The Unavoidable Entanglement: That Day I Was Chased Down the Street Like Zinia
Today was really unlucky. I had just made instant noodles and was scrolling through my phone when I accidentally saw this activity, which instantly reminded me of that messy incident last week—it was exactly like Zinia in the story, being chased relentlessly by someone, and in the end, I had to rely on an unexpected 'old boatman' to escape. At that moment, while reading this Spanish novel, I slapped my thigh and thought, this is exactly me! Although I wasn't wearing high heels and no one called me 'Zini', I know that feeling of being entangled until I couldn't breathe all too well.
It happened last Wednesday afternoon. I originally just wanted to go out to buy a milk tea and get some fresh air, but as soon as I reached the street corner, I caught a glimpse of my ex-boyfriend A Kai squatting at the entrance of the convenience store smoking. We broke up almost three months ago, and he would 'coincidentally' run into me every few days. After I blocked him on WeChat, he would change numbers to call, and he even went to my company to wait for me downstairs. That day I was wearing flat shoes, but I still ran as fast as I could. He must have seen me because I heard footsteps behind me and a shout, 'Xiao Man! Don't run!' I cursed in my heart, 'You're like a ghost that won't leave,' and broke out in a cold sweat from anxiety.
In my panic, I didn't know where to go, so I dashed into a newly opened office building next to me. The lobby on the first floor was brightly lit, and the security guard was looking down at his phone. I pretended to be an office worker, quickly walked to the elevator, and pressed the up button. Fortunately, the elevator came quickly. As soon as the door opened, I got in, and inside were a few people in suits. I stood at the very back, my heart pounding like a drum, and secretly glanced out. I saw A Kai rush to the entrance but was stopped by the security guard, and he was gesturing something. The moment the elevator door closed, I almost cried.
At the fifth floor, I got off randomly, not knowing where to go. The corridor was quiet. I walked close to the wall and saw the green sign for the fire exit, so I pushed the door and entered the stairwell. From the fifth floor down to the back door on the first floor, my legs turned to jelly. When I pushed open the back door, the sunlight was dazzling. I quickly ran along the alley toward the main road. Just as I ran out of the alley, before I could catch my breath, someone suddenly tapped my shoulder—I was so scared I almost screamed. I turned around and saw that A Kai had somehow gotten ahead of me! Like Mateo in the story, he 'appeared from behind' and said with a cheeky grin, 'Xiao Man, why are you running? I just want to talk to you.' I was so angry that my whole body trembled, and I said, 'We have nothing to talk about! If you keep this up, I'll call the police!' He reached out to grab my arm, but I dodged backward, and my heel almost twisted.
Just then, a horn sounded from across the street. I looked up and saw Lao Wang—the retired uncle who lives downstairs from me. He usually plays chess at the community gate and occasionally helps me receive packages. He was riding his old tricycle, with a few bags of vegetables on it, and shouted to me, 'Xiao Man! Get on! I'll give you a ride!' I saw him as a lifesaver, crossed the road in two steps, and climbed into the back of the tricycle. A Kai tried to chase, but Lao Wang turned back and glared at him, deliberately driving the tricycle in a zigzag, muttering, 'Young man, don't chase her. The girl doesn't want to talk to you.' Sitting in the back, I watched A Kai stomp his feet in anger, and I finally felt relieved. Lao Wang took me to the community gate, and I thanked him. He said, 'It's nothing. If that guy bothers you again, just call me.' I almost shed tears.
To be honest, like Zinia in the story, I hate being chased and hate that feeling of being helpless and alone. But I'm also grateful for people like Lao Wang, a 'Telmo'—although he's not a hero riding on colorful clouds, just a warm-hearted retired uncle, at that moment he was my savior. Later, I called the police, and the police gave A Kai a lecture, and he finally stopped. I told this story to my best friend, and she laughed so hard she couldn't stand straight, saying, 'You two, this plot—are you filming a movie?' I sighed and thought: life is sometimes more absurd than fiction.
Well, I'll just treat this as a place to vent. If the translation software makes it incoherent, please bear with me. Anyway, I think when you encounter someone who harasses you, just run. There will always be a 'Lao Wang' or 'Telmo' who shows up to help you out.
Participant of The Unavoidable Entanglement: That Day I Was Chased Down the Street Like Zinia