Kiran joined the IIT in a southern Indian state with the usual lofty dreams of a middle-class Indian. He had to leave his hometown to another state but he was more than happy to do it. The IITs almost guaranteed a placement in a massive 7-figure Indian income and this was the only career path for him. His father had passed away 6 years ago and his mother worked multiple jobs to support his studies. His grades, always top-notch ensured that he got a 90% scholarship which was the only way he felt he could repay his mother who struggled everyday for him.
However, his mother's love was not a typical love either. It was tough, very tough. Since she worked multiple jobs, the housework fell fully on him. She expected her house to be spotless. Her toilets to be sparkling and all vegetables cut so that she could relax once she got home. The relaxing included Kiran to stop anything that he was doing and massage her feet. Kiran, however, felt no shame and happily obliged. Earlier, once he massaged her feet, she would beckon him and he would follow her around like a puppy hoping she did not find even a small mistake. However, over time, she recognised how efficient he was and stopped it. The day he left for college, 4 months after he turned 18, he was given a pep talk by his mother.
"You will be bullied. You are a scrawny nerd. While you are incredible in studies, you have no physical strength and bad at sports. And, here's the kicker. Don't expect any help from me. Let me tell you, the kids who tattle to their parents are the ones who are bullied the worst. The only good solution for you is to find a decent bully and befriend him/her. They might still torment you but will ensure that no one else will harm you."
And, that is what he had done. He had quickly identified the two strongest and worst bullies in class. Madhura and Lakshmi.
Both were Karate Tae Kwan Do purple belts and they quickly picked on him. They forced him to do insulting things. They made him walk around squawking like a chicken and he did it. His mom's overbearing ways had left him with no shame. They made him stand on a toilet and the only discomfort he showed was with the smell. The crowd laughed and cheered. But, watching Kiran silent and expressionless slowly changed them. The biggest thrill for a bully was to see their victims cry and Kiran showed no such emotion. He simply appeared bored. They took it up a notch and followed it up by forcing him to the same things in his underwear. Still, nothing. Madhura and Lakshmi whistled inwardly.
The next day they came to him with a proposition. Both their parents were rich. Super-rich. They had not raised a finger around the house their whole lives. Now, in the college hostel, the story changed. They had to clean their beds themselves. They had to wash their own clothes. The hostel warden, a scary strong woman who had been a former boxer was very partisan with women. However, she would not allow them to be slobs. So, they came to him. He was to be their servant, no slave. And they would protect him. In fact, when he had run afoul of Avinash the previous day, they had helped him. Even outnumbered 2 against 6 boys, they were no match for them. The girls bashed them up and Kiran was happy to be their slave. That evening, he moved in with them. However, he had no idea he was getting more than he bargained for.
The first thing he was a suitcase. It was just as big as the one he had but of course, far more sophisticated. It had a combo lock and was a foreign branded one.
Madhura spoke to him. After she had bolted the door.
"That is for your clothes!"
Kiran froze. This was not what he signed up for.
"What do you mean?" He asked, timidly.
"You have two options. You can keep two sets of clothes, put the rest of your clothes in that suitcase. We will lock it up. The remaining two sets of clothes goes on that stand." She said, pointing to a stand.
"But, in that case, I will be naked. Please, I can't-" He started when Lakshmi cut in.
"We are not done, yet. That will be 5 spanks for speaking out of turn."
Kiran shut his mouth and stared at them with horror.
"Yes, you will be naked. You are our slave. Our slaves don't wear clothes."
Kiran shivered in fear but forced himself to be quiet.
"You will be naked inside this dorm room. For outside, you can wear alternate the two sets of clothes for the rest of the year."
Kiran finally opened his mouth. "What is the other option?"
"We strip you forcefully, put all your clothes in that suitcase and kick you out, butt naked. We will also call Avinash and tell him you are no longer under our protection. Imagine what he would do to you."
Kiran fell to their feet.
"Please, please, I will do anything."
"Option A expires in 10... 9.. 8..."
