' Natasha another letter for you'. Her friend Celene said with anger laced in her words.

She looked at the letter. Yes it's nicely packed like the past 3 ones. She opened it and like she thought it had only one sentence

" You are as smart as I thought you were " She flinched at the words.

' Ash.. ' That is what Celene prefers to call her. ' Please take it seriously he is really crossing the limits. You should report it to the police. '

' What should I report? That an unknown person is constantly sending me one sentence letters! '

' But he is obviously stalking you. He knew your ex-boyfriend for sure. '

' I know Celene. I have my own thoughts about it. ' Natasha broke up with his boyfriend last week due to such a letter. Apparently he was two-timing.

' What are you going to do?' Celene said curiosity brimming her eyes.

' I have found that the last 3 letters were posted from the orphanage which I grew up in.'

' Little hearts orphanage? '

' Yes! So I am gonna visit there tomorrow. '

' Is it somebody you know then. I don't know I am not sure.' Natasha said her words stuttering a little.

The next day the two of them decided to go to the orphanage together. It was a 4 hour journey. Looking out through the window, the path felt oddly nostalgic. Memories kept rushing in.

The orphanage was Natasha's home for nearly 16 years. She got adopted only at 16. She had a best friend there, whom she cannot forget this life, whom she wish to meet again. But the busy life she had and an unknown fear kept her from searching for him. His name was Arnav and he was 2 years younger than her. She wondered where he might be.

The car entered the orphanage compound. On the way to the sister in charge of the orphanage, she saw two girls playing together. She felt guilty for not visiting there sooner. It has been 10 years. Even though she would call the sister at times she never actually visited there.

' Oh, Natasha. It's a pleasure to see you again. I thought you forgot the way here.' Sister said smiling at her.

' I am sorry, sister. How can I forget! ' Natasha said embracing the sister. Tears fell down her cheeks

' Still a crybaby I see' Sister said wiping her tears off.

They talked for nearly an hour about her life. Then Celene finally managed to come to the topic proper.

' Sister she has been receiving letters which are posted from here. '

' Here? I didnt write any letter though.'

' Do you have any idea who might be the person? ' Celene insisted.

' I don't know. I don't think anybody here know Natasha other than me. It has been nearly ten years most of the staff retired and all the children back then got adopted.'

' What about Arnav? Where is he? ' Natasha asked hiding her curiosity.

' Arnav... Oh he got adopted soon after you left. He was actually not willing to get adopted because of you so after you left he agreed for adoption. '

' Do you know where he is now? '

' No I think the family was from Florida or something'.

Then they checked the adoption register and found the address.

' It will take 2 hours from here.' Celene said searching in Google. ' Let's get going' She added.

' Are you being serious. We are going now?' Natasha asked.

' Yes, or else what. We have to confirm that it's not him , right? What if you get more letters.' Celene said rashly.

Celene was always like this, a straight forward person. She was a free spirit while Natasha had her boundaries high. She was calculative and meticulous at times.

They bid farewell to the the sister and left the orphanage.

On the way Natasha kept thinking what she should tell first when she meet Arnav. She was anxious.

It was already evening when they reached the address. The house looked old like big but uninhabited. Shrubs covered the front of the house.

Natasha felt as if the journey was a waste. It doesn't look like anybody live here.

Still they ran the calling bell and to their surprise a feeble voice came from inside. ' Coming..'

They waited and an old lady opened the door.

' Is this the house of Mr. Bernard?' Celene asked. That was the name written on the adoption register.

' Yes it is. What do you want? ' The lady said calmly.

' We wanted to meet Mr Bernard.' Natasha said swiftly.

' Oh. Mr and Mrs Bernard passed away last year. '

' Sorry.' Natasha paled.

'Do you know about Arnav? ' Celene asked.

' Arnav.. yes the son of Mr and Mrs Bernard. It's a pity that he died at such a young age. They were a really happy family. '

' What happened? ' Celene asked admist her shock but Natasha was speechless. Her friend with whom she shared an unbreakable bond is no more there. Guilt filled her up.

' It was a road accident. They died on spot.'

As they stood there frozen a shadow appeared at the door behind the old lady. It was a young man.

He asked. ' Who are they? '

' They came looking for Bernard.'

'Who are you ?' Natasha asked hiding her broken voice.

' It is my son, we live in the city but we visit here at times.' The lady answered.

' I am Leo. Nice to meet you' He said extending his arm towards Natasha.

