THE MAN HELP - By Ocean Singh

- CHAPTER 19 -

- CHAPTER 19 -

GIFTS AND WISHES

Thursday, Vaani wakes up in her bed. One more day. One more wait. She lies in bed for a while going through the thoughts of processing how to spend the day. She decides to visit her parents' house, then Gautam's for a while, if she could meet Sonakshi and take any message from her for Gautam. Then she decides to meet Tushar. To discuss how everything will be done later in the day and with Gautam, if he really has to leave the country. In the process she recalls the last night spent with Tushar. The walk and the conversations. She starts going deep into reliving the moments again and then she decides to finally get out of the bed.

After visiting her parent's house, now Vaani is walking to her workplace, the Pub. She calls Tushar on the way and asks if he could come up to the pub. Tushar agrees and a while later both are sitting at a table. After discussing a few things about the day's task, they start talking casually.

"So, is it your first time here, in the pub?" – Vaani asks.

Tushar replies – "No. Actually, my first time was at your place last night."

Vaani asks with a blank expression. Tushar says nothing and sips from his beer bottle.

"I.. don't know what that means. But.. Okay!"

Tushar chuckles – "You know.. That I dropped you off to your bed the other night!? You remember that, right?"

"Yes I know that!! I remember it well." – She defends herself.

Spending rest of the last night with a little drinks, and Vaani being a little dizzy, Tushar had made sure she get back to her place all fine and safe. He asks about the same and Vaani tells him being all aware about it.

Tushar takes the conversation further - "Ahaan. It's a nice place, well designed! The decor and all.. It was.."

"My father is a furniture designer, he owns a store! So.."

"Ah! That's.. Cool. So this pub too, I guess is somewhat gifted with his designs."

Vaani gets sneaky – "A bit.. Yeah!"

"That's cool. I'd like to meet him someday."

"Ohkay...! Sure."

Tushar doesn't say anything and waits for her to continue, but Vaani kept quiet. He speaks again -

"Aa.. When can I?"

"Um.. After we come back, I guess. You wanna meet him now..!?"

"No, no. Just asking."

"Ohkay...!"

"Okay."

"Um.. I need to get back to work, let's meet in the evening?"

"Sure."

"Text me an hour before, when we have to leave."

"Okay. Sure. See you in the evening. I'll just go and check if the car's here yet."

"Aa.. Okay."

Tushar smiles getting up – "Bye Vaani."

"Bye."

******

Later in the afternoon, Vaani visits Gautam's house one last time before leaving for the big task. She somewhere feels to say a goodbye to this family from Gautam's side maybe. Holding bags of groceries and some gifts she enters the house.

"Arey beta! Yeh sab, inn sabki kya zarooratt thi!" – Renu tells Vaani getting surprised.

"Aunty ji, mera mann kiya main le aayi. Aap bass jageh bataao kahan rakhoon main. These bags are actually really heavy!" - She chuckles and Renu joins her. She points to an area helping her to put the things down.

Vaani spends the rest of the time at Gautam's house only, waiting for Tushar's call or text - still knowing the fact that they'd be leaving long hours later in the evening. Enjoying time with Sona and Renu and being anxious and excited to meet Gautam, Vaani sits with disturbing heartbeats in wait for Tushar.

(Around 3 O'clock, The doorbell rings.)

Renu busy in the kitchen asks Vaani – "Vaani beta, khol dena darwaza, tumhare uncle hongey!"

"Ji Aunty." - She gets up and heads to the main door. As she opens the door, she gets shocked seeing Tushar standing in front of her.

"What are you doing here!? You needed to call na!" - Vaani somewhat jumbled asks him.

Tushar tells without bothering – "it's alright."

"alright! Wha.. " – Before Vaani accepts bringing her calm into the conversation. They gets interrupted.

"Vaa.. " – Renu coming to the door sees a different face than expected.

Tushar entering the house – "Namastey Aunty ji!" - He touches her feet.

"Namastey beta.." – Renu replies still with a little wonder.

"Main Tushar! Vaani's friend." - Renu stands in some thoughts. Tushar makes her remember. – "The driver."

Renu remembering. – "oh haan. Kaisey ho beta?"

"Main achha hoon Autny ji! Aap kaisey ho?"

"Main bhi achhi hoon. Yahaan—"

"Arey main Vaani ko lene aaya tha. Humein jaana tha kahin..!"

"Oh!" - Renu turns to Vaani.

Vaani begins to tell – "Aa.. Haanji Aunty ji,--" - Realising the fact her heart gets heavy and she still continues. – "Kuch kaam tha zaroori, toh.. nikalna padega." - She quickly walks to her and hugs her. Renu a bit surprised embraces her with full love. Feeling Vaani's emotion somewhere Renu's eyes gets a little tear. Vaani avoiding the eye-contact back away and turns to Tushar.

Vaani – "I guess we should get going now."

(Tushar nods.)

"Ek second beta, ruko zara. Main bass abhi aayi."

Renu stopes them and walks inside. Vaani and Tushar shares a little wondering gaze. Renu joins again after a moment or two.

"Here.." – Renu puts a pendant in Vaani's hand.

"Aunty ji, yeh?" – Vaani asks.

"Meri taraf se chota sa gift. Tum itna sab laayi ho, mera bhi toh kuch dena banta hai."

"Arey Aunty ji iski zaroorat nahi hai, sach mein."

"Zarooratt hai beta, jo kuch main apney bachon ke liye karna chahti hoon, kar rahi hoon. Yeh bass wahi hai." – She finishes with a deep smile.

Vaani smiling back says. – "Thank you, Aunty ji."

"Vaani, it's getting late. We should leave now." – Tushar comes in the conversation.

Vaani nods – "yeah."

"haan. Araam se jaana dono. Dhyaan rakhna apna." – Renu wishes them goodbye. Meanwhile Ravi enters asking -

"Kaun kahan jaa raha hai?"

Vaani & Tushar together wishes him – "Namastey Uncle ji!"

"Namastey! Namastey!" - He looks at Tushar in wonder.

Renu introduces the two men in the hall – "yeh Tushar hai, Vaani ka dost."

"Acha, acha."

"Wish them good and safe travel." – Renu tells Ravi.

"Oh! Leaving for a trip?"

"Haanji." - Vaani answers.

"Acha hai. Have a safe journey kids. And my wishes toh are always with you, Vaani." - He puts a patting hand on her head and she smiles.

"Thank you, Uncle." - She turns to Tushar. – "Let's go now."

Tushar nods again and walks outside, greeting the couple one last time. Vaani smiles and follows him.

******