She could see headlights of few vehicles here and there but still it was scary.
“What are you waiting for? Take your scooty and leave now…” ordered Baskar’s rude voice.
Subha was startled to hear his voice suddenly. She stammered,
“Oh, yes…”
“What yes??? You are saying that but still standing here…”
“No sir I am leaving… But sir, one small request…”
“What??” asked Baskar impatiently.
“Can we change my working hours??? Ten o clock in the night seems to be very late… The streets are deserted and I should travel almost an hour…”
“I can’t do anything about it… You don’t have any other choice…”
“But sir…”
“Stop this nonsense! Instead of wasting my time, get out of here and leave me alone…” yelled Baskar.
Subha started her scooty and left the place in a hurry…
She was fuming inside…
There were no street lights… It was just dark everywhere…
Suddenly a car came behind her… Subha went to the left side of the road giving way for the car.
Just as when she thought the car would overtake her, it slowed down…
Subha panicked and increased her speed…
Even the car that seemed to slow down a moment ago increased its speed and followed her.
Her scooty was no match to the car and soon it overtook her… When it crossed her scooty she saw someone waving at her.
Subha was totally confused… But even before she could think she saw the car stopping and a person coming out of it…
The person again waved at her…
Subha’s hand went to accelerator but when she realized the person standing there is Bharath, she slowed down.
“Bharath…!” she said still unable to believe her sight.
Bharath came near her with a smile.
“What are you doing here?”
“I should ask this question Subha. My office is nearby… What are you doing here at this time? It’s not very safe for you…”
“Oh… I have taken a part time job at Boss Consulting services…”
“What???”
“Yes Bharath…”
“But why??? I thought you are preparing for MBA admissions in the evening...”
“That’s a long story…”
“It’s ok, tell me all about it now…”
Subha briefed him what happened to Baskar's car, his demand and everything...
“.. And today is my first day… I have 379 more days to go… I don't know how I am going to cope up”
“This is totally ridiculous… why didn’t you ask me for the money?”
“You know about Suji… She…”
“I am not asking about her… I am asking you… Am I not your friend?”
“Yes, but…”
“No, Subha… I can’t let you work like this. It is not safe for you… I will give you the money... You can repay me whenever you can…”
“Bharath…”
“Trust me Subha, I am helping you with Suji in mind… That’s completely different…”
“Hmmm…”
Bharath went back to his car, switched on the lights and wrote a cheque for Rupees fifty thousand. He handed it to her and said,
“Here’s your money… give it to him… You can pay me back slowly…”
Subha stared at him…
“Please accept this Subha… I am doing this for your safety… Only last week there was an incident... A girl was…”
Subha interrupted him abruptly.
“I don’t want hear about it Bharath… Give me the cheque… I will repay it as soon as I can…”
“Take your own time…” said Bharath giving the cheque to her.
“And you are really not doing this expecting me to convince Suji right???”
“I love Suji… But that doesn’t mean I don’t care about you…”
“Hmmmm... But Bharath, you shouldn’t keep on disturbing someone who doesn’t have any feelings for you…”
“May be you are right… But I cannot stop myself from going near her… I truly love her…”
“Hmmm… I hope she realizes that too… Anyways it’s getting late… Let me start… Thank you very much for your help Bharath.”
“That’s ok… I will follow you in my car, till you reach city… Drive slowly and carefully ok?”
“Ok…”
“Also give me a ring once you reach your hostel…”
“Sure I will…”