Tug of Fate | When Stars Align Book one

The Call

 ☉ Ananya ☉

I have been in a daze ever since I read and saw the interview. It is impossible that they could know anything about it. But then who am I kidding. We are sitting here, three years in the future, and if that isn't the definition of impossible, then I don't know what is. The mug of coffee in my hand has long gone cold. And everyone is looking at me with worried eyes.

Okay, time to do this.

"Guys, I need to speak to them. Is there a way you all want to do this? Or shall I just, umm, call them?" I ask them.

They exchange a glance and seem to be having a whole conversation. James then nods, and squats down in front of me.

"I was thinking, I should call them first. Pose as a reporter or something and try and see what's going on? Umm.." he trails off, clearly struggling with something.

"What is it? You can tell me, James."

"In most of the photos and interviews, Rishi was with them. I don't believe that he is still with them. But, on the off chance he is there, my calling would be better, since he doesn't know me and hasn't heard my voice. So let me scope out the situation before you speak to them?"

Breath whooshes out of me at the possibility that Rishi could still be with them or keeping tabs on them. I had not even considered that possibility. And what James says makes sense. But...

"If he is keeping tabs on them, then he might –"

"No. He wouldn't know me. He might know my name. But not my voice. And instead of posing as a reporter, why don't I pose as Becca's fiancé or something? Or a boyfriend? Someone related to one of the others so that it makes it legitimate for them to receive a call from a relative or someone? Yeah, that's what I am thinking."

"Okay. Let's do this then." I say quickly before I change my mind for fear of putting any of them on Rishi's radar.

He gives me a small smile while squeezing my shoulder. Becca takes my hand in hers, as we all watch James bring out his laptop and a bunch of other different paraphernalia.

As he is setting things up he says, "I will call via the satellite connection. Makes it harder to trace back here. And I will have it on speaker so you all can listen in. My software can also track if there are other frequencies jamming or poking on the connection. So we will be in a better position to see if there is any chance that their phone is being tapped. "

There are varying degrees of nods and hums. Finally we hear a ringtone and a hush falls on us.

"Hello?"

I gasp. That is Ma. My mother's voice. As strong as ever. Tears burn my eyes and Becs squeezes my hand more.

"Hello? Is this Mrs. Ojha?" James asks.

"Yes, this is she. Who are you?"

"Hello Mrs. Ojha. This is Brad. You might not know me, but I just managed to gather the courage to reach out to you. I am. Was.. Becca's boyfriend. I was –"

"I don't remember Becca having a boyfriend. Who are you really?"

"She had. We had been seeing each other for just a few months when she went missing. And because everyone made it a big deal of how close Becca and Ananya were, and various random relatives, foster siblings and fake boyfriends sprouting up at that time, I didn't think it wise to come out. I mean what was the point.."

Yes, we had read. All those random people who had let Becs go were suddenly her best friend on the news of her disappearance. Assholes.

"That may be so. How do I know you really are who you say you are. I don't need to tell you how many times we have received phone calls from random strangers."