December 3, 2011

It was late. Very late….and I was tired. God! This Friend of mine Sonia! She always ends up in trouble and then rubs it on to me. I suppose she thinks I am some kind of jinni., who would help her out all the time! All I want now is to crash into my bed. My feet were hurting and every muscle in my body ached. As I entered the lift, I was about to press the down arrow but before pressing it, I wondered whether it is minus one or minus two? Minus one. I pressed the button and waited for the lift to reach the basement. Eight more floors to glide down, and then, a half-an-hour drive to reach home. I closed my eyes and tried to relax, the elevator stopped at minus one. I got out. No one was there. It was dark.
 
I looked around for my car; I realized that I had parked it somewhere near the emergency exit. Now where is the emergency exit? It must be really far, as I moved forward, I felt some presence around me, as if someone was following me. I turned around. No one was there. But some kind of fear and anxiety crept into me. It reminded me of the murder of a girl that took place in the basement of the Ocean Pearl just a week ago. The girl was ruthlessly killed and her body was found under a car the next day! The zooming crime rate is a price we pay while in a developing city.
 
I noticed that I was completely alone. It was a perfect atmosphere for murderers to lurk around in the night, searching for victims. Right now, I considered myself to be a perfect one! Oh crap! Who's that? I think I heard distant footsteps; I turned around in an instance. In the distance, I could see a man in a black overcoat. I turned and walked ahead in search for my car. Oh my God! What will happen next? I walked faster and the faster and the footsteps grew more audible. I pretended to avoid it and continued searching for my car, pretending to look confident.
 
I reached the emergency exit and to my horror, the car wasn't there! Oh, I must have parked it in minus two. Oh. My. God.
 
I headed towards the stairs on my right. As I walked down the stairs, I could still feel the person following me. Oh God, Save me! What will happen to me? What about my family? Will they be able to live without me? I am not even graduated! All my dream and hopes will get terminated, even before I start working on them! Will my body be found under a car tomorrow morning?
 
As I scanned the parking lot, every second seemed like an hour to me. Why are the parking lots so confusing? I hear some more footsteps. Chill Zoya! Maybe it is some other harmless guy who is searching for his car. I tried to console myself. Yeah right! Who was I kidding?
 
As I walked around searching for my car I wondered whether I should call Sonia or the cops. But what's the point? The sadistic pathetic murderer can overhear me. I bet he will be able to get me even before Sonia gets down! Those footsteps sounded louder….closer….
 
I walked faster, and so did the footsteps behind me. His pace was equal to mine. I stopped suddenly and looked around. Those dim lights did not help. And then I heard something fall down. Petrified by the noise, I turned around again. Is that his gun or his knife? I couldn't see anyone around me, but I knew I hadn't imagined that noise. I turned back and started looking desperately for my car, the next thing I saw was shadow of a tall man.
 
What could I defend myself with? My nails were long enough to scratch him, but would that do any good? The mirror in my purse - would it help? Now, how much time would it take for me to open the door, get in, slam the door and get myself out of all this? Just a few seconds….
 
Just then 'trring trring' my mobile phone started ringing. The man could attack me any time now! I pulled out my phone from my purse and spoke 'hello? Who is this?'
 
The voice replied 'Zoya? Where are you?' it was mom. Hearing her voice made me feel so much better. But the signal was weak and I couldn't hear what my mother was saying.
 
'Hello? Maa?' I spoke desperately into the phone. Before I knew it, my only hope drained out along with my mobile phones battery. Oh Great!
 
I started walking faster…obviously, having no idea where I was to when I heard the footsteps growing louder and faster.
 
And then finally I saw my red car parked in a corner. I started calculating. It would take me about a minute to reach the place where I had parked my car. If I run, will the man be able to get to me? I'm not really fast, but I guess when it comes to saving my life, I can run! Well, that's what I hope. Every second seemed like light-years to me. The footsteps grew louder along with my heartbeats. I did not dare turn around. I knew its now or never! I have to get there. So I walked as fast as my legs could take me. I dug my hands into my pocket for the car key. Where is it?
 
I felt something like a key. Indeed it was my key….but not my car's. It was the key to my House! Oh, the keys are in my purse. I took them out and as I was about to unlock my door, I felt someone's hand give me a tap on my shoulder. I screamed so loudly that it echoed in the deep silence. My worst nightmare was coming true….
 
'Zoya what happened?' Relax its just me….' spoke the familiar voice. Gathering my courage I turned around to see, it was my friend Ayaan, looking at me surprised. 'God! Is it you?' I asked. A wave of relief passed through me.
 
'Not God, It's Ayaan' he said giving me a goofy smile. 'Sorry, I kind of got freaked out' 'Its okay…I saw you but I wasn't sure it was you, so I didn't call out…and then you went down, and I didn't hear you drive out or anything for a couple of minutes….so I came down to see if everything was alright'
 
I let out a deep breath. From a state of utter helplessness to a state of comfort and relief….what a sudden change!
 
I realized the power of imagination. Most of our fears are just imaginary…there are our own stories. Who are the authors? We are! Fearful thoughts make you fearful, and happy thoughts make you happy. I realized the shadow behind me was just a reflection of my own imagination. my dad used often say 'fear does not exist- it is only the fearful thoughts'.