Change Ahead

Chapter-17

Why would she point the gun at him?

Then I heard a clear shot of a bullet and Swathi dropped the gun. The bullet should have stuck her hand.

Varun caught hold of her and police got hold of her. I could hear her cursing Varun for betraying them. Meanwhile, someone opened the door for us to get out. It was Trisha. As soon as I saw her, I hugged her tight expressing both my fear and relief.

She patted on my back and said, "You are fine Gaz. I got you. You are safe now. Don't worry. Let us get you home." I put my arm on her shoulder and we slowly walked towards a police car. Some of the police went to rescue other girls. Soon we were all in a police station. I had to give a statement. I could see Swathi being very furious and anxious. I was not afraid to tell them what happened to me. I told them everything from Varun till the rescue.

I could see Varun standing in another room. We shared a quick glimpse at each other through a window. I did not fear him. I have never had that with him. Trisha took me to a clinic on the way home. I got dressed for some of my bruises and went home.

I wanted to go home. Go to my mom's hands. Sleep on her lap. I also was afraid of my father. I feared to face him. What he told has come true. But thank God for saving me before I stepped into something dreadful, outrageous and shameful.

I started to think everything since I left home. I felt bad when I thought whatever I went through. I still had unanswered questions for Varun. I felt disgusted on myself for loving such a cold hearted idiot. I looked up at the sky and started counting the stars to calm myself down from everything that happened. I spent the whole night counting.

It was already morning. But I didn't have to go to work. I was fired! Remember!! I stayed home all day thinking about what happened. In the evening, Trisha dropped by to check on me.

She entered home and went straight to kitchen. She prepared some coffee for us.

"Shall we go to church?" I asked her quietly.

"Of course!"

She gulped her coffee and stood up and shrugged her shoulders at me. It meant, 'Come on. Get ready.' We were out of the house in a minute. I never thought or expected her to be such a good friend. I always kept to myself. She had been there for me always. She never looked like that. But she acted so. In the church, I did not forget to thank God for sending her to me.

"I heard that you lost your job." She said me sadly.

"Yes."

"I have a job for you if you are interested." She dragged.

I smiled showing my fear for everything now.

"It is a care-taker job for an old lady. If you are interested, you can help me with that." Her looks compelled me to accept her offer. I nodded back yes to her.

With so much excitement, she said, "I assure you, You will enjoy it. She is fun to be with. She cannot talk but she expresses her needs very easily. She is old now. She is finding it difficult to walk and stuff. But otherwise she is fine."

I needed something for a change of life and money. Soon I had known about the whole process. After about a week, I went to see the place I'm going to start working. It was a beautiful place. I could see so many old people with so many difficulties. Several young men and women like me to help them. I felt so fresh. It was a fresh start for me. It advised me that I had to put everything that had happened behind me and move on with my life. I stood there impressed at the place.

"Seems like you already like it in here. Come on. You are really going to enjoy this. This will teach us what life is in a single day." She held my shoulders and pushed me towards the building, where I presumed the office is. She introduced me to the manager and supervisors. They all greeted me with such love and kindness. I felt at home. I signed some papers and went meet the old lady whom I have to take care of. I was only assigned to her.

As we entered her room, she turned to look at us. She was watching something on her TV. She took a second glance at me and smirked at me.

The supervisor said, "She is Gazella. She is going to take care of you hereafter. She will join us on the 1st of next month", which was 4 days from that day.

She opened her arms to welcome me. I ran to her as I ran to my grandma. She was really old. She signed to ask me if I like her. I nodded yes and touched my heart to express wholeheartedly.

The whole experience was new to me. I felt amused. She then signed me to talk back to her and not to sign. She told, she could hear me and just not speak and she would like to use whatever is still working in her body. She burst out laughing. She was really fun to be with. I felt happy. She was a good woman. I envied the god for not giving her the ability to speak. She could have expressed more with words. I spent more time with her talking and giggling like a grandma and a grand-daughter.

Later that night, I went home with Trisha. She dropped me off at home and went home. Months had passed with Miss. Tara. It was all fun with her. Every day we had different routine. She wanted something new every day. We were now walking off the streets, shopping and doing a whole bunch of new activities. Except for the fact that she is dumb and can't walk, she was all fun and creative. She taught me so many new things about life. She taught me how to be happy and feel every little thing in life.

She once said, "A thing of beauty is a joy forever meaning little things gives us more happiness. So you should be happy with all cute little things." I admired her secretly for her actions to express something. I decided I had a life to go; full life of unbound happiness.

I almost tried to forget about my past and started living a life for myself.

That day, which started perfect just as the other days, I went in the morning, greeted her and in a few minutes, we were all set for the walk. Today, I planned to take her to the church that I usually go to. It was not far from the place I worked. I pushed her wheelchair and started walking.

"You should really go back to your family Gazella." She always calls me by my full name. "You should at least try to think about it for the sake of your mother. You would understand that feel only when you become a mother." She added. She always cared for me. But I didn't want to worry her much with my burdens, so I always kept quiet when she talked about it.

She then stopped me from pushing her wheelchair further and actioned me that a guy is watching me.

"Where?"

"There.." she pointed her finger. "I have been seeing him for almost a week now. Following everywhere we go. Do you know him?" Even before she completed, I turned to see who it was.

It was Varun. Why did he come here? What does he want still? I was getting nervous and angry. I could realize Tara watching me carefully. I quickly turned my face and said, "No.."

She said, "I have been seeing him for a week now. He is watching you only."

I hurriedly turned back and started going towards the old age home. I was terrified. I quickly dropped her and left home early.