Trigger warning ⚠️  MENTION OF STALKING AHEAD

☆DIVYA☆

'Maybe we feel empty because we leave a piece of ourself in everything we used to love'

I had read this quote a long time back but it was only now that i could feel it- deep in my bones.

Right in the first week of obtaining the new achievement of runaway bride, i could feel why so many people had loved this quote.

And now- i did too. Not because i regret what i did. No. I would do it a thousand times over. But because they are my people...my family. And i could feel a huge part of myself missing- if not whole- right since the day i arrived in Pune.

Yes. The ticket to my freedom landed me in Pune. The city where i could start anew. And it was going preety damn well untill- well some 10 mins ago- give and take- i don't have the leisure to check time right now- not with a big, bulky red eyed creep trailing right behind me.

I pulled my overcoat closer,as the rapid patter of my sneakers reverberated through the otherwise eerily silent road. It had been a while since the sun had dipped below the horizon, leaving the sky deep indigo with the first stars flickering in view.

I sighed in frustration and kept walking, my hand travelling into my handbag and touching the pepper spray Isha had given me for the nth time just to reassure myself that i had something up my sleeves for protection.

God- why did i have to come for an interview to such a far away place, and get stranded now of all times! A trail of silent curses flow through my lips as i had no other option than to remain calm. Or so i tried-

My eyes darted around the surroundings, desperately hoping to find something- anything- that could be helpful in the situation and not to my surprise, the road ahead just seemed endlessly streached- no sign of a cafe, store or even a single vehicle for however long my vision allowed me to observe.

'Shh...its alright...keep calm...breath..' i kept reminded myself again and again, the situation tensing my nerves. I peered over my shoulder, and sure enough, the shadow behind me had grown bigger, at a distance that was too close for my comfort, which also allowed me to view the faint outline of his hooded face, the sinister smile on his face sending a chill down my spine.

I clenched my phone tight, though its screen had gone dark and unhelpful even before i left the place i had come for my interview. I turn my focus on the road ahead as i could now hear the man's faint whistling- GOD-NO- PLEASE-

If i wasn't panicking before- i was now- my breathing shallower, as i tried my best to not break in a run for it- cuz ofcourse that wasn't the best idea- especially when i wasn't Milkha singh in terms of running- and more so when i was giddy out sheer panic

Every sound seemed amplified: the rustle of leaves, the distant hoot of an owl, and the man's relentless footsteps. My heart pounded in my chest, each beat a silent plea for salvation. I kept walking, driven by a mixture of fear and determination, praying that around the next bend, by some miracle, i would find safety.

And maybe my luck, kismet, or whatever was responsible for my fate finally decided to return back from its vacation, as a building, which seemed like a villa came in sight, and- THANK THE LORD- cuz the first other human had finally made his grand appearance on this dark road.

A man, seemingly in his late 20s, stood outside a grand but isolated villa, almost in the middle of nowhere. He was dressed in sharp business attire: a tailored black suit, a crisp white shirt, and a sleek navy tie. His polished dress shoes stood out against the dusty ground, hinting at an elegance that seemed out of place in such a remote location.

He was engrossed in a conversation on his phone, his posture confident and relaxed. His back was turned to the road, making him oblivious to my presence. Quickening into an urgent trot, i reached almost near him

"Bhaiya!" My voice trembled and yet it was loud enough to carry through the night air. The man turned, his eyes now on me as i could see a surprised expression on his face as i rushed to him

"Kitne call kiye hamne apko" i managed to speak between my haggard breathes "Aur aap yaha hai-!" His brows knitted at my address, cuz ofcourse we had never even met eachother, let alone call him with such a close term or claim to be his oh so worried sister. He glanced at me, studying my expressions and a tear slipped my eyes before i could even register it.

I silently kept my eyes on him, pleading to play along and pointed at the creep who had been following me through my eyes, who now stood at a distance from us. His expression quickly shifted from surprise and confusion to one of concern as he took in my frightened state.

He ended his call abruptly, slipping the phone into his pocket, and stepped forward. "I'm sorry bache...i- just had an important call- i was on my way to pick you up though...you could've waited for your brother to pick you up na?" He played along, his expressions turning a bit gentler and i thanked him and heavens cuz he understood my situation without a single word

"Ahh that.....i was just too excited to meet you....thought I'll just give you a surprise" i  stammered and my eyes darted back, searching for the creep, praying that my act of desperation had worked. And it did seem like that, cuz the creep had started backing away in shadows

I turned back to him, "That man-" i whispered urgently to my newfound brother "he's been following me for a while..."

From the corner of my eyes, i could see my "brother's" gaze flicker past me and onto the creep, his face twisted in furious glare and the next second he called for his guards to catch the man.

The next few minutes seemed to be passing slower as the guards grabbed the creep, pinning his arms behind his back and forcing him to the ground.

"Are you alright?" The man turned to me, his voice gentle as if he was talking to a little child. I could only nod, the sight of the creep being held down sending a wave of sudden relief wash over me.

The adrenaline rush, which had propelled me forward, suddenly ebbed away. My legs, no longer fueled by fear, gave away and i stumbled crashing against the wall for support

"Easy." He said softly "Aap safe hai hamare saath. Its over" he reassured and unknowingly i sobbed hard, the voice of my mother ringing in my ears

"World is a cruel, cruel place divya....more cruel than hell itself"

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