' Natasha. Pleasure to meet you. ' She said half heartedly and held his hand. But he didn't break apart he held her hand tight.

' What the..'

'You are as smart as I thought you were! To leave that fool of a boyfriend'. He whispered but the sound resonated jn her ears. She couldn't believe her ears.

' You...were the.. stalker. ' Natasha stuttered.

' I wouldn't call myself a stalker, I am more like an informant.' She smirked and said.

' We will report to the police if you pull any of your acts. ' Celene threatened.

' She is crazy right?' He said to Natasha refering to Celene without looking at her.

' Celene I will handle this.' Natasha said softly.

' I will wait for you in the car. ' Celene said and left the two of them.

The old lady was nowhere to be seen. She might have left when Leo showed up.

' What do you want? Why are you writing me letters? Natasha asked. But her voice betrayed her sorrow. She couldn't process all these. Her childhood friend died and suddenly a stranger was trying to barge into her life.

' Oh! Don't cry ok! I didnt mean to disturb you. I was really close with Arnav, he was my best friend. He used to talk a lot about you. So after his death I thought you should know about it. That's why I searched for you. Your ex happened to be my co worker. I happen to know he was two-timing and so I tried warning you. That's all !' He finished in a rush a bit panicked by her sadness.

' I see.. Thanks! ' Natasha managed to say. She walked towards the car.

' It's not the end it's just the beginning' Leo said a bit like screaming.

Natasha looked back and saw him smiling at her and waving a good bye.

Running through the heavy rain, heart pounding, I finally reached the bus stop. My clothes were drenched and so is my bag. The certificate of excellence which I safely put in a file may be the only thing that is not wet and that's all I want. After a day of long awaited freedom and my dreams coming true, that's all I care about - the certificate in my bag. 

My phone was soaked and was barely working. There were 8 missed calls from dad. It was already 10 pm and it would take me at least an hour to reach home. I could almost hear him screaming and throwing a fit just because I chose to pursue my dreams.

I stood at the far corner of the bus stop, rain dripping from my hair and clothes. I looked around. A few people were scattered nearby, each swiping phones and lost in their own world. Ding… My notification rang, a sharp reminder of all the conversations I ignored. 

" Aren't you home yet ? "

" You should have listened to me and stayed at home"

" It's getting late"

" You are a girl, keep that in mind"

Blah blah blah 

Seriously, after days of preparation and anticipation, I finally took part in the competition today and all he could think about is, I wasn't at home! It's not just any day, it's the day I have dreamed of for life. I scanned through the messages, he didn't even ask for the results.

Typical of him.

As I was looking at the messages, I felt a piercing gaze on me. I looked around and to my right, a person in red averted his gaze. He should be in his mid 20s. There was something familiar about him, like I have seen him somewhere, but I couldn't remember where.

I go back into reading the messages.

Time passed and not a single bus came. The people waiting with me grew more agitated. 

A lady exclaimed " When is the next bus going to come, I have to go to work early tomorrow"

" Where are you going? " A girl who stood next to me asked.

" Nova square" 

" What about you?"

" Central road" She said and smiled. It was a warm smile that felt like all I needed today.

" Are you working or studying" She asked with a curious glint in her eyes.

" Studying"

" Oh, what are you studying"

" Architecture"

" Architecture? That sounds fun! It's like designing buildings and all, right"

" Yeah, something like that" I replied wondering that even a stranger could appreciate my choices, yet my dad couldn't.

" Your name?" She asked.

" Amaya" I replied. " Yours?"

"  Leena" She said with a smile.

Once again, I felt a gaze on myself. The guy in the red shirt was still staring. What's with him? At least show some discretion. I clenched my jaw, forcing myself to stay calm.

" Why aren't you back yet? "A new notification. 

I glanced at my phone, irritation filling me up. The girl next to me watched my expression and asked, " Everything okay ?"

" Oh, it's my Dad! He's making a fuss that I am late "

" I guess all parents are the same ! I just got a long text on why I should get home earlier and that only makes me want to stay out longer." She said with a soft smile.

I don't know why, but her presence felt strangely comforting despite the glare a guy to my right is giving me. 

" Don't you think that instead of making girls stay at home, the boys should be the ones to stay in ? That way the streets would be safer." She asked, waiting for my answer eagerly.

" Yeah, that's a nice idea. But all I want is to feel safe outside, to go wherever I want, anytime. I guess that's too much to ask for."

