Chapter 6 - The Broken Phone

It felt like someone is using her head like a drum. Her head was pounding with a splitting headache as if it’s going to explode. What happened to her? Why is this headache killing her? It’s not cold weather to catch sinus… What’s up- as she opened her eyes the chipped walls and ceiling with an ancient closet is nowhere to be found. Instead of that Clean beige ceiling and matching walls with expensive-looking, well-furnished wardrobes and bean bags lying around. Not to mention different linen draped over her and a different oversized tee comparing to that tight crop top she wore.

“Aaaahhhhh”

Right after she screamed The door burst open with two men holding cricket bats, ready to strike.

“What-”

“Where?”

Both Ayaan and Nikhil inquired immediately causing Sparsh to jump further and hold the duvet closer to her.

“Uhh...”

“Wh- What happened? Why am I here? Where is my top? Is somebody going to answer me?”

Her pitch got higher as she asked causing her to startle both Ayaan and Nikhil. He dropped the cricket bat and left. Ayaan let out a sigh and didn’t even realize that was holding. He went over to the corner of the bed while she made a distance from him like he is carrying some plaque. Then she was reminded that she needs to call her mother. She started searching for her phone which was found nowhere within her eyesight. Looking at the agitated Sparsh, Ayaan stood up and went behind her while she started to mess up with everything which came in her way.

“What are you searching for?”

She didn’t respond and went ahead with her search spree and Ayaan following her behind. Frustrated of not finding it, she lied on the bed again.

“I couldn’t help you if you won’t open your darn mouth Sparsh.”

As if he is describing something regarding her inner battles. Tears streaked down her face like a river. And that itself made Ayaan uncomfortable and he sprang up to face her.

“Hey… hey just don’t cry… I am sorry please don’t cry… I will give you anything, but please don’t cry...”

Sparsh never knew that he could ever beg for something like mere tears. He gradually lifted his hand and wiped her tears while resting his palm on her cheeks for way longer than he was supposed to while his eye contact never fazed. What felt like, after a few minutes, Sparsh cleared her throat causing Ayaan to come to his senses.

“Phone… my phone...”

As she mentioned her phone, Ayaan’s memory traveled back to the previous night. The intoxicated Sparsh hopped around happily after Ayaan found her from that alley while she was at it, Ayaan warned her to get back with him but she was oblivious to his words and she stubbed her toe causing her to scream out loud. Ayaan ran towards her and she hopped holding the stubbed leg.

“I told you to be careful! Now, where does it hurt?”

He bent down to check and she managed to place her hand over his back while he inspected her leg. As his fingers brushed her toe gently she sighed but she started hopping yet again as she felt a tingling sensation.

“What now?”

He yelled at Sparsh as he stood up and she made a pouty face in reaction. And that face was all it took for his heart to melt. He huffed and sat down to take her on a piggyback ride. She hopped in while humming a song loudly. In the meanwhile, a tiny phone slipped out of Sparsh’s pocket and fell and broke. Both heard the noise leading Sparsh to scream ‘my phone’ causing Ayaan to stagger back causing it to get squash further.

“Oh… what was that?”

He turned towards the broken object and there was a phone with a cracked screen with the battery and cover coming out.

“Aaahhh… you-you broke my phone!”

And it was the start of yet another sob fest which led Ayaan to get out of that room while she increased her tone to irritate him further. That phone was something which she cherished the most. Even though she purchased it as second-hand goods, this phone was her first buy and now it is lying in front of her with numerous pieces. Ayaan came back and sat over the bed opposite her. He took out the sim which was in the broken phone and attached it to the phone which he was having. He took Sparsh’s hand and gave her the phone.

“This will be your phone from now on… Now the problem is solved, I would like to kick you out of my house, let’s go?”

She didn’t figure out whether he is being mean or is offering a ride. She bowed her head down thinking what in the world happened last night that she is feeling deranged. Likewise, she stood and looked herself at the mirror and her reflection itself was jaw-dropping. Bird nest-like hair, crumpled pants, smudged makeup and an oversized tee with a heavy metal poster. She ran towards Ayaan as he reached the door and grabbed his arm to get his attention. She eyed him top to bottom thinking what could have possibly gone wrong last night?

“What… uhh… Hey- umm… no-nothing happened last night… it’s not what you think. You-you puked on me and your clothes last night. My sister took out your top and put on my tee. I promise I didn’t see or do anything.”

Even though Sparsh was relieved that he didn’t see ugly scars covering her body, yet her face turned red as she came to know that she barfed out in front of him and not to mention over him. Covering her face, she followed him obediently.

When Sparsh reached home, thanks to Ayaan who reluctantly agreed to drop her at the corner of the road of her house, she received a slap from her mother. And a big lecture that she didn’t inform her mother about her whereabouts also how worried she was. Sparsh just wondered where did her mother get all the strength from? No like from where did her hands get all the strength from? Either way, she has a feeling that she will get an earful like this all the time due to this contract which she signed.

Sparsh thought that she would laze around and nurse her hangover for the whole day as it’s Saturday. Guess she had jinxed it because as soon as she rested on her head, her phone blared to life. Sparsh jumped on her seat and picked up hastily as her mother started glaring at her.

"He-hello…"

"Come to the spot where I dropped you last time. Now!"

Sparsh hurried and got dressed and then left her home while she informed her mother that a classmate of hers asked her to have a study session.

Passing through busy and narrow lanes filled with people doing their daily chores, she reached Ayaan's vehicle which is obviously a sore sight to the eyes when you compare with the society she lives in. She hurried towards his car and hopped onto the passenger seat. He quickly drove away without a word and he switched on the radio to kill the silence and gradually Sparsh felt comfortable thanks to the music and then she started humming along with the music.

“Beautiful.”

Ayaan blurted out involuntarily, out of the blue involuntarily causing her to turn towards him.

“I-it’s just… the music… it’s really beautiful”

Cutting off the awkwardness between them, Sparsh turned away while Ayaan focused on driving.