#direct inward dialing

[a1routes]

Enterprise SIP Trunking: How It Can Revolutionize Your Business Communication

In today’s fast-paced business world, effective communication is more important than ever. Companies need reliable, scalable, and cost-effective solutions to ensure seamless communication both internally and with their clients. One such solution that is rapidly gaining popularity is Enterprise SIP Trunking. This technology can revolutionize your business communication by offering numerous advantages, including flexibility, cost-efficiency, and scalability. For businesses in Hyderabad looking to modernize their communication infrastructure, enterprise SIP trunking is the way forward.

What is Enterprise SIP Trunking?

Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) trunking is a technology that allows businesses to connect their private branch exchange (PBX) systems to the internet using VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol). Enterprise SIP Trunking provides a virtual telephone line that can replace traditional telephone systems, enabling businesses to make and receive calls over the internet rather than using conventional phone lines. By using SIP trunks, enterprises can send voice, video, and data over a single connection, optimizing their communication infrastructure.

This technology is designed to be more scalable, cost-effective, and efficient than legacy telephone systems, making it an excellent choice for modern enterprises in Hyderabad looking to enhance their communication capabilities.

How Can Enterprise SIP Trunking Revolutionize Your Business Communication?

Cost Savings One of the most compelling reasons businesses are adopting enterprise SIP trunking is the significant cost savings it offers. Traditional phone systems often require businesses to maintain multiple lines, each with its own associated costs. SIP trunking allows businesses to consolidate their communication services into a single internet connection, eliminating the need for separate phone lines and reducing maintenance fees. For businesses in Hyderabad, where reducing operational costs is essential, SIP trunking provides a highly cost-effective alternative to traditional phone systems.

Scalability and Flexibility As your business grows, so do your communication needs. Enterprise SIP trunking offers unparalleled scalability and flexibility. With traditional phone systems, adding new lines or making adjustments often requires significant investments in infrastructure. SIP trunking, on the other hand, allows businesses to easily scale their services. Whether you’re opening new branches, adding more employees, or expanding into new markets, you can quickly increase or decrease your SIP trunk capacity with minimal hassle. This flexibility is particularly valuable for businesses in Hyderabad that are expanding and need a communication system that can grow with them.

Improved Call Quality and Reliability Enterprise SIP trunking offers superior call quality when compared to traditional phone lines. Using VoIP technology, SIP trunks provide high-definition voice quality, ensuring that communication is clear and reliable. Additionally, SIP trunking offers built-in redundancy, meaning that if one connection goes down, another can take over without affecting your service. This level of reliability is crucial for businesses in competitive markets like Hyderabad, where downtime can lead to lost opportunities and damage to customer relationships.

Simplified Communication Infrastructure With SIP trunking, businesses can unify their communication services, reducing the complexity of managing multiple systems. Instead of maintaining separate phone lines for voice, video, and data, enterprises can handle all of these services over a single SIP trunk. This streamlined approach simplifies the management of communication infrastructure, reduces the need for multiple vendors, and makes it easier to maintain and troubleshoot systems.

Enhanced Mobility and Remote Work Capabilities In today’s remote-first world, businesses need communication systems that support mobility. Enterprise SIP trunking offers the ability to work from anywhere, using any internet-enabled device, as long as employees have access to a reliable internet connection. This means your team can make and receive calls seamlessly, even while working remotely or traveling. This feature is especially important for businesses in Hyderabad that embrace remote work or have teams spread across different locations.

Why Choose A1 Routes for Enterprise SIP Trunking in Hyderabad?

When considering enterprise SIP trunking for your business, choosing the right provider is essential. A1 Routes is a leading provider of SIP trunking solutions in Hyderabad, offering businesses a reliable, cost-effective, and scalable communication system that meets the demands of modern enterprises. Here’s why A1 Routes stands out as your ideal partner for SIP trunking:

Tailored Solutions: A1 Routes offers customized SIP trunking solutions to fit the unique needs of your business, ensuring you get the most out of your investment.

Scalability: As your business grows, A1 Routes ensures that your SIP trunking capacity can easily scale to meet your expanding needs.

Reliability: With A1 Routes, you can rely on high-quality, uninterrupted service with built-in redundancy to ensure business continuity.

Cost-Effective Pricing: A1 Routes offers affordable pricing options without compromising on service quality, making SIP trunking accessible to businesses of all sizes.

Expert Support: A1 Routes provides 24/7 customer support, ensuring that you have the assistance you need whenever you need it.

For businesses in Hyderabad looking to enhance their communication infrastructure, A1 Routes offers the perfect enterprise SIP trunking solutions. Whether you're looking to reduce costs, improve call quality, or scale your communication system, A1 Routes has the expertise and technology to help.

To learn more about how enterprise SIP trunking can revolutionize your business communication, contact A1 Routes at 9246461828.

Conclusion

Enterprise SIP trunking is transforming the way businesses communicate, offering cost savings, scalability, reliability, and flexibility. By replacing traditional phone systems with SIP trunking, businesses can streamline their communication, improve call quality, and support remote work. For modern enterprises in Hyderabad, A1 Routes provides the tools and support necessary to implement SIP trunking seamlessly. If you want to optimize your communication infrastructure and stay competitive in today’s digital age, consider partnering with A1 Routes for your SIP trunking needs.

[voipminutes]

The Future of Customer Support: Cloud Call Center Services

In the fast-evolving business landscape, customer support remains a critical component of success. Traditional call centers, with their extensive on-premises infrastructure, have long been the backbone of customer service. However, with advancements in technology, cloud call center services are revolutionizing the way businesses manage customer interactions. This shift is not only enhancing operational efficiency but also significantly improving the customer experience.

What Are Cloud Call Center Solutions?

Cloud call center solutions are advanced systems that leverage cloud computing technology to manage customer interactions. Unlike traditional call centers that rely on physical hardware and servers, cloud-based call centers operate entirely over the internet. This shift to the cloud offers numerous advantages, such as scalability, flexibility, and cost-efficiency.

Key Benefits of Cloud Call Center Solutions

Scalability and Flexibility: Cloud call center solutions enable businesses to scale their operations up or down based on demand. This flexibility is particularly beneficial for companies with seasonal fluctuations in call volume. Whether you're a small business or a large enterprise, cloud solutions can be tailored to meet your specific needs.

Cost Efficiency: By eliminating the need for on-premises hardware and maintenance, cloud call centers significantly reduce operational costs. Businesses can save on expenses related to infrastructure, energy, and IT staff. Moreover, cloud-based call center solutions operate on a pay-as-you-go model, ensuring that you only pay for the resources you use.

Enhanced Accessibility: Cloud call centers provide agents with the ability to work from anywhere, as long as they have an internet connection. This remote capability not only improves work-life balance for employees but also ensures uninterrupted customer service, even in times of crisis or unexpected disruptions.

Advanced Features and Integration: Modern cloud call center solutions come equipped with a plethora of advanced features such as AI-powered analytics, real-time reporting, and integration with CRM systems. These features enable businesses to gain valuable insights into customer behavior, streamline workflows, and provide personalized support.

Cloud-Based Call Center Solutions in India

India, being a global hub for customer support services, has seen a rapid adoption of cloud-based call center solutions. The country’s vast pool of skilled professionals and the increasing demand for cost-effective solutions make it an ideal market for cloud call center services. Businesses in India are leveraging these solutions to enhance their customer support operations, achieve higher efficiency, and provide superior service to their clients.

One of the key advantages of adopting cloud-based call center solutions in India is the ability to cater to a diverse and widespread customer base. With cloud technology, businesses can establish virtual call centers across different regions without the need for physical infrastructure. This approach not only reduces costs but also ensures seamless service delivery across multiple geographies.

Choosing the Right Cloud Call Center Solution

When selecting a cloud call center solution, it's essential to consider factors such as reliability, security, and scalability. Look for providers that offer robust data protection measures, 24/7 support, and customizable features to meet your specific business needs. Additionally, ensure that the solution integrates seamlessly with your existing systems and workflows.

Conclusion

The transition to cloud call center solutions marks a significant step forward for businesses aiming to enhance their customer support services. By embracing cloud technology, companies can achieve greater flexibility, cost savings, and operational efficiency. In regions like India, where customer support is a critical industry, cloud-based call center solutions are paving the way for a more connected and responsive future.

Investing in a reliable and scalable cloud call center solution is not just a technological upgrade; it's a strategic move that can transform your customer service operations and set your business apart in a competitive market.

[voiptechsworld]

Choosing the Right Direct Inward Dialing Provider: Key Factors to Consider

Direct Inward Dialing (DID) is a powerful tool for businesses looking to streamline their communication systems and improve efficiency. However, selecting the right DID provider can be a daunting task with so many options available. Here are the key factors to consider when choosing a DID provider to ensure you make the best decision for your business.

1. Reliability and Uptime

Why It Matters: Reliable communication is crucial for any business. Frequent downtime can lead to missed calls, frustrated customers, and lost revenue. What to Look For: Check the provider’s uptime guarantees and read reviews to understand their reliability track record. Look for a provider that offers at least 99.99% uptime.

