An Anonymous Call

Chapter 3- One After Another

13th March, 2014: 

It was a Thursday, an ordinary one. There were no morning activities, just normal studying periods. I was in my bed, shutting off the alarm in the bright morning sunlight as I blinked my eyes profusely. It was 8:00 a.m., and my body was aching. I compelled myself to wake up; doing homework was a necessity. 

Too exhausted from last night, I was. I've been up with a pile of homework waiting to be finished on my desk: Maths, Science, Biology, Chemistry. Books as thick as a dictionary were arranged neatly. 

I threw the covers off, and lunged out of bed. I felt a sudden dizziness as I stood up. Still drowsy, I sat on the white, plastic chair across the room infront of the silver, rectangular mirror. Of course, I looked like a panda. Dark circles and eyebags against my bright-toned skin. My once silky and straight hair was tremendously messy, with tangles here and there. I brushed out the tangles and knots with my expensive Tangle Teezer, which I had received as a gift from my past birthday. 

Strands of hair fell onto the clean table. I swept them away with my palm onto the floor, expecting the next vacuum cleaning. I raised my palm up into the light, to find specks of dust. "Time for another cleanup," I said aloud. I wiped my dusty palm on my pajamas, and headed out the room. Yes, I was a messy person: leaving my blanket scattered on my bed and not bothering to change into proper clothes. 

I trudged to the bathroom, doing my everyday routine. I felt fresh and ready for a new beginning on this fine day. 

12:00 p.m.: 

I got all dressed up and headed for school. In the black Subaru with tinted windows, I was reading a few short stories of my friends'. Her vocabulary was excellent, so was her grammar. Her name was Sai. She was my best friend since Third Grade.

My parents dropped me off at the school gate. Awaiting my arrival was of course, my group of friends. Sai's hairstyle today was beautiful; it was a fishtail braid. I complimented her appearance today, as she looked stunningly gorgeous. I also gave her my regards on her short story; it was absolutely brilliant. 

School resumed as usual. There would always be one or two teachers absent each day. The class would make a ruckus when there's free periods, like a bunch of immature baboons pouncing on each other. I remained silent, as I attempted to complete my homework in the din. 

The sun began to set, and we all knew school has come to an end for the day. I went home as usual, ate dinner, bathed, and relaxed. 

8:11 p.m.:

I didn't bother to pick up the call. This John Doe has been frequently calling me. When I couldn't stand it any longer, I sent a text message, saying "Who are you? Why do you keep calling me?" 

There was no reply after that. Then, when I was calm and relaxed, remembering the fact that he'll only call once a day, the same number appeared on the screen of my phone. 

9:06 p.m.: 

This time, I was too frustrated that I answered the call. I swiped my finger to the left on the green button, and I was ready to listen. 

"Hello?" I spoke. I've set the phone on speaker so that my family could hear. No one replied, and I heard only the background. It was like this person was in a crowded place, filled with muffled voices and words that I could not distinguish. I repeated, "Hello?" and yet there was still no reply.

The call went on for about 10 seconds. I was angry and disappointed, so I ended the call. Such a disappointment. It was as if he was too afraid to speak, possibly afraid that I would lash out. Or is someone just prank-calling me? No, it couldn't be. A prank-caller would not simply call me this many times. 

My fears grew wider each day. I was even afraid of sleeping alone in the darkness. I was terrified of the thought that someone was watching me, creeping up on me. I wasn't always like this unless something as horrific as that would haunt me. I waited and waited for the next call, waiting for this person to strike his next move.