Morning call

I was woken up by my phone ringing in the morning. I started and woke up. My Mother started and woke up too. Late night and morning phone call never give any good news. My heart was pounding, completely on aware of what I am about to hear. My mother is worried and she is looking at me with terror in her eyes. "Who is it", she whispered. I could send the fear in her voice. With trembling hands I see the name of the caller. It was Shivangi my office colleague. I gave a Sai of relief and told my mom it is someone from the office. I saw my mom's face relaxing hearing that it is no one from our relatives.

I am still scared. Why is Shivangi calling me so early in the morning? It is 6:45. With trembling hands I tapped on the phone screen and answer the call. " What happened Shivangi?" I asked. I am embarrassed because my voice sounded worried and anxious. I was not able to hide my emotions.

" It is Pooja's husband," Shivangi said almost in a crying tone. I knew she was going to cry now. " What about Pooja's husband? " I asked her, this time my voice was little firm. " He died early in the morning. Had a heart attack. He died even before the ambulance could arrive," Shivangi was crying now.

After hearing that I almost experience a complete black out. I could see nothing in front of my eyes but the darkness. Pooja our friend she was 2 years younger to me. He was in her early 30s. She has a four year old son. Pooja's husband Dev was few years older to me. Dev was very fit. He was a marathon runner. He was a professional tracker. He was a fitness enthusiast and would exercise almost everyday. He was not a person who put get heart attack. He was to fit and healthy for that. It was simply unbelievable. He was gone and now nothing was going to bring him back.

" Hey are you still there? " I heard Shivangi voice on the phone. The phone what still on and I had drifted into a different territory. Her voice brought me back to reality. Shivangi further said, " the final rights would be performed around 12:00 p.m. today. The relatives are already on the way. I hope you would be coming as well."

" Yes of course I'll be there. Should I meet you at your place and then we will go together?" I ask Shivangi but still I was confused and unable to accept the reality.

" Yes please come here by 10 o'clock we will leave together." Shivangi told me.

I hung up the call. I was still sitting on my bed. It was difficult for me to process the reality. I could not believe Dev was gone. I was more worried about Pooja and her young son. I was worried for their future. They had their whole life I had of them and they had lost the most important person of their lives. Just thinking about Pooja and her son brought tears to my eyes. I could not believe myself that the tears were not for the one who had departed but for the ones who were left behind.