Forever: The phone call | Part 2 | Complete

Chapter 15

The alarm buzzed into my ear and the Dreamworld that I had been creating all night was shattered into memories. The thing is, currently my real life is too much to take in. The whole week has been full of revelation, irritation, breaking up of bonds and families and a complete overhaul in the cirlce of Millennia colony.

As expected, my parents as well as the Kales, the Bhattas, Dharun Puranik and Rajsimhas had gathered repeatedly at the Mirajkar residence where they argued with Ishaan's dad, Pranay Mirajkar over how he could betray his wife for someone else. After the huge argument they had, he left the house and is not back even after 3 days. Mrs Tanvi Mirajkar, Ishaan's mom is brokenhearted. She was a dear little friend of my mom and Mrs Kale and so it hurts me to see them sad for their friend. She's like the Tara of their friend circle; cute baby girl, innocent and absolutely sinless.

Then at the Bhatta residence, Ulka's dad has summoned a lawyer by the end of this week. Like he's ready to just give all his firm holdings to his nephew. I tried to coerce Ulka into talking to him but she just doesn't budge. So left with no other option, I'm taking help of Myra today. I've called Ulka at my college and there I'll execute my plan.

_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-

Ulka was sitting in my college canteen, sipping on some soft drinks with Myra, who apparently; shall I mention, is talking share market with Ulka. The thing is, Ulka has no business talking about Myra topics of Nailpaints and fashion trends. So Myra had to speak something that could keep Ulka busy for some time.

There was a moment of silence among them, when Ulka asked her which of the shares she'd buy, as she gestured Myra's attention towards the tablet screen. Stupidly enough, Myra said that she'd choose the purple one's because they go with her nail color. I couldn't help but burst out laughing and Ulka kept giving me death glares because naturally she wasn't expecting this kind of gala time when I invited her here. Thereafter Myra busied herself further into explanations and I slipped Ulka's phone into my bag.

I excused myself and entered the washroom. Now all I have to do is find the monster cousin Yash Bhatta's contact and copy it into my phone. But knowing Ulka, I'll be going through stages of security before I enter her phone book.

I managed to clear the phone password and app security but finding Yash's number was an even bigger task. Because there wasn't any Yash Bhatta in her contact list. There were couple of Bhattas but no Yash. Down the phone list there were three weird names.

Z Monster
Z Moron.
Z Satan

Now what? Who of the three is Yash. And then is there any Yash Bhatta out of the three? I wanted to bang Ulka's head on the wall for once. She couldn't be normal could she?

So I opened the first contact. I could find something similar about it. I went through my phone book and woila I was right. It was indeed Abhaas’ number. She's called him thrice this week. Well at least someone is keeping a touch with him. That was assuring. But I couldn't ignore a pang of jealousy that hit hard on my heart to see he's talking to her but won't call me. My mind said

Ahana, you aren't calling him either though you are still keeping contacts with Ishaan, Ulka and Tara. So technically, both of you are equally guilty here.

Yeah right, I'm being unreasonable. Then I went onto the next contact and as expected, it was Ishaan. So Abhaas is a Monster, Ishaan is a Moron. Hopefully the third contact Satan is that of Yash. Because other than that, I can't think of any other guy in her life troublesome enough to get the 'Z’ title.

I copied the number and returned to the table only to find Myra and Ulka looking for her phone. That's tricky to handle. Firstly because it is Ulka we're talking about. Even her hair are afraid of changing their places without taking her permission. Secondly because if she finds out that I was the one stealing her dear phone, she will kill me. Suggestively enough, Myra asked me,
“Ahana, have you seen Ulka's phone?"
What do I do??? Yeah I should reply with a question,
“Why? Did you lose it?"

Ulka looked at me all worried and tensed. Phone indeed is an important asset these days, not because of the thing they are but because of the things that are stored in it.
“Wait, I'll help look for it. Did you check your bag?” I asked Ulka.
" I have checked it. But I'll check it once again in case I've missed it earlier.” Ulka replied and got busy with her bag.

I kneeled near the table legs and took a moment before I said,
“Found it!" Ulka banged her head as she raced to the bottom of table and got hold of her phone. I didn't even realize when she took it back. One moment it was in my hand and the next very moment, the phone was in Ulka's bosom. She can be weird sometimes.

As soon as I got back home, I called the number. It rang twice before a male voice picked it up.
“Hello, am I talking to Yash Bhatta?" I asked.
“Yes, that's me. Who's this?” He asked.

I had the strongest of urge to jump and dance all across my room and celebrate my first achievement as a detective, but did I have enough time? My best friend's enemy cousin was on the other side of the phone and was expecting my reply.
(Y- Yash, A- Ahana)

Y: Is this some kind of a joke?
(He sounded pretty angry. Guy hasn't been officialized as the company head and is already practicing being bossy.)

A: No, this isn't a prank and I have a very valid reason to call. I am Ahana Kulkarni, a really good friend of your cousin Ulka Bhatta.

Y: And may I ask what forced you to take the efforts and call me?
(Please tell me that it is possible to punch people through phones because this one really deserves to be hit.)

A: It is about the firm. Do you have time to talk or do you wish to resume playing ‘ I’m the future Boss ’ ?

(The conversation continued…)

Y: Yes, I'll come. Day after tomorrow at 3pm sounds good?

A: Fine by me. I'll message you the address. But don't be late.

Y: Sure. So now, shall I cut the call and go back to playing ‘ I'm the future Boss ‘ ?

A: Yeah sure! And for the record, I'm not sorry for that insult.
(I could hear him laugh. That guy turned out to be a pineapple. Pokey outside, bittersweet inside.)

Y: Bye.
A: Bye.

Yash appears reasonable and less likely to be old fashioned stereotypical male. So if I'm able to explain what the situation at Bhatta residence is, maybe he'll volunteer to help. As of now I think he's the only person who can influence Mr Bhatta into changing his decision. I hate to admit but the reality is that Yash is our only hope. Either he does his work or by the end of this week, Ulka loses everything.

Indeed a new chapter is enfolding in Ulka's life. Yash isn't as bad as she mentioned him to be. Blame it all on sibling rivalry. He just needs someone to slap him right across his face and tell him to behave well. Thereafter, he's a puppy with a belt around his neck, loyal forever. Let's just hope that this game of dog and the bone ends on a good note and everything comes back to normal.