I looked at her with teary eyes . My hand cupped my cheek where I felt the stinging pain cause of the slap.
" Neha....a-are you okay ? ..i-i am sorry "
Neel helped me to balance myself.
" no..Neel , it's not your fault, infact I am sorry . I didn't knew my own mom is low narrow minded "
I look at her disgusted. She yanked me away from him
" what did you just said ?!! How dare you talk about me like that !!! "
" Aunty what are y-"
"Neel go "
I begged him. I didn't want my mother to humiliate him anymore.
" bu-"
I cut him again
" please Neel ....please go "
I looked at him . He looked at me being concerned but turned to leave. Mom dragged me inside and pushed me inside my room.
" listen to me carefully...from now you will not meet him neither any other boys "
She said with her index finger pointed at me. And then she closed the door harshly.
-
I groaned cause of the sunlights, beaming through the curtains and fell upon my eyes , which made me irritate.I turned other side to get myself a little more sleep. I was tired of the crying. The headache that I got from the crying for hours ,was also giving me a hard time. But I was unlucky I guess
My phone started to ring telling me someone is calling. My hand reached at the nightstand in search of my phone. After struggling a little I was able to open my eyes a little . I tapped the green circle through my blurry vision to receive the call. I placed the phone above my ear-
" Hello? "
But I wish I would check the ID first before receiving the call.
" good morning baby ....did you sleep well ? "
I thought I was dreaming at first. I sat up and rubbed my eyes twice before checking the ID. I had the app which showed the person's ID even if the number is not saved in my phone. The moment I saw the name my eyes widened. My stomach twisted in fear .
" I didn't knew my baby is feisty one ..but I like it . It is turning me on more . I like when you play 'hard to get ' . But don't you think it's enough baby ?"
My hand started to shake , My eyes we burning . It was him , the stalker from yesterday . Just thinking about him made me shiver. I blocked him in my every social media but he managed to find my number . 'How he got my number?! ' the question was storming in my mind .
" I can't control myself anymore. I want you , in my bed , under me Right now b-"
Before he could say further I thankfully got in my senses and cut the call . I threw the phone far away from me in the corner of the room. I palmed my face while taking deep breaths to calm my thumping heart . The horrible incident of yesterday flashed in my mind making me tear up. Spooning my knees to my chest,I hugged them. Supporting my forehead on the knees I bit my lip to not cry loud . But still the stupid sobs managed to escape.
" Neha get up !! Don't you have school?!! "
My mom shouted from the kitchen as the sounds of utensils crashing together followed her tone .
When I calmed down I washed up and made my way downstairs.the mark in my neck didn't go unnoticed, I applied concealer and covered it with my hair. My mind was still caught up with the event earlier. Sitting on the chair I searched for an excuse to ditch school.
I was scared , my mind was full of scary scenes that could happen if I get out of the house today and his words earlier wasn't helping my conditions either.
' what if the stalker is waiting for me to go school so that he can do what he couldn't yesterday? What if he brings gun or knife this time ? What if he kidnaps me and ..? What if I will not be lucky enough to run away this time ? What if neel will not be there to help me ? '
Several questions were storming in my mind making me a mess .
"Why aren't you ready yet, it's already eight thirty. "
My mom asked me , when she saw me in my casuals instead of school uniform. Her voice interrupted my thoughts as I watched her coming towards the dining table.
" m-mom actually I am not going school today"
I looked down at my plate , cause if I looked into her eyes I was hundred percent sure she would caught me.
" why ? "
I gulped, my eyes were roaming everywhere but her's.
" a-actually M-mom I am not feeling well, my head is aching "
Yes, I had headache but it wasn't that serious and it wasn't the real reason that I wanted to skip school. I half lied and I was internally praying to God for my mom to buy my lie.l looked up hesitantly only to see her glaring me with one of her eyebrows cocked .
'Oh lord ..please save me ' I internally prayed cause her look was saying 'are-you-sure? '
" but you look absolutely fine "
She said.
" I am not lying mom, my head really hurts "
I closed my eyes and pressed my temples with my fingers as I pretended to look sick .
" okay if you say so , take rest today "
She said. But from her tone I was sure she was still suspecting me.
The day passed and the day after also passed . I somehow managed to skip school for two days . But I knew I won't be able to keep skipping school. One day I have to go out , I can't lock myself inside my house forever. And my mom would not buy the same lies for 3 days in a row . In those days, there were several missed calls and texts from Neel asking me if I was okay, why didn't I go school?what is wrong? What actually happened at that evening? Who was that boy ?but I didn't bother myself to give a reply or atleast pick up his call for once. My mind was only caught up with the filthy texts I got from that stalker, he knew I was skipping school for him , he knew I was trying my best to avoid him and he knew too that one day he will get me, one day I have to go out , that I can't hide from him for ever.
And there I was at the bus stand, waiting for my school bus . Thankfully there were another students too, I wasn't alone. I walked with my neighbor from my house till the bus stand cause he was going to his office by bus .After few minutes I reached school. My body was there but my mind was some where else . I somehow came but how will I return that question was eating me up ,Specially the dark deserted alleys, where he caught me last time .
I closed my locker after taking my books when a hand caught my wrist and started to drag me across the hallway. I couldn't even got the chance to react . When I looked at the person whom the hand belonged to ,I relaxed. Thankfully it wasn't the stalker.
" what the hell Neel ?! Leave my hand ?! "
But he didn't listened.
" where the hell are you taking me ?! "
No response. He continued to drag me with him.