2. Coverage Area

Why It Matters: Depending on your business needs, you might require local, national, or international DID numbers. What to Look For: Ensure the provider offers DIDs in the regions where you need them. Some providers specialize in certain areas, while others offer global coverage.

3. Scalability

Why It Matters: As your business grows, your communication needs will evolve. What to Look For: Choose a provider that can easily scale with your business. This includes the ability to add new numbers, increase call capacity, and integrate with other systems as needed.

4. Pricing Structure

Why It Matters: Cost-effectiveness is crucial for maintaining a healthy bottom line. What to Look For: Compare pricing models, which can vary widely among providers. Consider setup fees, monthly fees, and per-minute rates. Look for transparent pricing with no hidden charges.

5. Features and Functionality

Why It Matters: Additional features can enhance your communication system and improve efficiency. What to Look For: Evaluate the features offered by the provider. Key features might include call forwarding, voicemail, SMS capabilities, call recording, and integration with CRM systems.

6. Customer Support

Why It Matters: Reliable customer support ensures that any issues are resolved quickly, minimizing disruption to your business. What to Look For: Look for providers that offer 24/7 customer support. Check reviews for feedback on their response times and the quality of their support services.

7. Security

Why It Matters: Protecting your communication systems from breaches is vital for maintaining privacy and compliance. What to Look For: Ensure the provider implements robust security measures, including encryption, fraud detection, and compliance with relevant regulations such as GDPR or HIPAA.

8. Ease of Integration

Why It Matters: Seamless integration with your existing systems can enhance efficiency and reduce the learning curve for your team. What to Look For: Verify that the DID provider supports integration with your current VoIP systems, CRM software, and other communication tools.

9. Quality of Service (QoS)

Why It Matters: High-quality voice and data transmission are essential for professional communication. What to Look For: Ask about the provider’s QoS protocols and how they ensure clear, uninterrupted calls. Look for features like bandwidth management and traffic prioritization.

10. Trial Period and Guarantees

Why It Matters: A trial period allows you to test the service before making a long-term commitment. What to Look For: Choose a provider that offers a free trial or a money-back guarantee. This gives you the opportunity to evaluate their service quality and suitability for your business needs.

Conclusion

Selecting the right Direct Inward Dialing provider involves careful consideration of various factors that impact reliability, cost, scalability, and overall functionality. By evaluating these key aspects, you can choose a provider that not only meets your current needs but also supports your business’s future growth and success.

[fonadain]

This infographic unveils the power of DID (Direct Inward Dialing) for businesses. It explains how DID bypasses menus, routes calls directly, and offers a professional image. Learn how DID improves customer experience, increases efficiency, and scales with your business.

[voiptech3245]

Integrating DID and TFN into Your VoIP System: A Comprehensive Guide

In today’s fast-paced business world, effective communication is crucial. Direct Inward Dialing (DID) and Toll-Free Numbers (TFN) can significantly enhance your VoIP system, making it easier for customers to reach you and for you to manage incoming calls. This guide will walk you through the basics of DID and TFN, their benefits, and how to integrate them into your VoIP system.

What is Direct Inward Dialing (DID)?direct inbound dialing

Direct Inward Dialing (DID) allows businesses to assign individual phone numbers to each employee or department without needing separate physical phone lines. This means customers can directly reach the person or department they need without going through a switchboard.

Benefits of DID:

Improved Customer Service: Customers can quickly connect with the right person or department.

Increased Efficiency: Calls are routed directly to the intended recipient, reducing wait times.

Enhanced Tracking: Monitor and analyze call patterns for better decision-making.

What are Toll-Free Numbers (TFN)?

Toll-Free Numbers are phone numbers that enable customers to contact a business at no cost to them.These numbers usually start with prefixes like 800, 888, or 877.

Benefits of TFN:

Expanded Reach: Customers across the country can call you for free.

Professional Image: Having a toll-free number enhances your business’s credibility.

Marketing Tool: Track the effectiveness of marketing campaigns by using different toll-free numbers for each campaign.

Integrating DID and TFN into Your VoIP System

Step 1: Choose a Reliable VoIP Provider

Your VoIP provider should offer robust support for both DID and TFN. Look for providers with a track record of reliable service and good customer support.

Step 2: Obtain Your DID and TFN Numbers

Contact your VoIP provider to obtain DID and TFN numbers. They will guide you through the selection process and help you choose numbers that fit your business needs.

Step 3: Configure Your VoIP System

Once you have your DID and TFN numbers, you’ll need to configure your VoIP system. Here’s how:

Assign DID Numbers: Allocate individual DID numbers to each employee or department. This can usually be done through your VoIP provider’s management portal.

Set Up Call Routing: Configure call routing rules to ensure calls to DID numbers reach the correct person or department. This can involve setting up call forwarding, automated attendants, or voicemail.

Integrate TFN: Link your toll-free numbers to your VoIP system. Set up call routing so that calls to these numbers are directed to the appropriate departments or individuals.

Step 4: Test Your System

Before going live, test your DID and TFN integrations to ensure they work correctly. Make test calls to verify that calls are being routed properly and that all features are functioning as expected.

Step 5: Monitor and Optimize

After integration, continuously monitor your system’s performance. Use analytics tools provided by your VoIP provider to track call volumes, durations, and other metrics. This data can help you optimize your call routing and improve customer service.

Conclusion

Integrating DID and TFN into your VoIP system can revolutionize your business communications. By providing direct access to employees and offering toll-free calling options, you enhance customer satisfaction and streamline your operations. Follow these steps to seamlessly integrate these features and take your business communication to the next level.

Ready to enhance your VoIP system with DID and TFN? Contact VoIPTech Solutions today and let us help you get started!

[i-dared-myself]

Idiot and Weirdo

Minho x reader

In which the freak that is your bandmate helps you through your period.

Cw: Periods (which are a totally normal thing and nothing to be ashamed of), passing out, and vomiting.

Periods are unexpected sometimes. For you, they’re so bad that you get incapacitated. So you rely on prescription medication that manages your periods. Keeps the pain to a minimum so you can continue with your life.

But things get busy. Life is hectic, and you can’t find the time to refill your medication. Eventually you forget entirely. Your little container is sitting in your medicine cabinet, completely empty. 

But it’s fine. It’s not like you even need it.

Until you do.

Until you’re curled up in the entryway to the dance studio, letting out short whimpers. You had barely walked up the stairs to the studio before collapsing.

The lights are out and it’s silent. You’re the only one here.

Sweat beads along your forehead, and you piece together the thoughts to promise yourself a refill of your medicine when you can. Or a hysterectomy.

The lights flick on, and the other members wander in. You’re surrounded by them, worried expressions and creased foreheads all directed at you.

Except Minho. He’s scrolling on his phone, walking past you to further inside the room. 

“Are you okay?” Chan demands, kneeling at your side. He brushes some of your hair away from your face, studying your expression.

“No,” you manage to grunt out. “I- Can I go home?”

“Of course.” Chan stands up and motions to Changbin, who immediately picks you up. You’re taken to the company van and driven to the dorms. They offer to stay with you, but you force them to leave.

They have to learn the new dance, and you know you can catch up later. You’ll be fine, just like every other person born with a uterus.

Except why does it feel like you’re dying? Why is your entire body trembling with the pain?

You’re slumped next to the toilet, clutching your phone to your chest. Do you call someone? But they’re busy…

You give in and call Chan, but he doesn’t pick up. You don’t bother to leave a voicemail and dial Felix next. You go through each of the members, save for Minho, before facing the harsh reality.

You’ll have to go to Minho for help.

He’s never exactly been your biggest fan. He isn’t outwardly unkind to you, nor is he openly hostile, but he doesn’t like you. It’s in the way that he looks at you. It’s obvious when he avoids touching you.

You text him instead of calling, not wanting to cry to him.

You: Hi, are the others busy?

Lee Minho: Yes.

You curl inwards as another set of cramps take over. It’s intense and spots dance in the front of your eyes.

You: Ok thank you. When they’re not busy can you tell them I need them? Just whoever’s there

The dreaded three dots appear, disappear, and return before a message pops up.

Lee Minho: K

You put your phone on the ground next to you and focus on breathing and not throwing up. You grab it again when it buzzes.

Lee Minho: Is it something I can help with?

You: I think I’m going to pass out. Tell Chan if he’s not too busy. Don’t worry him tho

You roll onto your side, trying to find a position that eases the agony you’re in. But nothing works. You just want a heating pad, but you lent yours to a friend and it hasn’t been returned yet.

Lee Minho: Omw 

You stare at the message for a moment. Is he actually coming? Why? Is he going to put you out of your misery?

You groan and go back to fetal position. 

You’re not sure of how much time passes before Minho comes. You’re fading in and out of consciousness.

“Where are you?” he yells from somewhere else. You rely with a weak sound and it only takes a minute for the bathroom door to push open.

“You don’t look so good,” Minho comments. He cocks his head at you. “What’s wrong?”

