Mirnalini’s story: And one fine day I had to confront

How does it feel to notice the same person waiting every single day on the railway platform to board the same train as one does, board the same share-cab as one does and walk down the same lanes as one does? Sheer co-incidence you might say if it was once in a blue moon , but every single day and the same pattern for few weeks?

I couldn’t take it anymore. I was patient initially, I missed trains only to notice him doing the same and boarding the same train as I did. He made sure that he’d board the same share-cab as I did and walk through the same lanes which lead to my workplace. I was patient again, but after few days it just got too creepy. I found that he went till the end of the street where my work place was and later turned to walk back in the same street.

How many days is one expected to do the same? And I found it irksome. Early in the morning I can’t be anticipating a stalker. It was emotionally traumatizing. I usually rant a lot on twitter, but I was very silent about this because I had fear of mockery , and also I din’t want an image as a damsel in distress.

A boy who looks barely out of college and with a face like a innocent teenager. Looks are for sure very deceptive.

And one fine day I decided I will do something about this,I couldn’t cringe anymore. I was angry. This was the time when I spoke with Hamsini Ravi of Hollaback! Chennai and I told her that I wanted to confront him but was also scared. And I did what Hamsini suggested.

He was in the same train, same share-auto and while he was walking on the lanes, I made him stop , I also made sure that the area was not deserted. There was a shop near-by and I asked him why was he following me? He was not taken aback, it looked as though he was expecting it. And barely 5 seconds of questioning he started to get defensive, he blurted that he has some work here and started acting all busy by using his phone. And the funniest part was he actually said ‘I won’t come from next week’ , I felt pointless talking to him after this.

I just walked away and that particular day I did not see him waiting in the street end or turning to walk back, and also did not find him in the train the next day!

I do not know if it is the end of my story.

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