The Last Message

Life is so unpredictable. One moment everything looks good, other moment you can lose all hope. You never know when a phone call can change your life…

He was really happy that day, his little sister was coming to meet him after 1 year. She was just 2 year younger than him but was always like his daughter. And now, when she was finally a graduate and had a month before joining her new job, she was coming to live with him.

He was so excited. He passed his whole night preparing the list of adventures they were going to have. The amusement park , that big mall, late night bike rides, the favourite picnic spot and many more. Walking with his friend next day, he was talking non-stop eating the banana. He was looking so stupid that his friend was laughing like anything but he was just talking about his and his sister’s childhood memories. His happiness was visible in his eyes. He finished his banana and searched for a dustbin, the next nearest dustbin was visible, but was a little far and out of their route, so he slipped the banana peel near the foot of a bench. His friend told him to throw the peel properly but he replied that someone will clean it later, nothing will happen with a single peel lying here, we pay our tax. His friend ignored him because he knew about his carelessness. They kept walking to their homes and said bye for an eventful day coming next morning.

It was 7 AM and the not so morning person was already up. His always so messed up house was clean for a change. Clothes were on the shelves in spite of being on the floor and the bed and everywhere. Dishes were clean and on the rack. First time his house was in the condition of being habitable. He was calling his sister again and again and finally stopped when she yelled at him for being so impatient. All the necessary tickets for all the places they were supposed to visit in the month was already stacked in his wallet. And he was sitting impatiently on his bed smiling by himself imagining everything. Her flight was supposed to land in 3 hours and for him passing every minute was difficult. Suddenly the phone rang, he picked up the call in hurry without checking whose number was there on the screen. Before he could say anything, he realised it was his manager on the phone. Just after a 2 minute call his mood was lying on the floor with the mattress.

Even after trying his best, he was not able to convince his boss why he can’t come for the unplanned important meeting. Meeting was supposed to be at least 2 hour-long ending only 1 hour after the landing time of the plane. All his planning of surprising his sister with her favourite flowers on the airport was crushed. He called all his friends if anyone can pick her up but no one was available at that time. Sad as well as angry he called his sister. Just from the tone of the hello, she knew something was not right. She asked and as soon as she knew the reason of his low tone, she burst into laughter. “I knew this was going to happen. How could your cruel manager let you enjoy even a single day of your life,LOL”. “I don’t know how I am gonna control myself from killing him today. I wanted to pick you up and now I am not even able to arrange any one on such a short notice.” he replied changing his tone from angry to sad.” It’s OK bro, I will come. I will take a cab. It’s not my first time remember, I have been there before and now I am a degree holder, I can handle anything”she said laughing in a naughty tone. “Let me book a prepaid cab for you, it’s not safe for you to stand there and just take any cab.” “No No No, there is no guarantee my flight will be on time. What if I will be an hour late or so. He will charge so much for waiting plus your house is just a couple of kilometres away. It will be middle of the day, nothing will happen. Believe me.” “Ok kiddo, just be safe and message me after landing, taking the cab and reaching home. I will come home as soon as possible. Key will be under the door mattress, food is ready in the fridge. Just be ready we are going to talk for hours, I have a book of things to talk to you.” He said in a little worried tone.

The meeting was going on but the only thing he was thinking was not on the presentation slides. Every time his phone vibrated, he somehow controlled himself from unlocking his phone. It was already late, the meeting was supposed to end half an hour ago. Her sister’s flight landing time was already 1.5 hours back and endless slides were still changing on the projector screen. Finally after 15 minutes, it was over. He said good-bye to all and before anyone could stop him, he slipped out from the hall. He checked his phone and saw the messages. “Today when I wanted it to be late, it’s on time!! I hate these airlines..they always mess up around” “Bro boarded the flight, dying to meet you, how’s meeting going….enjoying??!! 😉 ” “Hey bro, flight landed, will be home very soon, let’s get a taxi!!!” “I hate your city!! why it is so hard to get a taxi here…stupid place, don’t worry I will manage..just ask your manager to end this stupid meeting”. He was searching for other messages but there was nothing. The lines of stress were visible on his face. He called her and very soon he realised letting her come on her own was not a good idea,her phone was switched off!! He ran towards the parking and rushed towards his home. Unluckily office was not that near to his home and traffic was killing him. While calling her again and again and yelling on all the other vehicles, he was getting restless. Every negative thought was killing him and he was not able to ignore them even trying his best. The only guy who lived near to him, his friend who was walking with him last evening, was out-of-town.

