Shadow

It has been a long and exhausting day at the office. I am shit tired to do anything. I just want to go home and lie down. I call a cab because I don’t want to take the train. I want to be alone for some time. I don’t want to go home and cook. I think I will just pick up a pizza on the way.

As I get out of pizza hut, I see Him. It is the first time I am seeing him but it is so weird. He looks so happy and confident. He has something about him that is so mysterious and strange. I sit inside my cab and close my eyes. I can’t keep him out of my head.

As I get out of my cab, outside my building, I see him again. I know that he is not following me. Why would he? It is just a coincidence. He doesn’t look at me. He seems happy and busy talking to someone. I wonder who he might me talking to. Does he live nearby?

I go to my house on the 20^th floor. I eat my pizza and I lay down on my bed. I don’t have the energy to think anything. I switch on the T.V. I see him again on the news. This is bizarre. He is doing some interview on a business news channel. I increase the volume and suddenly there is a power cut off.

It is too hot inside my apartment due to power failure. I need go down to the garden and breathe fresh air. I take my keys and step out of my apartment. I notice someone hiding near the stairs. I ignore it and go to the garden.

The thoughts begin to hover inside my mind as I walk in the garden. Somebody is following me. I look around the garden. I see no one. I keep walking. I go behind the huge banyan tree in our garden and sit under it. I move my head to look around the garden without anyone noticing.

There he is, trying to find me. But why is he following me? What connection does this rich, successful and happy guy have with me? He looks so calm. I want to confront him but I feel too shallow in front of him. I ignore him and go back to my house.

I am a little worried now. Is he outside my apartment watching over me? I am afraid. I can’t go outside and look. It’s a risk. What if he is onto something? What if he kills me? I ignore the thought and watch some T.V. There he is again. How is it possible? I just saw him in my garden. How can he be on live T.V?

I still don’t understand what this guy wants from me. It is morning and I don’t know how much I have slept. My phone is ringing. I forgot I had a meeting. I answer the call and listen to the abuses being hurled to me by my boss. I thought I would get used to it by now... I haven’t.

I know it’s a bit silly but I don’t want to go outside my house. I am afraid. What if he is there? I like him and his energy. He is so vibrant and full of life. But strangely, he is following me. That’s odd. What should I do?

I have an idea. I should call the watchman and tell him to come to my house. If he finds someone outside my apartment, he will let me know. The watchman is at the door. I open the door. I ask him if he has seen someone outside my apartment. He hasn’t.

As I let my watchman inside my house, I notice someone move behind me. I am shocked. I tell the watchman that someone just moved around in my house. He says he didn’t see anyone. I don’t know why I am so sure but I know its him. I grab my keys and leave for office.

I don’t want to go to office. I don’t like it there. It’s not what it was supposed to be. I am living a terribly exhausting life. Also, I am in deep shock with the events that have unfolded today. A stranger in my apartment. Should I call the police? What if he isn’t there? The watchman didn’t see anything.

I had another rough day. I don’t want to live like this. I have reduced my self esteem to ashes. I am afraid to go back to my house. I don’t feel like myself there. Where else can I go? Everywhere I feel the same. Am I losing it? Is this the time to do it? I have been thinking about it lately.

I am outside my building. I look up at my window to see if he is there. I am afraid but I need to do this. I am in the lift and I am sweating. I can hear the screams of my boss inside my head. I remember the hours of my life that I have wasted in my job. I feel I am stuck.

As I reach my floor, I get a call from my dad. He needs some money. I transfer all the amount I have in my account to him. He needs it. My mother is not well. She hasn’t spoken for almost a year. She just gives indication and my father follows. All the savings of my father have gone into her treatment. I am slogging my hours, to work that I don’t like, just to help my parents.

I know it’s selfish of me but I am tired. I can’t go on like this. I need to get this done. I need to do this for myself. My feet are shaking as I walk towards my apartment. What If he is waiting for me inside my house? I open my apartment with my hands shivering. It is dark in there.

I rush to my kitchen to get a rope. I stand on a stool to tie the rope on the fan. I tie the other end on the locked door. I stand on the stool again and I kick it hard. I can feel my life being squeezed out of my throat and he is right there sitting on my sofa smiling. He looks so peaceful. He looks exactly like me.