DULCET TONE OF THE TINY SMS

“I love you too, my Tishi baby”

“And..?”

“Over SMS, ok?”

“Noooo…”

“Alright! Here you go…” whispered Vivaan and ended the call with a hurried over-the-phone kiss.

India was 8 down for 265 and needed 20 runs off the last 2 overs. Monish and Neil were glued to the television. Vivaan hurried from the privacy of his bedroom right into the living room to join his flat-mates for the nail-biting finish. Thank God for the tiny kiss, Tish didn't start off her girly tantrums today, thought Vivaan.

Trishna, aka Tish still had a broad grin on her face. He addressed her as baby finally on her insistence! Not that she loved being addressed that, just that she wanted him to behave more like how a stereotypical boy friend behaves. She kept her cell phone for charging and went on to join her brother and dad for the final over of the match.

…

“It’s Friday, Vivaan! You haven’t called me for the last 2 days… Neither have you SMSed how much you love me or miss me… You just don't remember me enough. I keep waiting you know…”

“Oh please, don't start the rant again, Tish”

“Alright”

Vivaan doesn't understand me enough. There is zero involvement from his side on things that matter to me. However, I think I was very rude to him today. I will definitely apologize and make things right tomorrow, thought Tish.

Tish never understands me. She is such a kid. What is with all this showing of how much I care for her? Such a girly thing to do... Of course, I like her more, as much as she thinks I don’t. But I was quite rude to her. I will make up for it tomorrow, thought Vivaan.

…

Days passed by, seasons altered. Most things had changed. But few remained affix.

Tish and Vivaan weren’t together anymore. Both were right and wrong in their own peculiar ways. Both had dreams which differed, expectations which didn't couple.

Tish was too nosy and interfering in everything. On the other hand, Vivaan was too detached. The chords didn't play in sync any more. The harmony no longer existed. It was a conscious decision on their part to close the unviable chapter of their cacophonous relationship.

…

Life has moved on.

Tish’s mind has stopped expecting or hoping, or so she thinks.

Vivaan amidst all this bedlam has started expecting and hoping to be able to talk to her soon.
She never responds. Never replies… Being ignored was the last thing on his list…

Now he keeps a count of days he hasn’t been able to reach out to her… He clearly remembers the last time they spoke.

‘It’s been 43 days, Tish… Can I speak to you once please?’ Tish reads the SMS; her mind doesn't acknowledge it and lets it pass like all his other messages.

She tries hard to, but something restrains her from deleting that tiny mess out of her inbox.

…

Nothing is binary. Love and hate aren’t the only emotions.

Likewise, no string attached is just in theory. In real life, all relationships leave twined strands behind.

Some strings induce dulcet tones, some don’t.

-Ships