that sometime later, after the wedding craziness dies down. Let's just focus on walking now," he said, increasing his pace slightly.

We kept talking about the wedding, and didn't even realize when we reached the edge of the village.

---

[lee.jae.han]

## Update 106: The Logic of Love (Avi and Meena Chachi)

After Mala left me at the temple, I walked back to the village lost in a whirlwind of emotional and practical thoughts. *It was neither my fault nor hers,* I concluded, trying to find a balance. *Whatever is written in destiny happens. Mala was ultimately right, though. Her parents are poor, and their primary concern is security. The sooner she gets married to a settled man, the better it is for them. The boy is reportedly good, he has a secure job, and he is known to their family. This is what's best for Mala's long-term security.* However, the ache in my chest persisted, and I knew I couldn't move on without one attempt. *I have to talk to Meena Chachi. I need her logic and influence.* I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn't even realize when I reached home.

I went straight to my room and called Meena Chachi inside. Whenever I called Meena Chachi to my room, she would immediately leave whatever work she was doing and rush to me. Today, seeing the deep distress on my face, Meena Chachi entered my room right after me, her expression instantly worried.

"What happened, Avi? Why have you made your face look like a withered flower?" Meena Chachi asked, closing the door and walking towards me.

"Chachi, that Mala..." I started, then paused, watching her reaction carefully. *( Mala had said that my Chachi wouldn't let me marry her until I was an adult and settled. Mala had said that Chachi would get me married after I turned 26 or 27. I have to see how much of what Mala said about my family's rigid plan is true.)*

"What happened to Mala? Did she say something bad to you?" Meena Chachi pressed, taking a seat beside me.

I decided to plunge straight to the heart of the matter. "I like Mala. I want to marry Mala," I stated, watching her eyes closely.

Meena Chachi smiled broadly, her face lighting up with genuine happiness. She laughed softly and clapped her hands once. "My son has grown up so much that he wants to get married already! Tell me, who is this Mala, the lucky girl my son likes?"

"She's Mona's friend, the one I told you I helped with her exams," I clarified.

Meena Chachi tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Is this the same girl who doesn't have any brothers or sisters? The one who is the only daughter of her parents?"

"Yes, Chachi, I want to marry that Mala," I confirmed, my voice earnest.

"Then we have to hurry before her parents make an irreversible decision," Meena Chachi said, already standing up, energetic. "Your age is less right now; you have to be at least 21 or 22 to marry her legally and securely. I'll talk to Suman didi and tomorrow itself, I'll go and meet Mala's parents. I'll talk to them seriously about your and Mala's marriage. I'll also tell them to wait for two or three years, promising them security."

*(My mouth fell open. I was completely shocked to hear what Chachi said. The sudden, overwhelming relief made my eyes burn with unshed tears.)* "Chachi, are you not angry with me for wanting to marry now? Are you not angry with Mala?" I asked, confused by her easy acceptance.

"Angry? What are you saying, Avi? Don't be silly," she scoffed. "Our entire happiness is found in your happiness. And anyway, you have to get married someday. It's a very good thing that you chose your life partner yourself, a girl you clearly respect. But there's one thing, I did want to make you study for many more years first, and then get you married at the age of 26 or 27." She paused, then shrugged. "But it's okay, let's get you married first, and then you can continue your education. Just like I studied after marriage, you can do the same. Education is always possible."

Hearing Chachi's words—the complete dismissal of Mala's fears—the barrier in my throat broke. I started crying uncontrollably, the tears of relief and deep gratitude flowing freely, and I hugged her tightly. Crying into her shoulder, I recounted the entire, heartbreaking conversation I had with Mala at the temple.

"You're such a big boy now, and you're still crying like a scared kid," Chachi said, holding me and stroking my hair. "Come on, wipe your eyes." She pulled my face up and kissed my eyes, stopping the flow of my tears.

After crying for a while, the tension in my chest eased, and I became normal again.

"Why didn't you tell me this before, Avi? Why did you wait so long?" Meena Chachi asked, her expression serious again.

"I was..." I began, hesitant to admit my test.

Meena Chachi finished the thought for me, her eyes sharp and knowing. "You wanted to see if Mala's words about our family's rigidity were true or not, didn't you?"

"Yes," I admitted, lowering my gaze.

"So what did you find out? Was Mala's assessment of us accurate?" she asked, leaning back.

