Snippets of Madam Sirr (S1)

An Unforgettable Day

Darkness invaded the night sky, an eerie silence creeping through the air. It was a cold day, the freezing air gushing through unsettling the leaves. Only the buzzing of insects and the chirping of crickets dared to break the silence.

KS stood on the verandah wrapped in a woolen blanket, her eyes fixed on the stars. She lifted her head and gazed at the tiny patterns fitted across the sky, almost mesmerized by its beauty. She wondered that the sky had managed to hire an interior designer. The breeze flapped against her and she tightened the blanket around herself for warmth.

A vibration distracted her from the stars. She looked at her phone and unbeknownst to her, a smile flickered across her face, brighter than a galaxy of stars combined.

She answered the call waiting in silence to hear the voice from the other end. Her heart beat increased with every second, anticipation tingling through her.

"Happy Birthday Karuuu...." The speaker yelled.

She smiled almost falling off the verandah. She settled back composing herself. "Thank you, Pati Dev."

She sighed, her breath whooshing out of her mixing with the cold nuzzle of the air. Her voice was that of a melancholic longing. She missed her husband.

"Aarey Karuuu...." he said, noting the wistfulness of KS's voice. "It's your birthday."

"Haan" she sniffled. "I just wish you were here."

"Me too Karuuu..." he said, his voice a tad emotional.

A brief silence washed over them.

"So, Karu what are you doing for your birthday?" he asked changing the subject.

"You know that I don't celebrate my birthday" she said, her voice still clinging of melancholy.

"Haan but this time...maybe it will be different."

KS straightened, her ears straining to hear Lalla's voice. She knew that he had planned something.

"What did you plan?" she asked, her curiosity amplifying her voice in the silent night.

"Nothing" he yelled, his voice masking his surprise.

"I'll believe you for now..." she said, her heart beating as her mind wandered to what her husband had planned.

They talked for hours under the night sky, their usual banter starting as they rode down the memory lane. Lalla always managed to brighten her up despite the gravity of her mood. As the call winded down, KS hugged the phone to her chest, reveling in the voice of her husband, the only remnant that she could carry in her heart.