THE MAN HELP - By Ocean Singh

- CHAPTER 23 -

- CHAPTER 23 -

OUT OF THE LOOP

Returning back from the border to Jhansi now, since the morning, the three has shared and talked about the different stories and experiences they lived and have added to their own collection. Surprisingly, everyone had different impression of Gautam and got to know new ones from the shared talks in the car.

Receiving the news of safe put about Gautam in Nepal everyone finds some relief. Planned to leave for Gwalior, next morning, Tushar and Vaani, decides to spend the night at Akshay's place. All the three in need of an ample amount of rest and good bed to straight and relax their back and whole body, has a quick dinner, and then they all get into their rooms to get some sleep.

******

Tushar, to smoke a cigarette, comes to the terrace in the mid-night. He doesn't get surprised when he sees Vaani sitting there, in the cold breeze, in her space. He puts the cigarette back into his carton and walks to her.

"Can't sleep.. Or don't want to?" – Tushar asks.

"Maybe both." – She replies.

Tushar nodding – "May I?" - He asks gesturing the empty space to sit.

"Yeah."

"Wanna talk?"

Vaani softly scoffs – "you go ahead."

"I have all the things to say. What is that you want me to talk about?"

Vaani sighs – "I don't know. I was.. Just.. Thinking what happened... there. In the building. I had the talk with Gautam, but still. Do wishes lose their meaning if we keep wishing!?" - Tushar sitting beside her, smiles. He speaks -

"Do you feel it was not meaningful enough what he did there?"

"It was enough to have meaning, no matter how little or big it was. "

"You might be feeling it little, but it was big for him."

"Yeah.. I agree with that. But the way it was out of.."

"--Blue? Expectation?"

"I don't know. I've.." – She sighs – "I'm missing out the feeling of getting.. Reacting on unexpectations. Who knew, surprises can become a bore."

Tushar chuckles. – "Why would these things surprise you when your level of expectation and un-expectation stands different."

Vaani looks at him. – "I don't know.." - Looks away – "If I was surprised with his action. Maybe, I'm still processing it."

Tushar moves his shoulder – "take your time...! He's gonna take his time with the same."

Vaani chuckles - "he said he's at peace with this." - She tells further.

"Then you should too...!" - Vaani brings question to her eyes. – "What..?"

Vaani thinking tells him – "maybe... once I.. Go back there." - Tushar smiles one more time and she asks – "What now..?"

"So don't you understand, why he's at peace?"

"Yeah, I do." - She stiffens the voice.

Tushar chuckles – "So that means he stepped out of the loop and you're still in it."

Now she chuckles – "You can't have your fun with this."

"But I am."

"Whatever."

They both sit quite for a while.

"What if, I don't want to be in the loop?" – Vaani asks.

Tushar chuckles and says – "I was asking you this and you bring it back to me?"

"Maybe we both want to step out of the loop then!" - She turns to Tushar, having both question and answer in the gaze. Tushar, being in-between an answer, kisses her. Vaani kisses him too, but then, backs away.

"Aa.. I'm sorry.. I.." – He apologizes.

"No.. It's.." - She gulps - "I should just... Get some sleep." – She gets up.

"Yeah. Ohkay."

Vaani heading back – "See you in the morning."

Tushar nods and Vaani leaves the terrace. A moment later, he gets up and stands by the half-wall now, looking at the city. He takes out the cigarette from his carton and lightens the lighter, keeping the cigarette between his lips. He switches it off in some thought and crushes the unlit cigarette onto the wall. Few minutes later he leaves the terrace too.

******

In the morning, the three are having breakfast and conversation.

Tushar in between the conversation – "Man.." – He's all exhausted. – "I'm gonna sleep for the whole week. I feel so tired!"

Akshay chuckles while Vaani decides to reply.

"Should I drive..?"

"NO!!!"

Vaani sadly grins. And Akshay speaks after a laugh now – "You know what Tushar, the first thing you should get after reaching home, get a massage from so- someone. I'm gonna do it." - Vaani keeps listening while grinning. – "And for you Vaani," - She gets confused as he turns to her now. – "You should definitely register for the driving license, as the first task after getting home."

Vaani laughing – "I will."

"No, I mean, it was a good ride, whether adding or subtracting the adventure." - Vaani smiles. – "No doubt, why Gautam talked about it."

Everyone laughs.

"Alright, alright. We actually need to head back." – Tushar joins again. – "Vaani, let's get ready and leave in half an hour. What say?"

Vaani replies – "Yeah. Sounds cool." - She prepares to get up and quickly realizes something. She turns to Akshay. "Aa... I never got the chance to thank you, this all was impossible without you. Thank you for being there at every step. I.."

"It's alright Vaani. I was doing my duty." – Akshay says in return. Vaani eyes-brows moves in question.

"We should get going Vaani." - Tushar tells her to hurry – "It'll be noon otherwise. If you'll get into talk with this man, he won't leave you very soon."

Akshay laughs.

"Come on, get up." – He again asks Vaani.

"Aa.. Yeah." - She smiles to Akshay and, gets into the room to get ready.

******