Love Me

02- Stalker

“Hey Sara, wake up, it’s already 7.30,” Nisha pounded on my door.

“Yeah...yeah, I am coming,” I murmured in half sleep and again drowsed.

“Don’t sleep again or I will break the door,” she shouted like a crazy woman. I slowly opened my eyes and I noticed the time 7.39 am on the watch. My eyes widened to see that. Immediately, I got up and went to open the door.

Nisha was standing in front of me wearing her gym shorts and a tank top. Her long hair tied in a high ponytail.

“I will give you ten minutes, come quickly,” she left and I sighed when hearing her order.

I nodded, leaving a deep breath, since I didn’t have any other option. I am stupid for agreeing to work out with her every day.

Nisha was a physical trainer and a well-known YouTuber. I met her at the university and we became friends on the instant because of our Indian roots. She’s an Indian. Her parents were living in Mumbai.

“Hurry up Sara, we have to start,” she said after I came to the living room after finishing my morning chores.

We started to do our workout for almost half an hour. Thanks to Nisha, she’s the reason for my fitness. Actually, I don’t believe in the diet or fitness. I am just doing this to relax.

After resting for ten minutes, I went to take a cold shower. It relaxed my muscles and every single fiber of my body. I came out wrapped in a pink towel, I looked around my room and also checked my door before taking my towel off. I got dressed in a white shirt and a pair of jeans. I tied my hair in a ponytail.

In my eyes, I looked great. I went to the kitchen. The smell of pancakes tempted me to eat.

Nisha was preparing pancakes for us. “Sara, after finishing your work, buy some bananas for me. I have some work so I will be late today.”

“Sure,” I said and took my handbag, then we walked out of our house. After fifteen minutes of the drive, she dropped me in front of my office.

“Bye buddy, see you tonight,” she waved goodbye.

My office is situated on the busiest streets of San Francisco. It was a ten-story building where my office was situated on the fifth floor.

When the elevator door was about to close, I ran and stopped it. I lifted my head and looked inside to see a bunch of men.

Sara, you can do it!

I went inside with nervousness, running from head to toe. I prayed to god to make it fast. I heard a few men talking and some of them murmuring.

When the elevator reached the third floor, most of the men got down and there was a lot of free space. Suddenly, someone tapped me from behind. I turned to see George, my junior. “Good morning Sara,” he smiled.

“Good morning George,” I gave a small smile and turned. George was a nice guy, but still! My problem is this; I can’t socialize with anyone that easily. I sometimes feel like, why am I like this? Nisha used to tell me that I should get a boyfriend so that I could get comfort and safety.

I can easily find a boyfriend, but what if he leaves me after he gets bored with me? Maybe I am a fool for having an attitude like this, but after my parent’s death, I had a great heartbreak. I am afraid of losing my loved ones and that fear is the reason for my introverted character.

When the elevator door opened on the fifth floor, I walked straight into the office. I noticed some of them had already started working. I went to my place and switched on my laptop. At that time, I got a call.

“Sara, come to my cabin,” Edward said –Edward was the chief officer in his forties, he's the chief in charge here. I started working here when I graduated. Aaron group of companies was one of the largest companies in the US and has several businesses across the world.

“Good morning, sir,”

“Take a seat, Sara.”

“Is there anything important, sir,” I asked after sitting.

“Yes. Our boss, Mr. William Aaron died this morning.”

“Oh… how?”

“Cardiac arrest. The message came from the head office this morning. They informed all the companies are going to close by this afternoon and usually open by Monday.”

Mr. William was one of the most powerful men in the business community. He’s seventy-five and got married twice. After his first wife’s death, he married another woman who’s twenty years his junior.

He had a son who also died in an accident with his wife. But his grandson, the sole heir, is now upholding the business.

“I called you because don’t delay that upcoming presentation. We need to submit it on time,” he informed me.

“I will finish it on time.”

I worked on the pending work and the day went off like this.

By the afternoon, I finished half of my work. I closed my laptop and decided to continue this after going home.

I walked to the bus stop and after ten minutes of the ride, I reached my stop. I went to the nearby grocery shop and bought the banana for Nisha, and made my way to the apartment. It was on the second floor and my neighborhood was always busy. Placing the banana on the fridge, I went straight to my room. Falling on the soft mattress, I fell asleep.

