Chapter 7:- The Greed

Dev, a close friend, welcomed Arjun, and as they settled onto an expensive sofa, concern etched on Dev's face, he inquired, "What happened?"

Arjun, burdened by a heavy revelation, confessed, "I lost everything."

"What? How?" Dev's bewildered expression mirrored the gravity of Arjun's words.

"Raj suggested a loan app. They lent me some money after I submitted my documents. I bet everything I had. I even used my brother's documents to obtain money from the loan app. I used that money too," Arjun revealed, his voice tinged with regret.

Dev's eyes widened in disbelief, grappling with the weight of Arjun's confession. "You used your brother's documents? That's serious, Arjun. We need to figure out how to address this situation," Dev responded, a mix of concern and disappointment evident in his tone.

As the weight of the situation hung in the air, Arjun sought guidance, "What should we do?"

Dev, attempting to navigate a solution, inquired, "Do you have any ideas?"

"No," Arjun replied, his vulnerability laid bare.

"So, why are you planning now?" Dev questioned, trying to understand the genesis of the problem.

"Do you have any?" Arjun's desperation seeped into his words.

"I don't have any money," Dev admitted, a stark reality further complicating their predicament.

Arjun, visibly concerned and trembling under the weight of his actions, contemplated, "At least I should pay my brother's debt for now."

Sensing Arjun's turmoil, Dev proposed, "I have a suggestion."

Hope flickered in Arjun's eyes as he asked, "What is it?"

"I will introduce a guy who can lend you money and something extra," Dev offered, his words carrying a glimmer of potential relief.

Concerned about the risks, Arjun sought reassurance, "Is it safe to take money from them?"

Dev explained, "It will be a little troublesome; you pay a high-interest rate. But if you pay them before the due date, then there's no problem."

Arjun, caught in the crossroads of desperation and pragmatism, dived deep into thought. "What should I do now? I don't have any other choice. I will pay my brother's debt for now."

After the moment of reflection, Arjun agreed to Dev's idea.

They left Dev's place, embarking on a journey to the lender's location.

After approaching the money lender, Raj introduced Arjun, saying, "He is my friend Arjun. He needs some money for an urgent purpose."

The formidable-looking lender, his imposing presence casting an intimidating aura, scrutinized Arjun and gruffly inquired, "When will you return the money?"

"In three months, sir," Arjun replied, a hint of nervousness in his voice.

After a brief contemplation, the lender agreed to lend him money, albeit with a high-interest rate. Arjun, visibly relieved, signed the document without reading it thoroughly.

"You have to repay the money on time, or you will face consequences," the lender warned as he collected the borrowed sum.

After the transaction, Arjun and Dev left the place.

"Don't misuse the money," Dev cautioned.

"I don't," Arjun asserted confidently. "I'll use this money to pay off my brother's debt and find a way to settle these debts," he assured.

"Ok," Dev acknowledged.

As they parted ways, each heading in their respective directions on their motorcycles, the weight of the borrowed money and the responsibility it carried.

On the way to the bank to deposit the money, Arjun's phone rang, prompting him to pull over and check the caller's identity.

"It's Raj," Arjun noted before answering the call.

"Hey dude. Wassup?" Raj's voice came through.

"Nothing. I just lost some money," Arjun sighed, sharing the details of his predicament with Raj.

"So what's now?" Raj inquired.

"I am on my way to pay off my brother's debt that I took from the app," Arjun explained.

"Really, dude? Use that money to gain extra money," Raj suggested.

"No, dude. I can't risk this money," Arjun firmly stated.

"I'm playing a new game which gives lots of money easily," Raj tempted.

"No. I don't want to risk it," Arjun replied, sticking to his decision.

"Your wish," Raj conceded and ended the call.

As Arjun prepared to resume his journey, another phone call interrupted him.

This time, it was Sony.

Arjun answered the call, greeted by a sweet voice from the other end, "Hello, it's Sony."

"Hello, Sony. Wassup?" Arjun replied, his tone shifting as he engaged.

After engaging in some sweet conversation, Sony's voice took on a playful tone.

"Do you know about the new mobile?" she inquired, her words carrying a hint of excitement.

Arjun, intrigued, asked, "Which one?"

"That new and costly one," Sony replied, her tone suggestive of a shared secret.

Arjun, curious about the details, responded, "I know it. I heard it has some good camera and performance."

"I want it," Sony declared.

"What? It's costly, and my budget is tight now," Arjun panicked.

"I don't need any excuse; I want it," Sony asserted, a hint of sternness in her tone, and she abruptly ended the phone call.

After some deep contemplation about his relationship, Arjun made a phone call to Raj, remembering the promise of winning a substantial sum of money that Raj had offered before.

"Hello?" Arjun started.

"Wassup, dude?" Raj replied.

"I will play the game," Arjun announced.

"Sure, let's hop in," Raj agreed.

Arjun deposited the money into his bank account and headed to his usual hangout space, while Raj played from the comfort of his home. They initiated the game, entering a gambling app and engaging in a multiplayer match. The atmosphere intensified as both approached the virtual battlefield with a serious demeanor.

They won the first game, securing a substantial amount of money.

"That's enough," Arjun messaged Raj.

"What? That's it?" Raj replied.

"No, bro. Can't risk anything now," Arjun explained, prioritizing caution.

Raj, tempting Arjun with the allure of buying gifts for his girlfriend and indulging in personal desires, fueled Arjun's desire for more. Despite the initial hesitation, Arjun succumbed to the greed that had taken hold of him, forgetting the primary purpose of paying his brother's debt.

They delved into the game once again, the town witnessing some consecutive wins that fueled their sense of invincibility.

As the gameplay deepened, a sense of shock and disbelief swept over them, especially Arjun, who found himself more stunned than the previous day. The tide had turned, but not in their favor. It was a loss, and not just any loss – it was double the magnitude of their defeat from the day before.

Arjun, now mired in deep confusion, faced the harsh reality of their situation. The fleeting allure of wealth had morphed into a harsh lesson, leaving him grappling with the consequences of succumbing to greed and forgetting the responsibilities he had initially set out to fulfill.

As he stared at the virtual losses on the screen, a sinking feeling of regret and desperation settled in. The once-promising venture had turned into a perilous journey, and Arjun could sense the impending storm that awaited him.

The sound of the virtual coins slipping away echoed in his mind, mirroring the weight of his decisions. With a heavy heart, he knew the impact would extend beyond the digital realm.