Change Ahead

Chapter-18

Today.... I almost re-lived all the memories of him. Even after so many things happened, I thought why would he come here now? Is he planning something else? I, then, remembered Swathi shouting at me about him loving me sincerely and all. Is it true that he loved me truly and saved me from going there for 4 years? I have heard that those people punish the traitors cruelly. They have no kindness, affection or sympathy towards anyone. They were deceitful, cold-hearted manipulators bent on attaining power for their own sake. They were devils in our eyes, especially in the eyes of all the fathers who had daughters. How could he do it and escape from them without being punished? I wondered if they would do the same to their daughters. Will Varun do the same to his sisters and mother? He was ready to send the girl he loved. Why wouldn't he send them also? He was such a cold hearted idiot to leave me there like that. Ruthless criminals!

I was not able to sleep the whole night. What if he comes again? He knows where I live. But still he did not come here but has been following me for a whole week. I was confused. I was strong-minded to fall for his charismas again.

It was almost dawn when I heard a beep sound. It was my mobile; text message. My heart throbbed. I had changed my mobile number so he couldn't contact me again. Does he know it already? Is he the one who is sending me a message at this time? I feared to touch my mobile. I didn't want to take risk. I tried to avoid the message.

Beep... Beep... Beep... Beep... Beep... Beep... Beep... Beep... Beep... Beep... Beep... Beep... messages queued to be opened.

Brrrr...... Brrr....... Brrr........ It is a call now. I forced myself to get my mobile. It was Varun. I kept my mobile back. I then pushed it away from me. I was so much horrified, scared. I held my blanket tight and lay down on the bed. I did not want to see my mobile or even hear it. It scared me to death.

I heard the door being knocked. Is it Varun? I was afraid... I closed my face with the blanket and tried to ignore it.

"Gaze... it is me. Varun.. Open the door." It was him. Oh! I could not express how much dreaded I was. How dare is he to come to me again?

"Please Gaze. Listen to what I'm saying. I'm really sorry for what happened. Let me explain."

How can there be any explanation for what he did? Nonsense! I did neither reply to him nor opened the door.
He did not seem to stop with his messages or calls.

The knocking slowly faded away as it dawned.

I could see the bright red beams of the rising sun, which fell directly on my face, reminding me the beauty of a new day and Tara. But I was dull, without sleep last night and Varun has haunted me throughout the night.

Tara.... I got to get to her. She would be up in a few minutes. I got ready as soon as I can and rushed to the home.

I also carefully cast an eye over my path if Varun is still following me. I reached the Old Age Home and went to Tara's room for service. I saw her fresh and ready for the walk.

"Come here Gazella. I have something to tell you. She pulled me close and said, "Do you know that boy whom we saw yesterday?"

I nodded no.

"But he seems to know you closely. He has been following us for more than a week now."

"Probably I should ignore such things" I was calm as I was clear in my decisions not to fall for him again.

"Hmm.. You should be careful. You are young, unmarried, away from home." she said thoughtfully.

"Ok. I will. Shall we go now?"

She nodded yes. I wanted to take her to a nearby park today. She liked that park. Watching the kids play made her happy and calm.

"We shall go to the park today." Before I could finish my statement, I could see her face blossoming up. She was happy.
We walked to the park and spent some time there. Soon, we saw a bunch of kids playing Basketball. In a long distance, I saw Varun, watching us.

'What if Tara sees him, what will I tell her if she asks me who he is?' million thoughts battled in my head.

I turned to see her. She was still watching the kids playing. I was nervous, angry on him for doing such a thing to me. Just because he saved me back from it, doesn't mean that I can trust him now.

We watched the game for a while and went back to the Home for lunch. Tara takes a short nap after lunch. But that day, she couldn't sleep. She kept tossing on her bed, trying to sleep.

"Ms.Tara.. Do you need some water? Are you ok?

"I'm fine. Thinking about something." She said thoughtfully. She seemed to see something constantly without being disturbed. She was deep in to her thoughts.

I wondered what she was thinking so deeply.

"In our days, love was a mutual thing, there was no compulsion. I think the younger generation is unaware of what true love is. May be you should get married soon before that guy makes your life miserable."

She was right. I did not know what true love was. May be what I felt was just an infatuation. I needed some compassion to overcome my loneliness. He took advantage of it.

The same thing happened in the evening. He followed to my doorstep and again, messages, calls and knocks on the door.
It was another night of sleeplessness.

Next day morning, I found a note near my doorstep which said, 'For once I'm not lying to you. Please give me a chance. I will wait near the train station. Meet me. Love Varun.'

I had made up my mind not to give him another chance. I saw him waiting near the train station. I did not care about him. This happened for many days, he would follow me home and to work.
Until one day, Trisha saw him and enlightened my ignorance.
"Gaz.. You should give him a chance. At least listen to what he has to say to you."