The mobile rang the third time. Cursing self for not turning it on ‘silent mode’, he picked it up. Checking the screen, he took a deep sigh. It was his wife’s. ‘Not again’, he muttered under his breath.
“Tell me”, he answered the call in a stony voice. He then went silent except for some intermittent ‘no’s and ‘ok’s, for a while. Soon the criss-cross lines started spinning a cobweb on his forehead. He moved his hands nervously through his hair as the monologue continued from the other side.
“Will you stop that”, he said with a stifled tone. At that time, he sensed someone passing behind his cubical, in the aisle towards the pantry. He glanced at his wrist-watch and with the sense of urgency said, “You are making it messy”, with much bitterness. After a brief moment of listening silently, he yanked, “Call it off then. Never call me again”.
Saying so, he disconnected the call.
Shaking his head as if to get rid of the thoughts, he banged his phone on the table after turning it into silent mode. He felt a hand on his shoulder. As he turned around, he found his Project Manager, standing close to him.
“Everything all right?”
“No. I mean yes”, he fumbled.
“Sorry for overhearing your conversation as I was passing this way. Don’t know who you were talking to or what the issue was. But remember one thing, young boy, the person on the other side may not be there in the world for you tomorrow. Never say never” and walked away.
After a brief moment of trans, he turned his gaze around.
Picking up the phone, he dialed his wife.
“Sorry. Should we go out for dinner?”
A smile dawned on his face this time before hanging up the phone.
…All these events of the fateful day played back in his memory as he moved his hand longingly over his wife’s photograph. A tear escaped his moist eyes as he gulped a lump of sorrow. It was around a year that his wife had met with a freak accident while reaching the restaurant where he had reserved a table for two to patch up the differences over good food.
…Never say never, the prophetic words of his boss echoed in his mind, for a little longer, this time.
16 Comments
CRD · April 16, 2020 at 7:28 am
Poignant tale Anagha. I wish all bosses had empathy like this one.
Was it the Project Manager’s wife who was dead? Was she dead or badly injured? Was it the executive who called his wife or the Project Manager pretending to call his dead wife? Somewhere in the narrative it’s hard to make out.
Cheers,
CRD
Episode 10 of ‘Idiosyncrasies of a Covidiot”
JAMBOREE
Episode 11 of ‘Idiosyncrasies of a Covidiot”
KEEP SAFE DISTANCE
Kikibee · April 16, 2020 at 8:18 am
Most of us don’t realise the importance of tjme spend with anyone, for everyone takes it for granted…
Aruna Palkar · April 16, 2020 at 10:17 am
Anagha your stories always leave some good message. All must behave like human with every person comes in the life so no reason to repent on our past mistakes.
Matheikal · April 16, 2020 at 10:25 am
One of the good lessons I have learnt from life is that life is too short to do stupid things. Be happy, make others happy if possible, who knows how long we are going to be here.
Pradeep · April 16, 2020 at 12:59 pm
Value every present moment, for we know not what the future has in store for us.
Yatin · April 16, 2020 at 1:40 pm
Ohh…..what a tale to tell. One learns the lessons in hard way. We know the importance of time and relationships but how many of us practice them?
Life may not give a second chance.
Very emotional story…
Simon · April 16, 2020 at 3:03 pm
That was touching ✨ Beautiful writing. Life is too short and I often read such stories to remind myself again and again. Thank you so much Anagha for this beautiful post ✨🤗☺️💐
Dr. Jyoti Arora · April 16, 2020 at 4:20 pm
again such a beautiful write-up Anagha, never say never, messages through your stories are life lessons, so inspiring.
alpanadeo · April 16, 2020 at 5:32 pm
How the story took a sad turn. I was surprised to read how come he immediately realized his mistake and called his wife to plan for a dinner but the concluding paragraph was my answer….life moves fast…anything can happen in just a few seconds.
Durga Prasad Dash · April 16, 2020 at 7:18 pm
Sometimes we say words we don’t mean. Of course to regret later. You are lucky if someone is there to correct you at the right time.
purbajune · April 16, 2020 at 8:46 pm
A poignant story. Beautifully written.
soniadogra · April 16, 2020 at 9:10 pm
Oh…This was so sad. Indeed it is important to treasure what we have.
Unishta · April 16, 2020 at 9:16 pm
So whose wife died? It’s a bit hard to figure out though the message come through very well. Never say never .
Ira Mishra · April 17, 2020 at 2:31 am
Very thoughtful tale with a very good message indeed… In moments of anger we just don’t realise and say things we never mean… But yes if we could keep in mind that nothing in life can be taken for granted we could be more mindful… Loved your tale as usual… Another gem of a post 🙂
msjadeli · April 17, 2020 at 9:51 am
Wait a second. Are you saying because he called her back and asked her to dinner, she met with a freak accident and died? If so, the project manager indirectly caused his staffperson’s wife’s death 🙁
Shweta Suresh · April 17, 2020 at 7:37 pm
Oh, that’s the thing about human life. It’s very unpredictable. Beautiful story! 🙂