From Escape to Embrace

chapter1 her fears

Chapter 1 :  Her fears

Lucknow 

Uttar pradesh 

India 

The music ended and all the girls vary from

Eight to eighteen year olds stopped their steps gracefully 

Gunjan smiled, looking at the efforts of the kids  practicing for this performance more than a month and now, finally, next week her students are going to perform kathak in a renowned function in Lucknow 

“All right, we are done  for today , but tomorrow you all must reach on time Remember, the extra class in the evening is especially important for finishing your performance . So see you tomorrow.“

The kids give a nod and say bye to gunjan 

After the kids and musicians left, Gunjan noticed it was past 8 at night, and a fear developed inside her as she had to travel alone at night .

 The helper and assistant of the dance classes put a lock on the door and passed the keys to gunjan . .

"Di, if you want, I can drop you home.“ Kishore, the helper, suggested 

"No, Kishore, it's ok; I will manage. I had my scooter. I will reach home soon.

" Okay, goodnight. "

 Stating that Kishore left , Gunjan noticed the surroundings of the building where she is managing; these classes look quite scary at night.

Gunjan held her bag close to her chest and exited the gate in an attempt to close the big iron gates. Her bag fell to floor 

Gunjan locked the gate in haste, picked her bag and the scattered things which are on the floor now  and started for the parking zone near the building 

She hates the arrangement of parking in this building, as she has to park her scooter in the parking zone near by 

Parking was not allowed in the building premises .

Gunjan started walking towards the parking suddenly she felt some movement behind her All types of negative thoughts appeared in her mind 

What if someone is following her to rob her? 

Or worse, do something bad to her, like rape her or kill her .

Without giving a second thought, she sped up her walk and could easily notice that the person following her has also increased her speed

Her throat was dry and parched, which accelerated her heartbeat.

She was somehow relieved when she saw the sight of her scooter. Gunjan reached for the scooter and tried to fix the key but her shivering  hands were not helping her . She could feel the steps from behind being halted behind her 

At that moment, Gunjan want to make a run, leaving her scooter behind but then she realized that she couldn't run as fast as the scooter 

So she kept trying the keys

“Thank God you stopped."

A familiar voice caught her attention She sighed and looked around , Kishore was standing behind her panting badly and trying to get his breath back 

  Gunjan exhaled a deep breath and asked

“What are you doing here ? I thought  you left

"Yes, di, but I forgot my bottle on the door so I had to return but I saw your purse on the gate and then I noticed you coming here so I just followed you to give you this.   But why are you running like this? Are you planning to participate in a marathon  ?