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One day Meeta was going to office.She always walked on same road.For many days she preferred that road.Actually it was quiet and lonely road.Every day walking on it was becoming dangerous day by day.She knew very well that plenty of chain snatchers were walking around city.Since gold prices were increased.The chain snatching became every common in city.Now a days no one dared to wear true gold here.After all they could easily snatch it on scooter or bike and ran away.While doing it many types thief hurt that person which was worst part of it.Meeta was no longer wearing anything of gold.But she was sure someone was following her.She went some steps and turned around.She looked behind but no one was there.She could clearly see shadow of a person whom she really didn't want to see.Sometimes our mind is so divided in two sides.One side wanted to see that person and other side didn't.Same was happening with Meeta.Some where in her mind she wanted to see him so she turned behind.Then without looking at him she felt scared so she ran ahead.She was very scared to walk like this all alone.If someone tried to do something to her,there was no one near by to help her.She didn't want to be hurt in any way so instead of looking behind.She started running ahead.She could clearly hear feet following her.But she didn't dare to turn back.She was too scared.She just concentrated on road so that she would not trip on some stone.Then finally she reached on main road.Then she slowly turned around.But there was no one there.
When Meeta reached on main road,suddenly she started feeling everything she felt was just part of her imagination.After all why did someone follow her.Such kind of incidence only happened in films or television serials.In real life it was only fantasy that sometimes goes out of control.Meeta started laughing at herself.That road was looking quiet harmless now.She just wanted to reach office on time so she started searching for vehicle.Finally she found vehicle and went to office.In office she was so busy in her work that she totally forgot about that road.She was so busy with her work.Her boss was upset regarding something and whole time he was screaming on everyone.This was specialty of her boss.Whenever he was upset,he began to scream on staff.Then all staff had to do everything to please their boss.Today was one of that kind of bad day so Meeta was doing everything she could do to please her boss.Every staff member had to run in his cabin when he called that person name few minutes late would create a big drama.No one liked to be insult others.There were already many members of staff insulted by him.They just wanted to scream on him but could not.Finally that day was over and Meeta started going home.In the morning she had decided that while returning home.She would st least avoid shortcut and took main road.Distance was more but safety was more important.But in her stress she totally forgot it and took same shortcut.This time she was more careful.She properly listened to every sound.There was no sound.She didn't feel any shadow behind her.Every thing was perfect and fine.She didn't feel anyone behind her.But this was also upsetting her.Meeta wanted to know.Why did she had such a strange feeling in morning?She just didn't understand.Then she suddenly realized that may be that person was not there now.But due to wind trees were started making sound and once again she got scared.She literally started running until she reached home.
When Meeta reached home her breathing was fast and she was wet due to sweating.She started ringing doorbell like a mad woman.Then when her mom didn't open door.She started banging on it.Finally her mom opened door."Meeta why are you banging door like this?Don't you know I can't walk fast.I am not young any more.I can't easily move.""I know mom.But you took too much time.""But why don't you use your key?"Now that was a big question.Meeta got her own key still she was so nervous that she totally forgot to use it.Instead saying anything she just went inside.Meeta"Mom will you give me something to eat?I am so hungry."Her mom went inside bring food.Meeta then started in reading paper.Now a days she mostly got interested in reading mystery and horror novels and at that moment she thought.They were creating worst effect on her so she decided to quit reading them and started reading paper or other type of novels classic or romantic.But she didn't got that type so she had to purchase them.Then she thought that mom's library.But in case of library she had to return her book and she could never complete them on time.Meeta was very frustrated.She just loved her books.But if they created bad effect on her.She started removing them.When she was taking out her books,her mom came out with tea and snacks.Mom"What are you doing?"There was big tower of books on her table."Mom I am going to throw these books.""But why?Meeta,I thought you love those books and I think you have not even read many of those books.You can't throw them like this.I don't let you waste your money like this.If you don't want to read them,just keep them on their place.May be I will read them?""Mom you don't understand if you keep these books,I want to read them.""Then you must read them.You bought these books for reading.Don't you?Now if you want to read them,you can read and if you want to read them,you don't have to.But these books are going to stay in their place.""Mom these fantasy books are damaging to our mind.""Who told you this nonsense?This is rubbish.Many people read these types of books.No one had got mad because of them."Now Meeta was frustrated.She didn't want those books before her eyes.She was totally convinced that due to reading those books.She had those feelings in morning.
Meeta saw her mom was keeping those books on their racks and arranging them more systematically.For Meeta they were more tempting now.She turned her face away from them.She went to sleep.She forced herself not to read any book that day.She tried to do other things.She started listening to music.She tried hard to get involved in it.But she just could not gather that interest.She was so restless due to this change.Then her mom came into room.Meeta and her mom shared one room.Her mom had a right to sir in that room.But when her mom began to read the book.Meeta hated her from bottom of her heart.Meeta was trying hard to solve her problem.Her mom should have helped her.But she didn't understand Meeta's problem and Meeta didn't want to confess it before her mom.Finally when she thought there was no option left.She decided to tell her mom.Meeta"Today when I began to go in office,I thought someone was following me."After hearing her sentence her mom's full attention.It was a thing she didn't want.After her father's death.Meeta became center of life for mom.Meeta knew her mom very well.She knew her mom would create issue out of this.Then Meeta's nightmare began"Meeta hoe many times do I have to tell you not to take shortcut?That road is very lonely.Why don't you use main road?You can easily take that route.""Mom I told you before it is long cut.I don't want to waste my time."Mom didn't like Meeta's attitude."Meeta someone was following you.He can do anything to you.""He?!How can you be so sure that it was not part of my imagination.""But you never imagine things like that.""If it is true person then I think evening or night will be better time for him.But when I was returning home.I don't think that he was following me.""May be he was more careful that time?""What?!You mean that he was following me and I don't feel anything.""That is easily possible.First time you tried to turn and see his face.He must have noticed it."Meeta suddenly remembered that when she turned back that person hide behind a tree.That person must had seen her turning to see his face.Meeta was very sure now that the fellow was following her every day.This time she just noticed that he was following her.But now there was biggest question.Why did he was following her?She suddenly too scared to think of reasons.After all her heart didn't want to think about motives.But she had decided that she would never take that route again.