“Period,” you respond before getting to your knees and vomiting into the toilet. Your hair is gathered away from your clammy skin, and Minho hums gently.

“Is it always this bad?” he asks as he ties your hair with an elastic. 

You slump backwards against him, paying no mind to the way he tenses. “I forgot to fill my meds.”

Minho sighs heavily and drags you to your feet, arms looped under your armpits. “Brush your teeth.”

You blink blearily at his reflection in the mirror. Your brain is foggy. “What?”

“Brush your teeth,” he repeats. “Then I’ll get you to bed.”

You shake your head. “Nuh-uh. Can’t. Won’t.”

Minho tilts his head down at you inquiringly as he reaches for your toothbrush. “Why?”

“Might bleed on the sheets,” you murmur. You’re close to passing out again.

He runs the water over the bristles of your brush and deposits toothpaste on it. “So? I’ll do the laundry. Don’t worry about it.”

You take the toothbrush from him and brush your teeth before spitting into the sink. You wipe your mouth clean and let Minho support you to your bed. 

“You can go.” Your head is raised to he can slip a pillow under it. “I’m fine. I know you don’t want to be here.” 

Minho pauses, hands fisting your sheets halfway to your chest. “What? No. I’m staying, you idiot. You look terrible.”

Your head lolls to the side and your eyes flutter shut. “M’kay.”

The bed dips as Minho sits on the edge, hand pressing up to your forehead. “You don’t feel warm. I don’t know if you get period fevers, though. I have a penis.”

You lean into his touch, eyes peeking open to gaze at his face. His bottom lip is being worried by his teeth and his eyes have… concern in them? 

“I know you have a penis,” you bluntly say. “I’ve seen it.”

“You’ve seen my dick?” Minho demands, expression tightening. “When? Oh my- Are you some kind of pervert that stares through my walls!”

“No!” you exclaim, sitting up in the bed. “It’s- Jisung showed me a picture!”

Minho frowns, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Why does he have pictures of my dick?”

You shrug. “I dunno.” Another wave of cramps washes over you and you whimper, hiding your face from him. “He- He just had it.”

“Let me see your pussy,” Minho suddenly says. “To make us even.”

You stare at him, waiting for the pain to pass so that you can speak clearly. But even when it winds down, you still just gape at him. “What- I’m not- No. That’s a bad idea.”

Minho huffs. “It’s only fair. It doesn’t have to be now with all the blood at stuff. Later.”

“I’m not showing you my pussy!” You glare at him, wondering why Jisung has a picture of Mingi’s dick. “Just go home!”

Minho stands there for a moment. “No.”

“What? Go back to the studio and practise!” You grip a pillow and then throw it at him. It smacks him on the chest and he just narrows his eyes at you.

“You’re lucky you’re shedding your uterine lining right now,” Minho menacingly says. “Otherwise I would be suffocating you with that pillow.”

“Don’t discriminate!” you snap. “Come at me, bro!”

Then the pillow is being pressed over your face and you’re kicking and fighting for breath. This is your own fault, but you still blame him entirely. 

Minho lifts the weapon, scowling at you. “Get some rest. I’m going to go buy you some pads. And never call me bro again.”

“I don’t need pads.”

“I’m buying you pads.”

“Okay, well get the right size,” you relent. 

“Let me see your pussy so I know what size you are.” Minho crosses his arms, smiling smugly to himself. 

“Jeez, you’re a weirdo,” you murmur, shaking your head. Minho snorts before leaving your room, and you snuggle back into the bed. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You’re hungry. The cramps have faded enough that you’re left with the ravenous hunger that comes with periods. You force yourself out of bed with a grumble, kind of missing Minho as horrifying as that is.

You wander to the kitchen, open the fridge, and then your knees buckle beneath you. You collapse and barely avoid hitting your head on your counter. Everything goes black after that.

Then something is touching your face, and your eyes are fluttering open. Minho is glaring at you fiercely, muttering everything curse word you know, and then some.

“You idiot!” Minho grumbles when he notices you’re awake. He clasps your face with his hands, stroking your cheeks with his thumbs. “Are you okay? Why did you get out of bed? You fucking idiot!”

“I- I was hungry,” you quietly say. Minho adjusts you so that your head is cradled in his lap.

“I was buying you lunch, too!” Minho points to a grocery bag set on the counter. “You’re lucky I’m here, otherwise you’d be dead.”

“I’ve been fine the rest of my life, and I’ll still be fine by myself,” you argue, sitting up. Minho stretches his arms out around you in case you collapse again, but you shove him away as you stand. “Just go home.”

“No.” Minho scoops you up into his arms and marches back to your room. He drops you onto the bed, and you bounce ones before he pounces.

It’s a struggle for survival from there. You’re trying to get away, and Minho is attempting to swaddle you in the blankets tight enough that you can’t move. You get a couple good hits in on before he eventually overpowers you.

“I hate you,” you furiously mumble as he finishes tucking a corner of the sheets in. You look like a cocoon. 

“I’ll be back with lunch,” Minho tells you, patting you on the top of your head. When you try to bite his hand, he flicks your forehead before leaving.

You lay there, staring at the ceiling. The audacity of this man to just- To just…

To just take care of you. Is that what you’re so upset about?

Minho returns before you know it, carrying a plate. He’s made you a sandwich with chips on the side, along with fruits and vegetables.

“Eat your fucking vegetables,” he says as he puts the plate down on your nightstand.

“I would, if I could get out!” you spit. “You trapped me!”

Minho laughs. “Oh, right. I forgot about that.” Then he unravels you from your blanket prison. “Eat.”

You eat the meal he’s given you, ignoring his stare. As soon as you’re done, he whisks the empty plate away.

“Chan wants me back at the studio,” Minho tells you. “So are you ready?”

“Ready for you to leave? Yeah. Get out.” You motion to the door, already turning onto your side.

Minho throws you over his shoulder, but is gentle to avoid hurting you. You put up a fight as he basically kidnaps you from your own home, taking you to his car. Minho puts you in the backseat, using some kind of complex safety belt to keep you in place.

“What is this thing?” you demand as you try to get free. But the belt has some kind of magic or something, because you can’t loosen it or anything.

“That’s a childproof seatbelt,” Minho says from the driver’s seat, voice tinged with amusement. “I got it for… reasons.”

You stop moving and narrow your eyes at him suspiciously. “Are you kidnapping children?”

“No,” Minho answers. “Not children.”

You blink and then turn your head to look out the window. “I- I don’t even know what to say.”

You arrive at the studio before you know it, and Minho exits the vehicle. He walks around to the back, opening the car door. “Are you going to behave?”

“No,” you reply, trying to undo the seatbelt again. “I’m gonna tell Chan that you kidnapped me!”

“I’m taking care of you!” Minho crosses his arms, levelling you with a threatening look. “Either you behave, or I leave you in the car.”

You go limp, and he smirks with victory. He unbuckles you and carries you inside, even though you’re perfectly capable of walking. All of your protests are promptly ignored, and Minho brings you inside the building.

The staff give you concerned looks, but Minho just continued onward. You reach the dance studio and the group all waves.

“Are you feeling better?” Felix worriedly asks you.

“Yeah, but Minho-” You’re cut off by Minho’s hand over your mouth. 

“But Minho what?” Chan questions, raising an eyebrow.

“Minho took care of our sweet, menstruating member,” Minho firmly says. “That’s it.”

“Menstruating?” Jeongin repeats. “That’s why you went home? Aw, are you okay?”

“Yeah, it gets pretty bad,” Minho answers for you. “But I took care of her.”

Changbin and Seungmin exchange knowing looks. You wonder what that’s about before Minho places you back on the ground.

“Stay here,” Minho orders. “If I see you try to stand or anything, I’ll give everything in your house childproof features.”

“Fine,” you reluctantly agree. You lean against the wall, shutting your eyes.

Jisung sits next to you, grinning. “So do periods make you horny?”

“Jisung!” Hyunjin scolds. “You don’t just ask that!”

“Um, I’m kinda just in too much pain to want sex,” you tell Jisung. 

“Okay, but if you were to fuck one of us, who would it be?” Jisung asks. “Like, who’s the hottest?”

Minho hovers nearby, gaze surprisingly interested. He doesn’t say anything, though. He just watches.

You’ve never really thought about it, so you just shrug. “I don’t know. Haven’t considered it.”

“Come on!” Seungmin goads, eyes flicking to Minho. “Who is it?”

“Uh…” You say the first name that comes to mind, since you had been looking at him. “Chan.”

Everyone cheers and claps Chan on the back, who just grumbles and tells them to get back to practising. Minho approaches you, scowling.

Minho looks you in the eyes. “Stay away from Chan. He’s a whore.”

You blink in surprise. “Yeah, I’m not actually going to fuck him. I just saw him and said his name.”

“Okay.” Minho rolls his tongue against the inside of his cheek. “But Chan’s a slut. Stay away from him.”

You snort out a laugh, shaking your head. “Go practise.”

Minho joins the group and falls into place for the choreography. It goes well and they take a water break, in which Hyunjin sits next to you.

“So… Weird day?” Hyunjin inquires. 

