5. Mr Stalker

ROSE

'Meet us at Rush @ 7:00. Big news.'

I stared at the text message from Natasha and wished like hell that I could be able to say no to her. And, you would think after the morning I had, I've all the rights to do so and stay alone at my place while I feel pity for myself. But unfortunately I didn't have such luck, because even if I managed to stay at home, I was sure she’ll end up coming there and then she’ll drag me out to wherever she wants. So, it will much easier to just agree with her.

‘I'll be there. Just don't try to set me up with anyone.’

I texted her back and plopped down on the couch. After 10 minutes of changing channels on the TV, I settled on a music channel and closed my eyes as I recounted today's events. All the things that happened was horrible except that one thing. I knew I shouldn't have given into that kiss like that but the moment his lips touched mine I was a lost cause. And, then he bit my earlobe, oh god, he actually bit it like some kind of wild animal.

Then he lifted me in his arms, laid me back on the bed and slowly, his lips trailed down my lips to my neck to the hollow of my throat.... Wait... that didn't happen, did it?

A loud shrill woke me up from the romantic haze I was in. Oh god... now I was dreaming about him, shît. What kind of black magic was that? I quickly jumped up from the couch when the second time the ringing sound echoed around me. After a few seconds, I realized it was my phone that was making that noise.

I picked it from the table and answered. "Hello,” I said into the phone, groggy from my nap.

"Where the hell are you?" My best friend that I sometimes wanted to kill, asked me.

"Home," I said stifling another yawn.

"Why?" Natasha asked making me more irritated. “You were sleeping," Natasha accused me as if it was a crime.

No I was dreaming a very romantic dream, but instead of that I said, "So? Something is wrong with that?"

"It is 8:30, Rose!" She yelled.

And, I remembered. Fûck! The sleepy haze finally lifted, I said, "Oh my god, I slept for four hours. I'm sorry, I'll be there in half an hour."

"No. You have 15 minutes, Rose, bye."

I stared at the offending device in my hand, willing myself to throw it across the room but then I’d have to buy a new one when I didn’t even know if I would be able to pay the rent for the next month, so I guess it was a bad idea.

Rush was not so far from our apartment only about 10 minutes of driving that leaves me with 5 minutes to get ready. I quickly ran to the bathroom, we've single bathroom in the hall besides the kitchen, and two bedroom with a small room that we use as a store room or laundry room whatever we prefer. It depended on Natasha's mood as I didn't think much about these things. Switching on the light above the mirror on the washbasin I scrubbed my face clean with a face wash and looked at the mirror to find two big swollen eyes staring back at me.

I didn't understand why this happened to me all the time. Whenever I woke up from a long sleep my eyes appeared like someone had punched me during my nap. Could that be possible? "Ugh..."

Standing half in the cupboard half out, I rummaged through my clothes and came up with three t-shirts to choose from. As I didn't have much time to pamper myself, I decided to wear the jeans I was already wearing and chose the pink tshirt with a sleeping peanut on it.

Pocketing some cash and my mobile phone, I grabbed my car keys as I rushed out. After locking the apartment door and double checking it because you never know, I made my way down the building. It was four storey building, and construction was going on on the fifth floor so sometimes we’d to even park the car way down the road to give space to the workers. There were not many people living in this building and mostly there were students who studied in college or have a job of some kind, so we got it on reasonable rent which was the only reason we were living here.

I came across the corridor to the main gate and looked around for any danger as it was not so much safe of a neighborhood which was also the reason why it was so much cheaper than others. Satisfied that there was no lingering threats, I quickly ran to my car and settled in the driver seat.

I started the car and shot my best friend a text that I was on my way and got a “Hurry!” in return.

Thankfully the Rush wasn’t too far from our place so I reached quickly enough. After parking the car as I made my way to the club entrance I could clearly make out the words of the song and could feel the vibrations of the music. Stepping into the dim red and blue lights of the club I looked around for my best friend. As usual she was sitting on our favourite spot so it was easy to locate her.

"Finally, you made it." She was bursting with an excited energy so before I could've said anything she hugged me so tight that I was sure my ribs were bruised by the time she stepped back. "I'm so happy. You know Nikhil proposed me!!!!” She shrieked in my ear.

I was so stunned from the news that it took me a whole minute to respond. "Oh... that's good, I mean congratulations!!” I inserted much more enthusiasm in my voice. Don't get me wrong. She was my best friend and I was happy for her. But I could actually see what was coming next and I was afraid of it.

