Chapter-2

She suddenly woke up, her radio still on she looked back. It's already 3.00 pm. She slept for all these hour in her chair. She was shocked at herself, tried to get up as the kitchen was waiting for her but couldn't. She felt her whole body weak. Recently she had persistent weakness and fatigue all over her body. She gathered her strength and got up but was feeling dizzy. She could see a sudden robe of darkness filling in her eyes. She got hold of the chair, rested for a while and hurried to the kitchen. Started preparing for the evening snack, a cake. While the cake was being baked, she had her lunch in a hurry. The smell made her cough badly. Her old nemesis is back, she thought. But this time it was different. She felt an acute chest pain. She stored the cake in refrigerator and had a rest in bed. She felt her body declaring a revolt against her. She thought herself 'I am tired and can no longer run.' She was slowly tripping to sleep.

'tring.. tring..' She slowly opened her eyes and took her phone.

"Hello "

"Hello dear, Its me your best friend.."

"Hey, how are you?"

"I am fine but what happened to your voice? You don't sound good."

"Oh, nothing big. just some trivial sickness."

"What trivial, eat your medicine at time and if not, consult a doctor."

"Oh..ho I will listen to you. By the way why did you remember me today."

"Weyy, I am the one who usually calls you and you are saying remember me today, dear have some self rightness."

"Sorryy!!"

"Now serious matter, We are planning to visit our college today for the reunion next month. Will you be coming?"

"I think I have to let you down, sorry"

"Ok ok, I know you are waiting for your son. Even being a civil servant I am not as busy as you. And yes, Happy birthday dear.

"Thank you."

She waited for her son to return. It's 5.00pm and there was no traces of him. She was about to call him, tring... tring.. her phone was ringing.

"Maa.. I will be late today. I am going to dine with friends."

She slowly walked to the kitchen taking the radio with her. She turned it on and brought a candle with the cake and placed it in the table in kitchen. She lighted the candle and sang in a low voice

"Happy birthday to you.. Happy birthday to you..

Happy birthday to you dear.. Happy birthday to you.."

She blew the candle and divided the cake into pieces. Had a bite of the cake with tears in her eyes..