I realised why I felt comfortable with her. She's just like me, a plant standing strong despite the withering winds of the society. 

" Feels the same " She said, nodding her head in agreement.

#

" The only men in my life - my brother and my dad. Both are as controlling as they can be. I understand them to an extent, but it can be suffocating at times" I said

" True, so is my mom. Well then, why are you late today? Trying to be a rebel?" Her lips curled up.

" I wish I were bold enough to be a rebel. But no, today I had a competition." I said, my hands gripping my bag tightly.

" How was it? "

" I won. I think I secured a good placement "

" Well, a happy day then, right?".

" Yeah and you are the first one to know the result."

" Why? Your parents didn't ask?" She asked, her smile fading.

" No, they don't care. They were never supportive when I chose architecture. They think I should pick something more stable, more meek and more girl- like."

Memories of the day I got accepted into my college rushed back.

Strands of my hardwork lay scattered and torn across the room. I stood in the corner of the room stunned, warm fluid tracing my cheek. He, who is supposed to take care of me, stood opposite, watching my helpless eye with no trace of sympathy. He stood there, the silhouette of a person I am so familiar with, yet so distant at the moment .

He, who is supposed to encourage me looked at me with eyes that betrayed his indifference. - my dad became a stranger to me that day

She burst out into laughter. 

" What? Why are you laughing?"

" No, I just find it funny. Parents, the way their heads turn is hard to discern. " She said

" What are you doing? "

" I am working at a cafe" 

Golden light blinded me in the pitch dark. The bus came. Finally I could make it home.

I entered the bus and took a window seat. 

A cool breeze rushed through me, messing my hair. I sat there, as the breeze washed away my worries. 

" Stop ignoring my messages." Notifications again! It's not that I don't want to reply, I just can't - my phone is frozen.

Someone is staring at me. I could feel it. I tilted my head slightly and the person sitting near me came into view. The same red shirt guy who had been staring at me.

I told myself, I'm okay. It's going to be okay. There are other people on the bus. Leena was sitting two rows ahead of me. 

The bus passed by several stops

After a while, it stopped at Nova nagar.

My home was only a 5 minute walk from the stop.

I walked ahead of him. His pace was calculated and overbearing. With each step, my heart pounded. Is he following me?

Maybe he's living in this area, maybe..

But I knew I was just trying to convince myself since I know most of the people around here.

Maybe he's here to meet someone.

My hands trembled and my breath was uneasy. I tried hard to walk fast and not make it obvious. I regretted not learning something to defend myself. My parents didn't let me learn karate when I wanted to. They sent my brother, but said it's better for me to learn dance rather than karate.

Now what should I do? Dance in front of this stalker?

I couldn't even make a call- my phone was useless and there was no one else on the road.

I walked as fast as I could but still he's nearing me. Our footsteps echoed in the silence.

As I walked further, someone approached from the opposite direction. He looked familiar. It was my brother. Oh, god, never in my life had I been so relieved to see the menace I call my brother.

" Amaya, why didn't you pick up your phone?" He asked, his voice harsh yet strangely sweet.

" My phone is damaged, I couldn't answer." I said, tilting my head to glance at the figure following me.

" You will somehow find trouble. That's exactly why Dad didn't want you going to the competition. You didn't listen and went against us. If you had called I would have picked you up. It's so late and it is not safe outside." He went on lecturing me as we walked.

The red shirt guy was still following us. My mind wavered - should I tell my brother?. If I was being stalked then there was no way they had ever let me go out alone. But I was terrified so I told him.

" What ?" He stopped walking, anger flashed across his face.

" Go home. Dad is waiting, I will be right back." He said and walked towards the man in red.

I felt my chest tightening. I stood waiting near our gate. They talked for a while and my brother finally came back.

" Why didn't you go inside? " He asked, raising an eyebrow.

" What did he say?" I asked, my voice betraying my fear.

" He said he lives in the home stay near Tina aunty's house. I will ask her about it tomorrow. Amaya, If something like this ever happens again, call me or report it to the police whichever you can. "

" Please don't tell dad about this"

" I will " He said, watching my reaction

" Please" I pleaded, like my life depended on it.

" Then make sure that you never come home late and always pick up your calls"

" Sure" I said, feeling my worries ease.

We walked through the gate and I looked back to check if the red shirt guy left.

No, he hasn't. He was still standing there, giving me the exact same piercing gaze and

then he smiled.

A shiver ran down my spine.