Chess & Checkers

4. A Game of Coffee

TRIGGER WARNING: CONTAINS MENTION OF RAPE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, DRUGS AND ALCOHOL!

READ AT YOUR OWN RISK!

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River bank, Hyderabad

August, 2013

The vibrant orange embers provided a striking contrast against the night sky, casting a beautiful glow on the surroundings as the bonfire illuminated the area. A brisk breeze carried the humidity and sticky summer heat, noticeable even at eight in the evening when the moon shone brightly in the starry sky, its brilliant white crescent standing out against the backdrop of the dusk.

Amidst the laughter blending with the smoke and the scent of burning tobacco from cigarettes, Meerab and her three friends formed a circle around the fire. They chuckled at a joke cracked by one of them. As Meerab took another drag of her cigarette, the rhythmic sound of wheels on sand filled the air. Glancing behind her, she noticed a sleek black SUV coming to a stop just a few meters away from their gathering.

The background music of waves crashing provided a serene ambiance as the driver's side door opened, and a young man, perhaps eighteen or nineteen years old, emerged. He was unfamiliar to everyone except one person. "Mike!" Ushna, Meerab's friend, exclaimed with excitement as he approached. "You made it!" she exclaimed, rushing to greet him and meeting him halfway with a hug. Meerab observed as Mike's arm encircled Ushna's waist, and they exchanged a hug, displaying a level of comfort that piqued the curiosity of the onlookers, prompting them to wonder about their relationship.

Meerab dismissed the idea of him being a secret boyfriend; Ushna was notorious for her inability to keep secrets. His appearance didn't align with his foreign-sounding name, as he exhibited typical South Asian features— a wheatish complexion, impeccably styled dark hair that defied the strong and humid wind, and deep-set eyes that lacked warmth, giving off a somewhat sinister vibe. As he pulled back from the hug and surveyed their group of friends, a chill ran down Meerab's spine. So, the question lingered: Who exactly was Mike?

His gaze lingered on her for an extra moment as Ushna pulled him towards the group. Meerab found herself momentarily frozen under his intense stare. However, her trance was abruptly broken when the cigarette between her fingers burned a bit too much, and hot ash landed on her ring finger. With a quick hiss, Meerab tossed the cigarette into the fire, then blew on and rubbed her finger to alleviate the slight sting left by the ash. Curving her finger between her lips, Meerab looked up just as the duo reached her side.

"Guys, this is my cousin Mike! He's visiting from Atlanta. And Mike, these are my friends..." Ushna announced, introducing Mike to each member of the small group one by one.

"Hey everyone, I'm Mikaal, but ya'll can call me Mike," he greeted the group with a rather indifferent expression. His words were heavily laced with an American accent, accompanied by the faintest, least interested smile. As his eyes scanned the group, they paused on Meerab once again, lingering longer than necessary. His gaze traveled from top to bottom, and his lips curved into a smirk, intensifying her discomfort.

"I hope you don't mind I invited him. He's only here for a couple of weeks, and I wanted you all to meet him," Ushna explained. Everyone nodded, silently letting her know it was okay. Then, Faraz, one of the two boys in the group, chimed in, "That's alright. How are you, bro? Come sit." His words were delivered with an awkward, fake desi-American accent that prompted Meerab to raise her eyebrows at him in amusement. She gave him a look saying, 'Seriously!?' as she struggled to stifle a laugh.

Faraz responded with an amused glance and a roll of his eyes, prompting Meerab to feign a cough to conceal the laughter that threatened to escape her throat. However, her smile vanished when, instead of choosing to sit next to Faraz, Mike opted for the spot beside her. Reluctantly, Meerab shifted to the side, making room for him on the small rock. As he stood above her, casting a gaze that made her squirm uncomfortably, her initial amusement turned into apprehension.