Harshali

I hadn’t really slept in days. You know the kind of sleep where your eyes close but your heart stays wide awake? That was me — too tired to move, too restless to rest. It had been long since I had a peaceful sleep... The morning light was barely a whisper through the curtains when the phone rang. The landline. Who even calls the landline anymore? I answered it.  " Hello?"  A pause. Then a voice I didn’t recognize. It was rough yet... very gentle... " Are you okay?"  Just three words but it they hit like a wave. It had been ages since anyone had asked me that...  I stayed silent. Then came something deep down inside I didn't want to listen...  " Manjiri... Are you okay?"  Manjiri. Those words shattered something within me. Of course those weren't for me.  I cleared my throat. " No I think you've the wrong number... It's Harshali... Harshali Joshi..."  The stranger hesitated. "Oh—I’m sorry. I thought… you just sounded...