The Criminal

Chapter 1 - A Present From The Past

Anita's POV

"Anita...wake up Beta" My Dad knocked on my room door.

"Alright...coming" I mumbled and rolled myself off the bed. I walked towards the window and pushed the curtains letting in sunshine into my room. I took a deep shaky breath and cleared my mind as I did some meditation. Meditation helped me and I had fewer panic attacks than before. If you were to meet me a few years back you would instead see an emotional wreck.

Today is going to be another great day. 

Alright...You can do this Anita!

I changed into my sports attire and went jogging. Jogging helped to divert my mind because I focused on nothing else except on the movement of my legs and my breathing. After running a few miles I ran back home and took a nice hot shower.

Hmm...which outfit today?

*an eternity later* (in SpongeBob narrator's voice)

I opted for a simple dress and flats, did my hair and applied some light makeup. I gave myself a once over and being satisfied with my appearance, went to the kitchen to grab my breakfast.

"Beta...I made Aloo Parathe for you"

"You are the best Dad!" I gave him a hug and sat down to eat my favourite breakfast.

"Anita Beta..."

"Hmmm..." I was busy gobbling down my breakfast.

"When are you going to settle down... I want to have grandkids before I die you know" Just then I noticed his appearance. He had grey hair...his eyes looked tired...his face had wrinkles...He suddenly looked old and my heart dropped.

I can't lose him. He was all I had but...

"I don't know Daddy... I don't know if I will ever be able to..." I stiffened because I knew that I would never be able to be close or even intimate with someone without remembering that day. Tears welled up in my eyes. Seeing me tear up my Dad gave me a bear hug and I felt better.

"I had actually prepared my scare-my-daughter's-boyfriend speech..." He sighed. We both laughed.

"See you Dad, love you...Bye!" I grabbed my bag and left for work.

"Love you too Beta...Take care"

********************

I listened to some Punjabi songs as I drove to my workplace. They always lifted my mood! "Mundiyan to bachke rahi!!!" I sang and jammed along.

I worked as a psychologist. I interviewed people from all walks of life... rebels... suicidal people... children from broken families... juveniles... convicts..etc. Today I had to interview a convict who was about to finish serving his sentence. So I grabbed his folder and drove to the prison.

In the past few years of interviewing these people, I noticed most of them had a similarity. Most had a bad past. Thus, I could also relate to them which made me more intuned to my work as well.

As I walked to the interview room I skimmed through his folder. I had already studied his profile for a week and had prepared some questions beforehand. Many times these criminals have had a bad childhood, which has affected them as they grew. I assessed their behaviour...whether they can empathise...etc. While interviewing I usually encouraged them to turn over new leaf. During the interview with convicts, I would interview them from the glass. Because as much as  I would like to help them..there is no denying what they can do.