Instead of answering, I asked my real question. "Chachi, why did Mala do that? Why would she make such a huge decision without trusting me?"

"Mala did something wrong with you, but she also did something right for herself, if you look at it clearly," Meena Chachi said, speaking with wisdom.

"I don't understand the difference," I confessed, shaking my head.

"Look, Avi, I don't know much about romantic love, but I know two or three things about sacrifice and partnership," Meena Chachi began, taking my hands in hers. "The first meaning of true love is sacrifice. Mala also did the same; she sacrificed her love for her family's perceived security. Mala thought about her parents' future *before* thinking about her own happiness with you. The second meaning of love is to trust your partner completely. That is where Mala failed you. Mala didn't trust you, Avi. Mala should have given you a chance to prove you could provide for her parents as well. Instead, she made a huge decision about her life with her eyes closed, based on her fear of our delay. She thinks that the person she is going to marry—the one with the government job—will take care of her parents' future. Can't *we* take care of her parents? After Thakur, we have the most land and resources in the entire village! I could still get Mala married to you; I could force her parents to listen to me and change their minds. But I honestly think Mala is not the right girl for you."

I stared at her, waiting for the explanation.

"Mala is too smart to see only one path, and at the same time, she is a fool to let fear rule her. You should forget Mala, Avi. You will find a much better girl than Mala—one who has faith in you," Meena Chachi concluded firmly.

"But how can I forget Mala? She was the first person..." I started, the image of her eyes still sharp in my mind.

"Mala had to think about her parents' safety along with her own. She agreed to marry him, thinking that her future husband's security was the only way to take care of her parents," Meena Chachi repeated, driving the point home. "Avi, you like Mala right now because she helped you when you were exiled, but you also helped her with her exams. That's why she repaid your favor. If you fall in love with everyone who helps you, then how many people will you marry? That's not how love works! You help everyone, and they all help you. So will you fall in love with everyone you share an exchange with? If you consider a simple favor as true love, how will you manage your heart? Listen to me, forget Mala."

"You're right, Chachi," I finally conceded, her sharp logic slicing through my emotional haze. "I have to forget Mala."

"That's like my boy. Rest for a while, and when you open your eyes, you should start a new beginning by completely removing Mala from your mind," Chachi said, kissing my forehead and leaving the room.

I also slept for a while, allowing the simple truth of Chachi's words to settle. When I woke up, I decided to focus on the future and forget Mala.

In the evening, I went to Mona's house. Today there were more guests than usual because of the ongoing mehndi ceremony. Mona was applying mehndi with her friends. Mala and Riya were also sitting with Mona. Riya had already finished applying her mehndi and was waiting for it to dry. Riya immediately rushed over to me and showed me her dark, intricate mehndi designs. The mehndi looked good on Riya's hands. I started talking and laughing with Riya, making a show of my attention.

Whenever I talked to Riya, Mala looked at me from across the room, her eyes following my laughter. But now, I had nothing more to do with Mala. Mala and my path had separated, decided by her own lack of trust. After talking to Riya for a while, I went and sat with Mona's brother, closing the door on that chapter of my life. 


---

[lee.jae.han]

## Update 107: The Turmeric and the Takeaway (Avi and Mala)

After talking with Riya for a while at Mona's house, I went and sat with Mona's brother, continuing our conversation. He was in a boastful mood.

"You're going to have so much fun after Mona leaves," I said, nudging him playfully. "It's your turn to get married next."

"Why, man? I don't want to get married so soon," Mona's brother replied, shaking his head vehemently.

"Why not? What's the rush to avoid it?" I asked.

"First, I'll have my fun, and *then* I'll get married. I have a few years to kill," he said, winking mischievously.

"What kind of fun are you talking about?" I asked, feigning ignorance, leaning forward.

"You're still just a kid, Avi; you don't even know what *fun* means when it comes to being a bachelor," he said, looking superior.

"Then tell me now," I insisted, leaning in eagerly.

"I'm talking about having fun with girls, man. Easy girls," he whispered, grinning widely.

"With girls? With whom have you actually had fun? Name one!" I challenged him.

"I can't even count how many girls I've had fun with in the fields and outside the village," he boasted, holding up his hands dramatically.

"Wow! I'm impressed. Get me one too, then," I said, putting on a show of admiration.

"We'll see about that later, when you're older," he dismissed the request with a wave of his hand.

