The Silence

It is rather unusual for the night to be this silent. I strain to the extreme and all I hear is my heart’s thud. The room is so filled by darkness that the tiny LED light from the mobile phone charger shines like the sun himself. This phone is supposed to break the silence. But, why isn’t that happening.

Is that a cough? I rush to their room. No, it’s nothing. See, I’m sweating. I should make a call now. Perhaps I can wait. Before returning to my room I tried to find if any sound walked out of that keyhole at all. When did Dad stop snoring anyway? Peace for now. I did have trouble finding my blanket. But weren’t I sweating a while back? It’s cold anyway. It seems monsoon has no plans to give way to the other seasons this year. Rains that flooded the day did leave behind this calm cool night. The phone is still silent. No, I shouldn’t wait further. I dial the number. “Switched off,” says the recorded message. My heart began to beat louder.

Is that a cough? Ouch! The chair collapses with me. Leg’s hurt, I’m sure. I begin to crawl to the room. The pain makes me groan. The door opens with a majestic loudness. That’s mom, “Rohan! Oh my god! Are you okay? Dear, what is happening?”

The pain is still there. They are safe. Nothing’s wrong. Should this night stay any longer? The phone’s screen has no plans to light up, it seems. “Switched off,” and once again that’s my heart that I am listening to.

I should have exhausted myself. Dad found me sleeping on floor, in front of his door. At least it is not night anymore. The phone has nothing new for me.