Gift

I climbed the bedroom window and sat on the balcony staring out at clouds, reflecting on my life in silence. We left our old country house and moved to the City thirteen-year ago, yet here I am still stuck in the past, unable to move on.

I don't know if he knows I exist at all — fixating on him day by day from hundreds of miles away. I follow him on four different social media accounts from anonymous handles. I jot down every little information related to him in my secret journal. Three years and five months ago, he married his long-term girlfriend. Fourteen months ago, on Sunday, 17th March his wife gave birth to a baby girl at National Medical Center. I saw the child's photo on his Facebook story — boy did that winsome smile take after her dads!

Jenny and I broke up a few months ago when she discovered my journal rummaging through my study desk in my absence. Although she was sympathetic to my feelings, she knew we had no future. I don’t blame her for leaving me. No matter how much you try to hide and bury your past, one day they sneak out of your closet naked for all the world to see.

I should be seeking therapy for my obsession, but here I am, waiting by the railway parking lot in my black Chevy van. I fished out my phone to check the time: it's Saturday 9th May, 8 p.m. He should be returning from work in a few minutes if the train is not late.

I try to picture him in my mind: tall, and handsome guy in his late twenties. His toned and muscular frame suggests years of strenuous exertion in the gym. I waited within the vehicle contemplating what I am about to do today. What if the things worked out or what if it didn't? There's this uncertainty and unease in my chest. You can never be sure how matter will turn out regardless of how many times you rehearse a scene in your mind. It took me thirteen years to muster the courage, and today I am not backing out anymore.

Many complex emotions were stirring in my mind when his bulky frame appeared in my eyesight. My indolent eyes jolted awake with a resolve and followed him as he exited the railway station. I smiled to myself as I saw him turn and walk on the NH4 road which leads his house two miles away. How does he have energy to walk back to his home after a 9 hour shift and two hours commute in the train? Well, that also explains why I chose this location and time to wait for him. There are few people strolling outside at this hour, which also suits my purpose as I didn't intend to make a scene.

I saw him walk at slow pace and disappear inside the hazy night mist from the parking area. I turned the key in ignition and started the car and left the parking area without delay. I turned on the vacant NH4 road and pressed harder on the gas pedal. Soon enough, I caught up to his shadowy figure in no time. I saw him walk at the edge of the road like a good pedestrian. I sneaked behind and hit the gas pedal again, lighter this time, careful only to knock him out without killing.

The result of my action was visible before my eyes. I saw him sprawled on his back, bleeding from his knees and elbows. I rushed out of the car and walked toward him step by step. He might have recognized me as when he saw me approach him, he struggled to lift his hand toward me to help him get up. I shook my head with a frown and kicked him hard on his chin causing him to black out.

Three hours later, he came to his senses, and he found himself tied to his chair and duct tape stuck on his mouth. I was there on another chair a few meters away from him playing candy crush on my phone. I looked around the place, the hut was far away from the bustling life of the city in a remote village. I had bought this place at random when an agent told me about it. He had said this was a good spot for weekend getaways, and I could spend alone time with nature once in a while. I smiled at him then thanking him for his help without saying much.

"No investment is a bad investment," I muttered under my breath and stared at my guest.

"How long are you going to pretend to be unconscious," I laughed as I removed the duct tape from his mouth.

"I know you, right?" He looked at me with trembling eyes.

"Yes, we were neighbors for many years."

"Why are you doing this?" He bellowed. Shock and fear was visible on his pale bruised face.

I clicked the power button twice on my phone causing the lock screen to appear and checked the time again. 9th May, 11.51 p.m. Perfect.

"Do you remember playing prank on my Mom for your fun and putting it up on YouTube?" I asked him.

"What? It's been many years. Are you insane? And I explained to her later about the prank and apologized to her."

"Well, I didn't forgive you for hurting her." I replied to him with dull impatience.

"I am sorry about —" He was about to stammer an apology when I cut him off and plunged a serrated knife into his throat. The knife came fast and severed his windpipe in flash making him choke on his incomplete words.

"I am sorry as well. You see, time's running out, my friend." I said throwing the knife in a plastic bag and wiping the blood stains on my hand with a cloth.

I looked at my phone again, it's 11.59 p.m. I dialed a number from my favorites.

"Hello, how's my son?" A sugary voice echoed from the earpiece bringing out a wide smile on my face.

"Happy Mother's day, Mom!"

"Oh! You remembered this time? Thank you sweetie! Had your dinner yet? Don't stay up late at night. You have to go to work tomorrow — ".