It's After Dark.

A little snippet.

Kong could only sit quietly without raising his eyes. And Mayur felt like crying.

"They control you, Kongpob... That's not care... That's tyranny... And who gave them this right?"

Kong smiled sadly, meeting Mayur's gaze. "They gave birth to me... They got me to this world... They fed me and gave me shelter... I think that's enough for them to control my life and happiness..."

Mayur couldn't believe his ears. "no... That's their duty to nurture you... They have no right to control..."

"They are family Mayur. Please... Stop..."

"No... Their constant bullying makes you so vulnerable and fearful... That's not something family does... They care for you..." Mayur uttered in frustration. "It's more like they are reminding you every second that they own you just because they gave you a life... And for what? Because you are an Omega?"

"It's more like they are constantly reminding you... That they did a favor to you and they are taking the price everyday by sucking the spirit of life out of you... By making you miserable in your own shell..."

Kong felt like screaming because Mayur's words were triggering him but he tried smiling again. "They said... Once... Once I get married... I can do what I want... My hus... Husband..."

"That's utter bullshit Mishtu...." Mayur snarled with ragged breaths. "That's just a way of them getting satisfaction as well because even you know that marriage never gets you freedom... Especially if it's arranged... And they made sure that you don't find love... That's just another way of giving them satisfaction that they controlled your life and killed your happiness for their ego... That you remained in their control until they gave you to someone else to be a toy..."

Kong gulped a lump with trembling hands, Mayur reminded him of the constant fear he has that his life would be the same after marriage. Same torture, same abuse... Same trauma... Same urge to...

"You use an old outdated phone with worse camera, your laptop is a hand down, they don't give you even a car..." Mayur couldn't hold himself. "They say they care. Yet they are so okay to have you travelling alone for hours? They are rich and yet they can't even give you the basic luxury and even take away your own money...."

"How is your family like?" Kong tilted his head with a smile, trying to distract Mayur.

"My family... It's the same as you... I too have an older brother and sister in law... And my family... They love me for who I am... They prioritize my happiness over everything... They are proud to have me... And they shower their care accordingly." Mayur whispered, looking at the beautiful face with sorrow.

Kong felt his throat glued as he nodded with a teary smile. "you must be very lucky..."

"I am..."

Kong came to his feet and walked towards the parapet of the terrace. Looking at the setting sun. "I am lucky too... I have a loving family too..."

Mayur stood beside Kong without any words. And looked at Kong's side face. "So what if they control me... At least they give me food and education. They are proud of me too... So what if I am not... Happy... They are, of what I am doing... Because I do it according to them... My happiness matters too... As long as my mother consented to my happiness. Or they fight... Ugly fights..."

Mayur kept being frozen with every word from his best friend. He knows, that wretched woman is the reason of Kong's every misery. But to this extent... Kong is always kind about his family but Mayur can join the dots. Kong's mother somehow never wants Kong to be free and his family succumbs to her emotional manipulation... That she wants the best for Kong. Which is again utter bullshit.