25-12-2025, 09:09 PM
(This post was last modified: 26-12-2025, 03:03 PM by heygiwriter. Edited 1 time in total. Edited 1 time in total.)
Chapter 37 – The Old Car and Newness
The old Swift coughed and sputtered on the busy Chennai road — 2 lakh plus kilometres on the odometer, a second-hand warrior that had served faithfully for years through rain, heat, and endless traffic.
Now it was showing its age — engine whining, vibrations rattling the dashboard.
Engine died mid-way — sudden silence in the middle of a crowded intersection, horns blaring around him.
Prem cursed under his breath — low, frustrated, the afternoon heat pressing in through the windows like a heavy blanket.
He had to reach the bank — deposit a cheque from a new client.
Important.
Immediate.
The money would cover next month's payroll — salaries, rent, everything riding on it.
He tried restarting — key turning, nothing.
Called mechanics — signal weak in the jam, calls dropping.
With the aid of a few kind strangers on the road — two young men in office shirts pausing their bikes, a passing auto driver with strong arms — they pushed the car to the side, tyres scbanging asphalt, sweat beading on everyone's foreheads.
Waited for auto.
None came empty.
Called taxi apps — surge pricing, cancellations piling up, "no drivers available."
Luck turned — a town bus, crowded and rattling, not at a stop, slowed anyway.
Driver waved him in — sympathetic nod to the stranded man in formal shirt.
Crowded inside.
Standing room only.
Bodies pressed close, the smell of sweat, diesel, and packed lunches.
He clutched the overhead rail, swaying with the turns, briefcase bumping his leg with every brake.
A man stood as his stop neared — older gentleman, newspaper folded under arm.
Lucky again — Prem took the seat gratefully, sinking into it with a quiet sigh.
The person beside him turned — familiar face, older but unmistakable.
“Hey… Prem?”
Prem looked closer.
Recognition hit — slow, then sharp like a flash.
“Dei Nithin ! How are you? What a surprise!”
Nithin grinned — same old college friend smile, teeth white, eyes crinkling with genuine joy.
“I’m good, da! How are you?”
Prem: “Good, good. We met long back — collegeing days. Then different colleges.”
Nithin : “Small world!”
They laughed — genuine, easy, the years falling away for a moment like they were teenagers again on the playground.
Nithin : “Married?”
Prem: “Yes. Kid — 8 years old.”
Nithin surprised, eyebrows shooting up. “What? 8 years? I just got married, man — 31 now. You guys early, huh?”
Prem chuckled, a little proud, a little nostalgic. “Loved a woman. Eloped.”
They laughed again — louder, heads together like old times, sharing the story in quick bursts.
Nithin : “What are you doing?”
Prem: “Self business .” (Prem did not want to show it as IT outsourcing firm he doesn't want people to flood him asking for opportunities)
“You?”
Nithin : Dont ask me Prem. Did my engineering but now a Marketing guy,. Pitching products. Want solid profile — Python, tech side.” Even now i went for a Tech interview. Hope they call me soon.
Prem thought — mind ticking with opportunity.
“Send me your work.”
Nithin : Why are you referring me to any company? But i have no IT experience, only Marketing” But i have deep knowledge in languages like Python.. Etc. but people don't value it… they just ask for experience.
Prem: “Fine. If you know the knowledge, try.”
Nithin began to say something
Then — Prakash’s phone rang.
Screen lit: Vaani Darling
Prakash cut it quickly — embarrassed thumb swipe, cheeks coloring slightly.
“Irony — my wife did MBA, she has no job yet. But I'm into marketing… Once I settle, she’ll look.”
Prem: “Is it?”
They talked more — easy flow, catching up on mutual friends, old teachers, life twists.
Realized the same stop approaching.
Nithin accompanied the bank — “I’m going that way anyway.”
Helped the mechanic too — haggling price together, laughing at the owner's excuses, fixing the old Swift.
Shared numbers — promise to meet soon. Departed with a wave, “Keep in touch, da.”
The car is running smoothly now.
Prem near Nivi’s office. Decided — drop in, see her.
Surprise.
It was the exact time Rohan had entered the office, and Nivi was glowing with a smile at him — genuine, wide, the kind that lit her eyes and softened her features in a way Prem hadn't seen in weeks.
Rohan leaned casually against her desk, voice low but warm.
“Sorry I left you with hectic work.. Very sorry.”
Nivi shook her head, smile lingering. “All fine at your end?”
Rohan nodded. “Yes, it went well.. Hope you are back on your feet.”
Nivi tilted her head slightly. “You went for an emergency or…?”
Rohan paused, eyes meeting hers — steady, meaningful.
“I wanted to give you space.. No words can fix you.. No consolation can fix you. I want you to recover.. Yourself.."
