Shuhani

Whenever I go to our terrace I become so much thoughtful suddenly, looking at the clouds makes me thoughtful, looking at the birds makes me thoughtful and when I look at those far away houses I sometimes try to recognise which way my best friends house is from mine. And feel like I am the only one trapped in my house. How in ancient times girls were able to control themselves in their houses?! And finally when the sun sets I go back to my room and cuddle with my phone. This mobile phone has become our best friends nowadays in the time of lockdowns, people forgot to make friends in person and these days they are more comfortable with their online friends.

But I made a friend in person in this lockdown. Though our friendship didn’t last long.

A winter morning , my hair was still wet, so I decided to go and stand under the sun at our terrace. I became thoughtful as usual (teenagers problem) . I was looking at the sky at the birds and then my eyes went to the terrace of our opposite building . My first thought was Am I really very beautiful .

Suddenly I saw the girl waving at me, so I waved back, the time was around 3 pm nobody was there on the road. She asked me in a loud voice “What is your name?!”

I told my name and asked her , Her name's Shuhani.

She asked me my age , and we both were of same age amazingly. We chatted for a while we talked about our likes and dislikes, She told me about her school, her friends etc. I never made friends like this talking to her made me feel good really good.

On the next day again I went to the terrace hoping to meet her again and yes I found her she was watering the plants. I called her and again we both started chatting , it was fun. When I asked her that I never saw her before she said that this is her Maternal house and she came here for few weeks. She will be going back to her home after 2 weeks said she. I wished she might stay here. Just yesterday we met but we became good friends, she is really a friendly girl and so is me ( according to my friends) . She was a very beautiful girl I have to admit, she had beautiful long brown hair and tan skin her voice was even very soothing. She told me once that she loves to sing, whenever we had some serious discussion about something her answers her opinions always had a perfect logic and maturity. I who became a mobile person during the lockdown every day like a routine I used to come to the terrace and chat with her. I don’t know why but we met suddenly and became friends suddenly within few days.

Gradually 2 weeks passed and it was the day for her to go back, I almost forgot about that and went to terrace and found her there. I started the chat .

“Hi Shuhani” said I waving to her

She waved back

“I am returning home tomorrow” said she butting her lower lips.

“What?! Yeah you said after 2 weeks, if passed away?!” asked I

“Yes but we can exchange our numbers if you don’t mind” said she

We did exchanged our numbers.

The next day in the morning they arrived l. I was late to wake up or else I would have went to meet her.

But we texted each other almost everyday.

One fine morning the winter is in its way to return back and spring is about to come, I texted Shuhani ‘Hi'

The whole day I didn’t got any reply from her , I thought she is ignoring me but she wasn’t even active the last time she was active was yesterday night. The next day also I didn’t got any messages.

As time passed spring also arrived, my mom bought some roses from the market and decided to plant them in our terrace garden, oho I forgot to mention right, yes my mom just loves gardening so she made a garden on our terrace every morning and evening she goes and waters them.

Me and My mom went to our terrace with the pots of one red rose and one white rose's pot and we were planting them while I saw Shuhani grandma on their terrace it’s been weeks that we talked. I waved at her and said “hello grandma how are you?! “ she gave me warm smile and said “fine dear”

“Granma Shuhani and I exchanged numbers she doesn’t talk anymore”

“oho Shuhani actually dear” she said and started crying tears came out her eyes. “3 weeks ago she actually tested positive in covid test and she is no more” she cried more

I wasn’t able to hold my tears back what a shocking news it was the girl with whom I became best friends with is no more.