13."Helping Hand"

As we settled into the car, Seenu took the driver's seat while Ammu and I occupied the back. The engine hummed to life as Seenu navigated through the bustling streets, the rhythm of the city enveloping us in its familiar embrace.

As we made our way towards our company, Seenu's voice cut through the gentle hum of the car's engine. "Krishna, Mr. Vikramaditya's secretary called again, asking about the meeting. When did we arrange the meeting between you and Mr. Vikramaditya?" he inquired, his tone laced with a hint of urgency.

I nodded in response, mentally noting the need to address the matter promptly. "Arrange the meeting with him for tomorrow," I instructed, my voice firm yet decisive.

Seenu nodded in acknowledgment, his focus shifting back to the road ahead. "Okay, but we'll have to go to his house. You know his state," he reminded me, his words carrying a note of concern.

Understanding the gravity of the situation, I nodded in agreement. "Of course, I understand. Please arrange the meeting with him," I replied, my thoughts already turning towards the necessary preparations for the meeting.

As the conversation shifted, Ammu interjected with a question of her own. "Krishna, when are we going?" she asked, her voice tinged with a hint of impatience.

I turned to her, surprised by the sudden inquiry. "Where?" I countered, curiosity piqued by her unexpected query.

Ammu moved closer to me, our shoulders brushing against each other as she locked eyes with me. "To Kakinada. Did you forget?" she questioned, her gaze unwavering.

Hearing this I instinctively placed my hand on her head, a gesture of reassurance and affection. "How could I forget? Of course, we're going. I'll let you know two days before we leave," I promised, my tone gentle yet firm.

Ammu nodded in understanding, a relieved smile gracing her lips as she stepped back, her trust in my words evident in her demeanor. However, before I could fully process her response, Seenu interjected with a comment that caught me off guard.

"Don't you need to ask Anu before you promise Ammu? If Anu finds out what you're doing, I think she's going to kill you," Seenu remarked, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

His words sparked a flicker of suspicion within me. Why was Seenu suddenly so concerned about my relationship?.

"Seenu, my dear friend, by any chance, did you do something?" I inquired, fixing him with a pointed gaze through the rearview mirror.

He nervously glanced back at me, his eyes darting around before settling on mine. "What are you talking about? I didn't do anything like that," he protested, though his jittery demeanor betrayed a hint of guilt.

"Why are you sweating so much then?" I pressed, unable to ignore the telltale signs of his unease.

Seenu attempted to brush off my concerns with a dismissive wave of his hand. "Where there is nothing, you think too much," he retorted, though his words lacked the conviction to convince me otherwise.

"Yeah, yeah, Seenu, remember this, bro—if you really did something, I'm going to beat you," I warned, my tone laced with a mixture of amusement and suspicion.

Seenu nervously waved his hand in a feeble attempt to dispel my accusations. "No, I didn't do anything. You're just overthinking it. Yes, you're overthinking it," he stammered, his words tinged with a hint of desperation.

"Why are you saying that twice?" I questioned, narrowing my eyes at his peculiar behavior.

He simply offered a nervous smile in response, his evasiveness only fueling my growing sense of unease. It was clear that Seenu was hiding something, and I couldn't shake the feeling that I was being kept in the dark.

Just as I was beginning to contemplate Seenu's possible misdeeds, Ammu's voice broke through the tense atmosphere. "I'm curious about my meeting with Anu and Raji," she announced, unknowingly diverting attention away from Seenu's suspicious behavior.

Suddenly, my heart began to race, realizing the gravity of the situation I had unwittingly found myself in. With Seenu's evasiveness and Ammu's curiosity, it seemed that my plans were quickly spiraling out of control.

Taking a deep breath, I silently cursed my own impulsiveness, realizing that I had inadvertently walked into a complicated web. As the weight of the situation settled over me, I couldn't help but wonder, "What have I gotten myself into?"

