Chapter 3: 01 | how'd she sacrifice now...?

A Loan Of Five Rupees | Part 1 ✓Words: 7447

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Video Attached: 'O Sathi Mere' by Sonu Nigam.

Year: 2010

"I can't wait, my love..." the woman breathed softly into her lover's ear.

His thumb traced the fullness of her lips with a tender, deliberate touch. She parted her mouth, inviting his roughened finger inside, then closed her lips around it, savoring the taste as if it were sweet as honey.

A satisfied smirk tugged at her lips as she heard him groan. Letting his thumb slip free with a soft pop, she teased, "Aren't you afraid of them?"

His eyes darkened with desire as he watched her straddle him, her movements begging for a response. Without hesitation, he leaned in, closing the small distance between them. This wasn't just about lust for him; it was something deeper. His lips found her sensitive skin, and the soft gasp she let out was music to his ears.

Meeting her gaze, he replied with calm certainty, "I don't give a damn about them." Then he bent down to gently lick the spot where he'd left his mark. "All I know is I love you, and you're mine—only mine," he murmured, nuzzling into the crook of her neck with a contented sigh.

She placed her hands on either side of his face, lifting it gently so she could meet his gaze. His black eyes sparkled with a mix of emotion, drawing her in like they always did. With a deep breath and a smile that spoke of contentment, she softly said the three words that held the world for her: "I. Love. You." As she did, tears welled up in her eyes, glistening like pearls before he gently brushed them away with his thumb.

He smiled, his voice steady as he replied, "I know."

In their own little world, wrapped in a bubble of happiness that seemed to shimmer with light, nothing else mattered. They had chosen to run away together, breaking free from a society that refused to accept their love.

Completely oblivious to the curious stares from other passengers, the couple lost themselves in their public display of affection, savoring every second of their time together.

A few men nearby couldn't help but enjoy the show unfolding before them, grinning like fools every time the girl let out a gasp of pleasure. Who could blame them? Normally, they'd have to shell out money to catch an erotic movie at the theater or watch something steamy online. But here they were, getting a front-row seat to a live performance—and it was all for free.

Dammit! Why couldn't they get a room somewhere?

A little girl sitting beside them fidgeted anxiously, her fingers nervously twisting together as she tried her best to pretend she couldn't see or hear what was happening right next to her.

She decided to focus on the other side of the coach, hoping for a distraction. Bad idea! Her luck ran out as she noticed a group of young guys across the aisle grinning and laughing every time the couple next to her made those unmistakable kissing sounds.

For the past ten minutes, she'd been squirming in discomfort, doing her best to dodge the unsettling stares of men passing by, who assumed she was with those overly affectionate lovers—when, unfortunately, she wasn't.

She silently cursed herself when her mind chose that exact moment to remind her it was all her fault. Seriously, all she wanted was a cup of tea—she was a self-proclaimed tea addict, after all. Her taste buds had been craving that warm, comforting drink, but not a single tea vendor had passed through the coach in the last half hour. Desperate, she'd begged her father to peel himself away from his seat and get her a cup from the Pantry Cart, which, unfortunately, was five compartments away.

Now, more than thirty minutes had passed, and there was still no sign of him. He was probably still battling his way through the crowded train to reach the canteen.

Thanks directed to Railway PC and their services!

She took a deep breath, trying to push aside the suffocating atmosphere around her.

Reaching into her bag, she pulled out the homemade fried chips her mother had packed for moments just like this. It seemed like the perfect distraction. Her mouth watered as she bit into a spicy wafer, savoring the familiar taste while she focused on the snack.

Just then, a lean boy in a khaki uniform entered the crowded coach, chanting, "Chai. Chaya. Chai. Chaiiii..." He carried a small steel drum with a crooked tap at the bottom, asking random passengers, "Madam, chai? Sir, coffee?" as he made his way down the aisle, hoping for a sale.

She glanced around, and it seemed to her like her father had gone all the way to Assam to fetch her some tea.

She wondered what could possibly be wrong with having a fifty-milliliter cup of tea twice. Nothing at all, she decided. As she crunched the last of her thin wafer, she called out to the boy, "Excuse me..."

The young lad spun around with impressive speed and dashed across the blue cushioned berths to reach her. Standing in front of her, he asked in a well-practiced tone, "Yes, Madam. Tea or coffee?"

"Umm... Tea, please," she replied.

"Five rupees, Madam," he said, turning the lever on his steel container. The tap filled a Styrofoam cup, adorned with the red Indian Railways logo, with steaming hot tea. Once it was filled to the brim, he closed the tap and handed the cup to her.

Meanwhile, her neighbor, the annoying Romeo, called out, "Darling, do you want a cup of coffee?"

Chewing her lower lip, his 'darling' looked at him with a flirtatious gaze. "Hmm... Yes! But I won't be able to finish a whole cup. I can't handle too much caffeine..."

"Sure thing. We can share," he replied with a wink.

As if he would give ten liters of coffee for freaking five rupees! Bah!

Mentally berating herself, she fought the urge to shout at the annoying couple to stop their over-the-top romantic display. She hated seeing such public displays of affection. For her, PDA was a no-go—she wasn't into the whole cheesy love drama and certainly not into making a spectacle of it.

Just one more hour until she'd arrive in Nagpur, where she'd be taking her medical entrance exam the next day, administered by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences. If everything went well, she might even get accepted into their prestigious M.B.B.S. program. She could only imagine how thrilled everyone would be back in her home!

"One coffee for us."

She deliberately avoided looking at the couple. Her main goal now was to find her father so she could hand over the luggage he'd left for her to carry and find some peace away from the current annoyances.

She placed her cup on the flat side table attached to the creamy white wall near her neighbors and stood up. Tossing the empty chip packet out the grilled window of her side berth, she made sure not to disturb the lovey-dovey couple seated in the corner.

After disposing of her trash, she rummaged through her mini purse for some coins.

Oh God! Seriously!?

Her luck was once again playing tricks on her—only three new, crisp hundred-rupee notes greeted her from the purse. Her subconscious seemed to be lamenting her misfortune.

Without letting her frustration show, she zipped up her purse and picked up the cup from the table. Her mind immediately started working on how she could return the cup, which contained her beloved tea, to the young vendor.

How'd she sacrifice now...?