*(You just dream and talk big. I'll do something myself before you ever get a chance to teach me.)* "Do it soon, brother, or I'll beat you to it," I said aloud, grinning.

"By the way, tell me at least one name now, just to prove you're not lying," I pressed him playfully.

"I'll tell you that too, I promise. But later, man," he said, waving me off again.

"Have you even done anything at all, or are you just talking a lot of nonsense?" I asked, challenging his masculinity directly.

"I have done plenty. Just let the wedding get over, and I'll tell you everything," he promised, his eyes serious.

"I'll be waiting for that story," I said, laughing.

We kept talking until we reached the village. I came home and sat down to talk with all three Chachis for a while, telling them about the wedding preparations. After talking, I went to sleep, saving my energy for the festivities.

---

The next day, it was the day before the wedding. The whole village was buzzing with excitement, everyone talking about the imminent ceremony. Today, before going to Mona's house, I went to Pooja Bua's house, hoping for a quick session. But Pooja Bua refused, pushing me away. "I'll only fuck you after the wedding is completely over tomorrow," she said, crossing her arms. I didn't understand the connection between a village wedding and abstaining from sex. *Maybe she had another, more personal reason, and Bua just gave the wedding as a polite excuse to avoid me.*

Then I headed to Mona's house in the afternoon. Tonight was the *haldi* (turmeric paste) ceremony for the bride. It was evening now, and I made sure to tell Meena Chachi that I would be staying at Mona's house for the night.

It was time for dinner. Everyone had finished eating the feast. After dinner, they started the ritual of applying turmeric paste to the bride. The girls and women were having a loud, playful time, smearing turmeric paste on each other.

Mala and Riya's faces turned bright yellow from the turmeric paste. Riya came straight toward me and deliberately put a smudge of turmeric on both my cheeks, laughing brightly. As she was applying the turmeric on me, I saw Mala looking intensely at me from across the circle. Mala's face was already yellow from the paste, but now it seemed to turn red, flushing with jealousy or anger as she watched Riya touch me. I made sure to ignore her completely, focusing only on Riya. I also started applying turmeric on Riya, chasing her and rubbing it onto her neck and arms playfully. It was fun playing with the girls. Then, the applying of turmeric stopped as the women started the songs.

It was 11 PM, and the party started winding down for a few hours. Everyone started arranging for places to sleep in the open courtyard and the rooms. Mala's parents were also planning to sleep at Mona's house to avoid the walk back. Mala saw me alone and then started talking to her mother in a voice that was just loud enough for me to hear. Mala was telling her mother that she absolutely needed to go home and sleep in her own room, saying she couldn't sleep in a crowded place. At first, her mother refused, but after Mala insisted with growing agitation, her mother finally agreed. "Who will walk her home alone so late at night?" her mother asked, looking worried. Mala immediately said that she would go with Avi, pointing right at me. Mala's mother asked me to drop Mala home.

I had consciously separated my path from Mala and had nothing to do with her now, so I immediately refused, shaking my head. But Mala looked at me with a desperate, forceful look and ordered me to come with her. I didn't want to make a scene in front of her mother and the wedding guests by causing an argument, so I gave in and started walking with Mala toward the road.

Mala was walking silently, her posture rigid. There was clear anger on her face, but I couldn't tell if she was angry at me, her mother, or her own situation. After a short walk, we reached Mala's house. She quickly unlocked the door. I turned to go back immediately, my duty done.

Before I could take a step, she grabbed my hand tightly. My heart gave a sudden thump.

She pulled me inside the house with surprising strength. I walked inside and sat down on the simple wooden bed. She quickly closed the door, turning the latch with a sharp click. The room was dark and quiet. She walked over, still silent, and sat down right next to me. A palpable tension filled the small room, thick enough to choke on.

---

[lee.jae.han]

## Update 108: The Storm of Mala's Kiss (Avi and Mala)

We were both sitting silently on the bed in the darkened room, the tension thickening the air. Suddenly, and without warning, Mala lashed out and slapped me hard across the face. The sharp sting of the slap immediately turned into a bewildering confusion in my mind. She instantly buried her face in her hands and started sobbing violently. *It's truly impossible to understand girls. No one can ever tell what storm is brewing in their minds,* I thought, completely shocked.