He leaned in a fraction, voice softer.
"So the first step — the trouble maker should move out.. I'm the trouble maker here.."
Nivi's eyes widened slightly.
"And second — if I leave hectic work to you.. The work warrants your attention, and you will gradually get hooked into bigger things that would make you ignore the small ones.."
Nivi looked at him — really looked, warmth spreading.
“You are not a trouble maker..… I’m sorry.”
But thanks.
Rohan: “For what?”
Nivi: “For understanding and giving me space..”
Rohan glanced around subtly — open office, voices nearby.
“I want to speak with you more, but walls have ears. Maybe somewhere away..”
Nivi: “Okay...”
I'm happy anyway — happy to see you again.
Her smile widened — bright, unguarded, cheeks flushing lightly.
Prem entered the building just then.
Approached Nivi’s cabin — footsteps quiet on the carpeted floor.
Saw Rohan already there — leaning on desk, talking animatedly with Nivi.
When did he come back?
Mind puzzled — two weeks no noise, no mention.. sudden return?
Nivi smiling wide — warmer, brighter for Rohan.
Laughing softly at something he said — head tilted, eyes sparkling.
For him — he had been courting her for weeks, apologizing for his misunderstandings, trying to win back trust.
But she never smiled this much, this freely, when he finally surrendered to her.
Yet for Rohan — effortless glow.
Something not adding up.
When Prem doubted her intentions... there is nothing concrete to actually doubt her.
Now when he wanted to trust her and show his blind support.. she giving too many reasons too make him doubt..
Instantly his mind feared.. No Prem dont overthink and spoil it.. if Nivi found out you still doubting her— the gap would widen forever.
Irreversible.
He stood still 10 seconds outside the glass door — reeling, heart thumping hard in chest, palms suddenly damp.
Old insecurities flooding back — sharp, familiar poison.
Then entered — forced smile plastered on, voice steady as he could manage.
Rohan saw first — sharp eyes catching the movement.
“Hey buddy! How are you? Just came back — entered the office. Sorry, put her in trouble.”
Nivi smiled — inhibitions gone, back on feet, glowing with energy.
Prem’s insecurities — back too, sharper than before, cutting deeper.
Rohan sensed the flicker in Prem's eyes.
Did he hear what I said? to Nivi? Those were cryptic, right? He asked himself silently.
Decided quietly — whatever, let's bring him back to the trust zone.
Fast.
Faster.
The old Swift coughed and sputtered on the busy Chennai road — 2 lakh plus kilometres on the odometer, a second-hand warrior that had served faithfully for years through rain, heat, and endless traffic.
Now it was showing its age — engine whining, vibrations rattling the dashboard.
Engine died mid-way — sudden silence in the middle of a crowded intersection, horns blaring around him.
Prem cursed under his breath — low, frustrated, the afternoon heat pressing in through the windows like a heavy blanket.
He had to reach the bank — deposit a cheque from a new client.
Important.
Immediate.
The money would cover next month's payroll — salaries, rent, everything riding on it.
He tried restarting — key turning, nothing.
Called mechanics — signal weak in the jam, calls dropping.
With the aid of a few kind strangers on the road — two young men in office shirts pausing their bikes, a passing auto driver with strong arms — they pushed the car to the side, tyres scbanging asphalt, sweat beading on everyone's foreheads.
Waited for auto.
None came empty.
Called taxi apps — surge pricing, cancellations piling up, "no drivers available."
Luck turned — a town bus, crowded and rattling, not at a stop, slowed anyway.
Driver waved him in — sympathetic nod to the stranded man in formal shirt.
Crowded inside.
Standing room only.
Bodies pressed close, the smell of sweat, diesel, and packed lunches.
He clutched the overhead rail, swaying with the turns, briefcase bumping his leg with every brake.
A man stood as his stop neared — older gentleman, newspaper folded under arm.
Lucky again — Prem took the seat gratefully, sinking into it with a quiet sigh.
The person beside him turned — familiar face, older but unmistakable.
“Hey… Prem?”
Prem looked closer.
Recognition hit — slow, then sharp like a flash.
“Dei Nithin ! How are you? What a surprise!”
Nithin grinned — same old college friend smile, teeth white, eyes crinkling with genuine joy.
“I’m good, da! How are you?”
Prem: “Good, good. We met long back — collegeing days. Then different colleges.”
Nithin : “Small world!”
They laughed — genuine, easy, the years falling away for a moment like they were teenagers again on the playground.
Nithin : “Married?”
Prem: “Yes. Kid — 8 years old.”
Nithin surprised, eyebrows shooting up. “What? 8 years? I just got married, man — 31 now. You guys early, huh?”