“I guess.” You fiddle with your fingers, bored and uninterested. “Minho was fine. He’s pretty rude, though.”

Hyunjin hums, watching said rude man. “That’s his way of caring, you know. He doesn’t like to seem soft.”

“What? No, he’s just a weirdo.” You shake your head, looking to Minho. “A weird man who’s obsessed with his cats.”

“And you,” Hyunjin softly says. “He’s been totally obsessed with you. Haven’t you noticed how oddly he acts around you? He’s so whipped for you.”

“No, you’re lying- He’s not…” You shit your mouth, remembering all the times he’s cared for the members in his own way. And it’s true that as soon as he notices you’re in a room, his behaviour completely changes. “Oh, you’re right.”

Hyunjin gets to his feet, smiling at you. “We’re almost done, and then you should ask him out.”

And so when the practise finished and Minho walks over to take you home, you skirt out of his grasp.

“I was actually going to go with Chan,” you casually say. “I’m hungry and I think he was going out for food so I was-“

“I’m hungry,” Minho interrupts. “Don’t go with the whore, come with me.”

“Uh, I’m not sure. Chan-“ 

Minho takes you in his arms again, whisking you away from the studio before you can say anything else about chan. This time, however, you get to be in the passenger’s seat.

Minho buys you dinner to go and brings it to your place. You sit on your couch together and eat, watching some random anime.

“What time should I pick you up tomorrow?” Minho suddenly asks, standing up once he’s done eating.

“What? Why?” You chew carefully, studying him. 

“For our date.” Minho rolls his eyes. “Idiot.”

“Um, we have a date?” Your eyebrows shoot up. “I would’ve liked to know that.”

“So what time am I picking you up?” Minho impatiently asks. 

“Six,” you answer. “Bring me flowers.”

“Deal.” Minho leans down to kiss your forehead, a gesture so soft that it throws you off guard. “Now go get some sleep.”

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@velvetmoonlght @jinnie-ret @hansmic @imeverycliche @iwuberic @lezleeferguson-120 @strawberryscentedd @mbioooo0000

[clarepreed]

Water

Story Summary and Content - 4,921 words. Natalie finds her wife drowned in the bath. Drowning, heart attack, two victims, on-site resuscitation. 🏳️‍🌈

--

“Hey, love, dinner’s almost ready!” Natalie called through the bathroom door. “Don’t bother getting dressed, just throw a robe on! Or not…”

She couldn’t hear a response over the bathroom fan, but a timer went off in the kitchen, drawing her attention away. Natalie hurried into the kitchen and pulled the main course from the oven to let it rest for a few minutes.

Then she headed back toward the primary bathroom, stopping in the hall to look at herself in the mirror. Her hair was in place, and she was relieved to see that her skin hadn’t gone shiny from the heat in the kitchen.

Pleased, she made her way through their bedroom and knocked on the bathroom door again. “Did you hear me? Time for dinner!”

Silence, made more profound when she realized the bathroom fan wasn’t actually running.

“Love? Rachel? Are you okay?” She knocked one more time, and then reached down to try the doorknob. 

The door swung inward, and she heard a few drops of water splash from the faucet into the tub.

“Rachel?”

She didn’t see her until she got halfway into the bathroom. Rachel lay naked at the bottom of the wide whirlpool tub, her hair a ginger cloud around her face. Her skin looked deathly pale, and Natalie could see her eyes half open and staring into nothing.

She froze for several seconds, not comprehending what she was seeing, expecting Rachel to sit up in the tub and dash the water from her eyes. Natalie worked as a part time lifeguard over summers, but this situation was so out of context her mind briefly betrayed her, leaving her to stand in the doorway with her mouth agape.

Realization hit her hard, and a strangled cry tore out of her as she dove toward the tub, striking her knees hard on the bathroom tile. She plunged her arms into the water, heedless of her dry clothing, dragging Rachel closer to the side and hauling her up by the shoulders.

“RACHEL! RACHEL! What happened?!” Her wife’s head lolled back, eyes slipping closed and water streaming from her hair and her mouth. Natalie cradled her, one hand resting on her chest, her ear hovering above Rachel’s lips. 

As she’d feared, Rachel’s lungs were still, so she sealed her wife’s mouth with her hand and took a deep breath. She covered Rachel’s nose with her mouth, giving her five quick rescue breaths. The breaths required some force before her chest rose. After the fifth, Natalie moved her hand back to Rachel’s chest and listened for breath. Rachel lay limp in her arms, unmoving.

“Come on, love! I’ve got you…” Natalie maneuvered Rachel around so she could slide her arms underneath her wife’s. Then she stood, heaving Rachel bodily from the water. She staggered backward, dragging Rachel over the lip of the tub. Faltering, she slipped in the water on the floor and went down hard, carrying Rachel with her.

She managed to direct herself sideways as she fell, avoiding the bathroom vanity but landing hard on the tile, Rachel’s torso clutched against her chest. Her wife’s head clocked her on the chin, and she cried out, stars exploding in front of her eyes. 

She lay there stunned for a few seconds before her brain kicked back into gear. Grunting, she wriggled out from under Rachel’s dead weight.

“Come on, Rachel, please let your heart be beating! Please, please…” Natalie pressed two fingers of her right hand to her wife’s neck and two fingers of her left to her wrist, waiting. Ten seconds crawled by, and she felt no reassuring pulse against her fingers. 

“No, no, oh no…. Fucking phone is in the kitchen…” she muttered, crawling away from her wife’s body and staggering to her feet. Tearing through the house, she found her phone in the kitchen and then darted into the living room to unlock the front door. She dialed 9-1-1, sprinting back to the bathroom as the phone rang. Rachel was still sprawled lifeless on the floor, her wet hair in tangled ropes, freckled skin turning the shade of sour milk. 

“9-1-1, what’s your emergency?”

“My wife drowned in our bathtub! She has no breathing or circulation. I’m starting CPR!”

The phone hit the tile with a clatter next to Rachel’s head and Natalie kneeled beside her, her hands clasping together and pressing between her wife’s large breasts.

“One, two, three…” Rachel’s head fell to the side, and Natalie heard a gurgling sound accompanied by a trickle of water.

“What’s your name and location?”

“Natalie Miller, her name is Rachel, 1442 Southwest Main… eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen…”

It was hard to listen to the operator, answer, and count at the same time. Natalie tried to direct most of her focus toward compressing Rachel’s chest, her thrusts making her wife’s breasts bounce and the soft flesh of her belly ripple. Her stomach was distended with water. Foam bubbled up in her nose and mouth, leaking down the side of her face.

Natalie quickly leaned over, pinched Rachel’s nose, and sealed her mouth over hers.

“Ma’am? What is happening with the patient right now?”

She gave her another breath, and started compressions again before saying: “I’m giving her CPR. I’m a certified lifeguard and I’ve already verified she isn’t breathing and doesn’t have a pulse!”

She made herself take a deep breath and resumed counting. “… ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen…” 

“Do you know what caused her to lose consciousness?”

“No! Twenty-two, twenty-three, twenty-four, twenty-five, twenty-six, twenty-seven, twenty-eight—” Water and foam erupted from Rachel’s mouth and Natalie grabbed her shoulder and her hip, rolling her onto her side so the liquid drained onto the floor. She moved her hand from Rachel’s shoulder to her neck to verify she still had no pulse. She didn’t.

“How long until the ambulance gets here?!” she shouted, laying Rachel onto her back. She sealed her mouth over her wife’s and gave her two deep, lung-inflating breaths.

“Twelve minutes to your location, but I have a deputy that will be there sooner.”

“That’s too fucking long! One, two, three, four…” More foam trickled from Rachel’s mouth, and she made a gurgling noise with each compression. The skin between her breasts was turning red. “…thirteen, fourteen, fifteen…”

“I understand, ma’am. Please remain calm and continue chest compressions.”

“…twenty-three, twenty-four, twenty-five, twenty-six, twenty-seven, twenty-eight, twenty-nine, thirty!” She tipped Rachel’s head back and breathed for her, her head turning to watch Rachel’s breasts rise and fall. Her mouth pressed again over her wife’s cooling lips and she blew hard.

“One, two, three, four, five…” Rachel’s shoulders twitched and her abdomen bulged with each forceful compression. The quiet squelching noise from her throat continued, with additional water trickling from her mouth as her head lolled. Her feet rocked, painted toenails swaying. “…twenty-four, twenty-five, twenty-six, twenty-seven, twenty-eight, twenty-nine, thirty!”

She moved back to Rachel’s head and opened her airway, giving her another two breaths. Rachel vomited again after the second, water splattering the floor as Natalie hauled her limp body onto her side. She swept her finger between Rachel’s teeth to reassure she hadn’t vomited up anything solid.

Then she laid Rachel flat again and pressed her hands to her wife’s reddening sternum. “One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten…” 

Her fingers brushed Rachel’s wobbling breast as she thrust her hands down. The sounds coming out of Rachel were disturbing; cracking and creaking from her ribcage, and the wet sound of her lungs and stomach with each compression. Natalie briefly closed her eyes.

