Chasing You

Chapter 4

Helena’s POV:

“I’ll be fine mom!” I said as I hugged her before leaving for the sub way.

I tried not to tell my parents about the incident on the train but they watch news and unfortunately this incident was covered by the media and was made a huge issue. By the time I reached home my mom and dad were eagerly waiting for me. They hugged me and mom had tears in her eyes as she rubbed my back. She thanked the lord and that strange person who intervened to save me, in her prayers while dad looked at me in relief and took my bag inside.

I was given a huge meal and both of them stayed by my side as I had it. Gosh, they looked so worried, I could see the traces of tears on their faces and their wrinkles deepening near their eyes as they smiled at me while I was having the meal. It was such an overwhelming experience, I would never want them to be so worried about me. I smiled at them and broke down in tears as I knew! I knew, they would have lost their minds and their heart must have sank in the worst mire when they must have seen the news.

Their worried and tired faces, their red and swollen eyes said it all yet, they managed to hide it behind their smiles. That was the most painful smile I’ve ever seen on their faces. I hugged them and broke down in their arms as I bowled my eyes out. I was thankful for such a loving family and I would do anything to never put them through anything like this ever again! That day, dad stoked my bag with pepper sprays, tooth-pricks, pocket knife and he even taught me some self defense.

I could understand their worry and I would never try to brush them off, I listened to them but, I also knew that they trusted me. I promised mom, that I wouldn’t stay out late in the library and even if I have to, I’ll keep them informed of my location.

With that, a week passed and everything was going back to normal. I was going to college and was engaged in studies, I had also signed up for many literature workshops and clubs which I was enjoying attending them. Somehow, I was feeling the mundane vibe coming back but all of a sudden there happened something strange one day.

“Hey Helena! There’s a mail for you” Called my friend Stacy.

It was a strange thing, I never received mails in the past 20 years of my life. The only mails I ever received were of my parents posting greeting cards on Christmas and New years. My relatives are long gone and there was no way anyone would send a mail at this odd time of the year. I was confused as I walked towards Stacy who was holding a cardboard box with the letter.

“Here, this has your name on it” She said as she gave it to me.

I frowned as I looked at it. It was six in the evening and I was done with my daily college work and was heading home from the library with my friend Stacy. The mail normally should be dropped at my home but, strangely enough it was dropped at my locker of the library. I never gave my work address to anyone. Who could it be?

I opened the letter as Stacy began to open the cardboard box. She seemed to be excited but, I was way more petrified than surprised.

I unfolded the letter and began to read it…

“Hey Girl,

How have you been? Lately, I’ve been acting kinda strange. I’d say it’s all your fault! You look way too cute for me to show you my urges that keep running on my mind.

Well, you come in my dreams like the celestial nymph and then hop around in my head like the fluffy cute muffin I wish to gulp. But you know the strange part?

Every time I try to move to get closer to you, you drift further away from me.

These dreams have been giving me sleepless nights and I wonder what would it be like to know you in person but, somehow, your pure innocent self makes me restless, I wonder if I could ever be able to speak to you normally. Well, It’s not my fault completely you are irresistibly alluring but I don’t blame you either for you are too innocent to understand my irresistible desires.

Till the day we meet, I’ll keep watching you from afar and writing you my thoughts through that little thing in the cardboard box.

Will be waiting your response…

Yours Truly….”

I finished reading the letter and as I peeped out I saw Stacy pulling out a smart phone from the box.

“Wow! Helena, you never told me about that rich relative of yours!” Said Stacy as she pulled out the phone from the box and gave it to me.

It was already set up and running, I pressed the power button and the screen beeped with a message.

“Hey Girl, I suppose you have received my gift. With this we will be connected from now on” Beeped the message.

I looked up from the phone as my hands were shaking. Who is this person? I was holding too many questions on my mind as I looked at Stacy.

“I don’t know who this person is” I said as I looked at her.

“What? But, he gave you such an expensive phone. This person definitely knows you, how come you not know of him?” She asked in shock.

I shook my head in disbelief, I promised my parents I wouldn’t worry them more. I was clueless as to who this person was.

“I get it now, this person is your secret admirer!” Said Stacy with her eyes glinting with joy.

“What? It can’t be true!” I said in utter denial.

“It’s a secret admirer for sure, and look at that sweet letter he has written! I’m pretty sure, he is someone who has been watching you from afar.” Said Stacy.

She was completely living in her fantasy and I was in denial of something like that happening plus, this doesn't make sense for I always wear baggy clothes and look plain in such a gloomy attire! Who could possibly take interest in someone like me? I’ve hardly had any friends, Stacy is the only best friend I’ve had over the years and for some reason she managed to stick around. Apart from home and college the only place I spend the rest of my time is Library where nobody ever comes.

“Peter! It definitely is Peter!” Said Stacy as she smiled at the thought of him and I together.

I don’t know what fantasy she’s imagining right now, but I can be sure of one thing that she is having those ridiculously cheesy lines and scenes played on her mind. I sighed and hit her head with the newspaper roll.

“Ouch! Helena! You shouldn’t be hitting someone on the head, that’s considered to be mean you know” She said as she rubbed her head.

“That was necessary to bring you back to reality!” I said in a sarcastic remark.

“I don’t know what to do of this phone” I said as I looked at it.

“Why don’t you keep it? And then when you meet him in person, you can return it!” Said Stacy.

Oh lord, save this girl from her lame fantasies. Not every thing you get from a stranger is safe.

“You know, those girls in “Taken” were also just as dumb as you!” I said with a serious face.

I don’t know him but,he somehow has been watching me. I feel so conscious all of a sudden and I don’t even know of anybody who could be the prospective person behind all this. I gave in defeat and put the phone in the locker of the library.

“I don’t want to see you. Please be gone by tomorrow” I said as I looked at the locker.

“What are you doing?” Asked Stacy.

“Hoping for someone to come and take this expensive phone away” I said as I Looked at her.

“You are praying for a robbery?” She exclaimed in laughter.

“Well, what choice do I have?” I said helplessly.

“You can talk to that man and return it to him! I mean that’s the least anyone would do” She said.

God, stop making me feel guilty!

“First of all, there is a good chance I’m being played plus, if that person really did bother about such an expensive phone then why carelessly hand it to some random girl? He must know that this is what happens when you try to gift expensive things, you lose them!

I doubt he wants it anyway, plus, I want my man to be gutsy, what good is a man who doesn’t show up and act all creepy by giving these kind of expensive things. If he cared, he’d be gutsy enough to face me not a creep to send me random gifts!” I said, losing my temper.

Stacy stared at me blankly for a minute and then we both agreed to leave this phone here and go home.