Page 52 of Storm
Two nights later, with my heart in my throat, I dialled her number and waited in anticipation for her to pickup as it started ringing.
I waited and waited but she did not answer.
“This is strange! It is her birthday tomorrow. Certainly, she will not be asleep at midnight. She has to be receiving calls from friends and family.
Maybe she is out with her friends from college...With a guy? No, I am just assuming things. She might be out partying with Zidaan and others. She is close to them after all.” Reassuring myself, I called up Zidaan.
The moment he received, I started without letting him even say hello.
‘Zidaan, how are you?’
‘Sleeping.’
Thinking hard how to ask without letting him know, I blurted the first thing that came to my mind with a fake chuckle,
‘Oh, I thought you might be tearing your hair off.’
‘Why would I do that?’
‘You had told me Sani gets demanding with you on her birthday and it’s her birthday tomorrow. So...’
‘Ooh! You remember...’ commented Zidaan and I could feel him smirking.
Shit!
Still not giving myself away, I tried damage control,
‘Obviously, as mine falls just ten days later.’
‘Ahaan... Sure.’
He definitely was getting ideas now.
Before I could think of something appropriate for an excuse, he went on,
‘You wanna wish her.’
It was not a question. Therefore, I did not deny it,
‘I just remembered and thought I will.’
Acting hurt, I added defensively, ‘How can I not wish her? She was a...um...friend...an acquaintance at least. Don't you remember?’
‘Oh I do remember, with sparkling clarity. And I can deduce that you have called to ask for her number.’
I actually had, because I thought Ibbi gave me a wrong number.
Then instead of dishing out the number, he discouraged me, ‘There is no point calling her now. She must be asleep.’ Zidaan said with amusement apparent in his voice.
He had it all...Almost.
Sani my dear, you got me busted.
Without any excuses, I asked further,
‘Sleeping on her birthday night? Who does that?’
‘Apparently Sani does. Self- important you see. Maybe she thinks we are desperate to wish her. So she wants to tease us, by making us wait until morning arrives.’ Zidaan laughed.
