THE COST OF SURVIVAL

Rosie pov.

It didn’t take me much time to find a contract to sell my car. After all, I know this city very well. I didn’t even argue with the dealer to increase the price. I had no time. I took the money and left. It was only three lakhs.

I couldn’t even pay five, so how could I ever pay ten?

I’ve already given everything I had, and now God wants to take my last precious thing, my world, my Misthi.

I went to the terrace, just wanting some peace. When I reached the last few stairs, my legs gave up. I sank down, sitting on the cold steps. Tears started to fall, my whole body trembling.

“Why, God why me, always?” 

I whispered.

“I can’t take it anymore. Please, help me”

But deep inside, I knew  no one would help me. No one ever did.

For the first time, I felt truly broken.

Misthi’s words echoed in my head 

“My brave Mamma”

How could I tell her that I’m not her brave Mamma? That I’m not even her real mother?

Just thinking of it tore me apart inside.

Then suddenly, I felt a hand on my shoulder. I froze  in shock. Someone had touched me. I tried to stand and turn, but in my panic, my foot slipped off the edge of the stairs. I lost my balance, falling backward  but just in time, my hand caught onto something.

It was him, the man with those ocean eyes.

I clutched his shirt tightly, but it tore apart, and again, I almost fell. Then he caught my hand firmly and pulled me toward him.

I closed my tearful eyes and buried my face in his chest, sobbing uncontrollably.

He held me without a word, then lifted me effortlessly into his arms. I flinched, but my struggle was useless. He was too strong.

He carried me up to the terrace and gently set me down. I looked away, unsure of what to do. Then words escaped my trembling lips,

“Th…thank you.”

When I glanced at his shirt half torn  I stammered, 

“Ahh I’ll pay you for it”

He stepped closer. God, he was dangerously handsome, his eyes could make anyone lose control.

I swallowed hard, whispering, “Yes” and took a step back.

He said calmly, “It’s Eighty thousand 

My eyes widened in shock. I quickly opened my bag, searching for a bandage. 

My documents fell to the ground, but I didn’t care.

I picked up a small piece of his shirt and tried to patch it together, applying the bandage with trembling hands.

He just stood there, a faint smirk playing on his lips.

Was he mocking me?

Then he noticed the wet part of his shirt  soaked from my tears.

“I’m sorry, sir,” I whispered shakily.

“I didn’t mean to”

He spoke softly, his voice suddenly gentle, “Why are you crying,  Sweetheart?”

My heart skipped. Did he just call me sweetheart? Was he insane?

I straightened up, forcing myself to stay polite. 

“It’s nothing,” I muttered and started walking away.

Then his deep voice stopped me. “Angel’s Loan Department”

I froze. He was holding my scattered documents.

“So, you wanted to take a loan,” he said slowly, his tone unreadable. 

“But it got rejected, right, Miss huu?”

The way he pronounced “huu” irritated me, but I didn’t care. I saw a glimpse of hope. Maybe just maybe he could help me.

I turned and nodded. “Yes. I need money.”

“How much?” he asked.

“It’s ten lakhs,” I said softly, staring at the ground.

He lifted my chin gently. “So that’s why you’re crying, huu?”

I stepped back and nodded silently.

A smirk appeared on his face again and it made my blood boil. I turned to leave, but then he said,

“I’ll give you as much money as you want.”

Before he could finish, I turned around quickly. “I’m not that type of girl!” I snapped.

He raised a brow. “No, I didn’t mean that. You don’t have to sleep with me. Just come with me to a party.”

A party? Seriously?

But I didn’t have any other option. For Misthi, I could bear anything.

It was just one night. One party. After that, Misthi would be fine, and we would leave this place forever.

He continued, “I promise you, I’ll never hurt you, not unless you want me to. It’s just a party, for now.”

What nonsense was he talking about? Why would I ever want someone to hurt me?

But I didn’t focus on that. My whole mind was on the money. I needed it no matter what.

“Okay,” I said quietly, my voice trembling. “I’m ready.”

Tears wouldn’t stop falling down my cheeks.

He stepped closer to me, and when I tried to move back, he wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me against him. My heart stopped for a moment and I couldn't even breathe.

His thumb brushed away my tears gently, and he whispered, “ save them”

I just nodded, frozen in place, trying to move but unable to. 

