Thirty Days

Chapter 2

“Dida… open the door.” Her younger sister's voice buzzed through the door and Anupriya sat up straight, widening her eyes. She flapped her arms at Amir, telling him to hide in panic. “Go. Go. Go.”

“Where?” He hissed and she whispered to him, pushing towards the window. “Jump outside!”

Amir frowned at her, snapping away. “Are you freaking serious? I'm going to break my leg.”

She glared at him, pushing a hand over his mouth and muttering in warning. “Shut up. Okay, come with me.”

“Dida, wake up, yaar.” Supriya outside was still banging the door. Anu pushed her boyfriend inside the bathroom and joined her hands, pleading. “I'm sorry, Amir, but if she sees you here, she'll announce it in the entire block. Mom and dad will kill me immediately. Stay inside for some time and don't make a noise.”

Amir opened his mouth to say something but she dumped the cake box in his hands and banged the door shut on his face. She quickly glanced at the door, made the bed and leapt to the door. Opening it ajar, she scowled at the eighteen years old girl who was standing with her arms crossed over chest. 

“What?” Anupriya barked. Supriya took a quick look, peeking inside the room over Anupriya’s shoulders, “Who’s in there?”

“No one. What are you doing here at this time? I was sleeping.” Anu faked a yawn and Supriya pulled back, grinning. “Oh, yeah. Happy birthday, Dida. I love you.”

Anu melted like ice when Supriya hugged her tightly and slightly swayed. The panic ebbed away, creating space for joy as she patted her sister's little head and smiled. “Thank you.”

“I planned a surprise for you. Just wait and watch, tomorrow is gonna be special for you.” Supriya winked and Anu rolled her eyes. “If you're already telling me, how does it remain a surprise?”

“It is still a surprise, because I haven't told you what I've planned. Anyway, I didn't come for this. Actually, it's your boss. He said you're not picking up his phone? So, he…”

“Wait, wait, wait! How did you know I didn't pick up his call?” Anu frowned and Supriya shrugged, “He told me. I was online, putting a status for you, so he called me.”

“How did he get your number?” Anupriya was sure she never shared his contact with her sister or vice versa. Supriya rolled her eyes, “We are friends on Facebook, Dida. He called me on messenger.”

“What?” Anupriya’s eyes literally fell out of their sockets. That punk! Wait, she didn't even know who she was cursing. She twisted her sister's ear, “What are you doing chatting with my boss? And that too at this hour!”

“Hey!” Supriya rubbed her ear and made a face at Anu, “Ask your boss. He texted me first. God! My ear is burning. I'm gonna tell dad about it tomorrow.”

“And I'm gonna tell him about you texting a guy so late at night!” Anupriya yelled back as Supriya whooshed away from there to her room, shouting. “He’s told me to inform you that if you don't call him right now, consider yourself fired.” 

“Argh!” Anu stomped her foot and locked her door, striding to the bed to pick up the phone. She tapped Satan and called him, biting on her nails. She had no idea what was so urgent. If he was going to just annoy her, she swore to talk to his father the next day. 

The rings went by and her boss didn't pick the call. She knew he was doing it deliberately. She'd cut his call twice, so he was evening this out. When he picked up at the third ring, she couldn't help but roll her eyes at his childish attitude. Who said the kids grow up?