Chapter 3 : Jack of all Trades

Bianca gets herself a thrift store jumpsuit overall—Rs 100 well spent, she thought wryly after coming out from the thrift store and then heading to the chemist.

After purchasing a cheap Rs 20 soap from the chemist, she made her way to the beach's portable public shower cabins.

Dressed now in the faded overall, her wet hair tied into a loose bun, she stepped out into the nightight. Her stomach growled, and she winced, placing a hand on her belly. Hunger. She looked around the beach. Just ahead, tucked between two coconut vendors, was a small shack-like restaurant. Her face brightened.

She walked over and scanned the chalkboard menu. Everything seemed overpriced—until her eyes landed on a “Chicken Mayo Sandwich – Rs 50.”

Perfect.

Bianca walked up to the counter and opened her mouth to place the order—only to find Neil standing behind the register.

“So,” he asked, not missing a beat, “how was the shower? Was it working fine?”

She blinked. “Excuse me? And what are you doing here at the counter?”

“I’m working. Don’t you see?” he replied, eyes on the billing screen.

Bianca crossed her arms, frowning. “This is seriously bugging me right now. I’m grateful you helped me, but you speak so flippantly.”

“Okay,” he said casually.

She narrowed her eyes. “What ‘okay’?”

“I think I’m speaking like normal people,” he replied. “You’re frustrated, and hungry. And when people are hungry, they go a little crazy.”

“You’re just ridiculous.”

He gave her a half-smile. “Anything else you want to add to your order?”

She rolled her eyes. “Weren’t you the one who reminded me I only have Rs 50 for dinner? And now you’re asking if I want more?”

“Understandable.”

When the waiter brought her the sandwich, Bianca snatched it off the counter and stormed off without another word.

As the sun dipped lower, Bianca strolled along the beach, chewing slowly. Her eyes scanned the coastline, searching for shelter. She had nowhere to go. But then, she saw it—the adoration chapel near the church courtyard, its windows glowing faintly in the dusk.

She walked toward it.

Removing her shoes outside, she stepped inside, switched on a fan, and slowly knelt before the Blessed Sacrament.

Her lips didn’t move, but her eyes were heavy with unspoken questions. Why did You take my mother so soon? she pleaded in her heart. She was all I had.

She lay down on the cold floor, her gaze fixed on the altar, trusting that if no one else watched over her, Jesus would.

The village night came alive with jasmine-scented air and the hum of crickets. On her porch, Aunt Flory sat on a creaky chair, fanning herself. She looked annoyed.

*

The night air was thick with the scent of blooming jasmine, the hum of crickets rising like a soft chorus around the quiet village. Lanterns flickered faintly along the verandah, casting gentle shadows on the tiled floor. Grandma Flory sat on her old wooden chair, arms crossed, her brows furrowed in mild irritation.

Neil arrived on his bicycle, its familiar squeaky brakes cutting through the stillness. Slung over one shoulder was a faded bedsheet, and in his hand, a flashlight.

As he stepped onto the verandah, she didn’t even wait for a greeting.

“Don’t come here with that cycle noise,” she grumbled. “I told you, there’s a lizard under my bed the size of a chicken!”

Neil grinned, setting down the flashlight and giving her a mock salute. “If it’s a chicken, I’ll bring chutney next time. But right now, I’m here to chase it away.”

Without waiting for another word, he ducked inside her house. A few moments passed, filled only by the rhythmic chirping outside. Then Neil reappeared, brushing dust off his palms.

“Your chicken-lizard has escaped through the window,” he said, half-laughing.

Grandma Flory didn’t look convinced. “Don’t joke. These creatures listen. It’ll come back.”

Her voice lowered as she looked away, her tone shifting from irritation to quiet weariness. “I can’t sleep inside. Not alone. At this age, silence isn’t peace—it’s noise.”

Neil looked at her, the flashlight’s soft beam catching the fine lines on her face, the silver threads in her hair. Wordlessly, he unfolded the old bedsheet and laid it on the verandah floor beside her chair.

“Then I’ll sit here till you doze off,” he said gently.

She eyed him, half-amused. “What are you, a night guard?”

He smiled. “No, just a substitute grandson.”

There was a long pause. A cool breeze stirred the air. In the distance, a dog barked once and then went quiet again.

Grandma Flory's expression softened. Her voice, when she spoke, was nearly a whisper. “You know, Neil... my Peter would’ve been your age now. If he’d lived here. But he’s working in the city now. Rarely visits. After my son, daughter-in-law, and husband passed... the house grew quiet too quickly.”

Neil didn’t say anything. He simply reached over and gently adjusted the shawl that had slipped from her shoulder.

“I’m sorry, Grandma,” he said softly.

She gave him a tired smile. “It’s okay. Peter’s busy, and I understand. Still... God sends others to keep me company. Like you.”

Her eyes fluttered shut, head slowly leaning back against the wooden chair.

Neil sat cross-legged on the floor, the edge of the bedsheet tucked under him. Above them, the stars blinked through the gaps in the tiled roof, and the village night sighed around them.

*

The next morning, Bianca made her way to the dry docks. The air was salty and loud with chatter. Fishing boats had just returned, their decks gleaming with fresh catches.

Amidst the chaos, she spotted Neil—again. This time, selling lobsters. Restaurant buyers clustered around him, vying for the prized seafood.

Bianca was both confused and impressed.

As he finished up, he turned and saw her.

“So now you’re a lobster seller too?” she asked.

“Well, you look well-rested. Where’d you sleep last night?”

She sidestepped the question. “Answer mine first. You were at a beachside restaurant last night, and now you’re selling seafood?”

Neil smirked. “Something’s up?”

“Something’s fishy,” she said dryly.

