2. The New Neighbor

A new family had moved into Rosewood Hills this morning, causing some curiosity among the neighbors. A big truck loaded with cheap plastic furniture was parked outside an old double-story house, signaling the arrival of the newcomers. As they peered through their windows, some of the neighbors bounced on their toes and craned their necks to catch a glimpse of the new residents.

Excitement built as rumors spread among the neighbors. "It looks like someone has finally bought that house!" they whisper to each other. One of the neighbors, Mr. and Mrs. Bansal, a couple in their mid-50s, can't contain their curiosity any longer and decide to go meet the new family. They walk through the gate and find the owner of the new house instructing the movers on where to place the furniture.

Mr. Bansal greets the owner cheerfully, saying "Good morning".

The Bansals turned to the owner, and as he smiled, they realized he was the Security Head of a US security company. He was dressed in a haphazard manner, wearing khakis and a sky-blue shirt with the company logo. His shirt was unbuttoned all the way down, revealing a white vest underneath. He appeared to be around the same age as them. "Good morning," he returned their greeting, his tone rather business-like.

“I’m Anil,” said Mr. Bansal and shook hands with the owner.

“Manoj,” he replied curtly.

“We heard that you were coming,” said Anil. “From the landlord. Quite a lot of cleaning happened here last night.”

Manoj smiled; a smile that made the Bansals uncomfortable. They could tell that he wasn’t particularly interested in socializing.

“Well, we’ll see you later then. Once everything settles down.” Anil flashed an uncomfortable smile before exiting with his wife.

Manoj looked more than happy to see them leave.

Once the movers finished unloading the truck, they cleared the premises, leaving Manoj alone to explore his new home. He made his way to a dull and poorly lit bedroom on the ground floor. The small room offered little space for movement, and hardly any light filtered in. In the room, a middle-aged woman lay bedridden and paralyzed. Her physical limitations and broken spirit seemed on to have accelerated her aging factor.

Beside the bed was a young lady in her early twenties, ready to help the paralyzed woman up. As she bent over to adjust the old woman’s covers, Manoj stared at her hanging breasts with lust twinkling in his eyes.

As she sensed his vicious glare upon her, the young woman quickly straightened herself. Her eyes, big and nervous, fluttered with fear as she averted her gaze from his. The man, with an air of dominance and control, towered over her, his expression cold and unyielding.

Despite her fear, the girl's beauty was undeniable, with luscious silky hair and perfect curves that accentuated her beautiful contours.

Manoj smirked and licked his lips. “Have you informed the nurse about our new address?” he asked in a seductive croon.

“Y-yes…” she stammered, struggling to hold his gaze.

“Good. I’m off to work then. Anything else you need?”

“No,” she answered, still not looking at him.

Manoj exited, but not before throwing a couple of creepy glances over his shoulder.

She breathed again after hearing the front door shut. Finally, he had left.

“Try to sit Mother,” she told the old woman. “I’ll bring you some food. Then medicine.”

The girl helped her sit and prepared to leave but her mother held her back. “Maya…”

Maya turned around.

“Is there something you wish to tell me?” her mother asked, her voice quaking.

Maya briefly considered whether to open up, causing a momentary silence. "No, nothing," she finally said, her thoughts remaining private.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. Why such a question now?”

“I don’t know… I… I have a feeling that there isn’t much for me to go.” Her mother began to break. “I just want you to be in safe hands.”

Maya was quiet. “In safe hands…” Was she really?

"My child, I made a mistake. I regret it now," the mother said, her voice thick with emotion as tears started to fall.

"Mother, don't dwell on the past. What matters now is your health," Maya reassured her gently. "Don't worry about me, I'll be fine. Let me take care of you."

With that, she left momentarily, returning with a bowl of warm porridge. She quietly fed her, ensuring she took all her medicines before settling her in for some much-needed rest.

As night fell, Manoj returned home from a long day of work and slumped into his cane chair in search of some relaxation. Despite the full breeze of the ceiling fan, the stifling heat had him sweating profusely. Seeking some solace, he poured himself a glass of cheap whisky and took a long sip.

