The door knocked, and a man in his 40's was standing.
"Do I know you? Mickey, have you ordered something? "Confused by the stranger's gaze, Annie started questioning the stranger and her husband. But the man still stood there, continuously staring at her
Annie waved her hands around his eyes. "Hey, what do you want?" He just turned around and ran away.
Mickey joined me from behind, strolling. In this hurry, I forgot to introduce myself, Annie in the late 60s, living in the city of Hanoi with my partner in crime, Mickey.
The stranger's behavior had been very absurd. Annie couldn't sleep the whole night and felt very uneasy. The stranger's gaze seemed to follow her throughout the night, and even those grey eyes were looking at her. Something she wanted to recall, but due to his old age, there was nothing much she could correlate.
Mickey was a very popular farmhouse owner. Annie had been working on his farm when they first met. It was love at first sight. With time and years, they came together and within a courtship of 2 years, they got married. Since then, they have been together for 40 years now.
The next morning seemed pleasant. Annie prepared pancakes and oatmeal for breakfast. Mostly, they preferred having brunch, as the whole day they stayed at the farm looking after their hens, cows, and goats. Both were proud owners of an organic farm and supplied milk and eggs to the locals. Their son-in-law, Peter, completely supported them in maintaining the farm. Even though he stayed in the city with his family, he often visited to take care of their daily needs. He had arranged a few workers at the farm who stayed there for the cleaning, maintenance, and even took care of all the animals.
Annie and Mickey surveyed everything and kept a close check on the quality of their milk and other dairy products they supplied. Working on the farm kept them busy and close to their memories. They got rejuvenated with every visit. Mickey had been very well organized with his work and accounts.
Annie rearranged and packed all the dairy products according to the customer's delivery. They had an online portal where they took the bookings for the day and delivered the products. Jack had a loader, and soon Annie got ready for the marketplace. They both went to the market daily to sell the farm dairy products as ordered. They had fixed bakery shops and customers for all their products. It was the last shop, and Annie came out after delivering all the products. Jack had gone to fetch the loader, which had been parked at the end of the road.
Suddenly, somebody got hold of her shoulders from behind. Annie was terrified and looked back, it was the same grey-eyed man. He murmured, "Mom". By the time she could hold him, he had disappeared, and Jack stood there with the loader. "Come, mam, let's go". All the way home, Annie was very silent.
She got down and reached her store. Annie was looking for some old stuff. finally, she got an album in hand and moved to the bedroom. Yes, it was clear that the familiar gaze was George's. Tears fell down her cheeks, his son George died 20 years ago in a car accident. He was the best son ever. On the eve of 31st Dec, he just left for a certain delivery of eggs and milk, and never returned. There were many investigations, but the delivery source and the cause were never known to us.
All confused, Annie was unable to understand how it was possible after so many years. She sat on the room's threshold and kept wondering. She got up and got ready to meet the person she had been hiding from for so many days.
She went to the marketplace again and looked for him, but all in vain. she came home drenched in sweat. Michal was waiting for her, worried. In a few minutes, Michael was home, she fell into his arms and started crying aloud like she had once in the past on the death of their son.
Michael brought her coffee and settled her down on the couch.
"Michael, our son is alive. That stranger who came, he is our son," cried Annie and showed the old pictures of their son George.
Michael calmed Annie down, he gave her the medicines and made her go to sleep. he became very worried for her health. She had been in this condition before also.
He called Dr. Douglas again and discussed her condition. something around has triggered the trauma again. She needs to find out the same, the rest he would be prescribing the medicines again.
The next day, their son-in-law Peter came to visit them. Michael informed him about the whole incident, even that Annie had an illusion that our son was alive. Peter seemed a little disturbed by Michael's conversation. He consulted the doctor and made the arrangements for a lady nurse to look after her at all times.
"Hazel has not visited us in since last 3-4years long time. Is she doing well? I want her to be around Annie so that she doesn't miss George," requested Michael.
“Yes, Dad, surely I will bring her next week. She is busy with kids and family. There are loads of responsibilities on her. She wants to do everything herself,” replied Peter. Soon she left for the city.
Back Peter was tensed, he made many calls here and there.
“ I doubt that the old lady has seen George somewhere. She is again in the same trauma. Olivia is there with them disguised as a Nurse. She will be keeping a close watch on all their actions and discussions. After coming such a long way, I can’t afford to lose the battle. All this property, farms, and house belong to me and only me”, furious Peter was shouting at someone over call.
Another day passed, Annie sounded better then before. She woke up early and moved around the house doing her daily chores. Olivia suddenly woke up and asked if Annie wanted something.
“No dear, it's my daily routine. I have prepared breakfast for all, and you may renounce. I am completely fine. You had been a great help”, replied Annie.
Olivia was shocked with the certain assertion from Annie. She went out to call Peter and inform him about the status of the house.
Michael was back home. He had been in the farmhouse whole night. Seeing Annie walking and doing work he was very happy. “Wow Annie you are back to work my darling. Prepare a mug of coffee for me”.
Olivia seemed pissed off with their conversation. She got ready and left the place. Peter joined him soon at the café.
“Olivia, you have to gain their trust and stay with them for a few more months. Until we get confirmed. I know they are old sags, but still we have to be there, for our love's sake, he got hold of her hand. After having a few more discussions, they both left for their respective destinations. Olivia reached home and started preparing for dinner. She arranged everything to the oldies' taste and health.
She went into Annie's room to call them, but to her surprise, they were having a pizza date.
“ You people could have informed me that you had planned your dinner. I had prepared everything,” replied Olivia in a very irritated mood.
“But we never knew you were coming back home. Annie had already told you to leave for the day, “Michael confronted. Olivia left the room, cleaned the kitchen, and all of them retired to their beds.
The next day, Annie and Peter left very early for a 2-3days trip to the city. They had not informed anybody, only left a note for Olivia in the Kitchen. She quickly called Peter and informed him. Even Jack was not informed that they had booked a cab and left the place without any trace of their whereabouts. All of them got very restless but they could not find out.
Finally, they came in with George and another gentleman dressed in his formals.
“Where had you been, Mom & Dad? I was so worried. At least you could have informed us about your trip. Who are these guys? Were you in some kind of trouble? Thanks, buddy you have been a great help bringing them back home. Olivia take them in, I will bid them goodbye,” restless Peter spoke.
“No, Peter, we are here to stay. Not leave. It's your turn to leave, your bad deeds are before you.”, replied George.
Peter fell on the sofa behind and shouted,” George, you are still alive!”
“Yes no matter how had one tries, you can't change the fate and luck of somebody, or rather SNATCh, that's what you wanted to do. Sir, please get hold of him and his whole team who has been spying on my parents for so long”, replied George.
“But how .. how is it possible?? I had hit your car had from behind and made sure that you never turn up. I was the one who called u for delivery. But I have taken good care of your parents,” Peter scratched his head, and was very confused.
The team was here and got all of them arrested.
“But where is my sister Bella?” enquired George.
“That’s a little sad news. She came to know about my plans soon after a year of my demise. I had to kill her to reach my goal. She is no more,” replied Peter with a clumsy smile.
Police had recorded all his confessions and arrested all them. George gave them enough evidence to get them punished for a lifetime.
George hugged his parents and consoled them for the loss of their daughter. They had blindly trusted Peter with his superficial love.
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