Chapter-2 

The Anniversary Bell

Ani ,got a whatsapp message wishing her on her 36th Wedding Anniversary.She wondered how she lost this friend who reconnected for a wish that has long lost its purpose.

It had to be on November 19 just because the senior members of her family wished to commemorate a rightist leader's birth anniversary with it. 

She cared only for the message that she always received from his eyes.

" Are you comfortable with the date ?,he asked.No words could be released as her heart pounded with his very presence.His words kept ringing in her ears.Did she nod to consent? She does not really remember..

Today after thirty six years ,she is sitting with her laptop and correcting the online assignment .Only the bright sun,the chill in the air,the pariah mongrels barks and her enlivening cup of coffee are her companions.Rest is all a history.

Covid-19 webinars,workshops,written tests to prove her awareness go on non-stop whether it is lock or unlock for the common man.Famous Hollywood ,Bollywood and Tollywood stars have become victims of corona.

" I am sick and tired",Paroma was on the mobile on the other side..

"How long to live a life of isolation dear ,even I don't know ," Ani responded ." I had a plan to visit places of archesological and historical interest in Greece and Rome in 2020..Now ,I don't feel like renewing my passport that expires this December ."

"You bet !"Vimmi invited Ani on Google Duo.

" What about Kri,Neenu and Naddy ? Invite them too Vimmi.Let's make a virtual record of yelling ,greeting,laughing and kidding --yes we've not met for 5 months.Just imagine !"

Those one and a half hour took wings and made the five friends giggle,bitch ,back bite and their laughter reverberated through their technical devices.The Muses wondered whta really up.

Suddenly ," OMG ! There's an sms .Pls check on your sets.A meeting in half an hours from now on the usual platform .We are to report five minutes before time," Kri in her usual hyper way literally sreamed.

Life's like that .Happiness is short lived is what my grandmother chanted in a monotonous way as long as she lived.