‘Uncle, Ananya told me you are having trouble with your business plan.’
Uncle braked his car in shock. We never spoke in the Fiat. We had a ritual. I
read my reports, he cursed the traffic and the city roads. In twenty minutes, we
reached the traffic signal near the Citibank where he dropped me. I thanked him,
he nodded, all without eye contact. Today, one week after my Amethyst date, I
had made my move. Ananya had gone to Thanjavur on work for five days, and her
mother joined her on the trip to see the temples. Ananya had told me it would be
the perfect time to offer help. Her father wouldn’t suspect I wanted to come home
for Ananya. Plus, more important, he could actually take help from me and keep
face as his wife and daughter won’t be there to witness.
‘Why is she telling you all this?’ His hands clenched on the steering wheel.
‘Actually, I had helped my boss make a business plan,’ I lied.
‘Really?’ His expression softened and he looked at me.
‘MNC banks make presentations all the time,’ I said.
Uncle released the brake as the car moved again.
‘Do you want me to sit down with you?’ I offered as we reached closer to the
Citibank signal.
‘You take tuitions for Manju already. Why are you helping us so much?’
I thought hard for an answer. ‘I don’t have anyone in Chennai. No old friends,
no family,’ I said.
His eyebrows went up at the last word.
‘Of course, you are also not family,’ I said and his face relaxed again. ‘But it is
nice to go to a home.’
I had reached my signal. I opened the door slowly, to allow him time to
respond.
‘If you have time, come in the evening. I will show you what I have done.’
‘Oh, OK, I will come tonight,’ I said as uncle drove off. The Fiat left behind a
fresh waft of carbon monoxide.
nora
(Nora)
#1