Then he leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss on my forehead. My whole body went still. I didn't know what was happening anymore.

He handed me a check with his signature on it and turned to leave, his steps calm and confident.

But I just stood there, staring, trying to process what had just happened.

I felt like someone had stabbed a knife into my chest. I tried to calm myself down. I really, really needed the money. That’s the only reason I agreed to him.

“It’s just a party,” I whispered to myself.

“You can do it. Yes, you can do it. It’s the only option.”

I filled out the hospital bill and paid the amount. Then I sat outside the theatre. It had been almost three and a half hours. Every second felt like years.

Finally, the doors opened. My heart started pounding again. I jumped to my feet.

Dr. Yasvi walked out.

“Rosie,” she called.

“Yes, yes, Doctor, how is she?” I asked, my eyes already filling with tears.

“She’s fine,” Dr. Yasvi said gently. “The operation was successful.”

I let out a shaky breath, my knees almost giving out. Then she placed a comforting hand on my shoulder.

“Don’t worry,” she said softly. “You’re not alone anymore. The one who supports you is strong enough to face even death.”

I didn’t understand what she meant, and honestly, I didn’t care to ask. My only concern was my daughter.

“Can I please see her?” I asked quickly.

Dr. Yasvi nodded. “Yes, you can.”

My feet couldn’t wait any longer. I rushed inside the room.

Misthi was lying on the hospital bed, surrounded by wires and machines. Her eyes were half-open, weak but alive.

I looked at her, trying to be brave, but her pain broke me from the inside.

I leaned down and hugged her gently, not too tight, afraid of hurting her but with all the strength I had left in my heart.

She whispered something, her voice barely audible.

“Yes, my baby? Do you want something? Are you hurt?” I asked softly.

She smiled faintly. “I love you, Mamma.”

I kissed her little hand, tears burning my eyes. 

“Mamma loves you more than anything, my child. Don’t worry, you just need some rest. Everything will be fine soon”

A nurse handed me a food tray, and I started feeding her gently with my hands. Suddenly, she said, “Mamma, Dad came to see me again during the operation.”

I smiled weakly. “In your dreams again, hmm?”

But her next words made my hand freeze in midair.

“No, Mamma this time he really came.”

She pushed my hand toward her mouth and took a small bite.

“H-how, baby? W-where?” I asked, my voice trembling.

“Mamma, when you weren’t here, I was very scared. 

I was crying, and then I saw him standing outside the door  through the small window gap. 

He told the doctors not to hurt me. He wanted to come inside, but they didn’t let him. So he gave me this.”

She reached under her pillow and pulled out a soft unicorn teddy. “Look, Mamma.”

I held it in my hands. It was soft, warm, and new. My chest tightened. 

“Baby is he the same one you see in your dreams?”

She shook her head. “No, Mamma.”

That gave me a little relief, maybe she just saw someone else, someone random. But then she whispered in my ear with a tiny giggle, 

“He’s even more handsome in real life, Mamma. So hot.”

“Oh God,” I muttered under my breath. This girl was going to give me a heart attack. I tried to sound strict. 

“Mishti! Didn’t I tell you not to take anything from strangers? Then why”

She cut me off in her sweet, innocent voice. “Mamma, he’s not a stranger. He’s my Dadda.”

Her words struck me like lightning. Was she telling the truth? Did he really come to meet her? What if he saw her, what if he takes her away from me?

No. No, I can’t let that happen.

I set the tray aside and gently stroked her hair. “Mishti, baby, finish your food. I’ll be right back.”

I stepped out of the room, heading to find Dr. Yasvi  asked when Mishti would be fine, when we could leave this city, and most importantly, who that man was. But a nurse stopped me.

“Ma’am, Dr. Yasvi’s shift is over. She’s gone home.”

Of course. My fate never makes things easy for me. It has always been my enemy, never my support.

Then my phone buzzed  an unknown number.

Be ready. Your parcel is in your room.

Oh God how could I forget? The party. The money.

And I still needed another five lakhs. I had to attend it.

But wait, how did he know my room number?

Shit. Who the hell is he? What have I done? I’ve let him

know where I live.

Fine. I won’t take Mishti there  no, I can’t. Tonight, I’ll just attend the party, take the money, and once she’s okay I’ll leave this city.

And this time, I’ll never, ever come back