Don’t think. Don’t think.

“…nineteen, twenty…”

“Will EMS be able to get into the house?”

“The front door is unlocked! Twenty-seven, twenty-eight, twenty-nine, thirty!” Natalie hunched over, breathing into her wife. Rachel’s cheeks puffed and her chest rose, fell, then rose again.

Natalie’s arms were burning. She shook them out and took a moment to check Rachel’s pulse, her fingers plunging into the pale skin of her neck. She waited ten long, agonizing seconds.

“Still no pulse!” she called out. Then she swung her leg over Rachel’s body, straddling her. She clasped her hands over the redhead’s sternum again and rocked her shoulders forward, trying to put some of her weight behind the thrusting motion.

“…four, five, six, seven, eight…”

“The deputy is two minutes out and will provide assistance.”

“…fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, twenty, twenty-one, twenty-two, twenty-three, twenty-four, twenty-five, twenty-six, twenty-seven, twenty-eight, twenty-nine, thirty!” Natalie draped her body over Rachel’s, tipping her head back and pinching her nose. The angle of their mouths was more like a kiss, but she was still able to force her breath into her. Rachel’s chest rose, her breasts brushing Natalie’s with each breath.

“One, two, three…” Compressions at this angle made Rachel’s breasts jiggle harder. Natalie put one of her feet on the floor, rising up over her wife and driving her shoulders down hard with each compression. She was gasping, both from exertion and from the panic that she was struggling to contain. “…twenty-six, twenty-seven, twenty-eight, twenty-nine, thirty!”

She continued for three more cycles, foam still oozing from Rachel’s mouth. She blew air in through the foam and heard a man call out: “Hello! Sheriff’s Department! Natalie Miller?!”

“In the back bedroom!” she screamed, before giving Rachel another breath.

“One, two, three…”

Less than a minute later, she heard someone running and a male deputy burst into the bathroom. He took in the sight of Natalie straddling her wife, clasped hands forcing puffs of air and spurts of water from her lungs and stomach. Rachel’s head lolled to the side again, her slack face gray, lips blue.

“Ma’am, I can help. I understand she drowned in the bath?” He crouched next to Rachel, a pocket mask in hand. He slipped the elastic over Rachel’s wet hair and pressed the mask to her face before tilting her head back, opening her airway and exposing her neck.

“Yes!” Natalie gasped. Sweat was trickling down her face, though she felt cold. “I need to switch off!”

The deputy crawled around to Rachel’s side, careful to avoid planting his knee in her hair. “I’m going to check her pulse, ma’am, and then I’ll take over compressions.”

Natalie climbed off Rachel and watched while the deputy pressed his fingers into her wife’s carotid pulse point. She counted the seconds out involuntarily in her head, and when he reached ten, she sagged, watching as he bent over Rachel, interlocked his fingers, and started performing hard and fast compressions.

“One, two, three…” Rachel’s breasts and stomach wobbled rhythmically with each compression, and her nipples were erect, standing out in the center of each large areola. The skin there had changed color, her moon pale skin gone dusky. The deputy’s gloved fingers brushed the side of Rachel’s breast with each pump of her chest.

“…twenty-four, twenty-five, twenty-six…”

“If the deputy is on scene, I will disconnect,” the operator said over the speaker.

“They’re here,” Natalie managed, still breathing hard.

“Breathe!” the deputy called out, and Natalie sucked in a lungful of air and bent over, her lips wrapping around the valve before she exhaled, making Rachel’s motionless chest rise. She released the seal and then gave her wife another breath.

“One, two, three…”

The deputy working on Rachel’s chest made compressions look easy, her ribcage giving under his rhythmic assault. Foam bubbled up into the pocket mask. Rachel’s breasts and stomach continued to shake with each thrust, the ripples of motion extending into her shoulders and down to her toes. Her head would have wobbled, but Natalie was keeping it steady, holding her airway open. The position made her look even more vulnerable.

“…twenty, twenty-one, twenty-two, twenty-three, twenty-four…”

“Her name is Rachel,” Natalie whispered, a tear sliding down her cheek. “She’s my wife.”

“…twenty-eight, twenty-nine, thirty!”

Natalie blew into the mask, making Rachel’s chest heave once, twice.

Compressions started again.

“One, two, three, four, five…”

Foam built up in the mask, escaping the top of the valve. Natalie pulled it away from Rachel’s face and then turned her wife’s head to the side, wiping the foam from her face and then sweeping a finger between her teeth.

“…twenty-one, twenty-two, twenty-three, twenty-four…”

She heard radio chatter that she didn’t understand, and then the deputy said: “Ambulance ETA is seven minutes.” 

Natalie felt a spasm of pain in her chest as she replaced the mask, opened Rachel’s airway, and forced another two breaths into her. Why do we live in the fucking country?!

“Pulse check,” the deputy called out, leaning over to press his fingers underneath Rachel’s jaw.

“Please, love,” Natalie begged. “Just hang on!”

“No pulse. Continuing compressions. One, two, three, four, five…”

One of Rachel’s knees was bent just enough so that her thighs were spread, and Natalie could see the neatly trimmed triangle of hair between them. She stared for several seconds, feeling embarrassed for her even though she knew Rachel was beyond caring. 

Natalie reached up to pluck a bath towel off the rack and draped it over Rachel’s lower half.

“…thirty!”

Rachel vomited water again, and Natalie pulled the mask off and helped the deputy roll her on her side, her fingers plunging into the delicate skin of Rachel’s neck. The artery beneath her fingers was still. She shook her head, and they rolled Rachel onto her back. Natalie pressed the mask to her face, reopened her airway, and gave her two breaths 

“One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven…”

Natalie didn’t want to distract the deputy, but she felt like a stream of begging and bargaining was about to pour out of her. She took a deep breath and made herself useful by turning Rachel’s wrist over and pressing her fingers to the pulse point. She kept them there briefly, monitoring the effectiveness of the deputy’s compressions.

Natalie could feel the pulse of those compressions, faint and fast against her fingertips.

She dropped Rachel’s wrist and gave her wife another two breaths.

The deputy resumed his forceful thrusts into Rachel’s sternum.

“After this set, switch! One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine…” The squelching, gurgling sound was still coming from Rachel’s mouth, albeit muted slightly by the mask. Her skin had gone even grayer, and it seems like her eyes were sunk in, the skin of her lids stained with lavender.

“…twenty-four, twenty-five, twenty-six, twenty-seven, twenty-eight, twenty-nine, thirty! Switch!” 

  Natalie scooted down and swung her leg over Rachel’s senseless body, straddling her in an effort to counteract the shakiness in her arms. The deputy slipped the mask elastic back over Rachel’s head and gave her two breaths.

“One, two, three…” Rachel’s ribcage felt stiff beneath Natalie’s tired arms, but she forced her own weight into her hands. If she looked far enough back toward her legs, she could see the bottom of Rachel’s ribcage bobbing up and down with each compression. Rachel’s breasts swayed as she thrust, her shoulders jerking in time with Natalie’s hands.

Rachel’s neck was hyper-extended, and the deputy had his big hands on either side of her head. Her bluing lips were obscured by the mask.

Natalie hit thirty and paused compressions, watching as the deputy blew two more breaths into her wife. She felt the movement in Rachel’s chest beneath her, the artificial rise and fall. The flow of foam and spurts of water were greatly reduced now, though she could still see some foam in the mask.

“One, two, three…” She concentrated on the quality of her compressions, even as she heard the deputy speaking to someone over his radio. Rachel’s skin was cooling underneath her hands. She could feel bone and cartilage responding to her assault, forcing Rachel’s sternum toward her heart “…sixteen, seventeen, eighteen…”

“The front door is open,” the deputy said. “When they get here, they know to come—”

“Natalie? Rachel? Is everything okay?” The voice booming from her front door belonged to her neighbor, Jim. They got along surprisingly well, considering Jim was a Baptist pastor living next door to a couple of lesbians. But she didn’t have time for him now.

“…thirty!”

The deputy gave Rachel two more breaths.

“Natalie? Rachel? I see the deputy’s car, but…”

“We’re in the back!” The deputy called, explaining: “He may be able to assist.”

Natalie shifted her position, planting one foot on the floor again to help her put more strength into her compressions. “…two, three, four…”

That’s how Jim found them, the deputy kneeling at Rachel’s head, Natalie crouched over her naked wife, hands pumping rhythmically between Rachel’s ample breasts.

“Dear God!” he spluttered, “What—”

“Unit five-seven—”

“…twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen…”

Jim crouched beside them. Natalie could hear a lot of back-and-forth conversation between the deputy and the dispatcher, and then the deputy said: “…um… The ambulance has been in an accident. Another has been dispatched, but it’s twenty minutes out.”

Pain blossomed in the center of Natalie’s chest, traveling into her jaw. She gasped, her compressions faltering for several seconds before she shook her head and started pumping her wife’s chest again. “Fuck! Twenty-four, twenty-five, twenty-six, twenty-seven, twenty-eight, twenty-nine, thirty!”

