The occurrence
It was Sunday. After finishing lunch, I went straight to my room. It was my fourth time repeating my only novel, “The fault in our stars” by John Green. Few hours later, I heard a knock at my door, it was my mom.
Mom: I am going to the store. Do you want anything?
Me: No. Thanks.
Mom left. I was all alone at home when suddenly, the landline rang. I was about to pick up the phone, but it cut off. As I was heading towards my room, it rang again. I picked it up. Instead of hearing the word “Hello”, I heard something else, “I know everything about you, you’re being watched.”
The voice was so heavy, rough, and deeper that I had to take the phone few inches away from my ear. I was just about to ask something, but he hung up.
I thought it to be a prank until it started happening quite frequently. I found no caller ID or records of the calls when I contacted our landline operator. I noticed that he used to called me, whenever I was alone at home. I didn’t disclose this matter to my parents.
Day by day I was getting used to this repetitive prank. One night, I was having dinner with my parents and sister. The smoky steam from the soybean curry was swirling upwards and dispersing all thorough the room. I heard the landline ringing. I got up and started moving towards the phone, an acquired reflex. I placed the receiver on my ear, no voice was heard. Suddenly, a loud shattering noise pierced the air, jolting me.
Mom: How many times have I told you not to use glass Tumbler, Aditi. At least be careful. Thanks to you, now my set is incomplete. And you, Aditya; how long are you gonna to look at your plate. Finish off!
I regained consciousness. Now I was little scared, this thing was really getting on my nerves.
Two entire years passed that way. It was Sunday again but some things were changed. I wore spectacles then (power -3, both eyes). It felt like I was aging faster. Like the previous year, I was reading the same novel for the 5th time after lunch. Mom went to the store after asking about my necessities. The landline rang. It was like a “déjà vu”. I was expecting the monotonous line I heard more 200 times. But today it was different.
Person: Oakmont Park, evening 6:30. *beep*
Phone cut off.
I carefully put the receiver down, collapsed on a chair, my grip tightened, I was damn steady-minded.
