24-04-2026, 01:18 AM
Chapter 10 – The Helpful Neighbor
The very next day, Gowtham knocked on their door in the evening holding a bag.
Suresh opened it. “What’s this, Gowtham?”
he said casually with a smile and handed the bag to Suresh, who had come behind her. Dragon fruit and watermelon. Before Suresh could ask anything, Gowtham simply said “Enjoy” and left.
From that day on, it became a daily ritual.
Every evening Gowtham would bring something — fresh dragon fruit, watermelon, pomegranates, spinach leaves, beetroot, walnuts, or dark chocolate. He would just hand them over with a quick smile and leave without much conversation.
Suresh was both amused and slightly confused by this sudden care.
On Friday evening, when Gowtham came with a bunch of green leaves and bananas, Suresh followed him to Gauthams house, he finally asked him directly.
“Dei Gowtham… why are you bringing all this every day da?”
Gowtham looked at him for a second, then took out his phone. He sat down beside Suresh on the sofa and opened Google.
“Anna, look,” he said, showing a long list. “These are all foods that naturally help with erectile dysfunction and improve blood flow.
Dragon fruit, watermelon (has citrulline), spinach, beetroot, walnuts… I googled properly. Thought it might help you.”
Suresh’s face turned red with embarrassment. He now understood exactly why Gowtham was doing this.
Gowtham kept his voice low and sincere.
“Anna, this is very normal in today’s stressful world. Don’t feel bad. Just eat these regularly and try with Anni… you will slowly feel better. I just want to fix your issue, nothing else. I’m not judging you.”
The genuine concern in Gowtham’s voice and the effort he had taken impressed Suresh deeply. Instead of taking advantage of the situation, the young man was actually trying to help. Suresh felt a strange warmth mixed with shame.
He didn’t say much. He simply nodded and went back home.
Sunday night arrived.
After Ramya slept, Suresh and Gowtham were on the rooftop again, drinking. This time Suresh was more open.
After two pegs, he spoke emotionally.
“Thank you da… for everything. The fruits, the concern… I really appreciate it.”
Midway through the third drink, Suresh’s tongue loosened again.
“You know… it feels very strange, Gowtham. Thinking about you with Sneha… it actually excites me these days. I feel ashamed, but I can’t stop it.”
Gowtham listened calmly, then smiled gently.
“Anna… these things are very normal. Don’t feel guilty. One of my close friends had the exact same problem. He’s actually a senior, his wife is almost a two year younger that Anni. He told me he only gets hard when he imagines or hears someone talking to his wife, i just filled that place for him. Nothing physical — just normal conversation over phone. That itself gives him a kick.”
Gowtham casually opened his WhatsApp, scrolled, and showed Suresh a photo of a decent-looking couple.
“See… this is my friend and his wife. They are happy. He gets his thrill this way. Remote help. No one suspects anything. Family respect stays safe. Friendship stays safe. Everything remains within control.”
He let the words sink in, then smoothly shifted the topic to cricket as if nothing had happened.
But the seed had been planted deep inside Suresh’s mind.
Here was a young man who knew his darkest secret… yet was helping him without any bad intention. A real person who had seen similar situations and offered a safe way out.
Suresh kept thinking about it again and again that night.
Maybe… just maybe… I can get some help from Gowtham.
Without breaking anything.
The very next day, Gowtham knocked on their door in the evening holding a bag.
Suresh opened it. “What’s this, Gowtham?”
he said casually with a smile and handed the bag to Suresh, who had come behind her. Dragon fruit and watermelon. Before Suresh could ask anything, Gowtham simply said “Enjoy” and left.
From that day on, it became a daily ritual.
Every evening Gowtham would bring something — fresh dragon fruit, watermelon, pomegranates, spinach leaves, beetroot, walnuts, or dark chocolate. He would just hand them over with a quick smile and leave without much conversation.
Suresh was both amused and slightly confused by this sudden care.
On Friday evening, when Gowtham came with a bunch of green leaves and bananas, Suresh followed him to Gauthams house, he finally asked him directly.
“Dei Gowtham… why are you bringing all this every day da?”
Gowtham looked at him for a second, then took out his phone. He sat down beside Suresh on the sofa and opened Google.
“Anna, look,” he said, showing a long list. “These are all foods that naturally help with erectile dysfunction and improve blood flow.
Dragon fruit, watermelon (has citrulline), spinach, beetroot, walnuts… I googled properly. Thought it might help you.”
Suresh’s face turned red with embarrassment. He now understood exactly why Gowtham was doing this.
Gowtham kept his voice low and sincere.
“Anna, this is very normal in today’s stressful world. Don’t feel bad. Just eat these regularly and try with Anni… you will slowly feel better. I just want to fix your issue, nothing else. I’m not judging you.”
The genuine concern in Gowtham’s voice and the effort he had taken impressed Suresh deeply. Instead of taking advantage of the situation, the young man was actually trying to help. Suresh felt a strange warmth mixed with shame.
He didn’t say much. He simply nodded and went back home.
Sunday night arrived.
After Ramya slept, Suresh and Gowtham were on the rooftop again, drinking. This time Suresh was more open.
After two pegs, he spoke emotionally.
“Thank you da… for everything. The fruits, the concern… I really appreciate it.”
Midway through the third drink, Suresh’s tongue loosened again.
“You know… it feels very strange, Gowtham. Thinking about you with Sneha… it actually excites me these days. I feel ashamed, but I can’t stop it.”
Gowtham listened calmly, then smiled gently.
“Anna… these things are very normal. Don’t feel guilty. One of my close friends had the exact same problem. He’s actually a senior, his wife is almost a two year younger that Anni. He told me he only gets hard when he imagines or hears someone talking to his wife, i just filled that place for him. Nothing physical — just normal conversation over phone. That itself gives him a kick.”
Gowtham casually opened his WhatsApp, scrolled, and showed Suresh a photo of a decent-looking couple.
“See… this is my friend and his wife. They are happy. He gets his thrill this way. Remote help. No one suspects anything. Family respect stays safe. Friendship stays safe. Everything remains within control.”
He let the words sink in, then smoothly shifted the topic to cricket as if nothing had happened.
But the seed had been planted deep inside Suresh’s mind.
Here was a young man who knew his darkest secret… yet was helping him without any bad intention. A real person who had seen similar situations and offered a safe way out.
Suresh kept thinking about it again and again that night.
Maybe… just maybe… I can get some help from Gowtham.
Without breaking anything.
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