“I have an AED!” Jim burst out, clambering to his feet as the deputy forced another breath into Rachel. “For Julie’s heart arrhythmia, just in case! I’LL BE RIGHT BACK!”

Neither the deputy nor Natalie spoke as her neighbor ran from the room. Natalie knew, and presumed that the deputy knew as well, that at this point an AED would not be of much use without ACLS medication that the paramedics would have had access to. The knowledge curdled her stomach.

“Switch after this cycle,” the deputy said, eyeing her. Natalie was putting everything she had into compressions, even with the news they’d just gotten, and she was beginning to gasp for air.

When she reached thirty and climbed off, her eyes trailed over the mottled bruise between Rachel’s breasts. She leaned over and gave her wife two deep breaths, feeling lightheaded when she came back up.

“One, two, three, four, five…” If the deputy was disheartened, she couldn’t tell by his compressions. They were forceful and fast, making her entire body rock. “…thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen…”

Natalie kneeled at Rachel’s head, her hands on either side of her face, keeping her head tipped back. She ran her thumbs across Rachel’s cool cheeks. The pain and pressure in her chest had spread, sending spasms down into her lower back and up into her throat. 

“…twenty-seven, twenty-eight, twenty-nine, thirty!”

Natalie bent to give Rachel air, but by now she was short of breath, and blowing a lungful of air into her wife made her lightheaded.

“Are you okay?” the deputy asked. 

He didn’t wait for her to give Rachel a second breath, opting instead to restart compressions. “One, two, three, four, ma’am? Natalie?”

Natalie was gasping now. The pressure in her chest threatened to suffocate her. She sucked in a breath, then another, hyperventilating.

“Don’t stop,” she wheezed, sitting down hard on her ass. 

“…twenty-two, twenty-three, twenty-four, twenty-five, twenty-six, twenty-seven, twenty-eight, twenty-nine, thirty!” The deputy leaned over and blew into Rachel himself, twice, then pressed a button on his radio and started speaking. 

Natalie’s hearing was going in and out, muffled by the pounding of her heart in her ears and the roar of her gasping breath. Grief settled painfully between her shoulder blades. She felt tears streaming down her face, heard the deputy say something about a “second victim.”

He continued compressions with a loud crack that made Natalie flinch. Rachel’s skin looked bloodless, her freckles almost black against the whiteness of her flesh.

Footsteps pounded down the hallway, and then Jim was back, the promised AED in hand. He dropped down next to Rachel’s lifeless body and opened the case, which powered on the device as soon as the lid was lifted.

Jim glanced at Natalie, frowned, but quickly looked back down at the AED. He pulled out the pads, looking at them to determine which one went where. The deputy hit thirty compressions and reached for the towel draped over Rachel’s lower half, quickly using it to blot away any remaining moisture from her chest before setting it to the side. 

“Apply pads! Plug in the connector!”

The men worked quickly, the deputy giving Rachel two breaths as Jim peeled off the paper backing and applied one pad above Rachel’s left breasts and the other below her right. Then he plugged in the yellow connector.

“Analyzing rhythm. Stay clear! Do not touch the patient.”

“Ma’am,” the deputy said, turning to her. He looked concerned. “Natalie. Can you breathe?”

“Do not touch the patient.”

Natalie shook her head. The pain was traveling down her left arm now, and she felt like someone was pressing the air out of her lungs.

“Can you perform chest compressions when asked?” the deputy asked, looking back at Jim.

“No shock advised. Perform five cycles of CPR.”

“Yes! On it!” the older man shouted. He leaned his weight into Rachel’s sternum and began pumping up and down, forcing Rachel’s blood to circulate as her sternum compressed her heart. “One, two, three…”

The deputy took Natalie’s wrist, pressing two of his fingers into the soft skin there. “Just breathe for me, alright? In and out, in and out.”

“…ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen…”

Natalie sucked in a breath, coughed, sucked in another. “Can’t… can’t…”

“Don’t—talk—breathe!” She only caught every other word he was saying. Panic, grief, anger, and disappointment rolled over her in waves. 

“Rachel…” she groaned.

The deputy turned away to breathe for Rachel. When he was finished, he got up and grabbed Natalie under the arms, dragging her back and propping her up against the side of the tub. Her head lolled back against her will, and she realized the room was spinning around her. 

She heard Jim counting, her own ragged breathing, the calming words of the deputy.

Then she heard: “Shock advised. Charging. Do not touch the patient!” Surprise filtered through her, and she struggled to stay conscious as black spots crowded her vision.

An alarm pierced the air. “Press the shock button! Do not touch the patient. Everyone stand clear! Press the—”

Rachel’s body jerked, and a few seconds later she heard: “Shock delivered—five cycles-CPR!”

“I’m good—round,” Jim shouted, moving forward to pound on Rachel’s chest. From this angle, she could see Rachel’s breasts shaking, her stomach rippling from the force.

The deputy leaned close again, this time pressing his fingers into her throat. “…chest pains?”

“Yes,” she wheezed. The top of her head threatened to come off. The deputy patted her on the cheek, then rest his hand on her heaving chest.

I’m coming with you, love.

The pain intensified. Natalie’s back arched. She could not draw breath.

Wait for me. I’m coming.

She could see the deputy shouting something into her face before she sank into darkness.

I’m coming. Wait for me.

Rachel

Rachel woke with a jerk, water spraying out of her mouth as she coughed. She felt something on her face, though that was quickly wrenched off when she started gagging. That same person heaved her onto her side and gripped her chin as she vomited up more water and bile.

“…that got her!” a man exclaimed. “We got her back! She’s breathing! Rachel?!”

Is that… Jim? she thought, confused.

She felt terrible. She couldn’t stop coughing, and mucus was clogging her sinuses and running out of her nose. She had a deep, aching pain in her chest. She was also freezing, and felt someone cover her naked body with a towel as she laid there, shivering.

Naked?

She opened her eyes. Everything was blurry, and she blinked rapidly, trying to clear her vision.

“…help me with Natalie! One, two, three…”

Natalie. Rachel blinked again, and the blur of shapes and colors coalesced into something that would have been recognizable if it hadn’t been so incongruous.

Natalie lay close by, sprawled on her back, totally limp while an unfamiliar sheriff’s deputy gave her forceful chest compressions.

“…twenty-four, twenty-five, twenty-six, twenty-seven—is there another set of pads?!”

“Yes!” Jim shouted. “Wait… those are for children… No, okay, I’ve got a second set of adult pads!”

“Get those ready!” The deputy leaned over and pinched Natalie’s nose before sealing his mouth to hers. Natalie’s chest rose, sank, then rose again.

“What?” Rachel croaked, coughing. Breathing was difficult, and it felt like her heartbeat was skipping around. She clutched at her chest, fingers brushing against the pads stuck there and the leads trailing off them.

Jim leaned over Natalie with a pair of shears, snipping quickly through her shirt and bra. The deputy pushed the fabric aside to expose her chest and resumed compressions.

“Plug in connector!”

Rachel stared, watching as her wife’s abdomen bulged and her breasts wobbled. Her head tipped to the side, face falling toward Rachel. Her wife’s skin was ashen, her lips blue. Worst of all, her eyes were open and staring.

“Analyzing rhythm. Stand clear. Do not touch the patient.”

Rachel started coughing again, her mind whirling as she struggled to breathe. “Wha��� what…?”

What happened? What happened to her? What happened to me?”

“Stand clear, do not touch the patient.”

“Take slow breaths,” the deputy called out. “You’re okay!”

“Shock advised! Charging! Do not touch the patient!”

“Nat…”

Jim moved out of the way, just as the AED sounded an alarm and said: “Press the shock button. Stand clear! Do not touch the patient. Press the-”

Natalie’s body jerked.

“Shock delivered. Perform five cycles of CPR.”

The deputy started chest compressions again. Natalie’s entire body rocked with each powerful compression. “…four, five, six, seven…”

“There’s still an ambulance coming, right?” asked Jim.

“…twelve… Last ETA was four minutes ago, ambulance expected in ten… twenty, twenty-one, twenty-two…”

Jim turned Natalie’s face to the ceiling, swept her dark hair out of her face. She watched him slip an elastic band over Natalie’s head and press a mask to her face. When the deputy paused compressions, Jim leaned over and wrapped his lips around the valve and blew a deep, chest-rising breath into Natalie.

“Rachel, I’m Deputy Morales. You had an accident in the bath. The ambulance will be here in five or six minutes. Please, try to stay calm.”

Rachel wasn’t sure how she was supposed to do that, not when as soon as he stopped talking, he was giving her wife chest compressions again. She forced herself up onto one elbow, her entire body trembling. “Jim, what…happened…to Natalie?”

The older man looked stressed and sad, crouched by Natalie’s head and ready to give her breaths. “I think she might have had a heart attack, Rachel. But I don’t know for sure.”

A wet, rattling coughed wracked her body, and she felt tears welling in her eyes. 

This has to be a nightmare. It doesn’t make any sense.

