She woke with a start, and even before her eyes were fully open, her hands were groping for her phone – no missed calls, no new text messages. Despair led to desperation as her nimble fingers went into the menu options to see if she had somehow pressed a button that sent unread messages into a different folder and if she had missed any new calls. Nothing; she felt anger bubbling up inside her as she heard her mother call to her from downstairs. All through her bath and as she dressed, she worked herself into a frenzy as she cursed him for not calling or even texting her.
They had been apart for less than 24 hours – when college closed for the winter break, they said farewell for the first time since they had found each other. Yes, they had agreed to be careful around their parents and not arouse suspicion by being constantly on the phone or running up huge bills, but even so, does he not know that I miss him? How can he forget me like this?
An idea struck; her mother was setting the table as she ran down the stairs and into the study. She switched on the computer and waited with bated breath for the Internet connection to get up to speed – maybe he has emailed me at that special id we created just for each other. Maybe he has written a romantic poem or a sweet letter that shows how much he misses me. After all, he is a guy and guys are not openly romantic. Her eyes misted in anticipation as she conjured up images of the words he would have written – she knew he was a romantic at heart because of the first letter he had written professing his love for her. Her castles in the air came crashing to the ground with a bang in the next instant as she saw “No new email messages” prominently displayed on the screen. Her regular email too was full of junk mail and nothing else.
She ate the dosai her mom put her plate without even looking at it – and even as she called him every name she could think of, a tiny corner of her mind spoke up – you could call, you could text him, you could email, why don’t you do so? She pushed this voice out of her head – why should I do all those things? Why can’t he show me that he needs me too? Let him call, I will wait. Besides, I don’t want his snoopy sister getting her hands on my messages.
The hours dragged on, and she checked her phone every few seconds. Her frustration reached new levels as she switched off the damn thing and locked it away in her cupboard. Let him call and not get through; let his texts remain undelivered; let him panic and get worried about me. But a few minutes later, she rushed to open the door and switch on the phone – did he call just now? If he could not get through, why did he not leave even a message? Idiot, idiot, idiot!
Maybe he was still upset over the fight they had the day before they left for home, maybe he was still sulking over it. But we did make up immediately. The voice in her head piped up once again – What making up? It was more of making out; all guys think of is sex. Maybe he made up with you just to get you to kiss him; now that he got what he wanted and you are out of sight, you’re out of mind. Stop it, she yelled to her head – why are you arguing both for and against me? Are you nuts or trying to drive me nuts?
Her sister broke her reverie and asked her to go shopping, so she went along if only to get him (and that pesky voice) out of her mind. As the car moved along in the haphazard Chennai traffic, the corner of her eyes saw a bus almost run over a bike. At once her thoughts flew in different directions – OMG, what if he has had an accident? What if he is in some hospital, thinking of me but unable to get through to me? Pillayarappa, let him be ok, I will break a hundred coconuts for you. The nagging voice whispered naughtily in her mind again – and who was it who made fun of their mother for “wasting” money on coconuts when you passed your 12th standard with flying colours? She brushed it aside with annoyance – I will keep my promise Pillayare, just let him be fine. It’s ok even if he does not call or get in touch with me, I just hope he’s in good health, that is all I want.
Nalli was bursting at the seams with avid shoppers eager to complete their Christmas/Pongal purchases. As the two girls battled the horde and reached the pattu saree section, the crowd thinned out. As her sister headed straight for the display, she was still bargaining with Pillayar, her eyes were full as she offered him treat after treat. Her phone jangled and shook her to reality - the special ringtone made her grab it greedily and gravitate to a corner of the store.
Hello, hello, can you hear me? How are you? Are you ok now? Tears were pouring down her face in relief and happiness – And at the other end of the line – Hey baby, how’re you doing? It’s so good to hear your voice. Why should I be ok now? What happened to me? She replied - Why didn’t you call or message for so long? I thought you had an accident or were ill. – No, no, nothing like that sweetie, I had to go away with my dad to take care of a business deal as soon as I got back. I forgot my charger, so my phone gave out. I’m so sorry, honey…..
You idiot, you moron, how dare you do this to me? – She cut him short. People were starting to look around to see where the loud voice was coming from, but she didn’t care. She was on her own trip, calling him every name in the book and then some, berating him for ditching her – You men are all like this, you think only about yourselves – on the other side, his friend wondered at the bewildered expression on his face – Didn’t the dude say he was going to call his girlfriend? Why does he look like his brains are addled?
And Pillayarappa in his infinite wisdom thought to himself – there go the 100 coconuts; they will be broken no doubt, not at the doorstep of my temple, but on that poor guy’s head! Any wonder why I chose to remain a bachelor!!!
