GAZE

The mysterious Lady

On the Way to Norwich

I had packed my things and took my leave from the place where I spent my childhood. The memories will remain with me. I was feeling mixed emotions. On the one side, I was excited to know about the new place and on the other hand, I will be going to miss the love, care and warmth of my family and friends.

Sometimes I hate to follow the customs of being a wife and move to husband’s place. Why he can’t come and live at your place. What will happen anyway?

I put my luggage in the car trunk and turned to hug my mom who was crying like a baby on my departure.

“Mom, you are such a cry baby. I am not going so far. Norwich is a few hours away. You can come at any time and stay with me. And Dad would be coming to look in the business. Dad, please say something to her. She is increasing difficulties only for me to leave this place.” I was trying hard to console my sobbing mother.

My eyes were holding tears with great difficulty but I know I can not be weak at the moment. I hugged my mother tightly and kissed her cheeks.

“I will come to meet you at weekends. You need not worry about me. OK Mom, now you stop crying. You do not look good with the messed up face.” I teased her and giggled.

My mom chuckled lightly between her crying.

“You need not worry, Love” my father holds from her back of the shoulders by placing his one arm.

“Our daughter is very strong and you will see how she adjust quickly in the new environment, won’t you,” Dad said in cheer up tone.

Mom nodded to him and finally gave up on her crying. I heaved a sigh of relief and settled in the back seat of the car.

Driver ignited the engine and I waved at my parents to say Good Bye.

I was feeling sad but excited more about my new life which was going to start soon with Gavin, my husband, my life. I was busy building my thoughts for my upcoming stay in Norwich.

Soon the vehicle took its speed. The density of the city started to disappear and the trails of green plants started to appear. I opened the window to inhale the fresh air. The wind was tingling on my skin and I was feeling hearty by the view outside.

I took out my book and started reading it. I was so endorsed in the romantic suspense story that didn’t feel that we have crossed almost half of the way.

Suddenly, my driver, Marcus pulled the breaks. I came in trance again and looked at him quizzically.

“Miss, I think we should refill the fuel as after that there is no other fuel station will be found.” He asked me or I can say almost pleaded me.

I nodded to him and got busy myself again in the book.

Marcus stepped out of the car and went to the fuel booth salesman to refill the tank. What they were talking about and what they were doing I didn’t pay much attention as my book was more interesting than the outside world.

“…..DHAPAAK…..”

I jumped in fear on my place and my book fell from my hands. Marks of two hands imprinted on the glass window of my car.

I rolled down it to look outside that who so ever does it need to be answered.

“Marcus,” I called my driver.

“Yes Miss,” he ran to me folding his hands at the back.

“Did you see someone running from here? Somebody pushed the glass window.” I asked him doubts.

“No miss I didn’t see anyone as I was busy at the fuel booth.” He pointed me towards the man with whom he was talking.

“Ok, don’t mind. By the way how much time it will take to move?” I was getting restless.

“Just five more minutes miss. We will be on the way.” He assured me.

I nodded to him and he turned back to go on the booth again after bowing me.

I bent down to pick up my book which was laying on the car floor.

“…..SNIFFFF…SNIFFF….SNIFFF…..SNIFF…”

“……AAAAhHHHHHHH…..”

I screamed as a lady was sniffing at me. I covered my face with the book, I was holding and sank in the seat.

“MARCUS… MARCUS…MARCUS..”

I was screaming badly tapping my legs on the car floor. My heartbeat was ponderous and tears were on the verge of falling. My eyes were bulged out with this sudden instance. My heart came out in my mouth. I just recovered from one jolt and now the other one.

“YOU SHOULD NOT GO THERE. YOU SHOULD NOT GO THERE. It is dangerous. You will die. You will die.”

I peeped out of the book to look at the owner of the voice.

An old lady might be running in her eighties having a highly wrinkled face and a parrot nose shouting manically in her shrill voice.

I freaked out. My face colour turned pale and eyes bulge out after listening to her what she was saying.

Marcus and the booth man helped me to pull her away from me. But she was struggling to get free and trying to come back. She was pointing the finger at me and repeating the same sentences.

I was flabbergasted by the scene in front of me. Words dumped me to come out from my mouth. I was shivering in the fear. I was sweating heavily and trying to catch up with my breathing.

Marcus gave me the water bottle to drink water and settled himself in the driver seat to ignite the engine.

“You should not pay attention to these type of people. They are psychopaths and not in their mental state.” Marcus tried to console me.

I nodded to him and rested my head on the back of the seat with closed eyes. I was trying to digest the event. Who was wanted to kill me? I barely knew anyone outside. Who was thinking to harm me? May be somebody had a rivalry with my Dad. Whatever the reason is the voice of that lady was echoing in my ears till long.

“May I ask you a question miss, if you say so?” He asked me for permission.

“Shoot,"

“Why you choose that place for leaving? I am sorry if I asked something wrong.” He asked hesitantly. I frowned on his question.

“Is something wrong with the place?” I counter questioned him instead of answering.

“Umm, actually I heard about it that that city has many haunted places. My half-cousin who was one of the caretakers of a palace has witnessed some unusual things in the palace." He started to tell me the hidden stories of that city.

I was feeling goosebumps all over my body. I was getting worried about my stay there.

"Why are you telling me all about this. Do you want me to scare too? You are behaving like that psychopath lady now." I said annoyingly with puffed cheeks.

*****

After one and half hour of that incident, we finally reached the destination. The city had the old look. Big palaces, Gothic homes and mansions, big monuments, old churches, and whatnot. I was feeling like I time travelled to some old era. Though the city had urban areas too which were showing the development and organization of the city.

Soon we reached the place where I was going to stay with Gavin.

It was a big mansion standing with all his glory. A big double door made up of thick wood with the wooden frame was there. It must be on three floors as looking from outside. The huge lush green garden was there with many flowering shrubs and trees at the edges of the mansion. It was beautiful from outside just excited to see how it is from inside. Oh my God, I can't wait to see mine and Gavin's bedroom. 

Gavin...

Gavin, I remembered that I didn't inform him about my departure from London at arrival at Norwich City. I thought in my mind. I was about to fish out my phone,  the double for opened and a lady came out and approached me in some formal attire.

She was wearing a long black skirt and white blouse with a knitting design. Her hairs were tied up in a bun. She must be in her forties.

"Yes, How May I help you?" She asked.

"Oh, she is Mr. Gavin Stockholm's wife and owner of this house, Miss Scarlett Livingston." Marcus introduced me with that lady.

She frowned while looking at me.