Mala was crying, her body shaking hard. I immediately reached out and gently pulled her into a hug. She hugged me back without any resistance, collapsing against my chest. She kept crying in my embrace for a long while, her tears soaking my kurta. Then, Mala abruptly moved away from me, wiping her eyes and making a visible effort to compose herself.

"What were you doing at Mona's house?" she demanded, her voice thick with raw emotion.

"What did I do that was so wrong?" I asked, gently touching my stinging cheek.

"What's going on between you and Riya?" she challenged, her eyes narrowed and wet.

"Nothing serious," I said, shrugging off the matter.

"Do you think I'm blind, Avi? I saw everything you were doing with Riya—the smiling, the touching, the whispering," she insisted, leaning toward me with narrowed eyes.

"And even if I was doing something with Riya, why does it bother you so much?" I countered, my voice hardening slightly. "You have already left me and chosen another path, haven't you?"

Mala slapped me again, this time harder. The shock of the second strike made my ears ring. "I love you, you fool!" she declared, her eyes blazing with pain.

"You already said you're marrying someone else with a secure job. Then why are you putting on this drama in front of me now?" I demanded, standing up in frustration and stepping away.

"It's my helplessness! It's my destiny! How can I make you understand the burden of my family? This is what's right for my parents..." she choked out, her voice ragged and tight.

"Then you should absolutely do what makes you and your family happy. I am not stopping you from making that choice," I said, maintaining my distance. "As for Riya, there is nothing between us as you're imagining. But even if there was, what's the difference? Just like you're thinking about your future and your family, I also have to think about my own life and my own future now."

"But why are you doing it in front of me? Why did you make a show of it tonight?" she asked, tears streaming down her turmeric-stained cheeks.

"What, should I not talk to Riya or any other girl just because you're standing nearby?" I challenged her hypocrisy directly.

"I'm not saying that!" she cried, shaking her head quickly. "I love you, Avi. So if you talk and laugh with someone else in front of me, will I feel good inside?"

"And if you get married to someone else in front of me, knowing how I feel, will *I* feel good?" I countered, the logic of Meena Chachi's earlier talk empowering my voice.

"Then you tell me what I should do, Avi!" she pleaded, throwing her hands up in desperation.

"What you're doing is right in your place, considering your parents' financial situation. I'm not stopping you from marrying someone else," I reiterated, my voice calm but firm. "And by the same logic, you shouldn't stop me either."

I don't know what snapped inside Mala, but after hearing me put the situation so bluntly, she lunged at me and started kissing me with a ferocious hunger. I was genuinely shocked by the sudden, intense shift. I just stood there for a moment, passively watching her kiss me, processing the fact that the girl who was refusing me was now claiming my lips. Mala was kissing me like a woman possessed by raw feeling.

Mala's kiss was different from everyone else's I had experienced. It felt electric, like I had momentarily reached heaven. Her lips were full, pink, and soft like a rose petal. It felt like this kiss, driven by desperation and love, would never end. After what felt like ten minutes of raw, passionate kissing, she broke the kiss, pulling back with a loud, wet gasp.

She was breathing heavily, taking long, ragged breaths. I was also trying to regain my composure, my body trembling slightly from the unexpected force of her passion. My heart hammered against my ribs, echoing loud in the small room. A tight knot suddenly twisted in my stomach. The smell of turmeric and sweat filled my nostrils, making the moment feel real and urgent. My palms were suddenly slick with cold sweat as my body reacted to the shock.

The thought struck me with disbelief: two months ago, this girl was dying of shyness, refusing to even look at a fucking session, yet now she could kiss with such consuming, mature passion. I stared at Mala's flushed face, trying to make myself normal. After a moment, Mala reached for me again and started kissing me, attacking my mouth with renewed vigor. This time, I wasn't going to hold back any part of my desire. I immediately responded, starting to suck on Mala's lips, claiming her mouth as mine. We entered a powerful rhythm; sometimes she would dominate me, sucking my lips and tongue deep into her mouth, and sometimes I would dominate her, passionately sucking on her upper lip and then her lower lip.

Along with the kissing, my hands found their way inside her saree and started aggressively massaging Mala's body—her back, her sides, her hips. The combination of my touch and the guilt-ridden passion made Mala start sucking on my lips with even greater intensity. It was now getting extremely difficult for me to control the rapid swelling of my `lunď`. I broke the kiss, picked Mala up in one quick motion, and carried her straight into the inner room, knowing exactly where this storm was leading.

