This is Perfect...

1

"What have you got, huh?" Said the huge guy. Along with him there were a few more people who laughed along with his evil smirk.

All eyes were on me. The huge guy pushed me so hard that I fell on the ground. I started crying instantly. They laughed harder after I started having a panic attack.

I started sweating and my body went numb. Somehow, I mustered the courage to say, "P-Please leave m-me al-lone. Please."

Soon, they came closer to me, probably trying to make me feel more claustrophobic. My breathing became very shallow and my heart started racing faster than the aeroplane.

I got up. I was sitting on the bed and realized that I was actually sweating and was breathing fast just like I was in the dream. It was a dream. It had to be a dream.

I started noticing my surrounding. I was in my room. The fan was making an awkward sound. Bruno, my dog, got up too after he realized that I was feeling uneasy. He walked on my lap and started licking my neck. When I looked out the window, I realized that it was morning. Late morning actually. I searched for my mobile on the side table and checked the time. It was 9.15 am. I had never slept so much. Bruno sat on my lap and rested his head on my thigh. He let out a huge yawn. I slowly stroked his back and started thinking about my dream.

It was a nightmare I thought. Not a dream. Though an exaggerated nightmare. This kind of thing happened to me when I was in high school. But in the nightmare, they all looked like grown -ups. Like my age.

Before I could think any further, my mobile started buzzing. Bruno got startled by the sound and turned his head to look at my phone.

When I lifted my mobile, I saw that the call was from Gauri, my cousin sister. I picked up the call and said, "Morning Gauri."

Gauri screamed with immense joy, "Forget about the morning! Where are you?"

I knew she would want to share something important with me. So I jumped to the point, "What's going on?"

She screamed, "Its something very very urgent and I want you to come home! Now!"

I made a fake crying expression and groaned, "Can't you just tell me here, over the phone?"

"Nope. Not at all. You have to come. That's it. Come to my place now, Nikhil."

I let out a sigh. I decided to surrender and said, "Fine. I'll be there in an hour."

"Don't worry about breakfast. You can have it in my place."

I hung up the phone and shouted with irritation, "Get down Bruno!"

He got off. I felt bad for being mean. I got up from the bed, stretched as much as I could and walked in the bathroom. After brushing, shaving a bit and taking a shower, I grabbed my mobile, car keys and Bruno. I didn't want to leave him alone, especially with an empty stomach.

After reaching the parking lot, I unlocked my nano and let Bruno climb the passenger seat of the car. I also put a seatbelt for him, which apparently, he was in love with and shut the door. I was in the driver's seat and started the car. I opened the windows of our respective sides and I started driving.

Bruno loved to look out the window and put his head outside. All dogs seemed to love that. But for safety's sake, I kept his window half open.

Soon, we reached Gauri's complex. I parked it in a safe place and both Bruno and I jumped out of the car.

Ting tong. I was a little exhausted with the stupid suspense Gauri was making me go through. She opened the door and she looked over - energetic, over - enthusiastic and over - happy as usual.