Call Courtesy

What was a luxury I couldn't afford is now a necessity. Mobile phones are so common these days that the next thing they ask you after your second name is your mobile number. We are so well connected these days that a person is just a phone call away.

What landline phones did untill a few years ago, mobile phones do now and with more efficiency. Phones in the early days identified a location while mobile phones today identify an individual. Landline phones are being restricted to official use.

The usage of texting in mobile phones has influenced our lives so much that missing out vowels in words is not a crime anymore. The primary idea of SMS is to leave a message. But SMS has evolved into conversations with excessive pauses in between without actually talking.

It is pretty clear that I intend to talk about something related to mobile phones. But the issue is too little by volume that I had to put together bits and pieces that are only remotely related to the topic. (:D)

It happened once that a friend of mine wanted me to inform him the moment I meet a mutual acquaintance. I happened to meet the person at a wedding and after a few minutes of casual chatting it occured to me that I could inform my friend. I wasted no time, excused myself and made a call. The number was not busy, but there was no answer. I tried one more time and this time I let it ring for as long as it could. No answer. I kept trying another few more times and then I gave up and resumed talking to the person.

We had a long chat and we discussed and joked about a few mutually interesting things. I learned that this person is the one my friend was supposed to meet for his job. And this person has a flight to catch the same night! It felt like it was I who needed that job badly. In no time my phone was out again and I kept calling my friend hoping he would realize the urgency.

It got late and the guests started leaving. I had to leave as well and I took one last look at my phone. I drove back home. A good sleep would help as I was a bit tired. After replying for my mails I went to bed. I put my phone to charge and tried to get some sleep.

My phone beeped and I took it to check my message. Then I thought I'd give him another call and hence I did. Just one ring and he picked it up. 'Hello, bro! Wassup?', he said. A bit confused I asked him if he was busy the whole day and whetherhe was aware of the fact that I tried to call him. 'Yeah man, I was just about to call ya back. 15 missed calls! Phew! Why'd ya give me so many missed calls ? A single missed call would have sufficed!'. I paused for a few seconds a pulled myself together. I knew it for certain that I need to choose my words here. But frustration overshadowed everything else and I came back with,' I didn't give you a missed call! I called and YOU MISSED IT!' and hung up.