Ira's eyebrows furrowed as she stared at the unfamiliar number on her screen. She deleted it with a dismissive swipe, chalking it up to a wrong number or some loafer. Shrugging, she turned to head downstairs when her phone jolted her with a sudden ring.
Her gaze narrowed, her eyebrows knitting together in annoyance. With a dismissive flick of her thumb, she deleted the number.
But the phone's insistent ringtone jarred her back to attention, the same pasky number flashing again. Ira's irritation simmered, her fingers moving with sharp precision as she answered.
"Who is this!?" she demanded, her voice low and crisp, a hint of exasperation creeping into its edges.
"Calm down, girl." A high-pitched voice cooed in her ear, sending a shiver of recognition down Ira's spine.
Her face twisted in confusion as the familiar tone stirred a forgotten memory. "Kanak... ?" she whispered, her word hanging in the air like a question.
"Yes, my love! Kanak at your service." The voice replied, its playful lilt stirring a mix of emotions within her.
Ira's smile softened, tinged with bittersweet reminiscence. "So, the queen has finally deigned to make an appearance, huh?" Her voice dripping with sarcasm and warmth.
"Really? It's me or you who forgot, huh? I tried to contact you, but you weren't there," Kanak complained, sorrow saturated her tone, leaving no room for doubt.
Ira's tone was a jagged blend of confusion and despair. "I'm sorry, I had no idea. But when did you call?"
A low laugh left Kanak's lips. "Let's not dig up the past. We're good now." Her gentle words brought comfort, a soothing respite.
Ira's eyes relaxed, and kindness illuminated their corners. "By the way... " Kanak's voice trailed off, piquing Ira's curiosity.
Suddenly, Kanak's tone shifted. Her words sparkled like fireworks on a celebratory night. "Happy birthday, my bestie!"
Ira's eyes widened in shock, her mind blank. Then, a laughter bubbled up, a cute, infectious sound that echoed across the rooftop.
"Ha! Thank you! You remembered?" Amusement claimed her face, painting it with a bright smile.
Kanak's cheerful tone infused the line. "Of course, I do. So, did you do anything special today?"
Ira's smile tinged with sadness, invisible to Kanak on the call. "Nothing out of ordinary," her voice was a whispered sigh, carrying the weight of memories. "Just another day."
Kanak's voice, familiar yet distant, resonated through the phone line. "It's always been an ordinary day for you," she said, a dry chuckle escaped her lips.
Ira's grip on her phone tightened, revisiting sorrowful moments from the past. She sadly smiled to herself, shaking off the underlying feelings.
The line fell silent, the only sound the gentle hum of the connection and the soothing serenade of crickets. Ira's thoughts began to wander, but she shook off the reverie, her tone brightening. "Ah, leave this! What about college? Did you make some new friends?"
Kanak's response was measured, but Ira detected a hint of a smile in her voice. "A few," she admitted.
Ira's playful jab came next. "Ah, I see. That's why you forgot about me, huh?" Her teasing tone was laced with amusement.
YOU ARE READING
The Rollercoaster Ride
General Fiction"Life is like a rollercoaster, it has its own ups and downs, but it's your choice to scream or enjoy the ride... When life's rollercoaster throws you off track, do you scream or hold on tight? For Ira and Rudraksh, the journey is far from smooth. O...
