"You're fired!!!"
Those were the last words that erupted from Vinay's boss — sharp, cold, and final. His recent job had ended abruptly, just three months in. Frustration churned inside him as those words kept echoing in his mind like a broken record. Without saying a word, he turned away and began walking home, his shoulders heavy with defeat.
This wasn't new for him. In fact, it was his eleventh termination.
No
"Who am I kidding? To think that promotion was mine… it was all just a setup," Vinay muttered under his breath.
That promotion — a chance to become a permanent member of the firm — was every rookie's dream. But in truth, it had already been sold long before he ever stood a chance.
"They'd all been waiting to see me rise," he whispered bitterly. "Yet here I am… sinking again."
A heated argument with the HR manager had sealed his fate. And now, as he trudged through the evening streets, one question haunted him: How will I feed my family now?
Vinay belonged to the lower middle class. His father had vanished years ago, his mother lay bedridden, and his younger brother's school fees were already overdue. The weight of responsibility pressed down on him until breathing itself felt like work.
Lost in thought, he decided to stop by the local inn — a small comfort in a city that no longer felt kind.
It was around seven. The streets of Mumbai usually burst with life — the chatter of passersby, the honking of auto-rickshaws, the laughter of children, the rhythmic calls of street vendors. But tonight, everything seemed eerily muted. The chaos that once brought him solace had quieted, replaced by a strange stillness.
By the time he reached the inn, dusk had settled. The lone moon hung high, bathing the city in silver light.
When he entered, he realized he was the only customer. The inn, once packed with people eager to try its famous mini idlis, now sat in silence.
"Waiter, the usual please," Vinay said, forcing a tired smile.
From behind the counter, Mr. Alex, the inn's owner and Vinay's longtime friend, looked up. He had seen Vinay at his best and his worst, and today was clearly one of those darker days.
"Another bad day, eh, Vinay?" Alex asked gently.
At those words, Vinay couldn't hold back anymore. Tears welled up and spilled freely.
Alex rushed over and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Hey, hey, it's okay, man. Don't lose yourself like this. No reason in life should make you give up on it."
"You don't even know what happened, so don't tell me crap," Vinay said between sobs.
"Let me guess," Alex sighed. "You got fired again, didn't you?"
Vinay nodded. His tears fell faster now. "How am I supposed to treat my mom… feed my brother…"
Alex looked at him, eyes filled with sympathy. "When one door closes, another opens. Life's a climb, Vinay — today's your fall, but you'll rise again."
Vinay gave a weak smile. "That's a mentality I wish I had, man."
Just then, the waiter approached. "Sir, your mini idli!"
The aroma of the warm dish reached him. Vinay picked up his spoon and began to eat. The taste — soft, familiar, comforting — was enough to momentarily lift the weight off his shoulders.
When he finished, he reached for his wallet. "Alex, here's fifty for the meal."
Alex shook his head. "Nah, man. Today's on me."
"Really?" Vinay blinked. "Alright, fine. Thanks. But hey… why's it so empty tonight? The streets too — they're dead quiet."
Alex leaned in, his tone low and serious. "You don't know? There's a war going on between two gangs — the Scorpions and the Smokers. They're hunting people on sight. You should be careful heading home."
Vinay's eyes widened slightly, but he just nodded. "Yeah, thanks, man. For the food… and for listening. I'll pay you back soon, promise. See you later."
As he stepped out into the dimly lit street, the city felt different — colder, quieter, and somehow darker than before.