Sitting by the window of the bus Becky glanced at Ashton.
He was sitting on a public bench at the bus stop. The orange rays of the setting sun were slantingly on his face making his eyes glow bloody orange. His white attire, dusky complexion, and sharp features reminded her of a scene from 'Dracula ' by Bram Stoker.
It was this image of his, stuck in her mind throughout her life, that made her recognize him as a Psychic Vampire who suck her vital force, energy, and finances leaving her a zombie.
He despised her going to meet her mother. He loathed anybody with whom Becky could have a warm relationship or who could financially depend on Becky.
The bus moved on. He was moving far away from her. She kept looking at his gradually diminishing figure till she could see him no more.
Resting her head on the back seat she closed her eyes and thought about their relationship.
When had he transformed into Dracula was an enigma to her.
The very first days of their relationship had given her red flags. It had become clear to her that another psychic vampire had entered her life but she shut her eyes to the reality.
Being an empath was a curse. It had been proved again and again but she was one of those people who never learned from their mistakes.
The tickling of her mobile phone transported her back from her reverie.
"Have you reached home?" He asked.
Looking out of the window Becky could not make out where she exactly was.
"I am not sure but may be nearing the station."
"I will ring you when I reach home."
Becky had met Ashton through one of her friends. She has fallen for his beautiful eyes and dimpled smile. He was the epitome of manly beauty for her.
He made her feel important. Encouraging her to go ahead with her plans.
"plans. " She hissed sarcastically aloud startling her co-passenger. He looked at her suspiciously.
Being embarrassed Becky again looked out of the window into the darkness of night.
Yes, plans, to make a mark for herself and become what she felt she was destined to be.
'Destiny!' has its own pace and agenda. Making or maring it is not something that we can control.
Like any other normal girl, Becky had dreams of earning a place for herself, having a loving family, and a peaceful life.
Her love for books, literature and fiction made her opt for teaching as her profession.
Her passion, hard work, and endeavors to remain updated about her subject made her a good teacher.
But did the vampires in her life appreciate her chosen profession and her dedication to it?
'NO'
She looked at the time on her mobile phone. It was 9:30 pm. There was still an hour to reach her destination.
Closing her eyes Becky wished to rest and clear her thoughts. She wanted to think of a way out to say to her mother what Ashton had wanted her to say.
Tears welled up in her eyes. She didn't wipe them. What others would think about her crying in a public place didn't matter anymore.
Tears rolled down her cheeks wet her neck and stained her lemon-pale shirt with smudged eyeliner and makeup powder.
Ashton entered her life when she was earning well enough to take care of herself and her mother. She had enough savings too.
Living in a small city had its pros and cons. The expenses were low but had no scope for growth for her.
Despite being in her thirties, she was a spinster. Her hopes of getting married and happy loving family were dashed again and again for one reason or the other.
The bus made a halt at a small station. It was a fifteen minutes stop. She bought a cup of tea and a sandwich for herself knowing well that on reaching her mother's residence at this late hour she won't get a cup of tea or anything to eat.
Becky kept sipping her tea and trying to remember when was the last time when she had gone to meet her mother. Maybe it was one and a half years back.
It was maybe in December when she had gone to her mother to help her with some official paperwork.
The bus had commenced its journey again.
Settling by the window she again looked at her mobile phone to see how much time was left to reach her destination.
Still, half an hour left. The phone rang again and it was Ashton telling her not to ring him when she reached her destination as he would be out partying with his friends.
"Call me in the morning to wake me up at 10 am."
She had been waking him up in the morning for the last six years. It has become a ritual for her.
She had loved doing it in her initial romantic days but now it had become a routine that she hated the most.
Times, days, people, and likes and dislikes change with time. They both had changed and their likings had also changed.
Love had become a punishment, Love rituals were now boring routines, and the very habits and mannerisms that had once seemed funny and loving, and brought smiles to their faces were now repulsive and filled hearts with disgust.
Ashton's vivid accounts of his making efforts to work hard at his workplace but not getting recognition used to make her convinced that his boss overlooked his endeavors.
Now her outlook had changed. Whenever Ashton started any such topic of his being exploited at the workplace made her prepare herself for the fact that he would be quitting his job the next month and draining all her finances to his fill.
Becky looked out of the window of the bus and saw the neon lights glowing. Now the city was only fifteen minutes away. She started getting ready to get off the bus. She checked her bag and purse dabbed her face with a wet tissue, applied some face powder and lipstick, and smothered her hair.
The bus entered the bus stand as soon as the bus halted she got off it and moved toward the taxi stand.
Becky had a saddened feeling about being sent from one Psychic Vampire to another. The one who was more experienced and brutal than him and their common victim was BECKY.