Chapter 13

Full Descent

Rahul's confession to Anya had been a moment of vulnerability, but it wasn't enough to stop the storm inside him. His addiction to both *PUBG* and drugs had deepened to a point where he felt like a prisoner in his own life, unable to break free. Despite Anya's offer to help, he continued to spiral out of control, finding solace only in the temporary escape his addictions provided.

### A Double Life

Rahul tried to keep up appearances, but his double life was becoming harder to maintain. During the day, he went to school, where his grades were at an all-time low. His teachers began to notice the decline in his performance, but when they tried to reach out, Rahul either dodged their questions or gave vague excuses.

At home, things were even worse. His parents, unaware of the extent of his addiction, had grown increasingly concerned. His mother noticed the changes in his behavior: the late nights, the jitteriness, the irritability. His father, though less perceptive about the specifics, sensed that something was deeply wrong with his son. They tried to talk to him several times, but Rahul brushed them off, claiming he was just stressed from school and gaming.

"Rahul, we're worried about you," his mother said one evening as he sat in his room, staring at his screen. "You're not yourself lately. You barely talk to us, and when you do, you're always so tense."

"I'm fine, Mom," Rahul muttered, not even looking away from his game. "Just tired."

But he wasn't fine. His addiction had taken full control. He was now relying on the drugs not only to enhance his gaming performance but also to get through the day. Every time he logged into *PUBG*, the game felt more like an escape from the chaos of his life—a place where he could forget his failing grades, his strained relationships, and the constant weight of his parents' concern.

### The Breaking Point at Home

Rahul's parents had reached their breaking point. One evening, after yet another sleepless night where they could hear Rahul clicking away at his keyboard until dawn, his father decided enough was enough.

"We need to talk, Rahul," his father said, standing in the doorway of his room. Rahul didn't even turn around, his eyes fixed on the screen.

"Not now, Dad, I'm in the middle of a match."

"This can't wait," his father said, his voice firmer. "Turn it off. Now."

Reluctantly, Rahul exited the game and swiveled around to face his father. His mother stood beside him, her expression a mix of worry and disappointment.

"We've let this go on long enough," his father began. "You're spending too much time on this game. You're not focusing on school, and we've noticed changes in your behavior. Something is wrong, and we need to know what's going on."

Rahul's heart raced. He could feel the anger bubbling up inside him. "I'm fine," he snapped. "Why can't you just leave me alone? I'm doing what I need to do."

"That's the problem, Rahul," his mother said softly. "You're not doing what you need to do. Your grades are slipping, you're shutting us out, and you've changed. We're worried about you."

Rahul stood up, unable to contain his frustration any longer. "I don't need you to worry about me! I can handle it. I'm under a lot of pressure, okay? From the team, from school... from everything. I just need to focus."

"Focus on what?" his father asked, his tone sharp. "A game? That's not a solution, Rahul. You're running away from your responsibilities."

"Running away?" Rahul's voice rose. "You don't understand! I'm trying to be the best, to make something of myself. This is how it works in esports! You wouldn't get it."

His father's eyes hardened. "What I do understand is that you're losing yourself. This isn't the Rahul we raised. You've crossed a line, and if you don't change, you're going to lose everything."

The words hit Rahul like a punch to the gut. He wanted to argue, to tell his parents that they were wrong, that he had everything under control. But deep down, he knew they were right. He *was* losing everything—his family, his future, even his sense of self.

But instead of admitting that, Rahul doubled down. "Just stay out of it," he growled, turning back to his computer. "I don't need your help."

Without another word, his father walked out of the room, his mother following him. The disappointment in their eyes was impossible to ignore, but Rahul pushed it down, refusing to let himself feel the weight of what was happening.

### The Fallout

The days that followed were some of the darkest Rahul had ever experienced. His parents had cut off his internet access in an attempt to force him to focus on school and his life outside of gaming. But instead of pulling himself together, Rahul felt the walls closing in. He couldn't play, couldn't escape into the virtual world where he felt in control. The drugs he had been taking to enhance his gaming now only left him feeling hollow, as there was no game to use them with.

His mind began to race, consumed by thoughts of failure. His team had moved on without him, no longer waiting for him to get his act together. Anya had distanced herself, tired of trying to help someone who refused to be helped. The drugs, once a way to keep his edge, now left him feeling more lost than ever.

One evening, after days of isolation, Rahul sat alone in his room, surrounded by the remnants of his once-promising life. The tournament trophies on his shelf felt like a mockery of what he had once been. The messages from his teammates, once filled with encouragement, were now silent. He had pushed everyone away.

As he stared at the ceiling, a crushing sense of despair washed over him. The future he had envisioned—one filled with esports glory, success, and recognition—was gone, replaced by the harsh reality of addiction, failure, and regret.

### Hitting Rock Bottom

Rahul knew he had hit rock bottom. The drugs had taken everything from him—his focus, his relationships, and now, even his passion for gaming. He was a shell of the person he had once been, and for the first time, he realized he couldn't climb out of this hole on his own.

The next morning, as his parents sat at the kitchen table, Rahul approached them, his head hanging low. His voice was barely above a whisper.

"I need help," he said, the words tasting bitter but filled with the desperation of someone who had no other options. "I can't do this anymore."

His mother's eyes filled with tears, and his father stood up, placing a hand on his shoulder. "We're here, Rahul. We'll get through this, together."

### The Long Road to Recovery

Rahul's journey to recovery was not easy. His parents enrolled him in therapy, where he began to confront the underlying issues that had led him to drugs and gaming addiction. He cut ties with Neeraj and the others who had introduced him to the drugs, realizing that they had only fueled his downward spiral.

Anya, though hurt by the way Rahul had pushed her away, eventually reached out to him again. Their relationship wasn't the same, but there was still a bond between them that time hadn't completely eroded.

Slowly, Rahul began to rebuild his life. He focused on his studies, working to repair the damage he had done to his academic future. Gaming was still a part of his life, but it no longer consumed him. He set strict boundaries, understanding that while it could be a passion, it couldn't be his entire world.

There were days when the temptation to slip back into old habits was strong, but Rahul had learned an important lesson—the true strength didn't come from winning games or enhancing his performance with artificial means. It came from facing his problems head-on, from accepting help when he needed it, and from the people who loved him unconditionally.

The road ahead was long, but for the first time in a long while, Rahul could see a future worth fighting for. And this time, he was ready to face it with a clear mind and a full heart.