Then the coldness of the room stirred me up from my sleep. My hands are numb due to the cold. Nowadays, the weather is getting colder. Though I am wide awake, I felt too lazy to get up and stayed in bed for some time.

I took my phone beside me and turned it on to find out the time, 5.30 am. I slowly got up in regret for taking a long nap and went near my window, moving the curtain aside I peeped out to see the mesmerizing sky which is colored by the combination of violet, blue, pink, and orange. A small smile spread across my lips. The enchanting view gave bliss to my heart.

Then I took a hot shower that made me warm and refreshed. I changed into my usual sweatpants and a white T-shirt. After drying, I left my shoulder-length black hair free.

I went out of my room and I noticed Nisha was not yet come. Turning on the television, I sat on the couch, all the news was about Mr. William and his unexpected death; he was the world's second-largest billionaire and even sometimes first. There's also news about his mysterious grandson, Mr. Michael Aaron who's going to take over the whole Aaron Empire. The reporters are not allowed inside.

After watching TV for some time, I got bored so I turned it off and went to the kitchen and made ramen noodles. It's one of my favorite which was introduced to me by Nisha. While I was doing that, Nisha came home.

"Hey, Sara, you're having ramen without me?"

"Can I make one for you?"

"No, continue, I am not going to eat now.”

Then I made myself a cup of hot coffee and went to my room. I sat on my bed and turned on my laptop to check whether there are any emails.

I had a notification for three emails, but out of those two are not that important and the next one is the message that I was eagerly waiting for this whole week.

Lauren Lee, I smiled like seeing my family member. Lauren Lee was my scholarship provider at my university. She's the one who encouraged me to study. I only know her name and her age is Sixty-five. Other than that, I don't know anything about her.

One time I tried to ask about her details but she genuinely said that she didn't want to reveal her identity. Talking with me is the big help she had done to me and I don't want to lose someone like her in my life. I don't know why, but sometimes I used to share my life situations. Not even a single moment, I felt her like a stranger and her words were always a comfort to me.

Hi Sara,

I hope you are fine and I think you're doing well in your work also. Sorry for the late reply dear. I am stuck with some work. Take care of your health. If you want anything, please feel free to ask me and I am there for you.

With love, L. Lee.

I felt so happy to read that. I typed the reply,

Hello Lauren,

I am fine and how about you? I am doing well, Lauren. Take care.

With love and respect,

Sara.

I laid on the bed, staring at the ceiling. If I ever wished for something in my life, I wanted to see Lauren and to tell her how grateful I am to meet a person like her.

On Sunday, Nisha and I went shopping. I bought a polka dress due to Nisha's compulsion because she's arranging a blind date with a guy she knows. I didn't ask anything about him. I am not even interested in going there. Nisha told me that the guy wanted to meet me, so I said okay for courtesy.

In the evening, while I was reading a book sitting on my bed, I heard my phone buzz. I saw a blank message from a private number. I deleted it and continued to read. Again a message came,

"Is that book interesting?", the message said.

I was stunned to see that. I looked around and noticed that my windows were wide open, so I immediately jumped from the bed and went near the window. There were so many buildings and penthouses opposite to my apartment. I closed the window and sat on the floor.

It's clear that someone is stalking me, but who?

Again, the buzz of my phone got my attention.

"I am coming for you."

I threw my phone on the bed and felt confused about what to do.

The next day, I got ready for work. I had a dark circle around my eyes. Nisha asked me why I am like this? I lied that I am having a headache but she still was not satisfied with my answer, but I somehow managed to.

I blankly sat in my place and tried my best to concentrate on the work, then I got a call from Edward, maybe it was for the presentation which I had already sent him.

"Good morning sir,"

"Good morning Sara, what happened to you?"

"I am just having a headache," I maintained the lie.

"Do you want to take some rest?" he asked me in a concerned tone.

"No sir, I am fine. Why did you call me?" I asked him.

"Sara, you know that our new CEO is going to take over everything, so they are planning on changing several things. Our office is even going to shift to the main office. So the presentation got canceled.”

"Oh," I nodded.

"Then there's going to be an inauguration function on this coming Friday. Everyone should be present on that day. It is going to take place in the Fairmont Hotel.”

I am happy to hear that because I am going to the Hotel Fairmont, which is the costliest place in the city and also belongs to our boss. The blind date that Nisha said was going to get canceled too. My face was plastered with a victorious smile while going back to my place.