THE MAN HELP - By Ocean Singh

- CHAPTER 9 -

- CHAPTER 9 -

JUST A FRIEND

Taking a few weak steps heading to Gautam's apartment Vaani just tries to sort her thoughts and prepare herself with the words which she was gonna have with his family. She was in middle of her thoughts when someone from behind calls - "Hey!" and she turns to see. A man maybe similar to her age was stepping towards her.

"Hey! Aa.."

He couldn't find any words to start the conversation and just brings ahead his hand holding something.

"Your file."

Vaani without any relief replies - "Thank you." Holding the file and turns again heading her way.

"Sorry, I went through it, it was lying open on the ground when I picked it up."

The man couldn't help himself and tries to continue the conversation.

"It's all right. Thanks for the gesture."

"So! Are you a cop or something!?" He asks with a little mysterious expression.

Vaani looks at him with half gaze and starts walking again by replying –

"Just a friend!"

"I... (Vaani stops again.) I heard your conversation on the phone also, I'm sorr.."

"Doesn't matter now. It was never meant to be.. I guess. Excuse me."

Vaani with low energy starts walking again and after a few steps she reaches Gautam's apartment. Before pressing the bell button she takes a deep breath. She closes her eyes and finally rings the door bell. Before she could see anyone open the door in front of her, suddenly she feels a grab and gets pulled by the same man, she just met a moment ago. The man takes her to a corner and looks around to check if anyone noticed. Vaani in full shock yells on him.

"What do you think you're doing!?"

"What are you doing!!?"

"Excuse me!?"

The Man taking a sigh first calms himself and explains –

"Look, I don't think you need to do this even before trying."

"What are you talking about...!?"

"I guess you know very well what I'm talking. See, take a moment, relax, and just give me a chance to explain what I'm trying to say."

Vaani in all confusion and a bit of shock, doesn't say any word and just keeps looking at him with the questioning look. The man understands her situation and continues explaining.

"See, I guess I know what you're up-to. I saw your file.. And before you get any more confused that how I'm talking about it.. Let me tell that I live in this building. I know the story. And as I see, many people in this building believes the same as you do. So, I just felt like, I can offer you the help. So that means you don't need to go to his house. Not yet at least."

Vaani in some amazement just keeps on looking at him. She doesn't say anything for a long moment and then she asks.

"How long you've been spying on me!?"

"Since this morning, when you bumped into me from nowhere in the hallway."

"aa... I'm.. sorry about that. I was in hurry. But look at the irony, I'm still here only even after an hour. I.. I never thought, things will turn out to be all negative!! Just a small... tiny lack of preparation and I lost my whole help. All the hope to help my friend."