As our car moved steadily down the road, something unusual caught my eye—a taxi spinning around in circles, performing stunts that seemed more suited to a carnival than city streets. I instantly recognized the vehicle. "Seenu, stop the car," I commanded, my tone urgent.

Startled, Seenu hit the brakes, the car coming to a halt. "What happened, Krishna?" he asked, concern etched across his face.

I pointed to the erratic taxi. "Look, it's Balu's taxi."

Both Seenu and Ammu followed my gaze, their eyes widening as they saw the spectacle. "That Balu? The taxi driver you befriended?" Seenu asked, clearly surprised.

I nodded, already opening the door. "Yes, it's his taxi."

Stepping out of the car, I was quickly followed by Seenu and Ammu. Together, we made our way toward the growing crowd gathered to watch Balu's impromptu performance. The air buzzed with excitement and curiosity, people craning their necks to get a better view of the daring display.

As we pushed our way through the throng, I couldn't help but marvel at Balu's skill. His taxi, an old yet sturdy vehicle, danced gracefully across the pavement, executing sharp turns and dizzying spins with remarkable precision.

"He's really good," Ammu commented, her eyes wide with admiration.

"Yeah, it's like he's in a movie or something," Seenu added, his voice tinged with awe.

We finally found a spot at the front of the crowd, giving us a clear view of the action. Balu's taxi whirled around in a tight circle before coming to a sudden, dramatic stop. The crowd erupted into applause, whistles, and cheers filling the air.

As Balu's taxi came to a stop, it left behind a striking heart shape on the pavement, with the word "SAVE" written above it. The crowd gasped in awe at the dramatic conclusion of the stunt. Balu emerged from the taxi, followed by a small child. Observing the scene, I muttered to myself, "This is going to be interesting."

Balu stepped forward, addressing the onlookers with a voice full of conviction. "We proved that we have heart," he declared. The child standing beside him added, "Now it's your turn."

Intrigued, I noticed the crowd shifting their attention toward a man sitting by the roadside. He was legless, and beside him sat a little girl with a solemn expression. Next to them was a donation box and a poster explaining the girl's plight—she had a severe heart condition and they desperately needed money for her surgery.

Realization dawned on me as I understood the purpose behind Balu's stunt. It was a heartfelt plea for help, a creative and compassionate way to draw attention to a dire need.

Moved by the scene, I walked toward the man, feeling the weight of the situation settle in my chest. As I approached, the man looked up at me, his eyes a mix of hope and despair. "You don't have to worry about your daughter's heart operation," I said softly. "My NGO, 'LIFE,' will cover all the expenses for her surgery."

His eyes widened in disbelief, tears welling up as he processed my words. Relief and gratitude washed over his face. "Thank you," he whispered, his voice breaking. "Thank you so much."

I turned to Seenu, who had been watching the exchange. "Seenu, arrange everything for them," I instructed.

Without missing a beat, Seenu pulled out his phone and began dialing, his expression focused and determined. As he made the necessary calls, Ammu crouched down beside the little girl, engaging her in conversation. Her gentle words and warm smile seemed to bring a flicker of happiness to the girl's eyes.

The crowd, witnessing the unfolding events, began to respond with generosity. Coins and bills started to fill the donation box, a testament to the community's willingness to support one of their own. Balu's stunt had not only captured their attention but also opened their hearts.

As I stood there, watching the scene unfold, a profound sense of fulfillment washed over me. This was the essence of what we did—bringing hope and relief to those in need, making a tangible difference in people's lives.

Seenu finished his call and approached me. "Everything's set," he said, his voice filled with reassurance. "They'll be taken care of."

I nodded, grateful for his efficiency. Turning back to the man and his daughter, I offered them a reassuring smile. "You're not alone in this. Help is on the way."

The man nodded, his eyes brimming with tears of gratitude. "You have no idea what this means to us," he said, his voice choked with emotion. "Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts."

Hearing the man's heartfelt gratitude, I simply nodded and smiled at him, feeling a profound sense of fulfillment. At that moment, Balu approached me, a curious look on his face. "Krishna, what are you doing here?" he asked.

