Thanks my friend

Surabhi continued to hear knocks on her door. After each knock she was hearing 'Replace'. Surbhi was petrified. She was trying to think what she should do next. Her phone was not working. Since 'something' was outside she was unable to leave her home. She felt as if she is trapped inside the four walls. She felt as if she was a prisoner in her own home.

The knocking on the door had become gentle. The noise to had started reducing. Surbhi felt as if the danger was about to get over. This thought gave her courage. She felt stronger. Now the knocking and the robotic voice had completely stopped. Surbhi stood in a complete silence. Then the door bell rang. Surbhi was feeling brave but she is still needed to be careful. She checked the security camera. She was relieved to see it was her neighbour Kavita.

Surbhi quickly opened the door. Kavita was standing just outside the door. Her eyes were glued to Surbhi's petrified face. As soon as Surbhi saw Kavita she could not hold back her tearrs. Surbhi spoke to Kavita while crying, "thanks my friend for being here. Strange things have been happening to me since last night. I was really scared. I felt like I am in an apocalyptic movie where machines take over mankind. But looking at you I feel I still have some hope".

Kavita was still standing in the doorway. Surbhi realised that she did not even invite her friend inside, "come on in Kavita. Please be seated. Let's talk a little bit so that I feel that I am back to normal". Kavita entered Surbhi's home as per her orders.

Surbhi found it little strange. Kavita was not only her friend but she always had a lot of stories to tell. Kavita used to call herself a 'chatterbox'. It was unusual to see Kavita being so quiet. Kavita quietly entered and sat at the sofa. Surbhi sat opposite her and asked her, "would you like a cup of coffee Kavita? I made myself a cup earlier but spilled it. I am going to brew the coffee again. Would you like a cup as well?" Kavita looked up at Surbhi and nodded, indicating that she would like to have coffee. Surbhi thought to herself that maybe Kavita was stressed and that is why she had not been speaking.
"Two coffees coming right up," Surbhi said while heading into the kitchen. Surabhi returned to the living room within 10 minutes carrying 2 mugss of freshly brewed coffee. Surprisingly Kavita had not moved from her seat and still had not spoken a single word. Surbhi was confident that the coffee was going to be the conversation starter.

Surbhi kept the mug on the table and asked Kavita to have the coffee. Kavita had now moved her attention on the coffee. She still had not spoken any word. She was staring at the coffee with a blank expression. Surbhi finally asked her friend, "Kavita are you okay? Is something bothering you? You have not spoken anything ever since you came here. The coffee is getting cold and you are not even having it. You are really getting me worried. If something is wrong you can definitely tell me. I will help you," Surbhi extended her hand and placed on Kavita's hand.

To Surbhi's surprise Kavita's hand was extremely cold. She felt as if she has touched a metal. Kavita looked up at Surbhi. Kavita said the word that made Surbhi scared again, "Replace".