24 - Dreadful night

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Karthik - He is not just a chapter in my book but more than that. The only trouble with me is that I prioritize my emotions more than anything else. Facts are also ignored. Tonight is one of those moments where I am going to put my emotions on top of the list.

"Anu… please be a rational human. Let's call the police and fight this together. This is not the time where you prove your strengths," Gautham said.

"I am not proving my strengths!"

"Then?"

"I just - I just don't want anyone else to get hurt," I sobbed. Gautham, for sure, is not going to allow me yet I was still persuading him. "It's Karthik, Gautham. Even if he is not alive, I can get some clues -- "

"THIS IS A TRAP, YOU IDIOT!"

"As if I don't know," I said.

"Then let me come with you," he yelled.

"No. I want you to take care of Vikram," I was being stubborn.

"It is 18 kilometers, Anu…" I still was not listening to any of his facts. Rubbing his forehead, "Listen Anu… I am not good with technical stuff. I can't do anything other than navigating you. What if I lose your location at some point? So, please… Please listen to me for this time," he said.

"Do you really love me?" I changed my plan of convincing him. I can't convince him stating the facts but definitely can by playing an emotional game.

"I do! And that is why I don't want you to go," he said. For a while, I did nothing other than staring at him with sad eyes. Sighing heavily, "When did I ever get to win against you," he gave me the keys.

I took it and was about to rush but was stopped by him again as he caught my wrist.

"Wait here," he said and went back to his room. While coming back he had a pistol and that watch in his hand.

While handing out the pistol, "I am sure you didn't bring yours," he said and yes, I didn't bring mine as I was in a rush when I came here. I took it and tucked it behind. "That is not a licensed gun so… careful".

"Carrying this might make it more complicated," I said. He tied the watch around my wrist for tracking my location. He gave me many other things for my safety. He helped insert an ear piece so that he could navigate me.

Once we were all done, he looked at me with teary eyes. "Is it nece -- "

I placed my palm on his mouth. "No more ifs and buts".

Moving away my hand gently and holding it, "Promise me. Promise me that you will come back alive!" he cried.

I didn't want him to hold me down but every time a tear rolls down, I have started to find out reasons and excuses to stay back. "I promise!" is all I said to assure this man.

He took my face into his palms and kissed me on my forehead. "I am gonna kill you if you don't come back all fine". It was too stupid of him to say that.

I agreed and went out as soon as I could. Because the more I stay here, the more he complains and whines.

The dead silence and dreadful night gave me nothing less than a ghost movie vibe. It is one o'clock - the entire world is recharging their body for the next day and here we are. Completely unsure about TOMORROW.

I got in the car, started it, and connected the GPS for the directions. They say staring at the dark for too long will also make you see things that aren't real. The only thing that made me feel secure was Gautham's call.

When we found out that the watch is at the graveyard where we carried out all Karthik's rituals, the fact that he has hemophobia and necrophobia hit me hard. Even if was kept alive in the graveyard, he would have died by now because of his phobia.

That watch being in a graveyard is nothing less than an invitation, isn't it? What if I die?!

I had thousand and one thoughts running in my mind and talking to my parents for once was one of them. Hanging up on Gautham's call and calling to my parents that too at this time might be too much. So, I just chose to text them.

I love you! I typed the text with an exclamation mark and made sure it is written in bold. The same text was forwarded to Aditya as well.

I really wanted to confess my love under some bright moonlight with candles here and there to Aditya but looks like I might not get another chance if I don't do so.

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