He teased, “Got something stuck in your teeth, Ms. Dentist? Didn’t rinse properly at the beach protable shower's basin?”

She glared. “Now you’re questioning a dentist’s oral hygiene when she has no resources?”

He turned to leave.

She sighed, calling after him, “Wait—do you know any mechanics nearby? My phone might have signal now, and the battery's still alive.”

“Of course.”

“How much does a tire repair cost? I need to head back to Bandra? Maybe a thousand bucks. Or more?.”

Just then, Neil’s phone buzzed. He took the call. “I’ll wash up and come over… Take your time.” He hung up.

Bianca crossed her arms. “So... is it really that expensive?”

Neil glanced at her. “You’re slow, aren’t you?”

“What?”

“You’re dumber than I thought.”

Her jaw dropped. “Listen! If you don’t want to help, just say it! No need to act like a jerk. This is so stupid!”

Another call came through. Neil rushed off, leaving her fuming—until it hit her.

Wait… he got a call.

She looked down at her phone and tapped it. Her eyes lit up. Signal’s back!

She squealed. “Yes! The network’s back! Finally!”

She quickly dialed the car helpline.

As the mechanic worked on her car, Bianca scrolled through her WhatsApp messages. One caught her eye—Suvarna.

Bianca where the hell are you? I hope you’re not doing anything stupid just because you’re jobless. If you don’t text me back in 24 hours, I swear I’ll call the cops.

Bianca chuckled. “Gosh, Suvarna’s terrifying when she’s worried.”

She texted back:

I’m okay, Su. Just network issues in Uttan. Heading back soon.

Just then, the boy she had helped the day before waved at her.

“Hi, Miss!”

“Hey, cutie! Off to school?”

“Yes, Miss. And thank you for yesterday.”

“My pleasure, kiddo. Show me your teeth?”

He grinned wide.

She nodded. “Your missing tooth gap is healing well. Keep it clean so the new one grows properly.”

“I hope I can repay you one day.”

“You already did—with that sweet smile. How old are you?”

“Nine!”

“Nine? And so thoughtful! God bless you. Now go—you’ll be late.”

“I hope you visit us again, Miss!”

Her smile faltered for a beat. “We’ll see,” she said, waving him off.

The mechanic stood up. “All done, Ma’am.”

She paid him via Google Pay, got in her car, and drove off.

At Alwyn's Café, Neil was brewing coffee when the owner walked over.

“Thanks for covering the morning shift, Neil.”

“No problem.” Neil pointed to a Rs 50 note on the counter. “That girl who stopped by last night—she paid.”

Alwyn raised a brow. “She really came back to pay? Sarah said her ID and bag were fake. Thought she was a scammer.”

“She’s not.”

“You sound sure.”

Neil just smiled.

Alwyn leaned in. “Wait… are you blushing?”

“Want coffee?” Neil deflected.

Driving down the narrow road toward the Mira-Bhayandar Highway, Bianca’s Bluetooth buzzed. A call from an unknown number.

“Hello?”

“Hello, Bianca. It’s me.”

“Who?”

“Forgot my voice along with deleting my number? It’s Dr. Vineeta.”

Bianca stiffened. “Dr. Vineeta?”

“Yes. I hear you’re trying hard to find a job?”

“And I hear you’ve been making sure no one hires me.”

“Oh please. I didn’t sabotage anything. You went viral, not me. Dentistry’s a small world—no one wants scandal in their clinic. But... I’m calling with an offer.”

Bianca rolled her eyes.

“Kneel down. Beg. And out of pity, I’ll forgive you and hire you back.”

“You’ll forgive me?” Bianca laughed bitterly. “Your apology can go to hell. Why would I ever work with a witch like you?”

“Watch your tongue, I’m trying to save your—”

“Oh please! I’m not dying to work under anyone. I’ll open my own clinic—and I’ll run it damn well.”

She hung up before Vineeta could reply.

Then, she made a sharp U-turn—back toward Uttan.

Back in the village, she stopped at Rosy’s Fried Fish Restaurant. Rosy was watering her plants.

“Hey, Rosy!”

“Hi! You’re still around?”

“Yeah. And I’ve decided—I’m going to open a clinic. I need your help finding a broker.”

“Really? That’s amazing! Come—I know someone. Let’s go meet him.”

As they walked uphill, Rosy asked, “So you slept at the chapel? You could’ve stayed with me!”

“Thanks. But I managed.”

“Well, we’re not meeting the broker yet. Not exactly.”

Rosy’s phone rang. She picked it up.

Rosy gets a call from her husband who same she saved a s Village Cheif Naveen and she takes the call and she comes to know that unfortuenately the party for the elderly needs to be shifted to another date and that this was the only possible date they could get which everyone agreed upon coming for the get together and seeing Naveen clueless what he could do to make the matter worse by shifting the party.Rosy decides to take the matter on herself and she tells Bianca the same

“What? The party’s rescheduled.... No! You are usless Naveen, when everyone have agreed upon a particular date, why aren't you not trying your best to make it go as per plan, Leave it...I’ll handle it.”

She turned to Bianca. “Sorry, I have to leave. Just go up to the treehouse. He’s expecting you.”

“Who?”

“Just go. You’ll see.”

Bianca hiked up the hill, panting as she reached the top. There, nestled in the trees, was a rustic treehouse. A man stood beneath, fixing a tire swing.

“Hello?” she called out.

He turned.

Neil.

“We meet again!” he said, grinning.

“What? Why are you here?”

“You want to open a clinic?”

She blinked. “Yeah… Wait, are you the one Rosy meant?”

He pulled out an ID card. “Real estate agent. Qualified.”

She narrowed her eyes. “What do you really do?”

He gave a mischievous smile. “Me? I’m Pradhan Pereira.”