Chapter 4
4) The Stalker
"Ohh god, I'm starving", Purvi heard her intern buddy Ishitha cry in exasperation.
"Keep crying if you want, I'm going to the canteen. I just hope they have enough chicken biryani for me!" Added Purvi as she rushed past her almost running.
"Of course there'll be CHICKEN biryani left for YOU! Neelima aunty pampers you a lot", said Ishitha enviously. Neelima aunty was the canteen incharge and Purvi was her apple's eye ever since she started on her med school.
Smiling slightly, Purvi ran all the way to the canteen. Reaching there panting and sweating, she was told off by Neelima aunty for overworking while ignoring her lunch (it was 2:30); and the fact that she was getting married and she should be in good form…
Purvi was too hungry to retort to the marriage dialogue (she usually makes up a mock anger face whenever someone mentions her impending marriage), just smiled and sat on one of the benches near the flower pots, having a nice view of the fountain in front.
"This is heaven!", Ishitha said with a mouthful of briyani. Purvi just nodded, herself relishing her lunch.
"So, did you speak to him?" Asked Ishitha.
"To whom?" said Purvi.
"To your fiancé of course!" Ishitha replied.
"Don't remind me of HIM!" Purvi retorted little irritably.
"Oh for god's sake, you're getting married! Stop making a fuss Purvi. You said yes to the marriage, didn't you? So what's wrong if he asks you on a lunch date, that too with your parents' permission? He's a good guy, being this patient with you! You should be really happy to get a man like him in your life", Ishitha replied angrily.
"It's not that I don't like him; I'm just busy", Purvi replied carefully without looking at Ishitha.
"Busy?", Ishitha almost shouted.
Purvi shushed her as half of the canteen had looked at them and gave her an apologetic smile.
Taking a deep breath, Ishitha said, "Listen Purvi, an interesting life doesn't necessarily always have guns and kidnappings and chases and all. Likewise an interesting person shouldn't need to be a detective or policeman. I know you wish for an action packed life but trust me, if your life really grants your wish, you won't be happy about it. It may seem thrilling but conceals a very big deal of difficulties both physical and mental. Stop wishing for something which isn't there and start to appreciate what you have."
Ishitha said this all in one go and looked at her friend. Purvi seemed to be in a deep thought which is a good sign since whenever it happens, Purvi usually takes the right decision. So she decided to continue her lunch without interrupting her.
But little did she know, Ishitha had reminded Purvi of the night she boarded her first bus. It's been a week since her visit to the graveyard yet the mere thought of it brings her shivers and an unknown feeling in her gut. Purvi hadn't told the incident to anyone. In fact when she woke up the next day, she thought that it was a dream, that she never boarded a bus, that she came home the day before in a taxi, safe and sound with no detour on a creepy graveyard… but the pale pink paper she had in her purse told her otherwise; it was the bus ticket. So everything was true. She even had the proof but dared not to say anything to her parents nor her friends.
Her thoughts then gradually flowed down to Ishitha's words. Ishitha's right! The night wasn't as jolly as she thought it would be. It was horrifying and terrible. Only god knows how much she prayed to get home safely.
"I mustn't dwell on dreams and fiction. It indeed is dangerous. Better enjoy what I have."
Ishitha could see Purvi smiling to herself and completing her lunch. She felt relaxed now that she was fed and her friend is starting to see some sense.
"I'm done, I'm leaving. Complete your lunch and join me in the ward 12" Ishitha said as she raised from the bench.
"Ok, see you there", Purvi replied with a smile and continued her lunch. "Better send him a yes" she thought and WhatsApped Rajat a 'yes, I'm free tomorrow afternoon'.
The reply came almost instantly as if he'd been waiting for that yes for centuries.
"That's great yaar, I'll pick you up at 11:30", he had replied.
"Sure, I'll be ready."
After completing her lunch , she went to wash her hands and that's when she noticed a burly looking guy. It's the fifth time in these three days she had noticed him. At first she thought it was the aftermath of her adventure. But that guy seemed following her everywhere in her college but outside the campus. But receiving a text from Ishitha asking her to hurry, she left the place without giving much thought.
It was 5pm and her shift was over. Purvi started her scooter after bidding a goodbye to Ishitha. She noticed the same burly guy again. And like the past three days, he followed her till the campus main gate and then vanished all of a sudden. Purvi's guess was that either he's following her due to the bus incident or else he's having some 'not so good' intentions.
But either way, it's bad. And the fact that she was getting married, if anyone sees him following her, it'll make a bad impression on her. But she was relieved and at the same time intrigued by the fact that the stalker never followed her beyond the campus gates.
"Maybe the task of following me outside the campus is someone else's job", thought Purvi.
She reached home and told her parents about her lunch date with HIM tomorrow. They were more than happy and her mother gave all the suggestions to make conversations with him and understand him better. Purvi just nodded silently and was saved by her dad who asked her to have her dinner and get some good sleep.
Thank you all who have been supportive of this story! Your reviews are much appreciated:)
See you next time,
Until then take care:)
White Belle