"Yesss!! Now, tell me you got the job, please?" She looked at me expectantly and I knew what was going to happen if I said no. We both had decided to move in together to help each other with the rent so we could finally live independently apart from our families, but if I told her that I still haven't found the job she will put aside her engagement to help me with the rent, she wouldn’t be able to move in with Nikhil as she wanted.

When I glanced back at Nikhil, he too was looking at me like I have all the happiness for him in my hands and I think I did... So I said, "Yes, of course, I got the job."

Natasha hugged me again and this time when I looked at Nikhil he mouthed a thank-you to me and looked at his fiancé with so much love that it made me realise that it was one of the best thing I did today.

"Ok. Now show me the ring." Natasha was all but slow in showing off her big diamond ring. "Let's celebrate. I need a drink or many, many drinks."

"Have whatever you want it's on me," said Nikhil as I settled in front of them.

After having two tequila shots, my nerves were little loose but not totally because I was still thinking of the situation I was in. How was I gonna pay the rent and if before I said it was cheap, it was not. I have no way of paying my rent or to carry out my other expenses, unless I wanted to go back to the old job where that pervert boss didn't understand the difference between sexual harassment and courting, or if I want to go work as a maid to some high profile businessmen or actors in the city.

Or, you can go work for him? A voice whispered. I swear, sometimes my inner voice makes me very irritated.

"I'll have three shots of vodka," I said trying to avoid my inner voice as well as the doubts that were creeping up as I thought about the future and especially to forget about this morning and that man who was making his unwanted appearances in my dreams.

"Are you sure, Rose? Tequila and then vodka?” Nikhil asked, always a caretaker.

But before Nikhil could've said anything the bartender placed three vodka shots in front of me, obviously he was too eager to lose any customer.

"If I didn't know any better I would've thought that you are celebrating my leaving of the apartment." Natasha said as I downed my first shot.

I replied, “No. I am just happy for you.” And maybe a little bit sad for myself. I didn't even have a job. God knows when will I have a boyfriend or when will I get married or when will I have kids? Because I wanted all of that, and there was not even a man in sight that I was even a little bit attracted to.

Liar… you were attracted to him this morning.

Oh. Shut up!

I didn't know how much time passed away since I started drinking but now drunk me didn’t care anymore and I was not complaining about anything so that was a win, I guessed. Whatever will happen tomorrow, I planned to fully enjoy my today.

"Let’s go for dancing," I grabbed Natasha's hand as we made our way toward the dance floor.

"Be careful," Nikhil yelled after us.

The music continued to blast through the speakers, people dancing, grabbing each other and couples were doing more than dancing. I danced my heart out, spinning, jumping, laughing and tried to stay balanced as I felt all the tequila and vodka running through my veins making me see double and the world started to blur a little.

By the time we made our way back to the bar where Nikhil was standing I was bathing in sweat and breathing heavily, Nikhil offered us both a glass of water but I dismissed it as I yelled, "Vodka, please!”

Nikhil and Natasha both looked at me with wide eyes, I rolled mine . They both started to say something at the same time but my phone chose that moment to vibrate in my pocket. I silently thanked the person who was calling me as I knew that they both were going to give me the lecture of my life.

I looked at the screen of my phone, an unknown number, I was about to decline the call but then I watched my two best friends waiting to pounce on me as they knew something was definitely wrong if I was acting like this. So, I decided to answer it.

"Helloooo," I slurred, my voice wobbly from all the alcohol I had consumed.

"You shouldn't be drinking this much." A deep voice replied. A shiver ran up my spine as my foggy brain tried to place that voice. I was damn sure I had heard it somewhere but didn't remember.

"And who the hell are you?" I asked, looking around to find my stalker.

"Have a glass of water." My stalker ordered me on the phone.

"I don't take orders well. And especially not from strangers."

"Now. Rose." He demanded and for the reasons I couldn’t fathom I turned and took the glass of water from the bar and drank it in one gulp.

"Good girl. Now, turn around."

"What the..." My words died in my throat as I turned and looked up at the face which nearly knocked me on my arse.

It was him.

Him.

You know the man who visited me in my dreams and did things he shouldn’t.

Yes. Ryan Johnson. He was here.

And he was still wearing that navy blue suit with the missing tie, looking the same as he had looked hours ago when he was taking my interview and when he had pinned me to the door and when he had placed those smooth and soft lips against mine.

Get a grip, Rose.

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A. Gupta