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[lee.jae.han]

## Update 109: The Virgin's Claim (Avi and Mala)

I laid Mala gently on the bed, the mattress sighing softly beneath her. I quickly stripped off my shirt and got on top of Mala. I descended, finding her lips again. I ran my tongue over Mala's full, pink lips before joining my mouth with hers. We were fully consuming the kiss, savoring every deep exchange. By kissing so intensely, Mala and I had completely left this world, entering a space that was entirely our own. I didn't know what Mala had experienced or learned after going to her mama's village, but whatever it was, I was reveling in it. Mala's kiss had shaken me to the core; every second felt precious and every moment delivered a potent surge of pleasure. I had initially thought that whenever I finally got the chance, Mala wouldn't cooperate, and I would have to do everything myself. But my one single kiss that day months ago had somehow taught Mala everything she needed to know, and she was now fully cooperating, reciprocating my passion.

After breaking the long kiss, I started urgently pressing Mala's breasts over her clothes. By kissing, Mala had already become searingly hot, and now the sensation of her breasts being pressed made Mala start moaning, low and breathless. I felt it was wrong to delay any longer. I began stripping Mala's clothes away. Mala helped me without any resistance, her hands moving to assist me in removing her saree and petticoat. Seeing Mala in just her bra and panty, my Baburao—my lunď—stiffened instantly and seemed to salute Mala's chooť from within my underwear. I didn't want to keep my Baburao imprisoned, causing him unnecessary trouble, nor did I want to keep Mala's chooť concealed in her panty. With swift motions, I freed my Baburao and Mala's chooť from the bondage of clothes. Seeing Mala completely naked, the passion surging through my Baburao intensified painfully.

Mala's ripe, heavy breasts had brown, firm nipples, and a small mole near one nipple instantly drew my attention. Seeing Mala's breasts, my mouth started to water with primal hunger, and I pounced on Mala like a famished lion. I first placed a soft kiss on a nipple, then quickly took the entire thing into my mouth and started sucking it hard. I didn't want to make the other breast feel neglected, so I started aggressively massaging it with my hand, readying it for my mouth. While sucking on her breasts, I would sometimes pinch her nipple gently and sometimes take the entire globe of her breast into my mouth to suck deeply. The intense sucking and pressing made Mala writhe and gasp like a fish flopping on the sand. Mala was completely lost, in a dizzying dilemma of what to do next.

I paused the oral pleasure and lowered my gaze. Now, I was looking at Mala's pink chooť. I had fucked so many women so far, but out of all of them, only Mala's chooť was still perfectly closed. Mala's chooť lips were tightly joined with each other, looking plump and pristine. They were just waiting for my lunď to separate them. My lunď was throbbing, desperate to drink the first blood of her chooť. But before drinking the chooť's blood, I knew I had to give the chooť water, just as tradition suggests a chicken is given water before it is slaughtered. I lowered my head and started kissing her chooť. Mala's chooť had a different, unique smell—a muskiness that drove me momentarily crazy. *But compared to my Chachi's chooť, Mala's was nothing, still fresh and unused.* I started running my tongue over Mala's chooť. My tongue couldn't enter her chooť past the tightly sealed lips. I used my fingers to gently separate her chooť lips. The small, pink, exposed entrance of her chooť was immediately visible. I started aggressively pushing my tongue into Mala's chooť. Mala started to get lost completely in pleasure, writhing beneath me like a fish caught on a hook. Mala couldn't handle the intensity of my licking. In a violent spasm, Mala released the water of her chooť's ocean all over my face and mouth. I quickly and greedily drank every drop.

Mala climaxed so quickly that I didn't even get to properly lick her chooť until I wanted to stop. That's why I continued licking her chooť without stopping. Mala was thoroughly enjoying my continuous, intense licking. When Mala came for the second time, her body going rigid again, I finally stopped licking her chooť. I had done everything perfectly, just as Madam had taught me. I had completed every step that should be done before the main event. Now, only the last battle remained, which I had to win at all costs. I quickly put some spit on the tip of my lunď. The spit made my lunď slippery. I then positioned my lunď right on her chooť entrance. As soon as I touched my lunď to her chooť, Mala instantly clamped her eyes shut, bracing herself. I remembered Madam's words exactly: *Mala is a virgin. This is her first time. You have to do it slowly and carefully.* I gave a tentative thrust, but my lunď slipped off the entrance. Just as Madam had predicted, with a virgin girl's first time, the lunď often slips while trying to go inside.

