Real, yet surreal

She lies in the bed staring at the ceiling, mind drifting miles away, eyes moist! She's been through a lot in the past couple of months. She glances at her mobile, it says 10:07pm. She was out with her friends today, happy and gay with moods in high spirits. But that one thought was enough to push her into nadir! Just a few months ago she was happy, just as every other girl, high on hopes and with big dreams. She wanted to be a web developer after completing her post graduation. She also wanted in her life a prince, a prince who would sweep her off her feet.

On a technical symposium she met this guy through their mutual friend. The meeting was pretty ordinary, just an exchange of greeting in the canteen over some snacks. The symposium was a three day affair and since their city was quite far they were accommodated in the host college itself. Her event ended prematurely and she accompanied her friend and him to the other events. Their friendship gradually grew and by serendipity had dinner together on the final eve and the bond grew. She was impressed by his simplicity and straight forwardness. They exchanged their numbers and bade farewell on the closing ceremony of the symposium.

She called him the following weekend and they spoke for what seemed 10 minutes but the call log said 57mins 13secs. He called her after two days and this became a habit and ended chatting for hours at night. Her hostel friends were amazed at her 'cauz she never spoke to a guy this much leave alone talking at night. One night she gave the phone to one of their mutual friend, her fellow hostel-er and went to talk to her matron. He and her friend ended up taking for about 40mins. When the friend brought back the phone she said in a rough tone that she was not interested in speaking, he probably heard it and cut the call out of anger. Her phone rang again after five mins and his name flashed, the next instant it was on her ears, as though through bodily involuntarily reflex action. As though a response to a stimulus!


He: Why are you upset?
She: Why are you asking me this? am normal. (poker-face-tone)
He: Then why did you say you don't want to speak? That too in a tone never used before?
She: you chatted with her while I was waiting inside the room waiting to speak to you. That too for more than half an hour!
He: So what? She was just going on speaking. Don't you know what kind of chatterbox she is?
She: I don't know, am just pissed. Why did you talk to her for so long? I just told you to say "Hi"!


He sensed the apparent jealousy in her tone. He had been more-than-just-liking her for quite some time now. The metal was hot, the time to strike was now, to give it the desired shape. He was waiting for the right moment, this was it, probably! Taking chances he spoke...

He: I find no reason for you to be pissed. Okay, think, why is it that I give you a call and not her? I've been knowing her for years now. Still I call you. You're special to me, why are you upset? Why the jealousy?

He spoke all this in a single breath and now realised that he probably went overboard. A 20sec silence over the phone. "Jealous?", yes she had heard it right. He 1st reaction was anger but then she was drawn back. Yes I was probably jealous. Why? What reason have I got to be angry? She is...
Her thought process interrupted by his voice.

He: Hellooo, you there?
She: A meek-yes!
He: Speak up!
She: I don't know what to say.
He: Ok listen, I wanted to say this to you in person at the right time, I like you and want you to be more that just a friend. I want to take our friendship to the next level. And by judging your reactions in the last 10mins, I think your sub-conscious says yes. Now what do you say?

She was dumb-struck. Although she liked him she didn't expect this. Her head was whirling as she spoke..

She: I like you, but am confused!
He: Just close your eyes and listen to what your heart has to say. Am on the line.


After a silence for about 70secs

She: Yes.

That was the start of their many days to come as a happy couple. They shared everything. Spoke about everything under the sun, pampered each other and were the best of friends. Until one day a problem rose out of nowhere. A matter very trivial for a couple-much-in-love like them. He was away on an industrial visit to Bangalore and he said that he will come back in two days and speak to her. She insisted on speaking, suddenly his balance ran out. She tried to reach him but could not owing to zero balance while in roaming. He could not recharge.

He comes back after two days and speaks to her. The issue was solved long before he reached but her anger on him refused to subside. They argue and like a dormant volcano blow off on each other. In the spur of the moment she insists on a break-off! He just says okay and keeps the phone down. He calls back after 20mins and asks her if what she spoke was really what she wanted, as he knew that words spoken in anger are seldom what we really mean. But he was wrong this time! She wanted to break-off. He tries to convince her but she refuses to budge, obstinate as usual! He calls her back after two days to the same effect. He calls her best friend and tells her to get to the root of the problem and to convince her. She fights with her best friend also and refuses to speak further on the topic. He calls her after about a month for Pongal/Sankranti wishes but she ignores the call and forgets about it.

But today she saw him in the market. With him was another girl, laughing and smiling, they seemed to have a great time together. He was too engrossed with her to even notice her as she walked past her. He has moved on in life she thought!

Suddenly a faint glow filled the room, catching her attention and bringing her back from miles away. She realised it was the glow of the cell phone that was on silent. She saw the time it was 10:49pm and wondered who is calling her at this  unearthly hour. She picks up the phone to hear a rather familiar hello. In an instant she realises its him

He: Hey its me, How are you?
She: A-nervous-hello!
He: Saw you in the market today, thought of calling you.
She: You saw me? I thought you were very busy with that girl of yours!
He: I saw you long before you could spot me. Just ignored you to check your reactions. Saw you turning back twice to check on me through the mirror of the bike in front of me.
She: Who was that girl?
He: She was my school friend's girl, we were shopping for a gift for his birthday! the jealousy factor still remains huh?
She: What?
He: Nothing, are you still angry with me, I still cant get over you. What do you say. Do you still like me?
She: Idiot, yes.
He: Okay, I call you in the morning. Take rest. Am out with my family.
She: Sure, bye take care!


She keeps the phone down and still cant get over it. Did he really call, was it a dream? She checks the call log. It was really him, it says last call 10:49pm, duration 1min 44secs! Her head was spinning and she thought it would burst now. She had found her prince charming after all. If not anything, now confirmed that it was him, and him only! She was feeling happy that he called and how much he loved her and at the same time angry with her self for the unnecessary mis-understanding she had herself created. Tears rolling down her cheek with a smile on her face, she was being torn between agony and bliss. The feeling was real, yet surreal!