Plots

NOT YET

CHAPTER 1

"Huh", I wake up sweating. I look outside. It's still raining. It has been since the past four days. The maximum pause between two showers being five minutes. I thrust my face into the pillow; the same nightmare has been torturing me for a week now. I sleep, I dream, I wake, I remain awake, changing stances and wondering who that man is.

That man has taken away a week's sleep. He must be about six feet three, defined features, and dark chocolate brown hair and is extremely well built. Every night he just stood there. Hair disheveled from the numerous fights I am sure he must have gotten into before HE stood in front of me, head bowed, right hand clasping a knife so tight that all blood has drained from HIS knuckles. I wake up.

I try to imagine what in the world HE is doing in front of me. Murder me? Nah! We are not related. Kidnap me? Come on! It's just a dream.

I pop in a pill and go off to sleep again. The next day, at school, I try to remain calm. But as soon as the bell rings, signaling the end of school, I grab my bag and take a bus to Harvard, where my best friend, Brandon studies. We met a year ago at a Basketball tournament and he has become my ultimate resort since then. He is a towering man of six feet five and his black hair and good looks compliment his goofy yet brooding personality in every way.

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While he orders for us, I text my mom.

Extra practice will get late.

She doesn't mind my being with Brandon, but since exams are close and I really need to hold up my good grades to get a college of my choice, she wants me to study. My parents are researchers and scientists with NASA and were amazing sportspersons in their school days. I had realized quite early, that if it hadn't been for them, I wouldn't have had the athletic abilities that I do right now.

"Yeah, you have been very distant lately and want to tell me something. Will you spill the beans?"

I look up to see that Brandon has finished ordering and is now placing my cold coffee and muffins on the table.

"How did you know I wanted to speak something?" I reply, jumping out of my reverie.

"You really want a list. You have been shifting your weight and not to mention you practically barged into my class today after school. Did not wait for me to pick you up like you usually do...."

"Okay. K. I get the picture"

I start explaining all my nightmares and doubts to him while he listens to me in rapt attention. When I finish, he has a brooding expression on his face which tells me he is in deep thought. After some time, he speaks in a very deep voice,

"You should visit a therapist"

What???

"Listen, I don't need a therapist. I am sure this guy is real and I have seen him somewhere but I don't remember clearly."

"That's it. You must have seen him on the streets somewhere and he just pops in to see how you are at night."

Ugh!!!

I run out of the shop. Leaving my beloved coffee on the table. I sprint, turning wherever my erratic mind sees fit, not caring to see if Brandon is following me or not. Suddenly it starts pouring. I stop there, letting the water wash over me. Brandon was the first person I expected to understand me. I open my eyes and everything stops as it is. Hair disheveled, head bowed, knife in hand, there is no mistaking it. HE stood there.

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