I repositioned my lunď on her chooť again. This time, I used my mind along with my deliberate strength and pushed my lunď into her chooť. My glans went inside her chooť. The small mouth of her chooť stretched open. Her chooť lips separated around the tip. Mala opened her eyes briefly, then squeezed them shut again without saying a word. Madam had said that the girl would scream loudly during the first time. But Mala didn't make a sound. However, the tight lines of pain on Mala's face made me feel certain that when my whole lunď went inside, Mala would definitely scream. To prevent Mala from screaming, I immediately started sucking on Mala's lips again.

Now, I had to give a hard, quick thrust to break Mala's seal. I gave a single, hard thrust. My lunď broke the seal of her chooť and rammed deep inside. As soon as the lunď went inside, the seal of the chooť broke, the blood came out of the chooť, my lunď drank the blood, and while the pain shot through her, Mala let out a muffled scream. Because of the sharp pain, tears instantly sprang to Mala's eyes and flowed down her temples. I started to stop Mala's scream and the tears flowing from her eyes. Mala's scream was instantly muffled by the pressure of my mouth on hers. To stop the tears in Mala's eyes, I kept my lunď completely still inside her without moving for a long moment. So much had happened: the seal of the chooť broke, blood came out of the chooť, but Mala still kept her eyes closed, though the tears continued to flow.

I kept sucking on Mala's lips, kissing her deeply. I put my hands on her breasts and started massaging them vigorously. Mala quickly composed herself, her breathing evening out, signaling that she was ready to take the next thrust. I gave the last, final thrust. With this, my whole lunď buried itself inside her chooť. A muffled sound of pain and realization came out of Mala's mouth, but it was swallowed by the kiss. Mala still didn't open her eyes, but tears were continuously coming from her eyes. I thought it was best to keep my lunď inside her chooť without moving for a long while. I didn't know why Mala kept her eyes closed, perhaps to deal with the pain or the emotional conflict.

I finally pulled back slightly and kissed Mala's closed eyelids, telling her softly that I was going to thrust now. Then I slowly took my lunď out to begin moving it. I saw blood covering the shaft of my lunď. This wasn't a new sight for me, but it was a completely new and irreversible experience for Mala. I had even taken blood out of a already-fucked chooť, so with a virgin chooť, blood was bound to come out.

I kept looking at my lunď for a moment, absorbing the sight of Mala's blood on me. Since I wasn't thrusting, Mala reached down and put her hands on my hips and started pulling me back down toward her. Seeing Mala's impatience, I started thrusting slowly. The intense experience and pleasure of a virgin chooť are entirely different from anything else. Mala was putting tremendous pressure on my lunď with her tight chooť. My lunď was going in and out with great difficulty because of the tight, grasping pressure from her chooť. But after 10 or 12 aggressive thrusts, Mala's lovely chooť started opening up, stretching according to the size of my lunď. I immediately increased my rhythm, fucking her hard by putting my lunď deep inside her chooť. At first, Mala was still feeling pain from my relentless thrusts. But after my lunď made its place in her chooť and her own water started flowing, Mala's pain quickly turned into soaring pleasure. Mala's muffled screams turned into loud, rhythmic moans. As soon as Mala started moaning with pleasure, I ramped up my speed, increasing my thrusts, aggressively fucking her virgin chooť. Mala kept her eyes closed and started fully enjoying our wedding night without a wedding ceremony.

Pure happiness was visible on Mala's face. By fucking with me, Mala had completely accepted me. I felt that Mala had changed her decision, and that's why Mala was finally ready to fuck me like this. I kept fucking Mala's tight chooť hard for 15 intense minutes. Then, my cum burst out inside Mala's chooť. I collapsed heavily on top of Mala, spent and satisfied. I knew I could never forget the profound pleasure I got from fucking Mala. During the entire fucking session, Mala had kept her eyes closed. I still didn't know why she had done that. I gently withdrew my lunď from her chooť. Along with my lunď, my cum, Mala's chooť water, and blood started coming out, dripping onto the sheet. I fell to the side of Mala. I tried to make myself normal, and while lying there naked next to Mala, I quickly fell into a deep sleep. 

