"I am sorry to disturb you, Ash," said Priyanka in a quivering voice.
Ashma was up to her eyes in work. Her sketchbook and sketch pad tablet were open in front of her, and she was working on both of them simultaneously. She had a pencil in her chocolate brown hair, one pencil resting horizontally in her mouth, a stylus in one hand and was drawing on a sketchbook with the other.
She was surrounded by a lot of papers, three different sizes of rulers, curve scales, two different tape measures, a pencil bag that had colourful pencils as well as different grades of lead pencils, five adjustable dressmaker dummies and a various bunch of fabric patterns. The wall in front of her was covered with various drawings and photographs of dresses.
Without looking at Priyanka, she dropped the stylus and moved her palm towards her. She thought Priyanka brought her the files that had the latest theme that her company was working on. When even after a few minutes, her hand was empty, she took the pencil out of her mouth, looked up and stared at Priyanka, expressionless.
She noticed that Priyanka had no file or document in her hands instead she had a wireless landline phone.
"What? she asked indifferently.
A chill ran through Priyanka's spine. She was covered in goosebumps. She knew it was forbidden to bother Ashma when she was working on her designs. She gulped and with a shaky voice answered, "so… sorry to disturb you, but there is a… a persistent girl who has been calling for the past week and insists on talking to you."
"Did you ask her what she wanted to talk about?" she asked in a calm tone. Even her calm tone used to make people uncomfortable.
Priyanka gulped, again. "Believe me, a lot of people have asked her, but she says she will only talk to you."
She moved her fingers gesturing for her to hand over the phone.
"Hello!" Ashma spoke on the phone.
"Hi! Am I speaking with Ashma Dewan?" a chirpy voice pulsated through the phone. The girl's accent was different. Ashma removed the phone from her ears and looked at the caller ID. The number was from South Korea.
"Yes, this is she. How may I help you?" said Ashma.
"Hi! My name is Park Bong-Cha. I am so happy that I am finally talking to you. I have been calling you for days." She sounded excited. It appeared as if she was jumping with excitement, so even her voice was bouncy. Ashma could swear that there was another girl with her on phone but due to politeness she didn't bring up the topic.
"I am sorry you had to wait so long to reach me," said Ashma sweetly. Priyanka was amazed as to how Ashma could completely change her tone according to circumstances.
"No worries, I am just glad I am talking to you. I am a big fan," Bong-Cha practically was shrieking on the phone with happiness.
"Aaa... thanks. May I know what this is regarding?" inquired Ashma.
"I don't know how to tell you." There was a tone shift in Bong-Cha's voice.
"Try me. Tell me your requirements and I will try my best," assured Ashma.
"I don't think if you will be able to."
"I promise, whatever is your demand I can fulfil it if you can pay the right price. I just don't do wedding dresses."
"Don't worry my whole family will pay the price," mumbled Bong-Cha.
"Excuse me!" It was unclear what Bong-Cha just said.
"Here goes nothing. Miss Ashma, you have promised, now you cannot back out."
Ashma let out a faint chuckle and answered, "fine. Tell me what you want."
"WatIwntsaister," chimed Bong-Cha. She spoke so fast that none of the words was intelligible.
"Sorry? I couldn't hear you. Please speak up."
"What I want is a sister," said Bong-Cha cautiously.
"Excuse me!" shouted Ashma.
"The thing is… um… I am your sister, you are my sister, well, my half, half-sister and I need you as our father is very ill and his last wish is to see you." Very thoughtfully, Bong-Cha completed her sentence.
The phone dropped from Ashma's hands and landed on the carpet. Her eyes widened, her mouth was open, she was speechless. She kept staring at the front wall. She had no idea what to say or do, or how to react to this news.
Priyanka picked up the phone and spoke on it.
"Hello! Who are you?"
"Don't worry about me. Check if she is ok. I think I gave her a heart attack."