THE MAN HELP - By Ocean Singh

- CHAPTER 18 -

- CHAPTER 18 -

TOGETHER FOR EACH - OTHER

Spending a lost day at work, Vaani is now sitting at her parent's house. Her mother, Taara, is serving the food to her at the dining table, when Vaani's father, Niranjan, enters. He puts a caring hand on Vaani's back welcoming her, Vaani smiles and then he heads to talk to his wife in the kitchen.

"God give mercy to the poor family!" – He starts the conversation.

"What happened?" – Taara asks all clueless and concerned.

"You know that murder case from the ground floor!"

"Yeah, now what happened?" – She gets sad and curious.

"The boy, Gautam. He's missing."

"Missing?" Taara gets confused – "He was in prison, no?"

"He was, but now he's missing! And police is looking for him. They came to the building this afternoon, were questioning his family, if they have any part or any knowledge regarding the escape. Renu, the boy's mother is in shock, she was admitted into hospital even, just came back home. I'm coming from ground floor only. Whole gathering was happening. Oh man! Those conversations...!"

Taara wonders now – "Bhagwaan jaane, yeh sab kyun ho raha hai unn logon ke saath. Itney saal hogaye hain, phir bhi yeh dukh peecha nahi chhod raha. Samajh bhi nahi aata, kaun sahi hai, kaun nahi. Dosh kisko dein.."

Her husband agrees with her worry and speaks – "dosh deney waali baat nahi hai Taara. Magar koi itna kaisey seh sakta hai.."

The conversation starts getting vague into the ears when Vaani's thoughts start running instead, faster in her head. She silently kept listening to the conversation in the start but now a strange rush ran through her body. She grabs her phone in the hand, picks her stuff and stands up.

"Kya hua Vaani, kha toh le khana?" – Taara stops her from behind.

Vaani shakes the phone in her hand. – "Need to mail some documents. Aap log karlo dinner! Good night." - Grabbing the main door she adds – "Good night, Papa!"

Niranjan heading to the dining table now wishes his daughter – "Good night beta! Take care."

Vaani thuds out of the house and quickly dials Tushar's number. Tushar picks it.

Vaani panting - "Tushar! The.. The police came by today, man! At Gautam's! I'm going to meet them, meet me there."

Tushar with no time to give it a thought, responses – "Aa.. Okay! I'll be there."

Vaani cuts the call and runs to Gautam's apartment.

Standing at the front of the door, struggling with anxiety and emotions, Vaani raises her hand to the doorbell. Holding the hand in the air and letting the anxiety run, she stands there for a moment in confusion. Then she finally decides to push the button, but Tushar quickly takes her hand off and takes her away, near to the stair-case.

"What are you doing?" – Vaani asks being furious and confused.

"What are you doing?" – Tushar questions her back and adds on – "What are you gonna say to them?"

"I don't know yet!"- She says clueless. – "But I need to meet them Tushar! The Police was here! Renu aunty was in hospital! And Sona! I need to check on her. What am I suppose to tell Gautam, when I'd meet him."

Tushar doesn't say anything.

"Just.. Just wait for a while, I'll just.. I'll be back." – She makes sure with her words.