​As I tried to open my eyes, that most familiar music came pouring into my ears.

"Jerry Calling."

The ringtone he once set, a selfie taken in college appeared on the screen.


I should replace this tune with another one. Why should I keep this one!


"hello"


"I don't think I can come. The boy who came here as a trainee had an accident. I'm in the hospital now. We can go another day." Jerry said in a cold voice.


"Dad's birthday is today, Jerry. How can I reschedule it? This is the last thing I'm going to ask you. Can't you do just one thing before we leave each other?" I was disappointed.


"Is this a time for you to celebrate when someone is dying here? you only care about yourself all the time. The girl who was in the car with him died. I don't even know who she is. I came here to see if I can identify the body. If you want to go then you can go. Just go to hell." His voice was trembling with anger.


The call was cut. If I am alone, then I will go alone. I'll let my father be happy for at least one day before I give him the bad news.


There are very few cars on the road. It is a four hour drive. I took the car because I expected Jerry to come with me. Otherwise I could have taken the bus. It doesn't matter now. Am I going to be alone forever?


I just drove two kilometers. A guy walked down the road and raised his hand from the middle of the road.


"Sister, there is no bus running, I have to reach Ernakulam at 10 o'clock, please help me."


"okay get in" I opened the door.


He put the big travel bag in the back seat and climbed into the front. He is wearing White and blue striped full sleeve shirt. Black shoes. Some Strands of hair were falling forward even after combing. There was a scar of a removed earring on his left ear. A Tattoo partially hidden inside the sleeve on his left arm.


"Hi, my name is Jithin. I work in an IT firm. There was an accident somewhere on the road and no bus is running now . Only small cars are passing by. I have been standing here for a long time. No one has stopped. You are like an angel to me. What is your name sister?" He started talking nonstop.


At first it seemed annoying, but his innocent chatter slowly became interesting. Like old Jerry. His Jokes. That same Mischievous smile!

He also took over the steering in between. Driving like an expert.


The phone kept ringing every now and then. It's Jerry. I didn't pick up. I didn't want to start another fight. What's left to talk about now?


"Sister, take it. Are you avoiding it because of me?"


"Hey, it's nothing, it's a friend. Just calling for nonsense . I'll call him back later."


"Okay! Sister, you have a good sense of music. Do you know what this ringtone is?"


"Oh, I liked it when I heard it. I don't know much about it."


"Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. It is his last major work.. What a genius! That too at that time. Do you know what his last words were? " Pity, pity, too late…!"


"Does that mean his death was delayed?"


"Ha ha no, someone offered to give him some wine as a gift but it was late"


"Don't make up things Jitin, you think someone would talk about wine when he dies?"


"Oh it's true. Sis, look it up on Google. You'd see. Why should people get stressed about death anyway ? What else is there to worry about? You should remember something interesting like this and be cool."


"We won't know when we are going to die, Jithin."


"Okay. Then imagine that you will die in the next five minutes. Then what will you think about? I will remember all that fun I had with my friends."


"Um... I... Ah, once, my friend brought me a blueberry cake for my birthday. The taste was heavenly! I didn't want to share it with the rest. I've never seen anything like it again, Jitin! I will think about that tasty fluffy blueberry cake when I die! That would be a happy death, don't you think?


"Cake.. Ah..! Sister is so cool! Then Just imagine eating that cake right now and Let's go……!"


Before I could say anything, the car broke the handrail of the bridge and fell into the river. I saw Jithin's mischievous smile as I drowned in the water with a cry. He laughed Just like Jerry would laugh!


I tried to breathe hard. I should live no matter what.! I will swim. I will get out of this drowning car. And I will escape from that broken marriage. I'll find my freedom!


and As I tried to open my eyes, the most familiar music slowly drifted into my ears. Jerry Calling. The ringtone that was set for him…..!


Am I in a dream? Or am I stuck in a time loop? Guess I would find out now!


"Hello"

©tagerine / anzumatsuri