Haunted By Unknown

34. following her

Arjun sat in the balcony with his friends and his sister's friends. He opened the book in the night but his best friend stopped him saying all have come here for his sister. So all of them have right to know about the diary. So Arjun reluctantly closed the book. He did not get much sleep in the night and hence opened the book reading few pages.

"Let me get some popcorn..." danush said and went to the restaurant. Arjun was impatient and he did not like being stopped by his friends.

"Want some? " danush asked disha politely. Jyotsna grabbed the popcorn annoying danush. He sat in his chair glaring at Jyotsna but shared with disha surprising her.

"Now you can...." as sampath was about to permit his best friend, mohit's phone rang. Arjun glared at his friend who is having call from his wife. He disconnected the call immediately. Arjun was still not convinced though. So all of them kept their phones in silent not even in the vibration. But Arjun switched off his phone to avoid any more hindrances.

He opened the diary where he left reading few hours back. Most of them had no significant matter since it contained her daily routine.

July 23rd, 1990

"Bhaiyya is so tall and handsome, he deserves a wife who is fair, matching his beauty. You are good looking but not fair and few people don't understand it" 

These are the first and only words I remember today. Vinnu said that this evening when I came from market. My parents were speaking to her when I returned to home. I know vinnu doesn't like me marrying her brother. He's handsome. Takes great care of his sister. Works hard for his newly established company.

These qualities and his good behaviour towards women made my parents feel that he is the right person to me. I never felt anything about him except for few times. But it was past and it happened when I was in intermediate. So there is no point in thinking about it.

It wasn't my fault that I used to stare at him sometimes which vinnu noticed. She never objected me in those days and when I came out of that attraction she did not force me to rethink or say it's better for me. But after my parents being so obvious about my marriage with her brother, she started behaving differently.

It wasn't the first time that I was indirectly said I am not beautiful but it pricks my heart. It hurts me when people are worried about my colour other than my attitude. Hmm....I know I shouldn't talk about my colour or worry about it. Sometimes I feel that I will never marry anyone....

Arjun turned the page as he is not ready to read all her problems. Definitely nandana had few problems of her own but it is not his concern. He only wants to know how she might be related to his case. That's it. Sampath did not complain knowing about his friend's frustration. Arjun turned two more pages and started reading....

July 26th, 1990

This is the first time I saw someone following me. Most of the boys neglect me since vinnu is very cute and her boldness attracts many of them. But this time though I saw a man in red shirt following me.

I informed vinnu when we are coming from college (where we are doing our post graduation. The college is just fifteen minutes so vinnu prefers to walk with her in evenings) that a boy is following us.

"They follow me everyday. Don't worry about him" she said. I have turned back to see if he is still following as we are reaching our homes.

"He will think I'm talking about him! Stop turning back!" She scolded me in low voice. I obeyed her and did not turn back. As we reached her home first, she waved her hand saying goodbye. I too waved back to her and went into my house which is just opposite to vinnu's home.

I came in, got refreshed and went upstairs to enjoy the sunset. But I did not enjoy as the red shirt boy flashed in my mind. I felt jealousy as boys only think about vinnu but not her best friend standing beside her.

As I was thinking about the boys, I saw the same red shirt boy staring at me. I ducked down to avoid being watched by him. Believing that he came for vinnu, I peeked from the gap in the wall. He was looking in my direction confusing me. I stood up thinking he must have mistook me for vinnu. But his face glowered seeing me. He waved his hand fearing me. So I sat down and peeped again. He waved his arm and ran confusing me even more.

In few seconds, father came to home in scooter. He came inside speaking with mother. I thought few more times and I felt he is following me. Is he one of those stalkers who kidnap the innocent girls and sell them to bad people?  It scares me thinking that....he looks handsome. Not like vinnu's brother but he had some innocence in his face. His lips turned into big smile seeing me stare at him. But why is he following me? Why?

August 2nd, 1990

Again I saw him today in the library. He stood in the history section as if he is searching for some book but I saw him turning towards me frequently.

"This boy is totally in love with me" vinnu whispered in my ears. I felt angry for her comment since he is following me not her. I wanted to say that but stopped as the boy slipped a book accidentally. He kept it back in the section but still acted as if he did not find the book.

"He will sit in front of us in five minutes" vinnu said. I just rolled my eyes wanting to shout that not all boys flirt only with her. There are chances that few boys prefer girls like me......

As she predicted though the boy sat in front of us surprising me. For some time I thought she was right and looked at my book unable to read the lines. I felt hurt, very hurt...but the boy stared at me not even blinking his eyes when I turned to vinnu to ask about leaving the library. I got shy and lowered my head. Again I looked at him keeping my head low. He smiled at me making my heart flutter.

Vinnu too looked at him few times but he lowered his head immediately bringing a smile on my lips unknowingly. I never saw a boy neglecting her. It felt like I was in a beautiful dream where I just found my prince charming.

Later we left the library borrowing some books related to our studies. We decided to exchange the books once we finish reading. The boy followed us again. Vinnu made comments but I left her words in air which drifted far away from me.

After walking for five minutes, vinnu's brother came in bike. She said goodbye and got in his bike leaving me alone on the road. The road is not empty but I have never walked to my home alone. And had  no one following me till home. My heart was beating rapidly and I tried to walk faster. When I saw house from the road, I got some confidence and slowed my feet.

As I reached my home, I was tapped at the shoulder. Thinking mother is behind, I turned back just to see the boy walk past me. I stared at him with big eyes with slightly open mouth. He then turned back and winked at me freezing my breath in my lungs. Never ever I was winked by boys! Never! He is breaking all the records shocking me.

Mother called me to come inside. Till then I did not realise I was staring at the boy standing at the gate....this boy is changing me....