Arun parked in a bustling side of the city, they had to walk a distance since the road was parked with people running errands.
They made their way through the heavy Street to a more remote Street, where the road was mainly occupied by Parked vehicles.
Honestly, he was too rich for this shit.
They went up to the second floor, from the stairs of a 3 story building that Arun led him into. Everyone from the first floor has paid their rent being a respectable human being and saving Dhruv from these troubles. God bless them.
The second floor is… well… not well-maintained. The dustbins still stinking, many brooms scattered across, trash lying here and there and GOD FORSAKEN, he just stepped on a spitted chewing gum FUCK SAKE.
The 2nd floor has only 4 flats and they have to make 2 visits on this floor.
He knocks on the door which, again, Arun tells too. Thank goodness he is here. Dhruv doesn't think he would make it out alive without him here.
The door opens, revealing a fairly shorter man than them. "Can I help you?" he asked.
Dhruv smiled sarcastically "Yes you can" before fully throwing open the gate and bargaining inside. Was it too rude? Or was he doing okay?
"What-" the man started.
"Look, uncle, we are here to collect the rent which you haven't paid and the due date was a week ago-" Dhruv starts while Arun comes to his side.
From all the noises, a woman, the wife (Dhruv identifies from the photo) from inside, peaks her head out of the curtain on the gate and asks softly, "What's the matter?" sounding fairly scared after looking at Dhruv and Arun.
Dhruv didn't reply to her, looking at her husband intently. "we are here to collect rent", Arun explained, when her eyes also found her husband's.
"you can go inside, I'll handle it" the man urged her wife and she reluctantly left.
"Beta- I'm sorry but could we somehow extend the date of payment?" the man started once his wife went inside.
The man was not old, but not young either, maybe in his early 40s, but he still looked weak and tired and it was still early, so maybe he was getting ready for work.
"Uncle, I can't do that, looking back, you're payment history is not very good" Dhruv scrunched in his nose. "you have delayed your payment almost every month ever since you started living here, and wanting more time is very low of you" Dhruv didn't lower his voice, let it be echoed in the morning stillness.
The uncle flattered in embarrassment, "Beta… I know, but I promise you, I will pay as soon as I get my salary, I swear to god." He came in front of Dhruv and knelt, holding both of Dhruv's hands between his.
Dhruv froze, he didn't know what to do with THIS, it's his first day for goodness sake! Should he extend the date? His father will be disappointed? Yes, but… what else is he supposed to do?
He was in his thoughts when an external force woke him up, he was pushed backward on his left shoulder by a boy not so much younger than him.
"What the-" he started but the boy was already kneeling to help the uncle up.
"What do you think you are doing here?" the boy snarled
"It's not your business here" Arun stepped in between Dhruv and him before he could charge on Dhruv.
The boy looked at Dhruv and practically spat, "Whoever you are, but do you think it is necessary to shove a man to his knees whilst his little children are watching." He indicated towards the drawn curtain where 2 little heads were poking out.
The older one of a girl and the younger one of a boy staring at them and then running inside when they were caught.
"I-I did not do that!" Dhruv came in front of Arun "and I did not shove him to his knees." Dhruv said with equal fury and HE IS NOT THE BAD GUY HERE. "I was just simply here to collect rent and-"
He stopped when the boy's expression changed after hearing the word 'rent'.
Dhruv smiled to his pleasure, "well, well, well Aman chavan".