“…thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen…”

She rolled onto her back, trying to catch her breath. She couldn’t see Natalie as easily that way, but the burn and ache in her lungs took precedence. Sliding her arms along the floor, she curled them over head, trying to relieve the pressure as she coughed and wheezed.

“How are you doing over there, Rachel?” she heard the deputy ask.

“Oh-k-kay,” she wheezed and stammered, not wanting to distract them from Natalie. She was shivering so hard her teeth chattered.

“One, two, three, four, five… Jim, you good to switch after the next AED cycle?”

“Yes, sir.” She heard Jim stand and saw his legs hurry past. He was back in the room in a few seconds, having dragged the comforter off the bed that she shared with Natalie. He laid it over top of her and then quickly dropped down next to Natalie to give her breaths.

Rachel’s heart was flying in her chest, from fear and discomfort and whatever had just happened to her. 

“One, two, three, four…”

Rachel craned her neck, trying to look at Natalie’s face again. Her eyes skimmed her body, taking in her rocking feet and bulging abdomen, her wobbling breasts and popping shoulders. Her eyes were still open, though Jim was holding her head straight now.

“…twenty, twenty-one, twenty-two, twenty-three, twenty-four, twenty-five, twenty-six…” The deputy was sweating, and when the AED chimed in again he sagged back in relief.

“Analyzing rhythm, do not touch the patient!” Jim and the deputy leaned away from her, and Natalie’s head dropped back to the side. Her gaze stared through Rachel. “Analyzing rhythm, do not touch the patient.”

“Shock advised. Charging.”

“Please, Nat,” Rachel whispered.

The alarm sounded. “Press the shock button. Do not touch the patient. Everyone stand clear. Press the shock button.”

There was a small sound and Natalie’s body jumped. The deputy put pressed his fingers into her wife’s neck.

“Shock delivered.”

The first thing Rachel noticed was Natalie’s eyes. They were closed. Then the deputy almost shouted: “Got a pulse! She’s got a pulse!”

Natalie’s chest heaved. Once, twice. Her beautiful amber eyes opened again, and this time Rachel could tell she was present, if disoriented.

Her wife’s gaze landed on her own, and Rachel saw the pace of her breathing increase, her throat working. 

“Hey…” Rachel gasped out, coughing. “I see…you.”

Rachel heard the deputy say something over the radio, but her attention stayed with her wife. She watched as Natalie slid her hand across the tile, her motions weak but determined. Rachel met her halfway, their cold fingers interlocking.

“I…love…you….”

“Love you, too.”

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Improved Customer Experience One of the key reasons why direct inward dialing service is a game changer for modern enterprises is its ability to enhance customer experience. Customers no longer need to go through lengthy call menus or wait in long queues to speak with the right person. With DID, businesses can provide their customers with direct access to the correct department or individual, which improves satisfaction and reduces frustration. Whether it’s customer support, sales, or technical assistance, DID ensures that calls are routed efficiently, creating a more positive experience for the customer.

Cost Efficiency Traditional phone systems often require businesses to maintain separate physical lines for each employee or department, which can be expensive to install and maintain. Direct inward dialing service eliminates the need for multiple physical phone lines, allowing businesses to route all calls through a central system. This significantly reduces communication costs and eliminates the need for expensive infrastructure. For businesses in Hyderabad, where cost-effectiveness is crucial, DID can deliver substantial savings while maintaining high-quality service.

Scalability and Flexibility As businesses grow, so do their communication needs. The scalability of direct inward dialing service makes it an ideal solution for growing enterprises. Adding new numbers or adjusting routing preferences can be done with ease, making it simple to adapt to changes in the business landscape. Whether expanding to new locations or launching new services, businesses can quickly scale their phone system to accommodate these changes without the hassle of installing additional phone lines. This flexibility allows enterprises to stay agile and responsive in a competitive market like Hyderabad.

Enhanced Productivity By streamlining the call-routing process, DID services also enhance productivity. Employees can receive calls directly, without the need for manual call forwarding or operators. This means less time spent managing phone systems and more time spent focusing on core tasks. Additionally, DID allows businesses to track and analyze call data, which can help optimize operations and identify areas for improvement. This boost in productivity can give modern enterprises a competitive edge, especially in dynamic industries where efficiency is key.

Professionalism and Branding Offering direct inward dialing service gives businesses a professional image, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Providing direct contact numbers for different departments or teams makes a company appear more organized and efficient, fostering trust with clients and partners. This professionalism can enhance a company’s brand image, making it stand out in a crowded market like Hyderabad. Whether it’s for customer support, sales inquiries, or technical assistance, DID numbers help establish a clear, reliable communication channel with customers.

Why A1 Routes is the Best Choice for Direct Inward Dialing Service in Hyderabad

For businesses in Hyderabad seeking to implement direct inward dialing service, A1 Routes is a trusted provider. A1 Routes offers tailored DID solutions designed to meet the unique needs of modern enterprises. With years of experience in the telecommunication industry, A1 Routes understands the challenges businesses face when it comes to communication, and offers reliable, scalable, and cost-effective solutions that enhance operational efficiency.

A1 Routes' DID service provides businesses in Hyderabad with the tools they need to improve customer satisfaction, reduce costs, and boost productivity. Whether you're a startup or an established enterprise, A1 Routes can help you enhance your communication infrastructure with seamless integration and support.

To learn more about how direct inward dialing service can transform your business, get in touch with A1 Routes today at 9246461828. Our team will work with you to implement a DID solution that meets your needs and supports your business growth.

Conclusion

Direct inward dialing service is undoubtedly a game changer for modern enterprises, offering improved customer experience, cost savings, scalability, and productivity. As businesses in Hyderabad continue to expand and compete in a fast-paced environment, adopting DID solutions will be crucial to staying ahead. With reliable providers like A1 Routes, businesses can optimize their communication systems, streamline operations, and enhance their overall efficiency. If you want to improve your business's communication capabilities, consider partnering with A1 Routes to implement a tailored direct inward dialing service today.

[voipminutes]

Maximizing Customer Satisfaction: Essential Call Center Solutions for Modern BusinessesIn today's competitive business environment, providing exceptional customer service is crucial. Call centers play a vital role in ensuring customer satisfaction and loyalty. To achieve this, businesses need to leverage the best call center solutions available. This blog explores the essential elements of call center solutions, including the best call center service providers, best call center software, and innovative approaches such as cloud call center solutions.The Importance of Call Center SolutionsEffective call center solutions streamline customer interactions, enhance operational efficiency, and provide valuable insights into customer behavior. By partnering with the right call center service provider, businesses can ensure that their customer service operations run smoothly and efficiently.Best Call Center Service ProvidersSelecting the best call center service providers is critical for businesses aiming to offer top-notch customer support. These providers offer a range of services, including inbound and outbound call handling, customer relationship management (CRM), and technical support. The best providers are known for their reliability, advanced technology, and skilled workforce.Call Center Solutions in IndiaIndia has emerged as a hub for call center solutions, offering a blend of cost efficiency and high-quality service. Call center solutions in India are renowned for their skilled workforce, advanced technology, and competitive pricing. Many global companies choose India as their preferred destination for outsourcing call center operations due to these advantages.Choosing the Right Call Center Solution ProviderWhen selecting a call center solution provider, businesses should consider factors such as technological capabilities, service offerings, and customer reviews. A provider that offers comprehensive solutions, including the best call center software and cloud call center solutions, can significantly enhance a business's customer service capabilities.ConclusionIn conclusion, the success of a call center depends on several factors, including the choice of service providers and software solutions. By partnering with the best call center service providers and investing in cutting-edge call center software, businesses can ensure exceptional customer service. Additionally, leveraging cloud call center solutions and exploring options in India can provide significant benefits. By making informed decisions in these areas, businesses can unlock the full potential of their call center operations and achieve lasting success.

[fonadain]

In a rapid and ever-evolving business communication environment, the need for effective direct communication channels is paramount.

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Comprehensive Guide to Business Communication Solutions: VoIP, Call Centers, SMS, and More

In today’s fast-paced business environment, effective communication is the backbone of success. Whether you're running a small business, managing a call center, or planning a marketing campaign, the right communication tools can make all the difference. This blog explores the best business VoIP solutions, call center technologies, and bulk SMS providers that can elevate your operations.

1. Business VoIP Solutions: Revolutionizing Communication

VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) technology has transformed how businesses communicate. It allows voice calls over the internet, reducing costs and enhancing flexibility.

Best VoIP for Small Business: Look for providers offering scalability, cost-efficiency, and advanced features like call forwarding, voicemail, and video conferencing.

Wholesale VoIP Services: Ideal for businesses with high call volumes, offering competitive rates for international and domestic calls.

VoIP Minutes for Call Centers: Essential for call centers needing a large volume of calls. Providers offer packages based on usage.

2. SIP Trunk Providers: Connecting Your Business Seamlessly

SIP Trunking connects your business phone system to the internet, enabling VoIP calls. It’s cost-effective and scalable.

Top SIP Trunk Providers: Choose providers with strong reliability, good support, and competitive pricing.

