It was that time of that day again. How could I ever forget this day? A day that was supposed to be “the day I always looked forward to” was now “the day I somehow had to survive”. My calendar always had a blue (my favourite colour for my favourite day) circle on this date, but now it was crossed out with a red ink. This day had lost all its meaning in my life just as my life had.
(FLASHBACK)-
(Elara and Sophie on call)
“Sophie, where the hell are you? Do you plan to arrive in your next life? At least today you could’ve managed to arrive early!”
“I know, but I can’t find your present and a letter I especially wrote all night for you.”
Sophie’s tensed voice made me even more restless. How many times will I have to explain to her that she herself is a gift for me? But I couldn’t deny the fact that every year, I desperately wait for her presence. Am I selfish?
“Girl! I think I need you more than your present. Your gifts will not cheer ‘HAPPY BIRTHDAY’ while I cut the cake.”
“OH, Shut up! I know you must be secretly hoping that I find your present. Who are you lying to? Besides, I know my gifts won’t shout ‘HAPPY BIRTHDAY’ as loudly as me while you cut your cake but one day when I’m gone, they will definitely remind you of me,” Sophie yelled over the speaker while rummaging through her things.
“See, I know you secretly hate me and wanna leave me as quickly as possible but I hate you more so I’m not letting you go anywhere! Now forget the present and be here in 10 mins or else, you’ll never see me celebrating by birthday,” I ordered in a stern and serious tone.
You’ll always find people advising you “Always speak positively,” but in your mind you just snap it because how can things turn positive just by saying ‘POSITIVE’? Well! I don’t know about positivity but we were punished for expressing our love in the disguise of negativity and enmity.
My phone rang exactly 10 minutes later. Just as I picked up the call to give Sophie an earful for trying to prank me- as if I didn’t know that she wouldn’t be here on time- a bolt of dread struck me. Who knew that the universe too, had prepared a gift for me?
“Hello? Is anyone there?” A rough but panicked voice came from the other side of the call.
“Sophie, stop pranking me! Where are you? Are you seriously trying to ruin my birthday?”
“Miss, I wanted to inform you that the owner of this phone has been admitted to the emergency ward. I request you to come to the Elowen Hospital immediately.”
“Wait! Who are you and what are you saying? How do you have Sophie’s phone? Give the phone to her and tell her to stop pranking. I’m scared.”
There was an awkward silence that was killing me from inside. I could feel my logic trying to fight with my fear of losing her and the anxiety stemming from it.
“I’m sorry! We tried our best to save her but…” the voice trailed off along with my logic and the last thing I heard was a beep, which meant the end of the call, my world and our story.
Or so I thought…