“Maya….” He called out.

No response.

“Maya!” louder this time.

Maya finally emerged from her room and made her way into the living room. She didn't want to be there, but she had no choice.

Manoj gave her a dirty look as she came in.

"Didn't go to college today?" he asked, capping the bottle.

"No. Tomorrow onwards..." She replied in a quiet voice, keeping a safe distance from him.

"It's the start of a new year. Make sure that you're regular, unlike last year," he advised.

She nodded slightly in acknowledgement.

"Anyways, it wasn't your fault. You did it for your mother. And you did a good job at that. But if you go on like this, then your studies will be in trouble. Which is why I've hired a home nurse. And by God, she's taking care of your mother well," he continued.

Maya listened without a word, keeping her head down. She didn't dare to look at him or get too close.

"But you shouldn't worry too much. Your mother will be fine. I'll make sure that she gets the right and best treatment," he added, trying to reassure her.

Maya remained expressionless, though his words should have given her some hope. He noticed her lack of response.

"Why don't you smile, dear? You look so beautiful when you smile. Do you know that?" he rose and approached her slowly.

Growing distressed, Maya took a step or two back, trying to create more distance between them. She knew where this was going.

“I’ve seen you smile only a few times,” he said, his voice growing quieter, making her hair stand on end. He was closing in on her, making her feel trapped.

"After that... it all just began to fade away," he said, drawing even closer.

Maya felt her back hit the wall. She would happily disappear into it if she could.

He reached out and brushed his sweaty hand against her cheeks.

She cringed, fear and disgust in her eyes.

“Why is it so? Has it got something to do with me? If I’ve done anything wrong, let me know. I promise. I promise to straighten it out. Trust me.”

His hand crawled down the nape of her neck to her fresh, plump breasts.

She whimpered something and backed further into the wall.

“Sorry, what was that again?” His eyes twinkled. “Don’t worry, I’ll be gentle. I always am. Isn’t it?” He twisted a nipple, making her shriek.

“Shhh… it’s okay… it’s okay…” he covered her mouth.

“Maya…?” Her mother’s desperate voice came from the room.

Manoj looked worried at that. “Now look what you did,” he whispered fiercely. “You woke her up. Why do you have to create such a frenzy? Just be in the moment. Enjoy yourself. I’ll give you a tip. How about imagining some hot guy in my place…”

By now, she was hyperventilating.

“I’m not that bad either,” he stated. “You should have seen me two decades ago. I was really something.” Saying this, he snickered proudly.

Maya slowly began to space out as one of his hands travelled down to her groin. In time, she had learnt to dissociate from this terrifying experience.

“Relax. I won’t hurt you.” He kissed her deeply on the mouth, cutting out her cries.

“God…” she whispered under her breath, knowing very well that no one would hear her desperate cries for help, but somehow hoping, that someone would.

Manoj pulled back abruptly as LOUD ANGRY VOICES rang outside on the streets. He stopped to listen, allowing Maya the space to breathe and pull herself together.

The voices grew louder followed by intermittent THUDS.

“What the hell is going on?” He stepped away from her to peer out the window.

Maya took this opportunity to bolt upstairs to her bedroom and lock herself up. She crumpled down in a corner of the room and huddled together, taking deep breaths, embracing, and rocking herself to calm down.

THUD! THUD! BAM! CRUNCH!

The sound of bones meeting flesh.

The noise grew louder outside. From the looks of it, it was a fight.

She crawled to her bedroom window and peeped out.

Out on the streets, she spotted Manoj struggling to pry a seemingly drunk man loose from another’s back.

“Get off!” He barked and pulled the old drunken man.

The drunkard hobbled on the spot for a moment before lunging at his younger victim.

Curious, she got onto her feet to get a better look. What the hell was going on?

The younger guy bled from the cuts on his face, possibly from the blows of the old man. He was hurting but did nothing. He didn’t retaliate. Instead, he just stood there taking all the hits.

