The Auctioned Rose

Kolkata, in the narrow streets of Sonagachi, the air hung heavy with the stench of exploitation.

In a small, suffocating room amidst this display of degradation, a girl with fire in her eyes and a 'karela'-like tongue, innocent in appearance but terrified within, stood defiant. "...I won't go..." she declared, her voice trembling with anger.

A stout woman with 'paan' stained lips, the madam of this grim establishment, grabbed the girl's hair. "How can you not go?" she spat, slapping her hard across the face. "You must be the daughter of the commissioner, but now you are a 'Tawayaf'. Be thankful I didn't make you a prostitute. You are beautiful, a fresh bud. Kadardaan ko pasand ayegi tu."

She shoved the girl towards another, younger girl, instructing her to prepare the 'fresh bud'. As the madam left, the defiant girl, Rangoli Shekhawat, vowed tearfully, "If I don't make you cry tears of blood, then my name is not Rangoli Shekhawat."

Before she could dwell on her fate, another girl was thrown towards her. Rangoli caught her before she hit the floor. "Are you okay?" she asked, her voice softer now. The scared girl raised fearful eyes, her trembling lips squeezing Rangoli's heart. This was Vamika.