Next day she woke up early.Her mom helped her get ready fast.Meeta got ready and went to small road which would connect to main road.Then Meeta received shock of her life.That road was closed for repairing.Meeta was angry with her government for closing that road.She just wanted to throw away the board on which they were apologizing for the inconvenience.But that was not going to help her.Now she had to go by that road.In heart she knew that it was her bad luck.After all she had to inquire before taking that road and repairing was really needed for that road so Meeta once again returned to her shortcut.Now while walking on that road.She was continuously tense.This time she once again felt someone was following her.She clearly felt feet that were behind her.She wanted to turn around.But she didn't dare to look back.She remembered her mom's each and every sentence.She didn't let that man caught her.She was literally running on that road.She didn't stop until she reached on main road.When she stood on the road,she was looking so exhausted that one Auto was stopped immediately.He even offered her water.But Meeta had her own water bottle so she politely said no to him.Then she sat in that Auto.Driver"Mam can I ask you something?"Meeta nodded her head."What happen to you?"Meeta just didn't know that how did she suppose to answer that question.She couldn't trust that fellow.But she needed help.Finally she decided to tell him.Meeta "Actually I think someone was following me on that road.""That road?!Mam it is quiet lonely.If someone is teasing you.I think you should not at risk of coming alone like this.This world is full of criminals."After that he told her plenty of his experience which were as scary as walking on that road."So mam you should not walk alone on that road.If you need,you must take someone with you.But never go alone."This advice was useless for Meeta.She didn't have anyone to give her company.When she reached at office,she was so tense that she could not able to concentrate on her work.Finally her friend asked her."What happen?""Ritu someone is following me everyday.""What?Who?""I never able to see that person's face.He just vanish in thin air." Then Meeta started telling her the story while controlling her tears.Ritu"My god.You have to be careful.Don't you watch those true crime shows.The criminal has risky mentality."After hearing this Meeta began to remember every horror of those reality shows.She suddenly began to wish that she never watched those shows.But the mistake was already made so there would be no turning back.She could clearly see those pictures.Then she suddenly began to scare of every male near her.Meeta started feeling that they were intentionally dumping on her.She wanted to scream on each person.She felt as if every person was touching her with ugly motives.She never had power of telepathy and never claimed that she had such a power.But suddenly today she felt that mind was warning her against some danger.Still she had no options except to go by that road.
When Meeta walked on that road,she once again felt that no one was following her now.She turned around many times.But she didn't see any shadow.She was confused now who was this strange person who followed her only in morning.This time instead of running she decided to walk slowly.Meeta walked very slowly.She was pretty sure that she had relaxed.Then suddenly a small breeze came and a leaf of tree fell on her head.Meeta screamed loudly and ran like a mad woman towards her house.Finally she reached home.Once again she started ringing door bell.This time her uncle opened the door.After seeing her he looked behind her in hope that he could see the person who was following her.Uncle whispered"Is he behind you?""No.""Then why were you running?""I got scared.""Come inside."Then they all sat together.Around dinner table her Uncle turned to her mom."Can I suggest something?""Sure go ahead.""I hope Meeta is not imagining.""My daughter never imagine things.""I know.But her father was suffering from schizophrenia.He even did suicide due to it.He was my brother.I always felt that if I did more proper treatment may be things would have changed.""You stood up and started looking out of window.She might be hiding her tears.Finally she spoke"I stayed with your brother.I have seen that sickness.Meeta don't have any symptoms.""But I want check.""Do as you wish?"Meeta was very scared after hearing this.She just could not able to eat dinner.
Next day her uncle and mom took her to psychiatrist who talked to her for some hours.Finally he called her mom and uncle inside.Psychiatrist"You are daughter is fine.She didn't have any mental problem.Actually she was just scared of that person.I think you need to find him or her.""But why did she ran when he was not following?"Doctor smiled"Because she was scared.Don't worry.She don't have any metal problems."Finally they left that doctor.Next day her Uncle slowly followed her.Finally they found one person following her.They both caught that fellow.They were shocked to discover an old woman.Meeta"Why are you following me?"Old woman"Your highness.Queen told me to take care of you.I am your servant."Then she started saluting her.Uncle"I think she is mad.""No dispute about it.But where do she come from?"Then suddenly a small girl came there."Granny let's go we are getting late."Meeta"Excuse me.But your Granny is following me every morning.""So sorry I just thought she was sitting in trees.Next time it will not happen.Come on Granny let's go."Then that girl forcibly took her Granny to home.That girl was showing love and care for her Granny.But Granny was just interested in saluting Meeta.After that no one ever followed Meeta.But Meeta never forgot that old woman who was so occupied in her imagination that she never able to love her granddaughter.She just wanted to show respect to imagination.May be we must learn to love reality than imagination before changing into that old woman?
The End
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