Someone sitting behind
Satish took deep breath. It was his first day of exam. He was so scared. He kept studying his textbook again and again. On that time he saw her first time. His grandmother was standing there. He was so shocked. His grandmother was supposed to be in village. It was so shocking. He didn't understand how could she standing. He was so upset. He didn't dislike his grandmother but he was not that much attached to her. But she always gave him nice gifts. They all knew that she was little bit mad. No not mad just strange once he called her that by mistake. It soon became big issue. His Mom shivered with fear. He never saw his Mom so pale in his entire life. She was literally moving like leaves in wind. He was so confused. Then he saw his Uncle was standing behind him. His Uncle was strong & powerful man. He heard lot about his Uncle from villagers but he never thought about it until that day. His Uncle took hold of his shoulder in such a harsh way that he screamed in pain. It was hurting him. He didn't want to embarrassed or weak before all so he didn't scream. He kept making strange faces to control his strength. It was so wrong. He was not doing anything wrong. On that point his Mom started apologizing. Mom " He is small boy. He doesn't understand it. He doesn't sense that God is inside her. I will talk to him." Then one villager said angrily " Stupid woman! Why don't you taught this to your son before this incidence? He insulted Goddess now who will suffer consciquences." His Mom shivered. She immediately took hold of his Uncle's feet & started saying " I apologise! Please forgive me & my son!" Entire group of villagers began to move towards them. Satish still remembered it. It all seemed like evil mystery. He didn't understand what he was feeling. He was so scared. He felt that he was still trapped in that nightmare. His Uncle was trying to hold them back. He could still see their weapons. They had large sticks in their hands. He couldn't forget how did they ran towards him & his Mom. He was shivering. He was crying. He knew now that he was not that brave. He wanted to be brave but he was not. He was just small stupid kid. His elder brother and sister called it to him. That day when they returned home & started packing to run back to city. His Mom never called him like that. He always thought that he was greatest in his Mom's eyes. But that day he sensed that his Mom didn't like him that much too. He cried. Then Mom literally ran away with him. That day he was so shocked. His Mom started looking different to him. She looked so weak frustrated. She didn't stood up with him. He was telling truth. His grandmother was mad. He didn't dislike her but he knew that he hated her in some part of his soul. But he couldn't confess it. That day when he called his grandmother mad, he ran to home with Mom. His Dad was waiting for him. He knew that he managed to mess up in village. His elder brother & sister were sitting on chair. He could see smile on their face. They smiled that way when they knew that he was going to prove inferior before world. His Dad came near him. Dad took hold of his shoulder in harsh way. Dad asked him in loud voice " What did you call my Mom?" He didn't say anything. Then he received a slap from his Dad. It managed to hurt him. He shivered with fear. He felt so much pain. Even when he saw his grandmother today, he remembered that pain. He decided that he didn't want to take risk. He went to his grandmother and asked " What did you want?" She smiled in strange way and said " This building of college is going to collapse you must leave it. He was so angry. He wanted to hit her. He knew that hitting such old and weak woman was wrong. It was crime but he didn't want her on day of his examination. He said "Grandma go home." " No..you must believe me." His grandmother started screaming loudly "This building is going to collapse!" All students began to panic. They started running around. He tried to stop her but it was useless. She managed to slap him in such way than his head hit to wall. It was horrible pain. He didn't try to do anything anymore. He could see other kids falling on each other. He sensed that they were getting hurt. He knew that it could be serious but he couldn't stop it. Finally someone came running towards him. It was his professor. He turned to say " Sorry!" But this professor took hold of his shoulder and said " You must run out of this building. She is famous fortuneteller. If we stay then we will die." He was so shocked. Soon entire college was standing outside. Some students were hurt so ambulance was called. Then they called architects. They checked building. At beginning they said " Every thing is perfect." Then they managed to find fault. Soon he saw that principal was convincing all that building was going to fall with help of those faults. He was so shocked. He saw building was not broken at all. But no one seemed to sense it. When he tried to point this out, his friend said " This happened because we came out and changed scene otherwise it would have fallen. She knew all. You must respect her.." Satish was about to object but on that point he saw that strange madness in his eyes. He started to sense he saw it before but it couldn't locate where. Then he suddenly remembered. He saw it in his Uncle's eyes who was supporting his grandmother. He knew that she was Goddess to them. She didn't do anything still they respected her. But he thought that it should be limited just to village. Today it entered in his town too. He sensed that ignoring his grandmother's poster didn't help him much. He wanted to stop them. But they were not stopping. He didn't understand what he supposed to do. He couldn't believe that they were twisting truth in this way. He didn't say anything when they kept admiring his grandmother. He knew that they would not believe him. He just confirmed that his examination was cancelled & went back home. When he reached home, he didn't discuss anything just took out his book & kept reading. He knew very well. No one would support him. They all knew she was lying but still they wanted to believe her.