I smiled and extended my hand for a handshake. "I was on my way to work when I saw your stunt. I have to appreciate your efforts to help others; that's truly commendable," I said sincerely.

Balu grinned, shaking my hand firmly. "It's nothing. I'm just doing what I can. But thank you for your help; it's a really big thing for them."

Nodding in acknowledgment, I then turned my attention to the child standing beside Balu. "And who might you be?" I asked gently.

The kid clung to Balu's pants, his eyes wide and a bit shy. Balu patted his head affectionately. "This is Rajan," he introduced. Then, turning to the boy, he added, "Rajan, this is Krishna, my friend."

I knelt down to Rajan's level, extending my hand. "Hi, Rajan, nice to meet you," I said warmly.

Rajan hesitated for a moment before taking my hand in a small but firm grip. "Hi, Krishna. It's nice to meet you too," he replied, a shy smile spreading across his face.

I couldn't help but smile as I ruffled his hair. "What a brave kid," I thought to myself. Rajan's smile grew a little wider, and I could see the spark of resilience in his eyes.

Balu then crouched down to Rajan's level. "Rajan, why don't you go sit inside the taxi for a bit? I'll join you after I'm done talking to Krishna," he suggested.

Rajan nodded obediently and headed back to the taxi, climbing inside and peering out through the window at us.

As Rajan settled inside the taxi, Balu turned to me, his expression more serious. "Krishna, I want to talk to you about something," he said.

"Is it about Rajan?" I asked, sensing the weight behind his words.

Balu nodded, surprised. "Yes, it's about Rajan. But how did you know?"

I glanced at the boy in the taxi, his small frame almost lost in the big seat. "That kid is hiding a lot of pain under his smile. I can see he's really brave."

Balu sighed deeply. "Yes, I found Rajan at a bus stop. He was living there when I found him, all alone. I took him home with me, but whenever I ask about his parents, he doesn't answer."

I felt a pang of sadness for the boy. "Don't press him about his parents," I advised. "I think they're already dead."

Balu looked shocked. "What? How can you be so sure?"

Ammu and Seenu, who had been quietly listening to our conversation, chimed in. "Yes, Krishna, how can you be so sure?"

I looked back at Rajan, who was now peeking curiously through the taxi window. "Look at him. He's Anglo-Indian; he isn't from around here. I think he came here with his parents, and there are two possibilities. Either his parents left the country without him, or they had an accident. The most likely scenario is that someone killed them." (A/N:I am not racist or anything 🙃)

They all stared at me in stunned silence. Balu broke the silence first, his voice urgent. "If that's true, then we should file a complaint with the police."

I shook my head. "It's useless. If Rajan's parents were truly killed by someone, that person has already arranged everything to cover it up."

Balu looked desperate. "Then what should I do?"

I placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "If something happens to you or Rajan, call me immediately. For now, let Rajan enjoy his childhood. Don't burden him with questions he isn't ready to answer."

Balu nodded slowly, absorbing my words. Ammu, her eyes filled with empathy, looked at Rajan and said, "But why would someone kill the parents of a child like Rajan? Look at how innocently he's watching us from the taxi."

We all turned to see Rajan's wide, curious eyes fixed on us through the window. His innocence was heartbreaking. "Ammu," I said softly, "sometimes people's greed makes them forget their humanity. I've seen a lot of people like that."

My mind drifted back to my time in Dubai, to the people I had met and the things I had seen. But I quickly pushed those memories away, not wanting to dwell on the past.

Balu sighed again. "I just want to keep him safe. He's been through so much already."

"You will," I assured him. "And you won't be alone in this. If you need anything, you have my number."

Balu's face softened with gratitude. "Thank you, Krishna. You don't know how much this means to me."

I smiled, trying to lighten the mood. "It's what friends are for, right?"

