Eternally Yours

Chapter 16: Reunited

I still remember Maa's words from that day.

"Esha, I know you and Abhi have a strong feeling towards each other. And I have seen the boy too. The boy likes you, I know. But I would still tell you not to attach too much right now. It really seems like you have already been dependent on him emotionally. Please honey, don't end up getting yourself hurt."

~

I guess, that's what I have done. Isn't it? I should have listened to Maa's words that day. Then my future wouldn't be what it is like today.

I took a sip from the coffee mug while my eyes were fixed on the stars decorating the night sky. Whenever I get some time, I come and sit in the balcony with a coffee mug to spend some quality time with my child. I believe she can see me, her mumma from there. I believe she comes to meet me everyday--peeping through the clouds and playing around a little, she enjoys to annoy her mumma a bit. And even I enjoy that.

Suddenly, the bell rang violently indicating I had a visitor. I rushed to get the door, and as soon as I opened the door, I saw a package lay there by my door. I picked it up and looked around to see who delivered the package. But nobody was there. The entire corridor was empty. Not finding anyone, I sighed and came inside.

The package had no label on it, so I couldn't figure out who was the sender. And there was no delivery man when I got the door. It must be the sender, himself who kept it there by my door. But how did he know my address? Who is the sender? Do I perhaps know him? Why didn't he show his face? He just fled away, or--?

Without wasting a moment, I unwrapped the package only to find a small book in it. I instantly opened the book but got shocked to see its contents.

On the first page, there was a picture of a a very young girl, dressed in a pretty, pink frock enjoying a big candy held in her little hands. At the lower end, there was a note which caught my attention.

"I hope you realize that this beautiful little girl in this picture is you, right, darling? I still remember that day, you walked into my heart dressed in this gorgeous little frock, and left me enchanted. You know what? You always look stunning, darling. But that day, you looked simply irresistible. Cherish this picture once you get it, you know why? Because this is my most favourite picture of yours. ♡"

I frowned seeing the note and wondered who the sender could be. My soul shivered a little seeing more such pictures of my childhood. Even I don't remember clicking those pictures ever. I was seeing those pictures for the first time in my life. And almost every picture had such notes written by the same person addressing me as darling in almost every picture. I tried not to freak out, but the picturebook was the sole reason behind my growing discomfort and pure disgust.

After a minute of fighting with my inner self about what to do with the piece of shit I was holding in my hand, I decided to go out and throw the book in the trash can, down the block.

While returning, I again looked around but found nothing or nobody suspicious. Though I got rid of the book, the unsettling feeling which lingered in my mind, was causing anxiety to creep in. I could feel that it wasn't a prank. It was too arranged to be a prank. And whatever I did with the book, probably the sender also saw that. God knows what he would do next.

"This is going to be tough. I'm not losing the peace of my mind yet, but I'm a bit worried about it. But the fact is---who sent the book? Why, how and from where this creep suddenly popped up? Arghh--I have no idea about that."

I ruffled my hairs in frustration and looked at my reflection in the mirror. It seemed as if my inner self was talking to me.

"See the mess you got yourself into. Everything was already messed up, and now this was left to happen. Wow! Got a creep following you around. Who will you seek help from, now?"