DEPTH

Chapter 2

a month earlier

Above average height, sharp features, raven black shoulder length hair tied up into a ponytail with a rubber band, an athletic physique would aptly describe her physical appearance. Her looks were soothing to the eyes too. Intelligent, smart, well read, kind hearted and lively she was on the inside. She was full of life. Her sister would tease, if ever Valli was to go missing then the first and the last place to look for her would be library.

That day like any other day was not as peaceful as it could have been. She woke up not to the chirping of sparrows on her way window sill as she always does but to the alarm that told her it was time to get ready for college. Last night she couldn't sleep properly. She catched done sleep out of sheer exhaustion. Her resting incomplete, she woke up in a grouchy mood. What disturbed her more was the possibility of encountering that Man again. He seemed to have a knack of cornering her when nobody was around. Though she could probably run she was not sure she could outrun him. The fighting spirit in her was dying a natural death, in its place a fear was consuming her sanity. What if he caught her today? Should she tell her parents? What will they think? Will they think it is her fault? May be her parents won't think in such way. But v what if they stopped her from going out? Most importantly must she trouble them? Can't she handle a stalker on her own?

She met her parents, older sister and younger brother at the breakfast table. They were squabbling about something, but she was lost in her own thoughts. Her dad noticed that and ordered her to spill the beans.
"I assure you nothing is amiss papa".
"No child, I know you. I can make out that something is troubling you."
"We are here for you just as you are for us", her sister supplied.
"Come, out with it" .
"Papa, there is a man who is troubling me."
Pin drop Silence... This was not what her father expected. "Go on".
"He wants me to love him. No one can be forced to love anyone, right? and I told him that. He refuses to take no for an answer. I do not know what to do" .
"When did this happen? " .
"Friday. I thought he would understand but he is back to it and followed me from practice yesterday."

"Why didn't you tell us?".

"I don't know. I didn't think it will get this far and I definitely didn't want to trouble you."

Her brother who was a couple of years her junior said "don't worry, we'll take care of it".

After the breakfast session she felt confident. Her day proceeded peacefully. Her dad dropped her in college. She didn't see the guy after that and all was forgotten. Life went back to normalcy mode. But even then while walking home from practice she would be alert, lest he should pop up from some alley or by lane.

********
Present

"I shall pick you up after your practice at six" said her father when he dropped her at the college". It was drizzling. "That's not necessary dad, I never saw him after that. So don't worry. I'll take care".

" Did he give you a name?"

"I shall tell you in the evening papa, now am getting late. Bye."

And with that she went inside the college before the rain gained strength.

At 5:45, her father pulled outside her badminton practice and instead of waiting for her in the parking lot went inside to see her practice. He was confident that she will win this upcoming district level tournament and enter the state level tournaments with ease. She however was not to be seen. Her coach was surprised to see him and shocked him by asking how she was and why she didn't come for practice today.

He would have gone to her favourite book store or library earlier but now he stood rooted with fear and sweating profusely. The world seemed to stand still as he tried to assimilate what the coach said. His little princess was missing.

He would have fallen down if not for the coach who lead him towards the seating area. If the coach was confused he didn't let it show. He comforted Valli's father saying that she must have gone home or could be delayed at the college and that he need not worry.

Valli's father was unable to feel such a confidence. He was collapsing emotionally by the minute. As the head of the family he also had to put up a strong exterior.

A small crowd of curious onlookers were gathering, murmuring amongst themselves all the permutations and combinations of how and what of things. Valli's father had no ears for such things.

No no ... nothing untoward would have happened. .. She must be safe.

Chanting this as a mantra he pulled out his
phone to make a call.