THE MAN HELP - By Ocean Singh

- CHAPTER 24 -

- CHAPTER 24 -

A LOOP IN A LOOP

Standing at the parking after reaching back to the building.

Vaani speaks up – "thanks.." - Tushar gives her a frown. She chuckles. – "For the ride! Man."

"Hmm.." – Tushar replies as he starts walking now. – "So what you gonna do, the license thing?"

She chuckles listening to him as he kid and tells. – "Maybe tomorrow. For now, I'll just drop off the things at my place and visit my parents first and then... Head to pub."

"Oh yeah, pub!"

Vaani smiles and asks about his plans – "what about you?"

"What I said.. Gonna sleep for the week."

She couldn't control her laugh and query him – "seriously!?"

"No I mean. For a few hours at least, then I'll figure out with the night. Might visit your pub, if you'd like!"

"Ah! Why not. Always welcome! We can celebrate the little victory. Should I be ready with a speech to tell how thankful I am!?"

"Can we please... Not... Go on that road."

She smiles lightly – "Okay. We'll just celebrate then."

"Cool. I'll.. Ping you, You don't. I don't wanna get disturbed while sleeping."

"ALRIGHT! I'll ping after a week then."

Tushar laughs and kiddingly agrees – "that would work."

They reach his flat.

"Cool, have a good night. See you later."

Tushar smiles at her words while unlocking the door. – "See you."

Vaani smiles as well and walks to her place now.

******

Later in the evening, Vaani stays till the last minute at the closing time of the pub, waiting for Tushar. She leaves a text message stepping out of the pub and locking it.

Then, almost at midnight, she feels like going to his place. Little known to his nature, she walks to his apartment with the equal amount of possibility of getting the door answered or not. She reaches the place and couldn't knock. With thoughts, she comes back to her apartment.

A whole week with leaving messages, calling and finding the number out of service, and unanswered door, Vaani gets into deep serious thoughts. She heads to the office area of the building.

"What do you mean, he does not live there anymore. Please check again correctly, Tushar.." - Vaani stops blankly.

The Officer replies – "Tushar..? What is the last name, Ma'am?"

"aa.. I don't know the last name. But the 57B is the apartment."

"Ma'am I'm telling na, that apartment has been vacant a week ago."

"Show me the papers na then." – She asks him in a searching desperation.

"Sorry ma'am, that is out of policy. Only family or close friend is allowed.

"I'm his friend only na, that's why I'm asking."

"What ma'am, you don't know his full name, his current status and saying that--"

"Why are you stretching it,--" – She fumes up a little being impatient now. – "I have been living here since my childhood, can't you even trust me on that..!"