Satish came home. He was so upset. He always wanted to forget his grandmother as nightmare. He didn't want to discuss it. He ran in his room. He locked himself & started to study. He decided that he would concentrate on his studies. He knew that it was precious to him than any one else. He was not sure when would they set date of his next exam. He became busy studying. He didn't want to remember her. Then suddenly he heard loud knock on his door. His Mom came inside. His Mom was upset. That day his Mom was angry with him. But then he sensed that she was not much believer of his grandmother. His Mom said one thing to him on that day " Try to understand my son! They are madly devoted to your grandmother! Your words will not work on them. You can't open their eyes so nod." He kept nodding. After it he didn't go to village but his father went with his brother & sister. They apologized. His siblings became great by appreciating & admiring her. He didn't understand how could they act like that. He didn't understand what they truly believed. But now they were settled in their life. He was glad that now they couldn't interfere so much. He was so upset by their continuous nagging. But it was not so easy as he thought. They kept coming back again & again. His Dad called them when his Uncle planned to visit. Luckily his grandmother didn't stay with them. She started in separate house. It was a building specifically arranged for her stay. She was not allowed to stay with them. Actually their house was not so big. His grandmother was rich but he was not. His Dad never able to earn much or invest it properly. But still his Dad was sole earner so he grabbed all respect. If his Dad had given just one chance to his Mom. He was sure that she was earning millions by now. But he didn't dare to say this since when he tried every one start to laugh on him. No one felt that his Mom was intelligent. But she was! His Mom came in & told him " Sometime it was so wrong! I mean how could they come here? I don't want them to start influence our life too. They have destroyed those villages with their superstitions now even cities are following their ideas." His Mom was shivered. He began to feel scared too. He started to dream that horrible day in his life. He knew that it was horrible. But then he started laughing. He knew that his modern friends wouldn't believe this. He said to his Mom with confidence " Mom you are scared without cause. I don't believe my friends will believe it?" " Really?! But they are college boys who were admiring on your grandmother so I thought.." " Where Mom?!" " On TV! They are showing all. I think your friends began to believe her." He felt so scared. He was so angry at Mom. " This is not going to happen. Mom they are just pretending. I can't believe my friends can believe this nonsense. They are modern!" He totally rejected Mom's idea. He went in his room. He took out his book & he began to study it hard. He was so sure that it was not going to happen. He began to even laugh at his Mom's idea. But then he decided that he might call his friend. His friend took call after ringing for long time. He said lightly "So what do you feel that drama in college?" His friend didn't answer for long time then he asked " Drama?! Which drama?! I didn't heard about any stage play going on in college." He sensed that his friend hated his comment. He decided to ignore it. " I mean not in college but in movie theatre. That new supernatural horror!" Suddenly his friend seemed relaxed. Satish shiverd so just like his Uncle his friend was adoring his grandmother. He couldn't believe it. She did nothing special. He shivered with fear. He sensed that his college life was doomed. He began to think how could he handle this. He knew that now they all started admiring his grandmother instead of super stars. He took deep breath. He began to study. But he couldn't concentrate. Then he received message by friend that their examination was on next day. He tried hard & finally he managed to concentrate on his book. That day he studied hard for his exam. He needed to escape from here. He felt completing education was only way to do it. He took deep breath. He began to make by heart every word of text book. After that all examination went perfectly. He was so sure that he would get good marks. After it vacation started. He was hoping that when new year would began then his friends would forget his grandmother. But he was when on first day he saw big picture of his grandmother on wall. They placed it in such a way as if she was some goddess. He knew that other leaders were also framed but they did something while his grandmother did nothing except increasing superstitions. She was never shown any talent. Since his childhood