The Dark Night.

 In the making of the post on my inability to dance or rather fear of dance I learnt that I suffer from ‘Chorophobia’.

To be truthful, that’s hardly a fear..
as compared to my fear of darkness – ‘Nyctophobia’.
I have known this term ever since I was a child. I don’t know what triggered this fear but years later, even today, I can’t step into a dark room!
I clearly remember this one peculiar habit I had as a child. (Honestly, one can still catch me at it. Old habits die hard!)
To go from the living room, where the family would have retired to watch TV post dinner, to the bedroom, I would run to the passage to switch on the light and run back to the living room. Once that was done, I would tip toe to the kitchen, switch on the light and run back to the living room. Lastly I would make it to the bedroom, switch on the light and run back to the living room, believe it or not!!!
I sound more like a nut case than a fear-of-dark victim!
I can never step into a dark room never mind sleeping alone at night!! On those rare occasions that I have to, I sleep with a light on! Better to sleep disturbed by the light than with the fear of getting attacked by someone!
Sorry, I conveniently forgot to mention sleeping alone meant in a room, having parents/relatives in the adjacent room!
Even being touched on the shoulder from behind makes me jump out of my skin! The no. of times I look over my shoulder to ensure there’s nobody gives me a sore neck!

I don’t think it’s entirely a result of the Suspense Thrillers I read though I do get affected by them!
The novel that instilled fear in me was the deadly ‘Hour Game’ by David Baldacci. I had just begun with Thrillers and I just couldn’t digest this one.
I had disturbed nights that lasted quite long. Sleep time would activate my High-Alert mode. Any noise I heard, rather imagined I heard, would get my heartbeats racing! Even with my granny sharing the same room I would shut the doors and windows!  It was almost as though I expected the murderer to walk into my bedroom and finish me off!
The female protagonist Michelle Maxwell went on to become my idol but who am I kidding! Even if I were to get as fit as her(possible), I could never get this fear out of my system(IMpossible)!

Dear readers. After reading this, kindly don’t challenge me to step into dark rooms or scare me from behind for YOUR joy. I may not be Michelle but I can defend myself even if I end up with fractured bones! 😀

Cheers!! (Till I discover another phobia)!