After the puja holidays were over, Kavya went back to her college leaving me to get back to my old life.
I don't know why, but this time, it felt a lot worse than it did before. Probably because of the suddenness of it all. However, the gradual increase in academic pressure helped a bit to overcome the loneliness. In time, I learned to breathe with it.
The year ended abruptly. Kavya had a very brief visit during the winter holidays, during which we hardly met and Sid was nowhere to be found even then. I too had my year end exams to deal with, so, the holiday atmosphere wasnt to joyous afterall.
The new year was as dull as it could ever get. The only thing that still kept me excited and up on my toes was my fast approaching birthday.
Usually, both of my friends were always there with me on that day, but this time it was different. I was all alone and by myself. Although they had wished me over the phone, but still it got me a little gloomy throughout the day to be missing them in person. Even my mom's delicious chicken couldn't cheer me up. But with the onset of evening, there came a new wave of excitement. It was because of my promised gift.
I remember, the heavy gift paper wrapped box that my father took out and handed over to me after dinner. I tore open the shiny plastic which revealed a brand new mobile phone box. Opening it, I was more than overjoyed to pick up the shiny new body of the cellphone in my hands. It already had a sim card in it, which meant I could call up anyone at anytime I chose. The feeling of liberty was very overwhelming. So this is what it feels like to be an adult, I began to think.
The very first thing I did after I switched on the device was dial Sid's number. He had a phone of his own already, since he had gone away for his studies and communication was necessary. It rang for a while before I heard his voice from the other end.
"Hello. Who is this?"
"Guess who?" I asked, trying too hard not to laugh out loud and give away my identity.
He took some time trying to figure out a voice, but was eventually successful. "Dhruv ! Is that you?"
"Yeah dude."
"Wow man. Whose no. are you calling me from?"
"My own."
"You got a new phone?"
"Hell yeah."
And so the conversation followed.
After I ended the call with Sid, Kavya was next. She was using her sister's old phone for the time being. I decided to play anonymous with her too, but she recognised me right away.
"I need a treat when I get back," she said.
"And when are you getting back?"
"Very soon."
"Sid's coming back too in a couple of weeks you know."
"Really?"
"Yeah. We can finally be the trio again. After almost a year."
"Yeah. Long time. See you soon Dhruv."
Getting the news of their arrival was the cherry on top of the icing. The presumably dull birthday, wasn't completely ruined afterall.