Finally somehow he reached home. It takes only 15 minutes to reach from airport to home, so she should be there. He pressed the door bell, again, again. “She slept after reaching home and forgot to message me. So careless, now she will listen a lot from me. Is this the way to behave?!!” he murmured to himself while searching for the key in his pocket. Suddenly a thought made him motionless. With shaking hands, he picked up the corner of the door mattress. He felt like he just missed his heartbeat. The key was still there!!! For seconds he was standing there tilted, holding the corner of the mattress in his hand, starring the key. He had no idea what to do where to call. Police!! no it can’t be that bad. She is just playing with me. She will be there in the park or roaming around. What if she forgot about the key and got stuck outside. He rushed towards the park but she was not there. He was asking everyone if they have seen her. Everyone told him to call the police. He was calling his sister again and again but every time it was switched off. “What if she is still on Airport and her phone’s battery died.” He shouted to himself with some hope in his eyes. He ran towards his car and started driving on top gear. Almost on the verge of crying he reached the airport. She was no where!! He asked many but waste.

Suddenly he heard the ringtone of his phone. From his shaking hand he took his phone out of his pocket. It was his sister’s number!! He picked up the call in the fraction of a second “Where are you!!are you all right!!What is this behaviour, you just killed the hell out of me!!” He was shouting on his phone. Suddenly again he was scared to the core of his soul. It was a man’s voice on the other side of the receiver. Is she kidnapped and his kidnapper is calling from his phone, or god forbid she met an accident; thoughts were killing him. Then the other guy talked. “There is very less battery in this phone, I somehow restarted this thing. Please come to the Angel hospital immediately….” Before he could speak anything, call was over. He called back but in vain, phone was already dead, again!! Hours ago he was happier than ever, suddenly all his nightmares were becoming true. He rushed towards the hospital, he was already crying like kids. He was just not ready to handle what he could find in the hospital. After rushing to the reception he asked about his sister, almost crying. “You are her brother, Right!!! she is in the room number 4, 1st floor”. He was not in the mental condition to wait for the lift, he jumped on the stairs and in no time he was in front of room number 4. The guy who called him was standing there.He was not able to speak but his eyes were asking only one answer.  “You are her brother,Right!! thank god you are here. Hey!! don’t worry she is fine. Just a fracture in her leg. She is crying but completely OK, don’t know how someone could be so careless. These people should be punished really bad”.

He finally breathed with relief. He opened the door slowly with still shaking hands and called her name. She woke up from her sleep and started crying. “Bro!! where were you. Why it took so much time for you to come. It hurts a lot. How someone could be so careless. Is this the way to live in the city. Do they have sisters or not.” she was crying breathlessly. Suddenly all that horror was changed into anger. His eyes were blood-red and so was his face. “Who did this just tell me who did this. That person is a dead man. I will make sure he will rot in jail for years. He will pay for his deeds. Just tell me who did that.” his anger was visible on his face. Then she started explaining what really happened. “I was waiting for the taxi but it was so long and I got none. Then I messaged you. Suddenly I saw that bus in which we went to your home last year. I knew that bus was going to leave me on the corner of your society but I knew the way so I boarded the bus. I de-boarded the bus on the turn. I was a little bit tired so I thought before walking to the house, I should sit for a while. It was a pleasant day and I was coming in this city after so long that I wanted to enjoy its best. I kept my luggage on side and sat on the bench. After 5 minutes when I felt a little relaxed I stood up. But as soon as I stepped forward, I slipped and felt on the ground and broke my leg. How could someone leave a banana peel on the side of a bench!!!

For next few seconds, there was a pin drop silence in the room….