John went to work ,as usual telling his mom that he was going to collage. He was getting proficient in telling lies day by day .Before he used to feel bad and experience guilt but lately it had become a habit. He didn’t even think before telling a lie as it just came naturally to him.

On his way to the restaurant he decided to pay a visit to the bank to check his loan status. He started calculating in his mind about the upcoming loan expenditure while peddling his bicycle. ‘After deducting mom’s hospital bill I might get around Rs30000 . I will save this money in case if I have to pay bribe to get a job.’

While he was busy calculating , he suddenly noticed a crashed car . Since it was early in the morning there was not many people on the road and the people who noticed didn’t want to involve in any trouble, so , they avoided the crashed site like a plague. John slowly peddled near the car and saw some girl bleeding on the steering wheel.

Although a part of him was ready to help , he controlled his urge . He didn’t want to involve in the matters of police . He was poor and didn’t have any support. If he was implied in the case ,his Mom would collapse from shock. After calling police and ambulance , he silently left to his own business.

He was again started to think about his prospective loan by forgetting everything just happened. As he entered ,the bank manager’s cabin asked him to sit down casually. He sat nervously praying in his mind to increase the loan amount. The bank Manager started typing something on his computer and occasionally looked at him.

John felt like the Manager is looking inside his brain. He silently thought ‘ Did the Manager came to know about my expulsion from collage ? Damn, I am screwed then.’ He started to sweat even though it was an air conditioned cabin.

The manager finally looked at him making a grave expression ."Mr John, we are sorry to tell you that we are unable to give you any loan. Your current job is not secure and your earlier education loan needs to be payed before we can talk”

John’s face instantly lost all color. He tried to negotiate and reassure the bank Manager but no matter what the Manger was not convinced. He knew his job was insecure but what can he do? . How can he repay his education loan when there is not even enough money to live?

He came out of the bank with his head drooped low. He desperately wanted that loan for his Mom’s hospital fee but man proposes God disposes . ‘ I didn’t want to go to the loan sharks but seems like I don’t have any other option. I still have one more hour before the restaurant opens .’ He steeled his heart and started peddling towards the address his coworker gave.

His coworkers had already told him that he wouldn’t get any loan in the bank but he didn’t listen . He believed that being 21 year old, bank would consider his potential and lend him money. His coworkers had laughed at his foolishness but nevertheless gave a loan shark number.

He thought to bring uncle Peter along since he knew how untrustworthy and exploitative the loan sharks can get but he didn’t like asking for help .He was shy and introvert in nature who mostly handled things alone.

As he arrived to the address ,he started to have second thoughts because the entire colony looked shady with people looking at him strangely. Then he saw a scary looking guy 30m away threatening a middle aged man with a knife . But the people around the street didn’t even bat their eye as if it was normal .

He unconsciously stopped his bicycle and prepared to head back but suddenly that scary looking guy asked “Hey, you there …. What business do you have here? Do you want to see someone?”

John stuttered with fear “ Yes ……I wanted to see Mr. Jake ….but its OK I can come back later”. He didn’t want to stay here there any longer . He’s already decided to find another way to his Mom’s treatment .

But the youth was too familiar with introvert people. How could he let of a sheep which had already in front of his slaughter house. He smiled broadly and signaled his guards to take care of the middle aged man . John felt his hair stood up when he saw that devil smile.

He was scared shitless. He desperately tried to peddle his bicycle but his legs failed to locate the peddle and made a peddling motion in air. Without any second thought he got down and decided to drag the bicycle along him while he ran.

But the moment he got down the scary looking guy already held his shoulder .John felt like a mountain has fallen on his shoulder and couldn’t budge .His heart started beating erratically and his body started to shiver. He turned around like a robot with a fake smile “Hello…. brother what can I ….do for you?”

Scary looking guy didn’t care how scary his face was . He asked in a cordial tone “Little brother I am that Jake you are looking for .Did my earlier act scare you? I am sorry I just got carried away. Come with me , we will talk while drinking tea. I can’t let go of guests who came to my doorstep.”

John didn’t have a choice and was dragged into an office . It was not anything special but had an air conditioner and new furniture. He sat nervously and looked around .

Scary looking guy called someone to bring tea . He looked at John again with a broad smile “Now tell me little brother what can I do for you?”

After hesitating a little bit John decided to go with the flow. So told his requirement for the loan. Scary looking guy listened patiently and told casually

“No problem little brother. I can give you 1 lakh loan considering the fact that you are a coworker with my past client .I don’t need any sort of guarantee. But you have to pay monthly installment on time.”

John felt like he was in a roller coaster . He was disappointed earlier for not getting a bank loan even after lot of convincing but now he was getting a loan without any sort of negotiation. He became instantly excited and asked in agitation

“ When can I get the amount?”

Jake was pleased with the new client’s impatience. He said with a smile “Little brother , I like your straightforwardness. I won’t waste your time . Let me write a check for you”

John couldn’t believe his eyes ’Process is too simple .Am I missing something? Is this dream or reality?’

He secretly pinched his skin and sighed a relief ‘ Mom you don’t have to suffer any longer . I will admit you to a good hospital tomorrow itself.’

His brain again started calculating what he should do with the rest of the money. After getting his check ,John thanked Jake and left with a broad smile.

On the other hand Jake observed John silently from his office. When John was 100m away , his face distorted from cordial smile to cunning smile. He dialed a number and said casually “ Prey is leaving ,it is up to you now.”

On the other side of the phone “OK Boss . I am on the way.”

John didn’t know that his life’s biggest tragedy is about to happen in a moment as he was busy humming his favorite tone and imagining his bright future ahead.