After some time, the ambulance arrived to pick up the little girl whose heart problem we had promised to treat. The flashing lights and the sound of the siren drew the attention of the crowd, and everyone watched as the paramedics carefully placed the girl on the stretcher and prepared her for the journey to the hospital.

I stepped aside, making a quick call to the doctor who would be handling her case. "Dr. Rao, the girl is on her way. Please make sure everything is ready for her arrival," I said.

"Don't worry, Mr.Prasad. We'll take good care of her," Dr. Rao assured me.

Hanging up, I walked over to the girl's father, who was holding her hand tightly, his eyes filled with a mixture of fear and hope. "Thank you so much, Sir," he said, his voice trembling with emotion. "You have no idea what this means to us."

I placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Everything is going to be alright. She's in good hands now."

As the paramedics finished securing the girl and prepared to close the ambulance doors, she looked up at me with wide, trusting eyes. I gave her a warm smile. "You're going to be just fine, okay? Be brave."

She nodded, clutching her small teddy bear even tighter. The ambulance doors closed with a final thud, and the vehicle started to pull away. The girl's father, still overwhelmed,we watched until it disappeared from sight, the siren's wail fading into the distance.

Turning back to Balu, Ammu, and Seenu, I felt a profound sense of fulfillment. We had done something truly meaningful today. Balu, who had been silent, finally spoke up. "Krishna, you really have a way of making a difference."

I shrugged, a modest smile on my face. "It's not just me. It's all of us."

We spent a few more moments in silence, each of us reflecting on the day's events. Balu, his usual jovial self, finally broke the silence. "Well, I should get Rajan home. It's been a long day for him."

"Take care, Balu. And remember, if you need anything, call me," I said.

Balu nodded, heading towards his taxi. Rajan peeked out from the window, his eyes bright with curiosity. "Bye, Krishna," he called out.

"Bye, Rajan I replied, waving.

As Balu's taxi drove away, I turned to Ammu and Seenu. "Alright, let's get moving. We still have a lot to do."

We got back into our car, and as we drove off, the weight of the day's events slowly began to lift. The road ahead was filled with possibilities, and I knew that whatever challenges came our way, we would face them together.

Ammu, leaning back in her seat, broke the silence. "You know, Krishna, today was... special. It felt like we were part of something bigger."

I glanced at her, seeing the thoughtful expression on her face. "Yeah, it did. Sometimes, life throws us into situations where we can make a real difference. Today was one of those days."

Seenu nodded, his usual playful demeanor subdued by the gravity of the day. "You're right. It's these moments that define us."

After that, we headed back to the company and got engrossed in our daily work. As the hours passed, it was already time to go home. I glanced at the clock and decided it was time to wrap up. I called out to Ammu, who was still busy at her desk. "Ammu, let's go. I'll drop you home."

She looked up from her work and nodded, gathering her things. We walked out to the company parking lot, got into the car, and began the drive to her house. On the way, we chatted and laughed, sharing light-hearted stories and jokes. Ammu's laughter was infectious, and it felt good to unwind after a long day.

When we arrived at her house, I stopped the car and waited until she was safely inside before heading to my own home. As I pulled into the garage, the familiar sight of our house brought a sense of comfort. I parked the car, took a deep breath, and made my way inside.

The moment I stepped into the living room, I saw Bheeshma lounging on the sofa, eyes glued to his phone. He looked up and flashed me a mischievous grin. "You are dead, Krishna."

His words puzzled me, and I furrowed my brow. "What do you mean?"

Before Bheeshma could respond, Anu emerged from the kitchen, wiping her hands on a towel. Seeing her, I couldn't hide my surprise. "Anu, when did you get here?"

She gave me a look that was equal parts amusement and sternness. "This afternoon. But I want to ask you something, Krishna."

"Of course, Anu," I replied, my voice steady. However, her next words froze me in my tracks.

"I heard from Seenu that someone is coming with us to Kakinada."

A nervous smile crept across my face. I thought to myself, "I was right. Seenu did something, and now Anu is going to kill me."

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