Chapter 4
Since their awkward first meeting, Shreya and Daya had become really good friends. Their blooming friendship was noticed by everyone. Things were perfect whenever they worked on some case together.
But when it came to normal talks, Daya found himself getting really nervous. He never wanted to miss the opportunity to talk to Shreya. But whenever she looked at him, he suffered from loss of words. The grins which he received from his colleagues on such occasions made matters even worse.
Today was one such evening. Their meeting was quiet unexpected. Daya was idling away in the corner. He was at a wedding reception party of his distant relative. He didn't know anyone. He barely had a few acquaintances.
Everyone was enjoying the sultry evening. Daya was not at all interested in attending the party. He had come merely to kill time as Abhijeet was out of town for some work and he had nothing else to do. Long and boring Sundays were one of the greatest drawbacks of not having a girlfriend he had realised. He definitely had someone in mind. He didn't know what the outcome would be though.
The party was being held in an outdoor marquee attached to the side of a hall and many people were gathered outside. As Daya scanned the crowd, a slender figure suddenly caught his attention. He was pleasantly surprised as it was none other than Shreya. She was wearing a long black dress that fit her curves perfectly. Her black patent heels finished off the look as her hair sat in loose curls around her face. She indeed looked stunning in this look which was quite new to Daya. He watched her silently for a few minutes.
She too didn't have anyone to talk too it seemed. What a perfect opportunity! Daya hoped he looked better. He ran his hand through his jet black hair messing it up a bit.
Should he go and talk to her? Should he shake her hand? What should he say to her? So many questions ran through his mind.
More people arrived as the night set in and people were looking forward to a great fun filled night. But unfortunately the weather had other plans and dark grey clouds overshadowed the area, threatening to unleash a torrent of rain on the party-goers, effectively ruining their fancy outfits.
While Daya was still making up his mind on how to approach her, he looked around and saw that Shreya had disappeared. Daya was totally disappointed. Why had he wasted so much time? Had she left the party? Or even worst was she only in his head? Was he hallucinating?
He felt happy as he spotted her again after a few minutes. She was chatting merrily with other guests. Daya made his way to the centre hoping she would spot him.
And he was in luck. Shreya and Daya looked at each other at the same time and Shreya's eyes widened in surprise. Daya too gave her an awe filled stare. She made her way towards him slowly. He managed to give her a small smile as she stood in front of him. He racked his brain for something to say. What should he say? Maybe "are you enjoying the evening" or even better "you look really beautiful tonight"
'No that would sound really stupid' thought Daya feeling sheepish.
He had gone over the things he would say to her over a hundred times for quite a few days now. But now, when the moment had arrived, he couldn't anything. He found starting an informal conversation with her a very difficult task.
'Hi' were the words which poured out of his mouth before he could stop himself.
'Hi sir!' she said.
He sensed laughter in her voice and he couldn't help feeling stupid. He wasn't even able to start a normal conversation. Just two syllables. That's it. Where had all the daring gone? He faced the criminals without any fear. What had happened to him now?
'Aap yaha kaise sir?' Shreya asked.
'Main bilkul aana nahi chahta tha. Par aur kuch karne ke liye bhi nahi tha to socha yaha aa jaun. Main yaha kisi ko bhi jyada kuch nahi janata' accepted Daya frankly. He felt relieved. Finally he had found someone to talk to. And her striking beauty was an icing on the cake.
'Tum?' he asked.
'Shraddha meri college ki saheli hai' answered Shreya.
'Kaun?' Daya asked wondering who on the earth Shraddha was.
'Shraddha! Jiski shaadi me hum aaye hai' said Shreya giggling.
'Oh! Haan. Shraddha ki shaadi hai! Sorry' said Daya kicking himself inwardly for opening his mouth.
Silence settled between them once again. But he had gained certain confidence. The tension around them had reduced considerably.
'Toh kaisa lag raha hai naya office?' asked Daya finding nothing else to talk on.
'Bohot accha hai. Waise maine nahi socha tha ki ye kaam itna thrilling hoga' Shreya chided happily.
'Tum akeli aayi ho ya kisi ke saath?' Daya asked.
'Akeli aayi hoon. Waise main soch rahi thi main jaaun ya nahi. Par main nahi aati to Shraddha ko bura lagta. Main uski engagement me bhi nahi jaa payi thi' said Shreya.
Shreya felt a few drops of rain on her face.
'Oh no baarish ko bhi abhi aana tha!' said Shreya.
'Haan. I think hume jaldi nikalna chahiye.' Daya said.
'Hmm. Main to auto se aayi hu. Pata nahi baarish me milegi bhi ya nahi' said Shreya.
'Auto? Main chod dunga tumhe ghar' said Daya.
'Are nahi nahi sir. Main chali jaungi' said Shreya.
'Kya main chali jaungi? Itni raat ko akele kaise jane de sakta hu main tumhe?' asked Daya.