Prem chuckled, a little proud, a little nostalgic. “Loved a woman. Eloped.”
They laughed again — louder, heads together like old times, sharing the story in quick bursts.
Nithin : “What are you doing?”
Prem: “Self business .” (Prem did not want to show it as IT outsourcing firm he doesn't want people to flood him asking for opportunities)
“You?”
Nithin : Dont ask me Prem. Did my engineering but now a Marketing guy,. Pitching products. Want solid profile — Python, tech side.” Even now i went for a Tech interview. Hope they call me soon.
Prem thought — mind ticking with opportunity.
“Send me your work.”
Nithin : Why are you referring me to any company? But i have no IT experience, only Marketing” But i have deep knowledge in languages like Python.. Etc. but people don't value it… they just ask for experience.
Prem: “Fine. If you know the knowledge, try.”
Nithin began to say something
Then — Prakash’s phone rang.
Screen lit: Vaani Darling
Prakash cut it quickly — embarrassed thumb swipe, cheeks coloring slightly.
“Irony — my wife did MBA, she has no job yet. But I'm into marketing… Once I settle, she’ll look.”
Prem: “Is it?”
They talked more — easy flow, catching up on mutual friends, old teachers, life twists.
Realized the same stop approaching.
Nithin accompanied the bank — “I’m going that way anyway.”
Helped the mechanic too — haggling price together, laughing at the owner's excuses, fixing the old Swift.
Shared numbers — promise to meet soon. Departed with a wave, “Keep in touch, da.”
The car is running smoothly now.
Prem near Nivi’s office. Decided — drop in, see her.
Surprise.
It was the exact time Rohan had entered the office, and Nivi was glowing with a smile at him — genuine, wide, the kind that lit her eyes and softened her features in a way Prem hadn't seen in weeks.
Rohan leaned casually against her desk, voice low but warm.
“Sorry I left you with hectic work.. Very sorry.”
Nivi shook her head, smile lingering. “All fine at your end?”
Rohan nodded. “Yes, it went well.. Hope you are back on your feet.”
Nivi tilted her head slightly. “You went for an emergency or…?”
Rohan paused, eyes meeting hers — steady, meaningful.
“I wanted to give you space.. No words can fix you.. No consolation can fix you. I want you to recover.. Yourself.."
He leaned in a fraction, voice softer.
"So the first step — the trouble maker should move out.. I'm the trouble maker here.."
Nivi's eyes widened slightly.
"And second — if I leave hectic work to you.. The work warrants your attention, and you will gradually get hooked into bigger things that would make you ignore the small ones.."
Nivi looked at him — really looked, warmth spreading.
“You are not a trouble maker..… I’m sorry.”
But thanks.
Rohan: “For what?”
Nivi: “For understanding and giving me space..”
Rohan glanced around subtly — open office, voices nearby.
“I want to speak with you more, but walls have ears. Maybe somewhere away..”
Nivi: “Okay...”
I'm happy anyway — happy to see you again.
Her smile widened — bright, unguarded, cheeks flushing lightly.
Prem entered the building just then.
Approached Nivi’s cabin — footsteps quiet on the carpeted floor.
Saw Rohan already there — leaning on desk, talking animatedly with Nivi.
When did he come back?
Mind puzzled — two weeks no noise, no mention.. sudden return?
Nivi smiling wide — warmer, brighter for Rohan.
Laughing softly at something he said — head tilted, eyes sparkling.
For him — he had been courting her for weeks, apologizing for his misunderstandings, trying to win back trust.
But she never smiled this much, this freely, when he finally surrendered to her.
Yet for Rohan — effortless glow.
Something not adding up.
When Prem doubted her intentions... there is nothing concrete to actually doubt her.
Now when he wanted to trust her and show his blind support.. she giving too many reasons too make him doubt..
Instantly his mind feared.. No Prem dont overthink and spoil it.. if Nivi found out you still doubting her— the gap would widen forever.
Irreversible.
He stood still 10 seconds outside the glass door — reeling, heart thumping hard in chest, palms suddenly damp.
Old insecurities flooding back — sharp, familiar poison.
Then entered — forced smile plastered on, voice steady as he could manage.
Rohan saw first — sharp eyes catching the movement.
“Hey buddy! How are you? Just came back — entered the office. Sorry, put her in trouble.”
Nivi smiled — inhibitions gone, back on feet, glowing with energy.
Prem’s insecurities — back too, sharper than before, cutting deeper.
Rohan sensed the flicker in Prem's eyes.
Did he hear what I said? to Nivi? Those were cryptic, right? He asked himself silently.
Decided quietly — whatever, let's bring him back to the trust zone.
Fast.
Faster.
![[+]](https://xossipy.com/themes/sharepoint/collapse_collapsed.png)