Relief ***

Vasan had to scrape the bottom of the barrel. All of a sudden, his son had asked for the full fees to be paid up front. And Vasan had just bought the car for cash. Momentarily he was cash strapped. But his pay would come in soon. In a few days time. And everything will be ok.

And then the call came. “Anne, oru avasara othavi Anne.” Muthu was short of money to get the medication. For his epileptic son.

Vasan was troubled. Muthu had never asked for help before this. And here he was, with empty bank balances. What a situation to be in.

***
Soon, he had borrowed the $1000, which he gave to Muthu. “Ayya, God will surely bless you. I will repay my next Monday.”

***
It was 3 weeks since then. Muthu was not answering the calls. Vasan was troubled. But in his heart he knew Muthu would never cheat him. And then the excuses started coming.

“Saar, I had a bout of dizziness. I had to get admitted to the hospital. As soon as I get out, I will repay.”

“Saar, One of the cheques I was expecting did not come through. By next Monday surely I will repay.”

“I am sorry, I was so busy. Tomorrow surely I will bank in.”

Vasan couldn’t sleep. He kept thinking about his hard earned money which this Muthu seemed to have cheated him of. He tried not to think bad thoughts of Muthu. But they kept coming back. Was he a con man? Did he really have an epileptic son? Was it all a scam?

Vasan kept thinking about how easily he had been conned. Every morning he would call Muthu. Often the call would go unanswered. If Muthu answered, he would give some excuse.

And then finally. A call from Muthu! “Saar, I already deposited saar. Romba sorry saar. Late ayiruchu.”

Vasan was relieved. He had got back his money. And Muthu was not a conman after all.