The morning sun rose, but in this house, morning never meant a "new beginning."
Here, morning meant responsibility and pressure.
The stove was burning in the kitchen, and so were my aching fingers.
I held a cup of tea… but hotter than the tea were the tears in my eyes.
"Mira!"
Aunty's voice sounded like someone had squeezed the air out of my lungs.
I hurried into the hall.
Aunty was sitting on the sofa. Her three kids were lazily sprawled around, glued to their phones and snacks.
"I told you! Wash the dishes quickly!" she snapped.
"All day you do nothing… and still get tired at night, madam!"
I stayed quiet. Silence had become my defense.
"What did I say wrong?" Aunty raised her voice further.
"If you want to stay in this house, earn your keep! Nobody survives here for free!"
My hands shook on their own.
I said softly,
"Aunty… I'm trying… I've applied everywhere…"
"Trying?" she laughed harshly.
"This isn't school where being a topper earns you medals!
Here, money is what matters… understand?"
One of her kids glanced at me, then buried himself in his phone.
As if I wasn't even human… just some servant.
My heart broke a little.
I had been a school topper.
Teachers used to tell me I had a bright future.
Yet, no one had told me that to survive the future, you first have to fight the present.
🏢 First office — the struggle
By noon, I was ready — a simple kurta, an old file, and a bag with a few photocopies.
I looked at myself in the mirror… dark circles under my eyes, but a stubborn fire still burning within.
I reached the gate, and Aunty called from behind—
"Listen! If you return empty-handed again… don't even step inside the house!"
My steps froze.
I wanted to speak… but remembered—
I never really had the right to speak.
I walked out silently.
One office, then another, then a third.
Everywhere, the same line:
"Do you have experience?"
"Salary expectations?"
"We'll call you."
But the call never came.
By evening, the corner of my file was folded, and so were my dreams.
A receptionist outright said,
"Ma'am, we don't hire freshers."
I just smiled.
When life breaks you every day, a smile becomes a habit.
🌧️ Rain + First encounter
Suddenly, it started raining.
I stood at the bus stop… clothes drenched… and heart even heavier.
My phone was empty. No balance.
I stood on the wet road, thinking—
"If my parents were alive… would I even be here today?"
A sleek black car sped past, splashing water all over me.
And inside… Kim Jiho — white shirt, expensive watch, perfect hair…
like he'd stepped straight out of a magazine.
He looked at me for just a second, then casually asked,
"Why are you standing on the road?"
I snapped.
"Problem?! You just drenched me! Can't you see?"
He smiled lightly. A cold, confident smile.
"Clothes ruined? Don't worry. Take the money… handle yourself."
I froze.
"What?!"
I didn't even glance at his wallet and said firmly—
"Not everything can be bought with money."
His eyes showed no guilt, only ego.
But… a subtle flicker of something stirred inside him, even he didn't realize it.
Then his voice came from behind… slow, confident, dangerous—
"Girls like you sell their self-respect first."
My steps faltered.
I turned to look at him properly for the first time.
I said softly—
"And boys like you… sell their humanity."
His smile disappeared.
For a single moment… irritation crossed his face.
As if… someone had challenged him for the first time.
🌙 Chapter End Hook
I walked on.
Through rain.
Through rejection.
Through struggle.
But one thing was clear—
This boy… will come back into my life.
And when he does… it won't just be the rain soaking me…
he will turn my whole world upside down.
To be continued…