MASK

Memory lane #1

That boy who liked me, Evan Martinez. 

I still remember. His soulless body, open eyes and his pale complexion.

People dragging him out of the washroom of our college. His cloths are soaked red and blood dripping of his hand.

I couldn't believe. How could I when we just talked yesterday. 

Talking! More like an argument. 

I just started my third year of bachelors in psychology. 

Evan was in Economy major, good looking and tall. He also had redish brown hair. Even though he was popular but her was a little creepy.

He saw me at the college festival last year and since then he started disturbing me.

He would follow me all the time and force me to do things I didn't wanted to do. Calling me with affectionate nicknames when I am not even his girlfriend.

He made my whole year unpleasant and uncomfortable.

 Also I had many unfortunate misunderstanding with my friends as he manipulated and forced them because of me.

It became hard for me to go to college. I was scared and depressed most of the time.

Due to all this my grade was falling. I could not even participate on event or talk to any boys as he would follow me and threat them afterwards. Slowly it became unbearable that I was even thinking to quit.

After many times being extremely stressed and annoyed, I decided to talk to him for the last time clearly and boldly.

I met him outside the college at a small cafeteria.

He came and sat there. Again started to stare at me intensely and smiling annoyingly.

-"Hi dear. What's going on? You suddenly called me, I was so thrilled."

-" I just wanted to talk about something serious that I have told you before as well."

-" Tell me sweetheart. I am all ears for you all the time."

I hate his flirting, it's cheap and I feel disgusting but I didn't react.

-"HUH!"

-"What happened?"

-"Why don't you stop following me? I already told you many times that I don't like you."

-"I didn't mean to trouble you but I really do like you."

-"Is it that hard to understand? I don't like you. I don't wanna be stressed anymore because of you. Let me have my peace, leave me alone please."

-" Listen I know you don't know well right now but I like you a lot and I know you will also understand that and like me back one day"

-"I don't know how to make you understand but I want to stay as far as possible even from your shadow. I am just tired of you." 

And I left with the most annoyed expression.

Later he still followed me till home. I was very scared the whole way.

But next day....

May be I shouldn't have said that.

He left, as well his shadow. Not from me but for forever.

Now I feel bad. Did he really died like this because of me?

No way. Why would he? I wasn't that important.

The authority investigated the whole situation as it happened inside the college and interrogated people around him if we knew anything. 

Police came, media came. Everyone were curious and asking questions. 

I lied. 

I was scared of getting blamed. I didn't told them anything about our last conversation. And it seemed like no one knew either. 

I didn't did anything wrong. Why would I take the blame for his misfortune and stupid act!

Now I, in this darkness waiting for my misfortune, thinking did I really said something that made him cut his vein?

Not once but multiple time until his left hand was crushed and torn into pieces. 

After the incident, even though I lied, many looked at me weirdly and suspiciously. As if I should feel guilty.

why would I? just because he used to like me.

That's why rather than feeling guilty I felt mad. I felt he is still troubling me even after his death.

I felt angry on him and everyone around me, for looking at me with those viciously judgmental eyes.

Because all of these incident I didn't noticed or put much thought into the incident. 

Now that I sitting here something weird popped in my head. This mask.. I saw this that day as well.

Although I am not fully sure but I did saw this red mask and those empty eyes. Where? I can't remember. 

Was it a coincident?

Slowly this mask is getting familiar.

Why now?

Why now when I am stuck and can do nothing. If I knew earlier could I prevent all this?

I remember now seeing her among the crowd. But my mind was too fixed on his corpse that I couldn't care less.

That day I was feeling guilty, confused but also relieved.

I was also thinking if it was right for me to feel this much relieved.

Is it fair?