Midnight Call

At 1:07 AM, Neeraj phone ring ayindi. Caller name chusaka athani breath slow ayindi. "Aarohi."

Three years silence. Oka call.

"Nidra lechava?" ani aame voice.

"Nuvvu call chesthe lekapoyina lechestha," ani athanu cheppadu.

Aame slight ga laugh chesindi, kani aa laugh lo pain undi. "Nenu city ki vachanu. Ninnu kalavali."

Neeraj yes ani immediate ga cheppaledu. Old feelings easy ga return avuthayi, kani old hurt kuda.

Next evening lake pakkana meet ayyaru. Aarohi mature ga kanipinchindi. Less makeup, more honesty.

"Nenu appudu ninnu choose cheyyaledu. Family pressure ani excuse cheppanu. Nijam enti ante naku courage ledu," ani aame cheppindi.

Neeraj calm ga adigadu, "Ippudu courage unda?"

"Undi. Kani ninnu immediate ga forgive cheyyamani adagadanki right ledu."

Aa answer athani anger ni soften chesindi. Vaallu long walk chesaru. Past gurinchi, present gurinchi, future uncertain ani.

Midnight calls dangerous. Avi closed doors ni open chesthayi. Kani konni doors malli open avvali.

Neeraj aame ki final ga cheppadu, "Manam slow ga start cheddam. Old love laga kaadu. New trust laga."

Aarohi eyes moist ayyayi. "Adhi chalu."