I was sleeping naked next to Mala, spent and completely exhausted from the intense session. The immense pleasure of the virgin chooť still hummed through my body, but the deep sleep offered only brief respite. I woke up after only an hour, the memory of what had just happened pulling me back to full consciousness. I slowly shifted, feeling the wet stickiness where my lunď had been. I sat up, looking at Mala, who was still lying still, her eyes closed, her breathing deep and even.

I gently moved her thigh. My lunď was covered in a slick mix of my own cum, Mala's chooť water, and her virgin blood. I needed to clean myself. My eyes fell on the discarded pile of her clothes near the bed. I reached out and grabbed her small, cotton panty, the very garment that had imprisoned her chooť just an hour ago.

I carefully wiped my lunď clean with her panty, using the soft cloth to absorb the sticky remnants of our passion. The sight of her blood and my semen staining her underwear sent a fresh, sharp jolt of dominance through me. I tossed the soiled panty back onto the floor, now fully awake and feeling a dangerous surge of renewed desire.

Mala must have felt the slight movement, because she stirred, her eyes fluttering open. She looked at me, her expression soft, tired, and deeply satisfied. She saw my still-hardening lunď and the intensity in my eyes. She knew exactly what I needed.

Without a word, Mala rose onto her knees on the bed, her bruised chooť glistening in the dim light. She reached out and gently took my lunď in her hand, her touch surprisingly skilled and warm. She guided my lunď toward her face and lowered her head, slowly taking the tip into her mouth.

The first sensation of her wet, soft mouth closing around my lunď after the aggressive fucking was electrifying. She wasn't an expert like my pooja bua, but her willingness, her silent, intense focus, was intoxicating. She started to suck softly at first, exploring the shaft of my lunď with her tongue. My initial arousal quickly became a raging, uncontrollable urge. I reached out, grabbed the back of her head, and pressed her mouth down, dictating the depth and rhythm.

Mala responded by deepening her commitment, working my lunď harder and faster with her mouth and throat. Her eyes were closed, her face concentrating entirely on the pleasure she was giving me. The guilt and fear she had shown earlier were gone, replaced by a desperate need to please me. The intense pressure of her sucking, combined with the memory of her virginity, was too much. I felt a tremendous build-up, and I couldn't hold back.

I gripped her head firmly as a massive groan tore from my chest. "Mala! I'm coming! " I commanded.

My body convulsed, releasing a scorching wave of thick, hot cum directly into her mouth. Mala did not pull away. She took every single drop of my juice, swallowing it all without flinching. When I was finally empty and my lunď had shrunk, she kept my lunď in her mouth for another few seconds, gently drawing on it one last time before slowly letting go.

She looked up at me, her cheeks flushed and her lips glistening with my seed. She met my gaze, not with shame, but with a fierce, quiet look of possession. She then used her tongue to clean her lips, consuming any stray drops of my semen, making the consumption of my lunď's juice a final, definitive act of devotion.

I pulled her up and hugged her tightly, kissing her sweaty forehead. This single encounter, driven by desperation and sealed by her sacrifice, meant more than all the easy sex I had indulged in. Mala had given me everything she had left to give. I lay back down, pulling Mala's exhausted body into my arms, and fell back into a deep, dreamless sleep, knowing I had truly marked her as mine, regardless of the marriage her parents planned.


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[lee.jae.han]

## Update 110: The Final Departure (Avi and Riya)

I woke up to the usual morning noise filtering in from outside the house. I was sleeping naked on the bed, my body still heavy with exhaustion. Mala wasn't on the bed; the sheet was fucked with the sticky proof of our passion and the dark stain of her lost virginity. I could clearly hear Mala and her mother's voices outside the bedroom door, talking softly about the morning preparations for the wedding. I quickly put on my clothes and paused by the door, listening to their conversation. After a few minutes, Mala's mother's voice faded as she left for Mona's house. I felt a sudden, urgent need to leave. *If someone saw me leaving this house now, Mala's reputation would be ruined,* I thought quickly. I left the house without speaking to Mala, knowing I was leaving things unresolved. *I'll definitely talk to Mala at Mona's wedding ceremony,* I decided, justifying my hasty exit.

When I got home, I was genuinely shocked by the sight that greeted me. For the first time since I could remember, Meena Chachi was preparing to go to a public function. Before this, because she couldn't become a mother, Chachi had never gone out to happy social gatherings. Today, there was a visible, quiet happiness on Chachi's face. I didn't want to bother Chachi by telling her about my emotional problems with Mala. I slipped away to my room and fell back asleep. Suman Chachi woke me up around 10:00 AM.

