Corner Store (part 3)

Couple of days had passed by. Anala was finding it hard to forget the 2 incidents. She found it very difficult to spend time alone. So during most of her free time anala could be found at the Corner Store, flipping through the latest books, CD s or dresses. One such day, she found a guy, in mid 20s probably, eyeing at girls in the store. She gave him a stern look. Their eyes met. The guy probably felt embarrassed and left the place. But there was something in him. A voice from somewhere deep within Anala told her to meet him, to talk to him. Anala was not sure why she wanted to talk to him. ‘forget it’ she told herself and carried on.



Next day after work Anala was having coffee in the Corner Store, when the guy appeared again. This time trying to make eye contact with her. Anala tried to ignore him but when the guy started to approach her, she decided to leave. Noticing this the guy hurried towards her and said “hi I am Omkar. Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you. I am sorry for yesterday….. I did nt mean to….”

Anala interrupted “You don’t have to justify you actions to some stranger. You are blocking my way.”



But a voice inside her was telling ‘it is alright. I want to talk to you. Please make me stay. Do not let me leave. I don’t want to be alone at home’



Some how the guy built up a conversation and they started talking like they knew each other from ages.



There was something in Omkar which had attracted Anala towards him. She did not get attracted to him exactly, but something or rather some voice in her was telling her to be in his company. They became friends, met frequently. Anala was happy after a long time.



March 15th evening.



Omkar and Anala were having coffee at corner Store. Omkar wanted to decorate his place a bit. So had bought some wall hangings, show pieces, and beautiful brass flower vase. He wanted to do some more shopping but Anala was not feeling very comfortable. She felt some kind of uneasiness. Some kind of restlessness. Anala thought of having rest and took off.



Soft music and a love story were enough to pacify her. Soon she drowsed away.



Omkar got up from the couch to get a cup of coffee. The TV was still on. He had hardly moved. It all happened within a flash, and Omkar was down in a pool of blood. Someone had hit him with something gold like in color.



Anala suddenly woke up. It was 9pm still 15th March. She knew exactly what it was. ‘The Murderer’ had planned to kill Omkar next. The reason was not clear. She rushed to the police station only to find that Kashyap was not reachable. So she left a note saying that Omkar was next, and left his address and mentioned about her vision.



Next she went to Omkar s house. He was watching something on the TV, and was surprised to find her at this time. Anala explained everything and Omkar began to laugh. “bull shit. Who on earth wants to kill me? You know what? I have read a bit of psychology. You stay alone right? And you hardly know anyone here right?”



Anala nodded.



“that the root cause for all the problem I guess. You stay alone. But you don’t want to stay alone. So when you get close to someone, deep within you there is a fear that they would ditch you. That fear makes you visualize them going away from you… going away to a different land… to the land of dead, from where no one returns”



Omkar tried hard to convince her that nothing would happen to him. Finally she agreed.

“ok take care. But can I stay for sometime and then leave?”



“are you sure?” asked Omkar with an wicked grin.



“Do not get ideas. I am hungry and do not want to eat alone do you have something to eat?”



Next morning Kashyap arrived and found the note. Soon he rushed to Omkar s house. It was around 7 in the morning. Newspaper and 2 packets of milk were lying outside. A song was being played. Kashyap was not sure if it was TV or music system that was on. But no one answered the call. When he turned the knob the door just opened. And Omkar was lying in a pool of blood, a wound on her head, weapon – a brass flower vase.