I wonder who could be calling so late at night

As the shrill sound of the ringing phone

shakes me out of a deep slumber

And just as I reach out towards it – –

It falls silent.

leaving me with so many questions.

Could mother have suddenly taken ill?

Brother has only recently bought a scooter

Or could the nephew have gotten into a fight

In his hostel

Or have younger sister’s in-laws created yes another fracas?

All sorts of unholy thoughts crowd my mind.

“It could be just a wrong number”, says my wife impatiently.

I hope to God that it is so

And try to go back to sleep.

But one question keeps echoing in the mind,

“Who could’ve called so late at night?”