The Owl

"What a pathetic place!" I muttered to myself angrily with my cell moving everywhere frantically in a series of unsuccessful attempts of receiving network.

I had already expected this. There wouldn't be Vodafone network here. I was still looking for a silver lining. It was frustrating. Every now and then his worried and anguished face would come in my mind and I shuddered. I looked around helplessly.

It was my beautiful village in the rainy season. Moss covered the stone walls. Grass and wild plants sprouted wherever they found chance. Ground was full of red sticky mud. Water dripped from the mango and coconut trees. Nothing could distract my mind though. I had reached there about seven hours ago and I had not been able to contact him. I had messaged him an hour ago before entering my village and then he was asleep. I knew when he'd wake up he would realize he had slept suddenly while typing a message. I could see him helpless and edgy. I had counted on a chance when mom or dad would want to call home for my younger sister who stayed alone at Mumbai as she had her exams coming and then I could somehow intimate him.

Would I tell her? What would she think? I pondered.

But I realized I didn't care anymore. All I wanted was to tell him I was safe and alright.

I paced up and down in the verandah in the twilight, totally helpless and on the verge of tears.

To my utter relief, dad called me inside and gave me a SIM card of a guy from neighborhood.

I looked at my savior, that SIM card like a man dying with thirst would look at an oasis in the dessert.

'Oh I don't think we'd get network inside house, let me go outside!' I said hurriedly and ran outside nearly bumping into a coconut tree. I knew what to do now.

I dialed his number and the network was so pathetic the phone got disconnected. Within five seconds I got his call. Apparently he was sitting with his cell in his hand all the time waiting for one chance to get my call.

'Hello..' his voice shook. He was overwhelmed.

Hello!' my voice chocked a little as I yearned to see him. I felt so close to him.

'Listen, this is my number. Don't call me here. It is not mine. I just called you to tell you I am fine. Please don't worry.' I said it all in a jiffy.

'Oh sure, I had been waiting!!' he was slightly breathless although he hadn't talked much.

'I love you.' I said in a whisper looking around if anyone was eavesdropping.

'Ohh I love you too!'

And I could imagine his face, his expressions.

The distance of around 400 kilometers felt so cruel.

'Gotta hang up.' I said in a small voice.

'Yeah… Take care.'

'You too…'

After we hung up I realized we had no means of contact now. I did not know when to call him next and how. He was more helpless than I was because he couldn't call on that number.

I called my sister.

'Listen - we reached. See, this is his number,' I gave her his number, 'whenever I'd call you, just make sure you text him and tell him I am doing fine. And yes, keep mum about all this.' I warned at last.

I had expected a lot of questions and confusion. But she was being wise. I knew I was spilling the beans to her but I did not care anymore.

I hung up.

The next morning I got a temporary card from a guy from our village. He hadn't used it for a while and it had no balance. The shop was far away from my place and it poured all the day making it nearly impossible to get out far from the house. Moreover the network was so pathetic that it didn't catch inside the home. It was like you should know you are going to get a call now and stay outside. Again I could not call him.

I asked for a mobile with some balance to call home, again from the neighborhood guy. I didn't want any suspicion; I knew I couldn't get many chances.

I called my sister from that cell. 'You know what to do.' I said and she said 'yes' understandingly.

Not more than one minute after we hung up, he called.

'Oh my God!' I said after I picked up.

'Oh your sister is such an angel! I am giving her a box of her favorite Mars once you come back from there you see!'

'Did she understand what’s cooking??'

'Hahhahaha!' He laughed, 'Obviously!!! You should have seen how I replied when she texted me your number. So many 'thank you's! She isn't that stupid.'

'Hmm… I don't think there is a reason to worry, she won't squeal.'

I felt a rush of gratitude towards her.

From that day, we found a way to talk. I would find a quiet place from where I'd not attract anyone's attention and wait for his call.

Once I stayed out in the morning and I got my sister's call. We talked casually and after we hung up I realized I forgot to tell her to inform him I was outside and within range.

I stood there extremely sad.

The next minute my cell flashed with his number.

'Oh my! You called just in time! What a coincidence!'

He laughed, 'It's not a coincidence darling! Your sister messaged me 'Taai has got range right now. Call her.' I called you right away!'

'Gosh I don't know how to thank her!' I exclaimed. We talked for about an hour until the network vanished again only to take our conversation to an abrupt end.

She called me in the evening.

'You guys have made me your owl!' she said in mock anger.

'What?'

'The owl! As in Harry Potter movies! Messenger!'

'Awww thank you so much, thank you, thank u, thank you so much!' my gratitude was flowing.

'Both of you are crazy. I'd show you his messages. He says thank you so many times I lose all my mobile balance in saying 'welcome' and 'it's ok' to him!'

I giggled.

I returned from there in a few days. I saw her from a distance when she was approaching me to lift my luggage.

She smiled meaningfully. I raised my eyebrows at her and hushed her up.

I smacked her at the back of her head and she hit me back. I hit her again and she whined at mom and dad. We fought a lot. But it was different this time. The incident had brought us together. Now we shared a secret, a bond of love and gratitude.

Well we did shower her with chocolates for the next few weeks.