silent calls

Kanika was sitting in the room, reading a book and enjoying the rain fall outside, all of a sudden she heard the telephone ringing. She ran to the phone to pick it up, but there was no sound on the other side, she just waited for a few seconds and said hello, but no reply came from the other side. She repeated it for three or four times then banged the receiver on the cradle. It was almost a daily routine. She did not had any idea who was playing this prank but it happened only when she was alone in home, so high chances were that it was some one from neighbourhood, who was so well known to her that she will instantly recognize his or her voice. Some times she used to feel frighten. But no harm has come to her till date.

They have shifted to this locality a few months ago, she was very busy with her new office, so were her mom and dad.

She went to the window and saw Jayanta sitting on his typical bench, looking at her window. She could feel the blood raising to her face. Even though she was behind the curtain she could feel his gaze.

He was a very good looking guy, one of those people who stand out in a crowd. She smiled when she thought how they met, she was running for her office and bumped into someone in the stair and before she could check herself she sent him almost flying for a few steps, luckily they both grabbed rails. He only smiled at her profuse shower of apologies and nodded.

The next morning she was again running down the stairs all of a sudden she blushed, she saw the same guy was sitting outside their entrance, he was looking at her with full attention and a slight smile on his lips. She just lowered her gaze and went her way.

It became a routine, every day she saw him sitting there silently but always looking at her. Slowly it started to happen when she was returning, no matter how late she was. He had very beautiful eyes. But that was all, he never tried to reach out or talk to her. He just sat there and looked at her.

One day when she came back it was pouring down, even the dogs and cats have taken shelter, she saw the bench empty and a deep pang formed in her heart. She reached her entrance and her heart jumped, he was standing there casually, but the moment their eyes met he smiled a little and left.

The next day she deliberately went down a little earlier, he was already in his seat. She went straight to him, and stood in front of her, her face was hot, she asked him if he knew some good place from where she can get good books. He did not replied, just stared at her.

Just when she was about to leave, she heard some half muted voice from him, he gestured her to wait, and made a sign to ask if she has a pen and paper, when she handed it out to him, he wrote down the name of few book stores with address and his name Jayanta. She smiled, introduced herself and thanked him.

When she was on her way to office Kanika slowly understood the source of those blank calls, and how they always came when her parents were not at home. Because some one wanted to hear her voice.

This day, when she was returning she saw Jayanta waiting for her, with a small bouquet. She smiled and invited him to her home.