Chapter 6:- The Downfall

In the muted glow of his room, Arjun's descent into the virtual casino continued unabated, stretching over the course of six months. What was once an occasional indulgence had morphed into a consuming obsession.

His sporadic victories became the currency for grand gestures aimed at impressing Sony, his girlfriend. When luck favored him, Arjun spared no expense, showering Sony with lavish gifts and whisking her away to expensive locales. The allure of these extravagant moments blinded him to the mounting losses lurking just beneath the surface.

Arjun's academic life suffered a severe blow as he bunked classes, resulting in a dismal 40% attendance in the last semester—an unprecedented low in his academic career. Despite the warning signs, he remained indifferent to the consequences. Sanya, a concerned friend, offered advice, but Arjun sighed her off, frustrating her to the point where she distanced herself over the last few months.

Encouragement from Sony, urging Arjun to gamble for her gifts as a form of appreciation, further fueled his addiction. His parents, seemingly distant, were unaware of the gambling spiral as Arjun successfully concealed his addiction and grew more emotionally distant from them.

A pivotal moment arrived when, after six months of downloading the game, Arjun lost his savings. However, a glimmer of hope emerged as the game announced a significant gambling event. Arjun believed winning in this event could rectify his losses, but he found himself penniless.

In desperation, he reached out to Raj, a friend acquainted with the virtual realm.

"Hello! Raj answered. What is it, man?" he questioned.

Arjun, a mix of urgency and despair in his voice, asked, "Do you know about the upcoming event in this app?"

"Yes," Raj replied.

"I want to win big in this event, but I don't have any money left to deposit. Will you help me?" Arjun implored.

Raj, sympathizing with Arjun's predicament, admitted, "Money? I don't have any."

Arjun's disappointment was palpable. "Really?" he sighed.

"But I can lend you money if you want," Raj offered, extending a lifeline to his troubled friend.

"How?" Arjun asked with a spark of excitement.

"I know money lending apps. Care to try it?" Raj suggested.

"Money lending app? I heard it's dangerous to use," Arjun hesitated.

"It's dangerous when you don't repay the money. But we'll win the game this time and repay them without any issues," Raj assured, a sense of confidence in his voice.

"Wait! I'll send the link to the app," Raj offered.

"Thanks, man. What about Dev? Does he still play the game?" Arjun inquired.

"He said he deleted the app a few days ago," Raj replied.

"He's an unfortunate man," Arjun joked.

Raj ended the call, leaving Arjun staring at his mobile. A message popped up – Raj had sent a link for mobile loan apps. Arjun opened the link and submitted the required documents, unaware that this app was collecting more than just financial information; it was extracting contacts from his mobile.

After receiving the money, Arjun eagerly awaited the midnight unlocking of the event. The allure of a potential victory overshadowed the ominous undertones of his recent decisions. As the clock ticked closer to midnight, the room, bathed in the glow of his monitor, held the quiet tension of impending risks.

As the event unlocked, Arjun poured 50% of his money into the first game. The gameplay was intense, and at the brink of losing, Arjun secured a victory, sparking both enjoyment and relief in his eyes.

After the gameplay, Arjun questioned himself. "Should I play more? I have more money now. I can buy anything if I win more than this. What should I do?"

After some intense thought, Arjun decided to gamble more money. He started the second game, beginning at the brink of winning. After some gameplay, he lost some money, and tension crept onto his face.

Arjun's mind reeled in shock, struggling to comprehend the unfolding events. After careful consideration, he made a fateful decision—to use his brother's documents and secure a loan from a lending app, a desperate attempt to recover his staggering losses.

Driven by a mixture of determination and despair, Arjun returned to the gambling app. Unwavering, he staked all his remaining funds in pursuit of a jackpot, his actions fueled by a desperate desire to turn the tide. Yet, fate was unkind, and Arjun found himself in disbelief as he lost everything, a devastating blow that left him grappling with the consequences.

Morning light offered no respite as Arjun, tormented by the night's chaos, surfaced from his uneasy sleep. His family, sensing his exhaustion, probed with concern. His mother, worry etched on her face, inquired about the sleepless night, only to receive elusive responses. Arjun, adept at masking the brewing storm within, concealed the truth, desperately guarding the fragile facade of normalcy.

In the familial cocoon, as his mother gently questioned, "What happened, Arjun? Didn't sleep at night?" His brother, ever quick with satire, interjected, suggesting, "Maybe he was too busy on a call with his beloved Sony." Arjun, grappling with the weight of secrets, maintained a facade, uttering a dismissive response, "It's nothing, Mom." The room hung heavy with unspoken truths, threatening the fragile peace that clung to their interactions.

As Arjun prepared to leave the confines of his home, his father's inquiry halted him. "Where are you going? Today is Sunday," questioned his father. Concealing the weight of his secret, Arjun quickly fabricated plans to visit a friend named Raj.

Upon reaching Dev's affluent home, Arjun was greeted by a friend who sensed the turmoil etched across his face. "What happened?" Dev inquired, concern evident in his eyes. Arjun, swallowing his pride, admitted, "I need some help."