"So… how are you feeling now?" said the stranger on the call.
It was a gentle voice. A girl's voice.A familiar one.
He blinked, sitting up slightly."Wait… Maya?" he asked, surprise warming his voice.
For a second, he couldn't believe it. Maya—calling him. Out of all the people in the world, she chose to call him. The thought alone was enough to make his heart skip. A quiet, uncontrollable smile curved on his lips.
"Yesss, it's Maya," she laughed. "What, were you expecting someone else? More importantly—are you okay now?"
She spoke quickly, like she always did, each word light and effortless, and Karthik found himself struggling to keep up.
"Yeah… I'm fine. Thanks to—" he started.
"To the nurse?" she interrupted playfully. "Relax. It's literally my job."
"How did you even get my number?" Karthik asked quietly, suspicion lacing his voice. "I don't remember giving it to you."
Maya let out a tired sigh on the other end."Oh God… don't tell me you didn't even check your phone after leaving the clinic."
Karthik didn't respond. Silence stretched between them.
After a moment, Maya's voice softened.
"When you were unconscious… and no one came asking for you, I got worried," she admitted. "That never happens, you know. Usually someone shows up. Family. Friends. Anyone."
She paused briefly, then continued.
"So I took your phone. I thought I'd find someone to call."Her voice dropped slightly."But there wasn't a single contact saved. Not one."
Karthik's chest tightened.
"I didn't know what else to do," she said gently. "So I saved my number. Just in case… maybe it would help you someday."
A small, almost shy laugh followed."And I guess… that's how I got your number."
"Hello… hello, Karthik?" Maya's voice crackled through the phone. "Is it the network again?"
But the silence wasn't because of the signal.
On the other side, Karthik was frozen.Blushing. Hard.
Maya's number… on my phone? Maya's?
His heart was racing, thoughts colliding, shyness winning. He was too nervous to speak, yet too scared to stay silent.
He finally took a deep breath.
"Y-yeah… I'm here," he said softly. "Sorry. You were saying… about giving me your number?"
This time, there was something different in his voice. Warmer. Lighter. Almost shyly happy.
Maya noticed.
"Uhmm … okay, first of all," she said with a small laugh, "why do you suddenly sound so cheerful?"
Karthik didn't answer that.
She continued, "Oh right— that reminds me of the second reason I called you."
"And what's that?" he asked quickly, trying to sound normal… failing beautifully.
"To congratulate you," she said simply. "For getting a job."
Karthik blinked. "W-what?"
"And before you start thinking I'm some kind of stalker," she added quickly, "listen. After you left the clinic, I went to the canteen. I was just sitting there, eating snacks, looking outside…"
Her voice slowed, almost thoughtful.
"…and I saw you walk into a hotel nearby."
A brief pause.
"And yeah… it happens to be my fiancé's hotel."
"I… I quickly called him and—"Maya suddenly stopped mid-sentence.
The silence on the line felt heavier than before. Like she had almost revealed something she wasn't supposed to.
Karthik noticed it instantly."And… what?" he asked gently.
There was a short pause. Then she laughed lightly, too lightly.
"Uh—nothing. That's it," she said quickly. "My fiancé just told me he'd recruited a new employee today… and that's how I connected the dots."
Her voice sounded normal again. Casual. Controlled.
But something about the way she had frozen…Something about the way she had changed her tone…
It didn't sit right with Karthik.
But Karthik ignored the strange pause. It felt too small, too insignificant to worry about.
"Hm… that explains everything," he said calmly.
"Of course it does," Maya replied, cheerful again. "And don't forget—we need to celebrate this beautiful moment of yours. So when are we throwing the party? I know it won't be a big one, but invite your closest friends. It won't be that bad to disappoint someone…"She stopped herself, then quickly added, "Uh—sorry, my fiancé is calling. I have to go. Take care, okay? And… good night."
The call ended.
Karthik stood there, motionless, staring at the blank wall—trying to process everything she had just said.
"Party? Friends? Wait… what?"
The words replayed in his head like echoes. Then suddenly, a smile broke free. He tossed the phone onto the bed and started jumping around the room, laughing softly to himself—pure joy, unfiltered.
The door creaked open.
"Son, you're still awake?" Kaka stood there in his night clothes, half-asleep, rubbing his eyes.
Karthik let out a small scream—it startled him.
"Oh! I didn't mean to scare you," Kaka apologized gently.
"It's okay, Kaka," Karthik laughed nervously. Then, after a pause, he asked, "Is it okay if I hug you?"
He stepped forward and wrapped his arms around the old man.A deep, warm hug—the kind you share with someone you respect, someone who feels like home.
Kaka chuckled softly and whispered near his ear, "Fizza is already asking who that lucky girl is… You better answer her tomorrow. And next time, talk a little more quietly if you don't want the whole house to hear about your love life."
He patted Karthik's back and walked away.
Karthik stood frozen again—mouth slightly open, eyes fixed on the now-closed door.
This time, not from sadness.
But from disbelief.