Uncanny Presence - Chapter 1

Wearing formal clothes and shoes, Anthony was walking with his friends Azhar and Suvesh towards their office premises. They were discussing about an upcoming project that they had to make preparations for. “So Anthony, what do you think we should do?” asked Azhar. “After office?” asked Anthony. “We should go for some drinks and relax,” said Suvesh. “Drinking and relaxing at such a crucial time? I don’t think so,” said Anthony. Anthony had been working in his company for almost 2 years now. He received his annual salary appraisal but wanted to move towards a higher position within the company. He was passionate to learn and experience more in his field. He would be applying for a promotion within a month. It was a major reason for him to focus on the project as it would be a stepping stone in his application.  

Lost in his thoughts, Anthony’s friends weren’t audible to him for a moment. He didn’t know how long the moment lasted. ‘Maybe time has slowed down’, Anthony thought. Slowly, he felt a presence behind him. Anthony thought that one of his office colleague was trying to surprise him. Only last week, his colleague Vivian had surprised him hitting him hard on his back. Anthony didn’t anticipate Vivian’s arrival at his office as he had been working in a different city branch. Anthony surmised that Vivian was trying to surprise him again. But on looking behind, Anthony saw that there was no one walking behind him and halted for a moment. “Hey Anthony!” Azhar called. Anthony looked towards his friends and looked back again. Shrugging, he moved and walked alongside his friends towards the office.

“Come on man, Suvesh’s right. It’s better to calm our nerves before taking on this project. It will be a long time until we get to chill out,” said Azhar. “The calm before the storm!” Anthony exclaimed sarcastically. The three of them entered the elevator of their office.

“So have you guys heard about the new office gossip? Teena rejected Mohan!” said Suvesh.

“Mohan is a desperate guy. Not the type Teena is looking for,” said Anthony.

“Why haven’t you confessed your feelings to her then?” asked Azhar.

“Ya bro. I think she has an eye for you,” said Suvesh.

“Not now. Too much work on my mind. This project will take up most of my time too,” said Anthony.

“Come on dude. She won’t wait for you forever!” said Suvesh.

“Yes man. What are you scared of? Rejection?” asked Azhar, “You’re the stud of our office!”

“Buzz off! I will tell her about my feelings when the time is right,” said Anthony.

“Hey man. If you don’t do it then I will,” said Suvesh. Anthony glared at him. “Just kidding man. I won’t break the bro code,” said Suvesh, putting his hand on his shoulder reassuringly. Anthony wasn’t worried about Suvesh proposing to Teena. Through his constant conversations with her, he knew that she loathed him. But at the same time, he wasn’t sure whether she would reject him either.

“Alright you guys go ahead. I have to speak with Roshan about my leave,” said Azhar. He departed on a floor below Anthony’s destination. Soon, Anthony and Suvesh reached their floor. Just as Anthony was about to leave, he felt a familiar presence in the lift. It was similar to the one he had felt earlier in the day. But this time the presence was much stronger than before. For a moment he thought that Suvesh might have gone back towards the lift. He turned around, but only saw an empty lift with its doors closing behind him. Suvesh had already moved ahead towards his desk. Anthony was puzzled as to what was happening to him. But he shrugged it off his mind. As Teena was passing by, Anthony greeted her and had a short conversation with her.