"Get up quickly, Avi. We have to go to the wedding soon," Suman Chachi said, shaking my shoulder.

I rubbed my eyes. "Chachi, what time is it?" I asked groggily.

"It's 10:00 AM already," Suman Chachi informed me, stepping away.

"What? Why didn't you wake me up earlier, Chachi?" I protested, sitting up straight.

"I woke you up two times already, but you kept falling straight back asleep, muttering to yourself," Suman Chachi said, smiling softly.

"You make me some breakfast quickly. I'll get ready now," I said, jumping off the bed.

After getting ready in a rush, I had breakfast and immediately went to Mona's house. The wedding ceremony was being held in the empty space in front of the house, decorated elaborately. The whole village had come, making the crowd immense. I scanned the area but couldn't see Mala or Riya anywhere. *Maybe they were inside the house, getting Mona ready for the marriage rituals.* The groom had already arrived. Soon after, Mona arrived, but only Riya was with her, attending to her. I looked hard at the stage, checking the women and guests, but I couldn't see Mala anywhere. I thought *maybe she was simply sitting quietly with her mother, avoiding the crowd.*

I went over to Mona's brother and started helping him with various small tasks. A village wedding is a beautiful, chaotic kind of fun, and I started enjoying the atmosphere, the people, and the music. In no time at all, the main wedding ceremony was over. Dinner was also finished. The bride, Mona, went to her new home with the groom. The villagers also gradually went to their respective homes. My Chachis and Chachas also went home, leaving me alone. I stayed behind to help Mona's brother with the cleanup and organization. I never saw Mala anywhere during the entire wedding. *Maybe she was with her mother all along, or maybe she went home early to rest because of the rough fucking session last night,* I thought, a smug warmth spreading through my stomach.

It was 8:00 PM. I told Mona's brother that I was tired and needed to leave now. I started walking toward my house. On the way, I met Riya, walking in the opposite direction.

"Where are you going so late at night, Riya?" I asked, stopping in my tracks.

"I'm not going anywhere; I'm coming back," Riya replied, adjusting her saree.

*(Hearing Mala's name, I knew I had to ask Riya about her whereabouts.)* "I didn't see Mala at all at the wedding today," I observed, looking around.

Riya looked surprised that I hadn't realized. "How would she be there?" she asked simply, tilting her head.

"What do you mean by that?" I asked, frowning hard.

"She left for her village as soon as the main wedding ceremony was over, around sunset," Riya explained.

"Why? What happened to her that she had to leave so quickly?" I asked, my heart hammering in my chest.

"Nothing happened to her, Avi. She had to go to her home village permanently," Riya said, her voice completely matter-of-fact.

"What do you mean, 'What'?" I stammered, feeling a chill run through me.

"Yes. She left for her mama's house at 5:00 PM. Her parents also went with her. They had to catch a train from the city to leave the district," Riya revealed, looking confused by my reaction.

"But you just said you were coming from Mala's house. Why would you be there if they've left?" I insisted, completely confused, my mind racing.

Riya looked at me with a bewildered expression. "Yes, I was at the house. We bought Mala's house," she said, finally delivering the crushing truth in a soft voice.

"When did that happen?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper.

"It's been a month now. We bought the house, furniture, and all the belongings inside. Mala is not coming back to this village again. Mala has decided to stay at her mama's house, where her fiancé is. Mala only came back here for Mona's wedding, and her parents also stayed here only for Mona's wedding. If Mona's wedding hadn't happened, they would have sold the house and left the village a month ago," Riya finished, unaware of the devastation she had just unleashed.

I felt a massive, silent wave of shock crash over me. My breath hitched in my throat, a dry, painful catch. My hands clenched tightly at my sides, my knuckles white with the sudden force. *All of it—the kiss, the fight, the surrender, the fucking, the tears—was her final goodbye, her final, frantic, beautiful sacrifice to me.* My mind spun, trying to hold onto the memory of her face. I started walking away from Riya immediately, my pace quickening. Riya was calling my name, her voice fading into the background, becoming a distant noise. But I was so lost in the crushing realization that Mala was gone forever, and that our intense night was a closing chapter, that I couldn't stop walking toward my house. She had used me to say goodbye to her love, and now she was gone, leaving only the memory and the ache.

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