Two of his friends, a guy and a young lady tried in vain to shield him from the old man’s blows.

“Come here you! You’re going to jail for this.” Manoj dragged the old man away.

Maya studied Manoj’s security officer instincts kick in. Was he like this at work? Or was he taking out his frustration of rejected sex on the older man?

The younger guy’s friends stood around him, concerned. They dabbed at his wounds with a kerchief. “Liam… are you okay?” asked his friend.

“Shit. You’re bleeding,” the younger lady exclaimed.

“Zoe, you go in and get some ice ready,” says the friend.

“Right on Kai,” she responded and hurried in.

Liam Parker, the guy taking all the hits, stood still amidst the chaos. He seemed to be in his early twenties. His face was stoic, devoid of any emotion. Without uttering a single word, he suddenly turned around and made his way to his house.

"You think you're smart? Beating up a boy like that?" Manoj's hands tightened around the old man's sweaty collars, pulling him closer to his face.

Some of the neighbors stepped in, attempting to diffuse the situation. "Mr. Suri, it's okay, leave it. The man is not in his senses."

But Manoj wasn't ready to listen. His face scrunched up in a scowl, and Maya couldn't help but wonder if he was channeling his frustrations onto the old man.

One of the bystanders chimed in, offering an explanation. "He's been like this ever since his wife and daughter died. He used to be well-respected, you know. Had a business. But then, call it misfortune, everything collapsed. Now he does odd jobs to get by, spending what he earns on cheap rum."

"Unfortunately, Liam has to bear the brunt of it all," added another concerned neighbor. "So, let's just let it go."

Manoj's face still radiated anger, but a flicker of contemplation crossed his features. Slowly, he released his grip on the old man's collar. The man stood there, swaying in a drunken stupor, barely able to maintain his balance. Concerned neighbors came forward, offering support and helping him back into his house, their collective efforts keeping him from toppling over.

Manoj remained rooted to the spot, his earlier rage now replaced by a mixture of frustration and resignation. Maya watched from her window as some of the neighbors gathered around him, their faces filled with empathy and understanding.

For a moment, Maya forgot about her own pain. From her own window, she spotted Liam, pacing up and down in his room. She watched as he settled onto his bed, wiping a rough hand over the cuts on his face, blood oozing through his fingers. For a moment, Maya forgot her own pain, transfixed by the sight before her. Was he sad? Earlier, he had stood before everyone, looking like he didn't care about anything, but now she saw a hint of pain and anger etched onto his face.

Suddenly, Liam grabbed whatever was within reach and flung it across the room. She heard something shattering against the wall, causing her to flinch. Liam's outburst was both terrifying and captivating.

She saw Kai appear in the room. “Dude. Buddy. Relax. We’re here.”

“FUCK OFF!” he roared at them.

“Liam…”

“I said FUCK THE FUCK OFF!!”

Maya shuddered at his fury.

Kai stood around for a moment, looking hurt at his outburst. Quietly, he exited the room, leaving Liam to deal with own demons.

Liam's face softened momentarily as he watched Kai leave. He didn't mean to take out his frustration on his friend, but it had just happened. Feeling lost and alone, he glanced out the window and noticed someone from the opposite house watching him. It was Maya Suri.

Maya froze at the realization that Liam had caught her watching him. She wasn't expecting this kind of encounter. Liam's glare was intense and unnerving, and she felt a sudden urge to retreat. But before she could move, Liam slammed his windows shut, cutting off any chance for further interaction.

Maya felt a pang of disappointment. She had always been curious about Liam, but he had never given her the time of day. She wondered what it would take to break through his walls and connect with him.

For his part, Liam was left with a mixture of anger and confusion. Maya's sudden appearance had thrown him off balance, and he resented her intrusion into his private space. He didn't understand why she felt the need to watch him, and he was determined to keep his distance from her in the future.

As he sat alone in his room, Liam couldn't help but wonder what the future held for him. Would he ever find his way out of this ordeal? Only time would tell.

***