"sir said some corrections" Anitha informed her teammates. She was sitting at her office cabin. It's morning 11'o clock. All of them were busy in working their project because tomorrow is the final day. Anitha just now returned after discussing with the project manager.
Gayatri furrowed her forehead, as she go through the corrections in the file.
"It's not working out" said Aparna, whose long slender fingers were moving so quickly on the keyboard as she was entering the codings.
"We can ask Sankar for help" said Anitha. Sankar, their team leader just got promoted to Bengaluru branch 6 months ago.
"Ya... that's a good idea", I'll call him. Aparna took her mobile, dialled his number and got a busy tone.
"It's going to be a big day", Gayatri let out a sigh. "Come let's go to the canteen, and get some fresh air" she called Anitha.
Aparna again busy with her keyboard, she wanted to give it another try.
*****
Anitha sipped her tea and asked Gayatri, " How is minto doing?"
Minto is 8 months old baby of Gayatri, after delivery she took 6 months leave to nurture her baby, rejoined only 2 months back. From then they were working on this project.
At her office, Anitha doesn't have any friends until recently. She kept a distance at every one. But Gayatri was different. She always has a softcorner at her heart for Anitha. But anitha was not easily reachable, as she curls herself like a snail in her shell. God gave Gayatri a chance to approach this frustrated girl.
Last year Gayatri got pregnant, it's her second pregnancy, already she has a cute pretty baby girl as first. As Nobody ready to share her workload because of their own family burden, Anitha helped her a lot during her initial months with morning sickness, and also in the last trimester to complete their targets.
Anitha went to Gayatri's house for the childbirth for the first time, then Gayatri compelled her to come there when ever she feels lonely. Anitha also got attracted with her children and enjoyed playing with them.
****
It was past 7 in the evening. Aparna left already after finishing her part of work. Both anitha and Gayatri booked a cab together, but Gayatri needed to go earlier because of her baby's incessant cry.
"Anitha don't be late ok...the cab will be sharp here at 8'o clock, leave the extra work, we can do it in the morning, take care, bye".
Anitha nodded assuringly, and she left, her husband picked her up.
Anitha almost completed everything, she felt thirsty. While drinking water, she noticed the time, it's beyond 8.30.
"OMG, why this taxi fellow didn't call me then?!", She thought herself and called him.
He picked up the call in the first ring itself, and started saying, " sorry mam, here's some problem with my car, it stopped midway, I have been working on it, I already informed the office, they arranged some other vehicle, it will be reaching with in half an hour, sorry for the inconvenience mam".
Anitha thought, instead of waiting she could take bus, and she said "no need, I am cancelling the booking" she slammed the phone with unshed anger.
She shut down the computer, took her hand bag and got out. It was cold outside. Chill weather and utter darkness gave her an uneasy feeling settled in her stomach. Watchman is not there at his place, he may be gone to restroom or petty shop.
Anitha started walking through the street, she felt relieved as all the street lights were on. Since it's an outer developing area, buildings and shops are less. Almost all of them closed at this time.
When she took a turn, the main Street was blocked by metrowork, so she took the side road, actually a 20 feet mud road. The road appeared desserted. There was only one dim street lamp. Anitha's instinct told her, something is wrong. She walked as fast as possible.
She was sweating profusely. She felt like somebody is following, She stopped and searched the whole area for the presence of any sign of human being.
When she started again, suddenly 3 men appeared in front of her. She startled, as they stepped outside from the dark. Anitha felt a lump arised from deeper part of her stomach and choking her throat.
4th man coming from behind, she could hear the footsteps. All 4 appeared like local gangsters. Their mischievous smile was so ugly, anitha felt nauseated.
She tried to run, but bounded by all 4 in each and ever corner.
"You can't escape from us....., you are our prey tonight", one of them said and came near to her and tried to hold her hand. She denied and tried to attack him with her handbag. He easily pulled her bag, threw it away and slapped hard on her cheek.
A small drop of blood appeared like a dot at the corner of her mouth. She felt ringing in ears, severe pain in her cheek and cupped it with her palm. Tears were pooled in her eyes. She felt like giddy.
He pushed her hard, backwards, and she fell down on the ground like a dried leaf. She wanted to shout aloud for help, but nothing comes out of her throat. Her adrenaline surge was on the peak.
She gasped for breath, as he bent down towards her with crooked face and an unwanted glee..........
To be continued....
