Stuck in a dingy back alley, lit dimly by a flickering streetlamp and the end of a half-smoked cigarette, I stood there, regretting everything. Why did I say yes to that smoke? Why did I hand over my wallet so casually?

10,000 bucks. Gone. Poof.
Along with my ATM card, ID, and a bit of self-respect.

I smoke the last puff, making sure it stung my chest, then crushed the cigarette under my shoe.

“Just hear me out, yaar,” Atul, my best friend, pleaded. “Even if it fell, it has to be here somewhere. We smoked right here. I gave you the wallet back after purchasing those Center fresh.”

“I don’t want an explanation. I want my wallet.”

We were both silent for a minute. We started to look around the dark corners, but to no avail.

Let me rewind a bit.

It was a Saturday night. We were at this random rooftop party – nothing fancy, just a bunch of college friends, cheap beer, and loud bass.

While returning, my friend, Atul, let me quote it in his words, said “Aaj ek kash (smoke) lete hain na yaar.”

I, being me, agreed.

One cigarette turned into two.

I gave him my wallet to purchase 2 mouth fresheners. He purchased and returned my wallet. Halfway, I realised that my wallet wasn’t in my pocket!

Back to the scene.

We’re in the alley. I’m sweating. Atul is confused.

Suddenly, a man appears from the shadows.

“What are you looking for?”

“My wallet. It’s lost.”

“Wait a minute. Come with me.”

He was short but quite bulky. He took us to the dark opening of the alley.

He picked up something and showed it to me.

“Is this yours?”

Oh my God. Relief. Joy. Everything. I straight-up hugged the guy. Didn’t even know him.

“I am a gym trainer in Karol Bagh.”

“Thank You bhai. I owe you one.”

He left, disappearing into the shadows like a side character in a thriller movie.

I opened the wallet.

Empty.

The money was gone!!!! Clean sweep.

“Are you kidding me?”

Seeing my face, Atul looked inside the wallet. It was completely empty. Except for my cards. They were right there!

“No man, I’m not letting this slide. We’re going to the police. I don’t care if it’s 3 AM. I’m not going home like this.”

“But what can they do? Well, it’s your choice. It’s getting really late. Let’s go for now.”

I felt like crying. Half of my month’s salary has gone to nothing!

We came out of the alley.

As I walked out, I caught the eye of the cigarette shop uncle – the same one who sold us the smokes and the mints.

“Atul you go. I will come later.”

“Okay. Bye”

“Yes, Uncle?”

“You seem tense, beta.”

I sighed. I told him everything.

“Lost my money. Someone found the wallet, but the cash was missing.”

He looked around, then leaned forward slightly.

“Okay, it’s none of my business, but I should tell you that while paying those 4 bucks for the fresheners, I saw your friend taking some cash out of the wallet and putting it in his jeans. I thought it must have been his wallet.”……