THE MAN HELP - By Ocean Singh

- CHAPTER 20 -

- CHAPTER 20 -

MOVING A BIT FASTER

Vaani and Tushar are in the car now, heading to Jhansi. As planned they will be picking up Gautam and Akshay and head to the north east of the country to reach Nepal border, which is the nearest outer point of the country and a safe place for Gautam.

Riding for miles in the setting hours by now, Tushar, covers more than the half of the route distance. Vaani, sitting beside him, looking outside the window and the moving scenes during this whole time travels her own journey of memories and emotions. Tushar observing her situation and giving her the space doesn't disturb her first but later he feels responsible to bring her out from the zone.

"You're doing alright?"

Vaani collecting voice – "um.. Yeah. I'm fine. Just.. Thoughts. Random thoughts. Can't help them you know!"

"Yeah. They run much faster in the head than these wheels on the road."

Vaani looking at him chuckles.

"You can talk to me, share, if you feel like. We both do get engage into nice conversations, if you know what I'm saying."

Vaani scoffs. – "I'm not denying. It's just.. This thought is getting heavier inside that.. This would be my last meet with Gautam. I mean, I could do nothing to make him meet his family and now we're just gonna... I mean, this goodbye feels a bit..."

"Sad?"

"Sad... Sad could be.. Accepted. It's upsetting. I mean, I don't even need to put myself in any of their shoes, to understand them. It is so personal already and my heart aches man! It aches for every member of this family."

Tushar doesn't say anything and gives her all the space to take it out.

"We're just gonna meet him and get done with the things! But... I mean what is that place where emotions and duties overlaps and complex everything. And we, we just struggle in between... embracing the pain helplessly every time and the happiness lefts remain in the wishes. Why does... why does god needed to make this place such a tough one to live..!"

She takes a pause and looks at Tushar. Tushar is still quiet, just blank with knowing the fact that whether he has to start saying something or wait more. But Vaani, keeps the question in her gaze and Tushar speaks.

"I don't know about god and his intentions or actions, for the fact. But it's.. It's always our actions which creates our next place to live in." - Vaani looks at him in confusion. – "In simple words, Karma. You do good, you get good."

Vaani scoffs – "I can't believe you're really saying this! I mean, yes, Karma is something, But have you not seen this family Tushar! What wrong they really have done that they're living this hell!! It's actually someone else's karma what they are paying for! Or are you saying that they are not innocent and deserve this, like other believes!"

"I didn't mean that Vaani. Of course I feel for the family and I get their situation. I'm not talking about their karma. And I know in my heart that they're innocent. I'm talking in general. And not about the past Vaani, I have no right to judge them over it. I'm talking on the basis of present time, what I have seen and witnessed and I have the future in my mind and saying this. It's your actions, your intentions - Vaani, Aunty and Uncle's, Sona's! They are gonna make a place for Gautam to live in. And yes, as you've said, It's actually someone else's karma what the other pays!" - Vaani keeps listening in wonder. – "Not always your action will bring the fruit to your only self but it affect others also and vice-versa!" - He nods to his own thought in an agreement.