The man in Red

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.

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