Chapter 9

She was sitting on the bench beneath the tree outside the auditorium. David might have seen her through the window that opened to the ground. She took intermittent sips from the water bottle held in her hand and seemed deeply immersed in her thoughts. She was totally out of that place. "What are you thinking so deeply?" David suddenly jolted her and brought her back to the present with a cordial smile. She wasn't expecting his arrival so the bottle slipped from her hand and hit the ground. "Nothing!" she exclaimed as she took hold of the bottle. David had sensed uneasiness in her manner. So, he badgered her to speak up her heart. "You know that you would regret if you don't share with me whatever is bothering you." He pressed her with affectionate smile. She had always taken comfort in his cordiality and sweetness. She didn't know if it was worth sharing.

David had always been there for her whenever she needed him. But this was different. Possibly, she didn't know if her suspicions had any truth in it. Or if there was, she didn't want to put him in trouble. Telling him meant making him more concerned, she thought. The way he sat there with her, seemed impossible that she would be spared. So, she gradually opened her mouth. She looked away from him when he faced towards her tucking one of his legs beneath him on the bench. "I have never said this before but i feel like I am being watched." She stressed on the word watched as she looked again into his eyes to know his facial response. The smile that he had on his face, disappeared for an ephemeral moment. But then he recollected his thoughts. "And why...is...that...so?" He asked her with gaps after clearing his throat. "I don't know but since my admission here I have felt that somebody is following me and yesterday night..." "what happened yesterday night?" He immediately cut her mid sentence and suddenly looked concerned. "Nothing...just..." She said wanly without daring to complete her statement. As if she sensed the gravity of mistake by telling him. "Tell me what happened yesterday night?" He shook her again.

"I was walking from the grocery store back to my home and the street was unusually empty. I saw a shadow. It was literally a shadow." She said, vacantly looking at the small patch of grass-less ground. "Did you see his face? Do you remember his appearance?" He asked without a pause. "No I haven't seen him behind me because when I looked back he had disappeared behind the wall. I assume he didn't want me to see him. And that's strange. Why wouldn't anyone attack me if he knew I was alone and there was no one to witness." She said confusingly. "There must be something that I am not able to see."

"I think you have been sensitive lately. If you didn't see anyone then it could only be your assumptions, nothing else." He said with conviction trying to avert her doubts. "Yes, you might be right." She nodded in agreement. After a brief silence Amelia continued. "I am afraid if this has something to do with my late father." She gazed at him without blinking her eyes. David was astonished to hear that. Few moments back she was convinced that it was her unwarranted doubts that were bothering her. And then there she was relating her suspicions to unthinkable logic. "What in the world makes you think that it is related to your father?" He asked surprised. "My father died because he was a doctor and a scientist. My mom said it was an accident but remembering those boys who claimed he was a criminal makes me believe that something is hidden from me. After getting into the medical school I have felt that something related to my father is coming back." The words were flowing from her mouth as if she had waited for them long ago. "This world is so cruel. It won't spare you unless you feed it with the last drop of blood you have."

He tried to put pieces together to make sense of whatever she was saying. But someone following her and the death of her father didn't connect. "I feel like he wasn't dead he was just buried. He is very much alive even today." She continued with absolute certainty. "What are you trying to say Amelia? I don't get anything." He was unsure how to respond. "Whatever people said about your dad was all rubbish. I am sure he was a good man and a great doctor. But I don't know what to make of your words regarding his connection to your studies and anyone following you. That seems absurd." Amelia looked at him partially regretting to have spoken up her heart out to him. "But we will find it out," he instantly said without a pause as if he read her mind by judging her expression. "If there truly is something like that, we would find it together. He won't get unnoticed again." This time, Amelia was relieved to hear that. She had inadvertently wanted someone to believe her fears. David was aware of that. He knew how to make her at ease.

"Look Amelia!" he said gravely. "Truth is like an untamed dragon. No matter how hard you try to cage it, it will eventually come out and reveal itself to the world. You will know the truth. Because you deserve it and no one can stop you from that. But you have to promise me one thing." He said looking into her eyes. "If you feel anything suspicious around you and see yourself in danger you have to call me immediately. Don't hesitate." Amelia stared at his affectionate eyes and shook her head. She felt blessed to have him in her life. At least there was someone she could count on. She knew that if he had vowed to take care of her, he would. She reminisced the times he had come to save her from the numerous nasty confrontations. And that's why she believed him with all her heart.