The bell rang.

" ok class that's all for today, have a good day "

The teacher said and left . I shoved my books inside the bag while searching for my bestfriend. I saw him at the crowded exit ,chewing his lower lip and waiting impatiently to get out.

His name is Neel Agarwal. Two years ago he transferred at my school ,which was ' The Purple Valley High Secondary School ' . Our class teacher made him sit beside me so I could help him with notes.well, you can say I was one the students that were in teacher's 'good books '.

Neel is a sweet boy with a cute smile. we had many similarities , we had same tastes in music, movies and foods and so on .We would eat together at lunch break while talking , we would hangout often after school and thus we became friends. But unlike our tastes ,we had different personalities. He was a reserved introvert but I was an extrovert .

However , he opened up as the time passed. the main point was he would never judged me. He would respect my point of view. If something bothered me He would always help me with his genuine opinions about the particular issue . That's why we got along very well and became bestfriends.

I zipped my bag fast . I stood up from my desk and ran there . I made my way through the crowd and caught hold of his arm before he could go further.

" wait ! "

He sighed and turned around. I pulled him aside. By the expressions I could say he was annoyed . But I didn't cared. I had used to his cold ass.

" what ? "

He asked.

" where were you going?? "

I asked him. He exhaled as he closed his eyes and pinched in the middle of his eyebrows . He looked at me , his face said ' are you dumb or something?'

" seriously Neha ? I am going to eat! It's lunch break. "

I felt odd since would always go together for lunch. But I shrugged it off cause it wasn't my first priority at that time. He turned on his heels to leave but I pulled him again.

" what now ?? "

He asked glaring at me .

" I need to tell you something "

I replied.

" okay..let's talk on the way , I'm hungry"

He said .

" No "

" can we talk after lunch please? "

He asked . I think he started to grow frustrated ,because of hunger maybe.

" no, Neel please..it's important "

" ohh c'mon.. I know what you mean by 'important ' "

He said rolling his eyes . He probably thought I was just overreacting at something.

" Neel it's really serious..try an understa- "

He cut my words .

" GOD Neha !! "

I flinched.

" you're not a kid !!Act like a grown up ass and solve your sh*ts yourself!! People have their own problems to deal with!! "

And ..he left . I stood there shocked at the sudden outburst. This was the first time he shouted at me. Tears welled up in my eyes. I felt a lump in my throat. He could at least listen to me first , he wouldn't die if he held his hunger for two minutes. If it wasn't urgent , I wouldn't insisted him.

*****

I didn't eat lunch.resting my head on the desk, I cried during the lunch break . We didn't talk after the argument. School ended and I was on my way  home. I was alone. Neel and I would always go together but that day I didn't saw him at school gate. Maybe he left without me . It was already dark outside.I reached at the alley that I had to pass to reach home. There the only source of light was a half broken street lamp.the light was about to pass out at any time, it was going on and off again on then off . It looked like a scene from a horror movie .Not a single soul was there .  A dead silence crept there . the only sounds I heard was the mild whistles of wind and the sound of my heartbeat. I wrapped my coat more tight ; one, cause of the chili breeze and two, cause of the fear which was giving me goosebumps. I gulped and crossed my fingers. I took small steps holding my breath . I prayed to god to keep me safe both from ghosts and devils in disguise of human.

When I reached near the street lamp I heard foot steps which didn't belonged to me . My heartbeat fastened. Gulping down I looked over my shoulder. I couldn't see his face due to the darkness . I picked up speed as he did the same. I clutched my hands on my shirt over my chest. I crossed the street lamp and turned behind again . The man from earlier was wearing a mask .He looked like a criminal. I got terrified. My breath fastened.

Something caught my wrist and pulled me backward. I yelped and I closed my eyes tight. In a second I felt my back hitting something hard . Opening my eyes I found the man infront of me .

" baby why didn't you wait for me hmm ? "

He said . I froze. Oh no !!. that was what I was afraid the most .

I tried to escape but he stopped me . His hands were blocking both sides. I watched him terrified .

" please le-let me go.."

I said . My voice cracked. My eyes filled with tears .

" hey don't cry baby ..I can't see tears in your eyes "

He was about to touch my face but I dodged his hand.

" d-dont..don't touch me "

" l-let me go or..or I will shout "

I said .

" ohh c'mon babe ..drop the act ..I know you like me too "

He started to lean toward me but I pushed him with all my strength . I tried to run but he slammed me against the wall again.

"Help!! He-"

He covered my mouth. His palm muffled my screams.

" Don't test my patience baby or else the results will not be good "

He said . His eyes darkened. Tears were streaming down my face . I struggled to get out from his grip . I felt a cold hand going up to my thighs. I tried to push his hands away, I tried to push him but nothing worked.