One can get so lonely inside a crowd. I was ,all alone when I first went to a near by city from my small town,in pursuit of higher studies. Maybe my parents too felt lonely, for my next visit they surprised me with a sweet gift…a brand new Nokia mobile phone. I felt like they had given me an oxygen cylinder for my travel to a far off place, somewhere out of space. I still remember my first phone and how lovingly I held it each time I made a call. Its ring-tone was pure music to my ears. My phone was like my umbilical cord that connected me to my loved ones.

Now years afterwards and many phones later, I hold that phone alone with care. Technology has grown beyond the hill and over the valley and my first phone has become a crude outdated   communication device. But, I still cherish it for what it was, coz I still believe that I could reach Aditya, or my dear ol’ Aadhi through this phone alone. We had grown up together and we were supposed to spend our lives together. When he had gone for his higher studies to a far off city, I felt being torn into two. Mobile phones were unheard of then. But letters kept us connected and the once -in-a-month visit held us close. When it was time for me too to leave, I was afraid of  not only missing my family,but also his visits, though I was to go to a much nearer place.

It was Aadhi’s idea, to get me a mobile phone. My dad couldn’t think of a better gift. Aadhi taught me how to use it. He fed his and my home number into my phone. He gave it to me with a smile and a promise to call each day. We did, everyday..until Aadhi had to go to never return. A college tour that  turned disastrous. A boat wreck in the ocean and he went missing. Thats all! He is merely missing, not dead. Though the society has declared him dead, his family had moved on and my parents have given up hopes on my marriage, I know, he is merely missing. Its been only8 years and  my job keeps me busy. And my new 3 G mobile makes my communication perfect.But I still switch on my first phone. I can’t hear any ring, but in that silence each time I press it to my ears, I feel him whispering. My phone is my only device to get to him and I still keep it alive all the time, so that when he calls, I can answer. One day he will….

Popularity: 1% [?]