'Sir aap kyu takleef le rahe hai. Aur mujhe dar nahi lagta. CID officer jo hun!' said Shreya.
'Haan haan pata hai CID officer ho. Phir bhi main chod dunga tumhe. Aur ab ye final hai' said Daya in a stern voice.
'Okay sir! Dinner kare?' she asked.
'Haan chalo' said Daya.
They sat at a round table a bit away from the entire crowd with their food plates. 'Maine suna tha tum US me thi CID join karne se pehle?' asked Daya.
'Haan sir. Main Criminal Psycology padne US gayi thi. Bohot hi alag experience tha mere liye' said Shreya.
'Aur kuch batao US ke baare me. Aisa koi experience jo tum kabhi bhul nahi sakti' said Daya.
Shreya shot him a look. His words made the hairs on the end of her neck stand. The scary eerie feeling came back to her. How could she forget that horrible night? That gruesome accident? The crime they had committed. And why was Daya asking her such questions? Did he know anything? But that was impossible. There was no way he would know.
'Kya soch rahi ho?' Daya's voice brought her out of her thoughts.
'Kuch nahi. Aisa toh koi bhi incident nahi hai' said Shreya not meeting his eye.
Daya felt sudden change in her behaviour a bit odd. However, he ignored it.
Shreya was scared to tell him the truth. She was scared of losing him. How would he react after knowing her mistake? Would he stand by her or leave her?
Daya felt she was hiding something from him. He was determined to find out. 'Maybe she doesn't trust me' he thought. For the time being he decided to let the matter rest.
'Shreya chale? Late ho gaya hai' said Daya after they had finished eating.
'Nahi rukiye na thodi der please' said Shreya instantly.
Daya looked at her. She turned away her gaze.
'Ghar nahi jana chahti?' he asked her in an amused voice.
'Nahi. Mera matlab hai. Chaliye nikalte hai' she said.
Daya smiled.
They walked to his majestic Harley bike parked outside the lawn.
Shreya was a bit disappointed that he had refused to wait but she didn't say anything. She wanted his presence but she didn't want to sound too desperate.
As they drove slowly along the empty street, sometime later Shreya noticed that they were on a completely different route.
'Daya sir ye kaunsa raasta hai?' she asked him.
'Ghar ka' said Daya.
'Kya? Nahi ye ghar ka raasta nahi hai. Hum kahi aur aa gaye hai!' said Shreya.
Daya halted his bike and looked around.
'Oh no! Ye main kaha aa gaya! Main actually kuch soch raha tha aur pata hi nahi chala iss raaste pe kaise chala aaya! Tum bhi na Shreya! Pehle nahi bata sakti thi? Kitne door aa gaye hum ghar se!' said Daya innocently hiding away his smile.
'Mujhe kya pata? Bike to aap chala rahe hai na?' said Shreya with fake anger. But inside she was feeling very happy.
'Ab aaj raat to ghar nahi jaa sakte. Petrol nahi hai gaadi me' said Daya.
'Kya? Ye kya keh rahe hai aap? Toh raat bhar kya karenge? Aur kaha jayenge?' asked Shreya.
'Yahi kahi raat gujarni padegi. Mujhe ek jagah pata hai Tumhe dar to nahi rahi ho na?' asked Daya laughing.
'Jee nahi!' Shreya retorted back.
'Chalo phir baitho aaram se. Pohochne me abhi time hai' said Daya.
He started the bike again and they rode in silence. The silence which communicated a thousand words between them.
Daya didn't notice the speed breaker in front of him and the bike flew up a bit in the air. Shreya was caught by surprise held Daya around his waist tightly. As the bike landed with a thud on the road, her cheek hit his back.
Daya started apologizing to her asking her if she was hurt, but Shreya just let the moment stay with her for a bit, feeling his warmth.
Daya noticed that Shreya wasn't in a mood to reply and he felt her cheek against his back. Not wanting to ruin the moment, he kept quiet enjoying her touch.
After some time, they finally reached and Daya halted the bike. Shreya had still not left him.
'Kya raat bhar aise hi baithne ka irada hai madam?' he asked.
Shreya realised what he had said and left him immediately.
'Sorry sir' said Shreya.
'Sorry kyu?' asked Daya.
'Sir please' said Shreya shyly.
'Kya? Wajah to bolo sorry kehne ki' said Daya.
'Yaha rukne wale hai hum sari raat?' asked Shreya changing the topic.
'Waha' said Daya pointing at the huge tree. It had a huge branch which had ample resting space for two people.
It was indeed comfy. Shreya was enjoying the adventurous night immensely. Due to lack of space, they had to sit quiet close to each other. Shreya felt his warmth. She made no effort to move away from him.
'Tumne bataya nahi sorry kisliye kaha' said Daya.
