The Fault In Our Stars

37:)

37. Call him back ; I love him

THREE YEARS AGO

"Did she pick up?", Jannat asked, trying to shush the crying baby, our Ishaan, who just turned one today.

They just had a small celebration-cake-cutting and dinner with Avneet's parents, jai and Jannat.

It was all quiet and simple but as soon as they left Avneet shut herself in her room after handing Ishaan to her brother.

"No." Jai shook his head, his phone still pressed to his ear while he continued to try and contact Avneet who was nowhere to be seen from two hours.

"Fuck!", he cursed. "She isn't picking up. Do you know where she could go?", he asked Jannat.

Jannat let out a tired sigh. "I don't know. I just saw her crying and then she left saying she'll be back but look! It is literally two now in the morning.", she exclaimed, angry at how careless Avneet is being leaving just like that.

They both had heard her crying in the room a few hours ago, she wasn't really sleek.

She was crying, sobbing and screaming loudly. They let her, it wasn't the first time.

Avneet got overwhelmed easily sometimes these days, she has been particularly sensitive this week and she would stop crying if they interfere. So they let her, at least it would relieve her frustration.

"Wait! She's calling.", jai gasped showing Jannat the screen which showed Avneet's caller ID.

"Hurry! Pick it up!" Jannat ushered, thankfully Ishaan has finally quietened down a little, and was now sucking on the pacifier with quiet sniffles. Jannat looked at baby sadly and pecked his forehead.

"Hewwoo madooo? Is it you? I'm your Avnii! I missshhhh you"

"She sounds drunk.", jai guessed. The phone was on speaker so that the both of them could hear.

"Hello? Siddhartha? I was juss thinking 'bout you! Hellloow?"

Jannat's mouth fell open along with jai. Why would Avneet try calling Siddharth?

"Are you still angry with your Madoo? I'm really sorry."

Jai hushed Jannat when she was about to speak. "No, let's just listen to her.", he said. At least this way they could know what Avneet has had in her mind all along.

"Our baby turned one today." They could hear her giggle.

"You know he's so cute and fluffy. Just like you, he is just like you, reminds me of you every time I cuddle with him. Our cuddly little baby hehe"

There was a giggle before she continues. "You know he said his first word a few weeks ago.", more drunken giggles, "Do you know it was you? Haha of course, you don't but now I lost the bet." They heard her huff. "Yes, I know. Fine, I'll give you the fifty kisses," suddenly her voice fell, it became sad, soft, as if she was tired, "bu-but when will you come b-back to me? I need you, Sid with me."

When Avneet fell silent, Jannat whispered jai to say something.

Jai tried to make his voice deep and low, just like Siddharth's, mentally cringing at whatever he was doing. "Baby, where are you?", he asked sweetly, praying Avneet was drunk enough to believe that he was Siddharth.

"Siddo! You're talking to me.", They could hear her squeals. "You're not angry at me anymore? I kept it away from you but you forgive me, right? You still love me, right?"