3. Call Center Solutions: Enhancing Customer Experience

Managing a call center requires robust software and infrastructure.

Dialer Software for Call Centers in India: Features like auto-dialing, predictive dialing, and CRM integration boost productivity.

VoIP Minutes Provider: Ensure your provider offers high-quality voice transmission with minimal latency.

4. TFN and DID Providers: Managing Inbound Calls Effectively

TFN (Toll-Free Number) Providers: Great for businesses that want a professional image and encourage customer calls without charges to the caller.

DID (Direct Inward Dialing) Providers: Allows customers to reach specific employees directly, improving customer service efficiency.

5. Bulk SMS Solutions: Powerful Marketing Tools

SMS marketing remains a potent tool for customer engagement.

Bulk SMS Solutions Provider: Choose providers offering high delivery rates, easy integration, and advanced analytics.

Bulk SMS Provider for Marketing Campaigns: Essential for promotions, offers, and customer notifications.

6. OTP Solutions: Securing Your Transactions

OTP (One-Time Password) Solutions Provider: Critical for businesses requiring secure user verification, especially in fintech and e-commerce sectors.

Why Choose the Right Providers?

Selecting the right service providers for VoIP, call centers, SMS, and OTP solutions ensures:

Cost Efficiency: Reduce communication costs with wholesale VoIP and bulk SMS services.

Scalability: Grow your business without worrying about communication bottlenecks.

Enhanced Customer Experience: Faster, clearer communication boosts customer satisfaction.

Final Thoughts

Incorporating the right business VoIP solutions, call center technologies, and bulk SMS providers can significantly improve your business operations. Whether you need SIP trunks, VoIP minutes, or OTP solutions, choosing the right provider is key to staying competitive.

If you're looking for recommendations or more details on any of these services, feel free to reach out!

[how2fit]

Some muscles are like fashion trends. Their owners flaunt them, dress to feature them, and post about them. Different muscles can lurch in and out of fashion depending on the whims of the public and the popularity of the celebrities who display them. A recent addition to this A-list of fashionable body parts is the Adonis belt. This coveted muscular accessory appears to be a pair of muscles in the lower abdomen. But there’s a surprise: The Adonis belt isn’t actually a muscle. But if you’re jonesing to make yours pop, read on. What Is the Adonis Belt? The Adonis belt isn’t a muscle but an anatomical feature formed by two valleys that run diagonally downward and inward from the outer edges of your iliac crests, or hip bones, toward your groin. Seen from the front, these twin valleys, known to anatomists as the inguinal lines, form a “V” shape that outlines your lower torso. Unlike, say, the glutes or the biceps — meaty hunks of contractile tissue — the Adonis belt is more like the divots above your collarbones or the protruding bones on the sides of your ankles. The Adonis belt is particularly prominent on athletic men, due in part to the tendency for male athletes to carry less fat than women. What Exercises Should You Do? There are specific moves to do in the gym that will accentuate the muscles of the lower abdomen once you’ve carved off sufficient fat to be able to see them (we’ll get to that part later). You should perform two to three sets of these moves for v-line abs two to three times a week on nonconsecutive days as part of your regular workouts, preferably before your other exercises. 1. Twisting hanging knee raise Hang from a chin-up bar using an overhand grip. Draw your knees to your chest as high as possible, then hold for a count of two. Lower your legs to the starting position. Draw both knees upward in the direction of your right elbow, and hold for a count of two. Lower your legs to the starting position. Repeat the previous step, this time lifting your legs in the direction of your left elbow. Repeat for 6 to 10 reps (i.e., at least twice in each direction — center, left, right). 2. Side plank Lie on your right side with your legs straight, feet stacked, and right forearm flat on the floor. Engage your glutes and core as you raise your hips so that your body forms a straight line from head to heels. (At this point, the outside edge of your right foot and your right forearm are the only parts of you that touch the floor.) Hold this position for 30 to 60 seconds, then switch sides and repeat. Too easy? Raise your top leg away from the bottom leg and hold. 3. Stability ball knee tuck Assume a push-up position with your shins elevated on a Swiss ball (exercise ball). Your palms should be shoulder-width apart on the floor, and your body should be straight from head to heels. Keeping your core engaged, draw your knees into your chest. Hold for a count of two, and then reverse the move to return to the starting position. Do 10 to 20 reps. 4. Suitcase carry Hold a heavy dumbbell in your right hand and stand tall with the dumbbell by your side. Keeping your core engaged, walk forward for 30 to 45 seconds while maintaining level shoulders and a proud chest. Switch hands and repeat. Tips on How to Get an Adonis Belt If you’re looking for ways to highlight your v-line, here are some tips for getting it to show. 1. Dial in your diet As with the rectus abdominis, or six-pack muscle, the most crucial tool for bringing out the Adonis belt isn’t an exercise at all: It’s what you eat. Exercises for the area around the Adonis belt are valuable, but you’ll never see the inguinal crease clearly unless you whittle your body fat to fairly rarified levels of leanness. The athletes with prominent Adonis belts — elite swimmers, cyclists, gymnasts, and physique athletes — typically have exceptionally low body fat from head to toe. If you want prominent inguinal ligaments, you’re going to have to take steps to follow suit. Since

you can’t spot-reduce or trick the body into burning the fat from specific areas with targeted exercises, you’ll need to get there through good old-fashioned clean eating with an emphasis on dropping body fat and building muscle. To really dial in your definition, you can take some of these steps to reduce water weight as well. This is easy advice to give but by no means is it easy to follow. That’s part of why Adonis belts that look like garden snakes are about as rare as five-carat diamonds. Few people have the time, energy, or willpower to put in the work, day after day, that’s required for them to show. 2. Exercise at high intensity Building your ab muscles won’t do you much good if they’re obscured by a layer of belly fat. Along with the right diet, vigorous exercise is necessary to help you drop fat and make your ab muscles more visible. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) can be especially helpful in this regard, as it requires a longer recovery period and keeps your calorie burn elevated for up to 48 hours after you finish the workout (also known as the “afterburn effect“). The longer you work out at a high intensity, the longer your body continues to burn calories after you’re done. 3. Strength train We’ll get to specific exercises to bring out your Adonis belt in a moment. For now, we’re talking about doing full-body strength training workouts three to four times per week, using compound exercises like squats, deadlifts, lunges, presses, dips, rows, and pull-ups. You’ll also need to build lots of core work into this routine. Compound movements burn more calories, but their main function is to preserve and even grow muscle tissue while you’re consuming fewer calories than you’re expending. That’s essential: Strength work ensures that your body burns fat (not muscle tissue) while you’re following a strict meal plan. 4. Choose the right parents You can’t do anything about this one, of course, but we’d be remiss not to include this tip in our list: A defined Adonis belt — like many if not most physical traits — is in large part a function of genetics. As with visible abs, the biggest factor in determining whether you can easily develop a prominent Adonis belt may be genetic. Some people just have them — or can develop them quickly — and others don’t (or can’t). That, as geneticists say, is the way the ol’ double helix divides. Is It Healthy to Have an Adonis Belt? A clearly defined Adonis belt certainly looks cool. It’s a hallmark of hard work and discipline in and out of the gym. But that’s about all it is. An Adonis belt doesn’t denote health or athletic prowess any more than a nice set of biceps do. Some fit people have defined Adonis belts; many fit people don’t. That brings up a final point: Many of us see a well-developed physique — even an extremely muscular, defined one — and assume that its owner is exceptionally healthy. That’s not always the case. Paradoxically, the pursuit of an extremely fit-looking body can lead people to make some very unhealthy choices. Extremely low body fat, for example, can be just as unhealthy as being overweight — sometimes more so. So if getting a defined inguinal ligament fires you up to work out more and eat a little better — do it. But don’t sacrifice your health in the process.

[voipinfotech1]

A DID number (Direct Inward Dialing number) is a virtual phone number that allows incoming calls to be routed directly to a specific phone extension or VoIP device without the need for a human operator or traditional switchboard. This feature is commonly used in business phone systems, particularly in PBX (Private Branch Exchange) setups, and is also a key component of VoIP services.

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[voipminutes1]

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VoIP minutes is finest contact center auto dialer software, and many more cutting edge services are all provided by us. For the greatest VoIP services for contact centers and small enterprises, get in touch with us right now. VoIPTech provides VoIP minutes at cheap prices that let you increase sales without going over budget and guarantee a good return on investment for your company.

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[infotech279]

What Is Direct Inward Dialing (DID) & How Does It Work?

Direct Inward Dialing (DID) is a telecommunication service that allows businesses to assign individual phone numbers to each employee or department without requiring multiple physical phone lines. This service is particularly valuable in call center environments, such as those focused on debt collection, where efficient communication is essential. DID enables direct access to specific extensions within a company's phone system, streamlining the call process and enhancing customer service.

DID works by using a trunk line that connects to a company's Private Branch Exchange (PBX) system. The trunk line can handle multiple DID numbers, allowing each number to route directly to a specific extension, phone, or department. This eliminates the need for a receptionist or automated attendant to direct calls, ensuring quicker and more efficient communication.

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