'Bas aise hi' said Shreya awkwardly.
Daya gave her a penetrating stare.
'Shreya main iss raaste se jaan bhujkar aaya tha' said Daya moving closer to her.
Shreya blushed and looked away.
He caught her hand and made her look at him. He leaned forward and she could feel his warm breath when -
'- sir please!' Shreya said pushing him away.
'Shreya - kya?' said Daya.
'Mujhe ghar jaana hai! Abhi!' she said.
'Shreya... I am sorry... Dekho -' began Daya.
'Sir aap kuch mat kahiye. Mujhe ghar jaana hai bas!' said Shreya sternly.
'Okay! Tum gussa mat hona please' said Daya unable to understand why had she became upset suddenly.
Why had he taken such a bold move? Whatever they shared was at a very raw stage and he cursed himself for not giving their relationship some time.
During their entire journey back, Shreya didn't utter a single word.
When they reached her home, she ran inside without another word to him.
Shreya felt extremely guilty for her behaviour. She had ruined the perfect moment. She loved him and he loved her. They were moving in perfect direction.
But that one mistake had scarred her life forever. She didn't dare tell him the truth. And hiding something from him gave her a constant feeling of betraying him. She couldn't bear to hide something from him; whom she loved more than her life. And she knew if he left her after knowing the truth, she won't be able to live without him. She stayed awake for quite a long time angry with herself. She didn't know when she dozed off. It must have been past 2 o' clock.
O-o-o-o
She was in a long dark corridor. It was pitching dark. There was a strange whirring sound all around her.
'Run!' Edward screamed at the top of his voice.
They didn't know where they were going. Shreya was praying inwardly that she would escape alive.
The stalker followed them. They could hear his footsteps closely. Suddenly fumes engulfed them and they started coughing. Shreya knew they were going to suffocate and die in that room.
'Edward! Where are you?' she screamed in a panicky voice.
She couldn't hear anything. The whirring noise was growing deafening.
'Where the hell were they? Why was this man following them? Why did he want them dead?' thought Shreya.
'Shreya!' Edward called out suddenly.
Shreya ran in the direction of the noise and finally she found him.
"Ed! Thank god you are okay! I don't want to die Ed! Please get us out of here! That guy is crazy! What should we do?' asked Shreya.
'We'll be fine. Don't worry. Just don't talk. He shouldn't know our location. Do you smell something burning? Where the hell are we?' Edward asked.
They were thinking what to do when suddenly Edward was hit with an iron rod on the back of his head.
'Ahhhhh!' he collapsed on the floor howling in pain.
'Ed! Oh my god! What happened?' Shreya screamed. She was crying.
The room was lit with a bright yellow light and the stalker came into view. Shreya saw his face for the first time.
Half his face was burnt black. He looked creepy. "Leave us! What do you want?' Shreya yelled at him.
The stalker ignored her and raised his machete ready to strike at Edward lying unconscious on the floor.
"Nooooo!' Shreya yelled and attacked him. But he was too strong. He wore a sharp clawed glove in one hand. He struck her with the same.
She yelled in pain as blood poured out of her arm.
She collapsed on the floor. The stalker raised and struck the machete again and again. Shreya shut her eyes tightly. She couldn't bear to see what had happened to Edward.
Shreya opened her eyes. She was yelling her head off. She was trembling. She covered her ears. The pounding noise was still ringing in her ears. She noticed something wet on her arm.
It was blood. Exactly on her left arm where the stalker had hit her in her dream.
'Oh god! What's happening to me?' She couldn't stop the tears from flowing. She was absolutely terrified.
She rushed to the wash room and cleaned her wound. She thoroughly checked her house. There was no one except her.
'What was all this? What should I do? Should I tell someone? How could it be real? I just had a bad dream. How did it turn real? How did I get hurt?' she thought scared.
'Edward? No! No! No! Please let him be safe! Please god!' thought Shreya.
'I have to confirm if he is alright', thought Shreya.
She grabbed her cell phone and dialled Edward's number. His cell phone was unreachable.
Then she dialled Amanda and Jasper's number. None of her friends were taking her call.
'What was the matter? Were they in some danger? I will keep trying' she thought determinedly.
O-o-o-o
Nevada City, California
Amanda gobbled up her sandwich and drank her orange juice as fast as she could. She slammed the door shut and rushed towards her sedan. She was already late for her Psychology class. As soon as she neared her car, a stinking smell invaded her nostrils.
'Urgh! Where the hell is that rotting smell coming from? She looked around to find some dried blood near the rear door of her sedan. It's coming from the trunk of the car she realised. With trembling hands, she opened the trunk. Her eyes popped out in horror and disgust and a terrible scream escaped her throat. Edward's body lay in her car's trunk. It was totally mutilated. She almost puked looking at the gruesome sight. But when she read the note lying around, fear gripped her
'Prepare to die' the note said.