he saw her everyday, he never saw any great skill inside her. She was always stuck in her imaginary world. He never felt that affection towards her which normally kids felt for her grandmother. It was so upsetting. He didn't want anyone to know about her. But he knew that soon they would know it. But he kept telling himself they would forget but now after seeing her big picture he sensed that they wouldn't. He just checked his new classroom of new year. He went in his classroom. This time he was hoping to make new friends. In college he every year hoped same thing but he couldn't able to make friends. It was so upsetting. He came inside classroom. He knew few boys but they were not much interested in saying hello to him so he sat on first bench. He was first bencher since no one wanted to sit on it. He always sat alone. Not because he was disliked but because he didn't have particular best friend. They all acted nicely with him. But no one wanted his company. They didn't hate him but they didn't like him too. It was so complicated. He sat on first bench but he could clearly hear gossips from girl's side. They were talking about his grandmother. One girl pointed towards him & said " He is her grandson!" Other girl " Impossible! He is not even ordinary! He seem so.." other girl stopped her. " Enough! He will hear you." Before they could chat further professor came & class started. He was so happy that he was not forced to hear them further. He turned his attention in studies.
Satish was so upset. His college life was already bad & now it seemed to be turning worst. He wanted to feel happy but he was so nervous. He heard those girls were taunting him. While his grandmother pretended & created a fake picture he remained truthful. But they hated his truth. He called one friend yesterday when he tried to talk him even that friend avoided him. He sensed that no one wanted to talk with him. He didn't understand why? He didn't like to appreciate his grandmother but he didn't even criticized her to anyone except this friend. But even in that conversation he turned it all in different way. He didn't understand why did they hated him. He was always nice to them. It was so upsetting. He kept searching for something when in reality he knew that nothing was missing except his respect. No one respected him. He never thought that due to his grandmother they would turn against him. They didn't have any feeling about him. Now he could sense that they were talking about him. He could sense it on his back! Their eyes were giving feeling of arrows on his back. He felt as if they were laughing on him. At beginning he felt that it was okay. He was just jokar of class. He didn't mind it. But then one day professor asked him a question. He answered it in nice & proper way. Professor began to admire him. Professor started to tell other students how intelligent & hard working he was. On that point suddenly one student said loudly while hiding behind other students " May be it is his fortuneteller grandmother who helped him?" Then everyone started gossiping. He didn't understand what was their intention. They were laughing on him or angry on him. But he didn't like it. He just stood. Professor clearly got upset. Professor began to ask who said it. No one pointed out that student. But Satish sensed one thing that they all hated him. From that day he began to feel that they hated him so much that one day they might kill him. It was ridiculous. But still he began to sense it. He knew that no one could murder him without cause. But he didn't want to take risk. He didn't want to try it. He kept looking behind again & again. Clearly it was upsetting for student who was sitting behind him. One day a girl was sitting behind. She was so confused. She was not upset but she was blushing. He didn't meant to indicate anything like that. But all class felt same way. She was pretty. But he was not obsessed with her. He didn't want to marry anyone. He was so scared of everything. He kept feeling that someone was following him. How hard he might try but he couldn't break this impulse. Soon entire class began to sense that he kept watching behind. Next day that girl was sitting on bench beside him. But he kept looking behind. He could sense that there was another girl. He didn't want to watch her but he couldn't control himself. This girl was clearly upset. She screamed on him " Are you shameless?! Yesterday you were watching Meena & today you are watching me! How could you act like that? If you look at me once again I will slap you." She warned him. But he couldn't control himself. He had strange fear. He kept sensing she was watching. He began to feel that she might hit him & he looked behind. She slapped him before class