𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐖𝐢𝐟𝐞

77. MANGALORE

THIRD PERSON POV :-

A girl in her mid-twenties walked down the streets of Mangalore. She carried a small bag in her hand and a pittu bag on her back. The sun was at its peak, and she had no idea where the road ahead would lead her. After a while, she stopped in front of a small shop and looked at the lady working there.

"Aunty, pani milega?" she asked timidly.

The lady looked her up and down, noticing her swollen eyes.
"Oh Dev! Yes, my child. Hem ghevana tem ghevachem," she said softly, handing her a bottle.
(Oh God! Yes, my child. Take this and have it.)

"Thank you so much, aunty," the girl replied, taking the bottle.

"Tujem namva kitem bhurgem?" the stall lady asked.
(What's your name, child?)

"Sorry aunty, I couldn't understand what you said," the girl replied, and the lady chuckled.

"I asked, what's your name, child?"

The girl looked down, battling with herself over whether to reveal her name.
"Avni... my name is Avni S—Avni Desai," she said, biting her tongue midway, choosing her father's surname.

"Nice name, bachaa," the stall lady replied warmly.
"I am Tulsi, and I've been here for 25 years," she added.

They spoke for some time, and Avni asked Tulsi to help her find a house. Tulsi told her about an apartment in the building where she lived. Together, they went there, and Avni spoke to the landlord lady, who agreed to rent the apartment to her at a reduced rate after learning about her struggles.

Avni settled on the bed in the modestly furnished apartment, deciding to buy essentials the next day. Exhausted from continuous travel, her back and feet ached. In the evening, Tulsi helped her clean the house.

Tulsi belonged to a middle-class family and lived with her husband, mother-in-law, father-in-law, two daughters, and a son. She introduced Avni to them, and they all shared a meal together at Tulsi's home. Later, Avni returned to her apartment, took a quick shower, and sat on the small balcony, gazing at the shining moon.

"I'm sorry, Arjun. I didn't want to leave, but I had no choice. I couldn't choose us over our daughter. She is so precious to me that I couldn't put my happiness—or you—above her life. I know you will keep her happy, protect her from every evil eye, and teach her good lessons," she whispered before going inside.

She tossed and turned but eventually drifted into sleep.

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The Next Morning

Avni asked Tulsi about nearby schools and job opportunities. She attended three interviews that day.

Three Days Later

Avni returned to her apartment with a bag of vegetables. She cooked a light meal and prepared something sweet, then carried the sweets to Tulsi's home.

"Namaskara, mavashi," she greeted Tulsi's mother-in-law sweetly.

"Namaskara, bil bhurgem. Come inside," the old lady said with a smile.

"Actually, muthashi, I came to thank you. I brought this halwa for everyone," Avni said, placing the bowl on the small table.

"Halwa? But why, bil bhurgem?" the old lady asked curiously.

"Amma, I got a job at a private school. I'll be joining tomorrow," Avni replied with a small smile.