without second thought. He felt so much pain. He didn't stop. He just ran out of classroom without any second thought. He didn't understand why he kept looking behind. He went home & locked himself in room. He was so scared and upset. He didn't want to come out. Soon his Mom started knocking door. Mom " Do you want snacks?" " No Mom. I don't want to stay here. Let's go somewhere else." " Come on! You can't do it now! You can finish your college then.." " Mom I can't go in that college!" He kept crying. He didn't open door. Then in evening his Dad came. His Dad started abusing & threatening him. He was scared of his Dad. He always tried to avoid him after that slap. Now he was so scared that his Dad might hit him. He began to remember all that happened in college without second thought he opened his toilet door & began to search for something useful. He wanted to kill himself but he was not sure that which weapon would be useful. He kept searching when his mobile rang. He saw unknown number. He needed to find weapon. But then that mobile kept ringing. He finally took call. He wanted to tell that person to stop calling. " Hello I am Meena.. that girl who.." " I know..I know but I don't want to cheat you. I mean I can't control it. I kept feeling that someone is behind." He confessed his love for Meena without sensing it. It seemed as if his subconscious mind wanted her, he didn't sense it. Meena " Just relax. From tomorrow I will sit there. I told that girl that you were doing it just to make me jealous since we had argument. Tomorrow we will go together & you will apologize to her. It was not your mistake but it was not her mistake too! But you must explain all to me. Now just relax." He nodded. Suddenly it seemed as if his trouble were vanished. He took deep breath & came out. He opened door & asked Dad " What happened? I was in washroom! My stomach is upset!" Dad was outside with many people of society. All started laughing. It was so funny. Even he started to laugh. Mom looked embarrassed. Dad gave her angry look then he said " I was so scared!" One neighbour " This happened due to those horrible suicide news on TV." "Yes one suicide every day.." then their subject was changed. He immediately messaged Meena place to meet. He needed to tell her all. He didn't want to cheat her. He felt that she might understand.
Meena was waiting for Satish when he entered in restaurant. He sat on opposite side. Then slowly he explained her all. Satish " I looked behind since I have that trouble." Meena's face suddenly became pale. She said " Ohh.." " But I like you. But not your friend!" She smiled. Then she slowly began to tell his about psychiatrist. But he became angry. " I am not mad!" " You are educated person still you talk like this!" " Well I don't have money for it. My Dad would never give me anything." On this point she nodded. Then they both started calculating. She was even ready to give her pocket money for him. He felt that he was finally lucky to have someone who truely cared for him. Then next day he went to that girl with Meena & he apologized before all. That girl was upset then she decided to forgive him. But that girl said " You must not act like that to get her attention." "Sorry. I am really sorry." Meena smiled & said " I want to ask entire class to do one favour to me. As punishment to him. I will be going to sit behind him for this year." Everyone laughed & agreed. Due to Meena his fear was reduced. But still due to his grandmother's picture it kept coming back. He kept watching Meena again & again. Finally one day they managed enough amount for psychiatrist. They went there. They took appointment. They told all to Doctor. Psychiatrist smiled & said " You did perfect thing by coming here on time. This is just Anxiety at this point. If I will begin counseling, you will be fine. You don't even need medicine. If you have waited, it could be anything." Then Satish began his treatment. It was hard to manage fees. But still together they managed. After that one thing was become truth of his life. He loved Meena & she loved him. He completed his education & declared his decision to marry Meena. His Dad objected. His Dad had his plans. But he didn't care. He knew one thing that he & Meena could do wonderful budgeting if they managed to find fees of psychiatric treatment they could manage to live happily married life too. Satish declared that he wouldn't change. Finally they gave up & he got married. His grandmother came to marriage. She did all her drama. But he didn't care. He was not scared of her any more. He knew one thing that psychiatrist managed to take away his fear so he smiled happily even towards his grandmother.
The End
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