Beauty Kumar

The following day, getting fresh, Parth came downstairs to carry breakfast to the bedroom for Anjali. He doesn't want her to strain until her health is completely fine.

The doorbell rang at the same time as it did yesterday. Parth suspected Nirali would have come to torture him in another radium-coloured dress, but no. He was greeted by an unfamiliar face when he opened the door. A man, older enough to be called an uncle but younger for a grandfather, stood before Parth, his stout neck covered in thick Gold chains. His mouth shined in yellow as he flashed a smile.

"Namaste!" His smile was so big that it radiated the golden tooth crowned at his molars.

"Is this Anjali's house?"

"You are?" Parth's coldness in the voice resonated with his aura. Where did the watchman go, allowing strangers inside the compound? Parth wondered if he was Anjali's relative, though he had never seen him at the engagement or the wedding.

"I am_" His words suspended back into his throat as he saw a familiar face walking in his direction.

"Parth, who are you talking to?" Anjali came downstairs to ask if Parth had prepared breakfast. Her lips parted in surprise, seeing the gold glittering on a man's body. She didnot wear so much gold at her wedding, either. Anjali's eyes darted to the man's outfit. Yellow shirt, neon pants. The worst combination she had seen after Nirali's. Gold bracelets, one on each wrist. Gold rings shined on every finger. Who is this fatty, rich uncle?

"Hi, Anjali." The man flashed a smile.

Anjali's mouth opened for the second time in surprise for two reasons. One: he called her by her name, and the second: his golden tooth.

How does he know my name? Scratch that. She wants to know how many kilos of gold he has. He looked like a man one should avoid playing cards at gambling houses.

Anjali's bewildered looks raised a red flag to Parth. "Do you know him?" Parth questioned to confirm, to which Anjali shook her head, knitting her brows.

Sensing the suspicious looks getting from these two, the man spoke up. "Fret not. I mean no harm to you. My name is Beauty Kumar. Alias, Beauty." He proudly introduced himself.

Beauty Kumar? Anjali suppressed the urge to laugh upon hearing the name. She had heard people boasting about beauty but had never heard of someone promoting beauty through a name. "Umm...I don't know anyone by the name of Beauty Kumar. Have we met before?"

"Can we talk over tea or coffee? I will explain to you leisurely." Beauty said, pulling a gold comb from the pant's back pocket to comb his hair.

A golden comb? Anjali was at a loss for words. Did he rob the gold from a Alien's planet?

"Beauty or Ugly, whatever your name is, I don't have time to entertain you or your name." Parth crossed his arms against his chest, implying a straight no. He has seen many weird people, but this wacko is out of the subject. "How do you know my wife?"

Hmph! Beauty harrumphed. His wife always says tall and handsome men are modest, but she is wrong. "I have come to Delhi with my wife and son to celebrate my tenth anniversary. We will be leaving_"

"Come to the point." Parth snapped, losing his patience.

Beauty sneered—impatient brats. Unlike these two, people in his town will be eager to listen to his stories. "I read in the newspaper about miss Anjali. Since she claims to have cast away a ghost in the girl's hostel, I have a deal for her. My town is also haunted by a ghost. Very bad ghost, you know." He said, eyes turning big as he explained. "I would be happy if miss Anjali came to my town, stayed there for two nights, and threw away the evil_"

"Ghost?" Anjali questioned in excitement. "What's the name of your_" She zipped her mouth immediately, sensing the atomic glares from someone.

'Oh no! I have pressed the wrong button.'

Parth took a deep breath, anger pulsating through his veins. So this is the reason. Today it's Beauty Kumar; tomorrow, it will be a Mona Lisa.

"I will give you ten seconds to leave my house," Parth deadpanned.

"Why? Are you backing off because we didnot discuss the remuneration?"

"Eight..seven..."

"Please don't worry about the payment. I will take care of your bus charges and food expenses." Beauty retreated a step back as he saw Parth's cold eyes boring into him.

Did I speak something wrong? Beauty wondered.

He tried his luck for one last time. "I will collect the funds from the town people and make sure you_"

"Three..." Parth counted the numbers as he spotted a stick and flower pot to his left. Judging by this weirdo's size, Parth reckoned his hands would suffice.

"I wonder." Parth took a step forward, cracking his knuckles. "How much gold in your body can buy me a Rolls-Royce."

"I..it's just rolled gold, Sir. " Beauty stuttered in fear seeing the man eyeing the gold pen he tucked in his front pocket.

"How about the golden tooth you were deliberately showing? That will surely bring me a_"

"My town is better off with a ghost!" Those were the last words Beauty spoke before he dashed away. So did Anjali into the house. Parth coldly gazed at Anjali's retreating figure. He will not wonder if someday people come to his house calling her a witch.

.....

Meanwhile, at the other end of the city, silence stilled in an old abandoned chemical factory sealed by the government. Where human souls don't wander unless they are crazy, six people sat on a reed mat.

"What's the urgent matter concerning, Madhava?" A man named Suketu asked, shifting his legs. He wore an Angavastram draped around his shoulders, covering his portly chest. A broad gold necklace around his neck spoke of his power in his world. He was short but carried authoritative charisma. The human world sickened him, for he was not used to staying here. He badly wanted to go to his Loka. He was enjoying his time with his wife when his most trusted human friend sent him a message because he had pressing matters to discuss.

"We have news from our council, Lord Suketu," Madhava politely spoke. "Government has appointed an officer to investigate Vikramgad's case."

"Isn't it common? Don't worry. He will come back dead soon." Another man from the council said. "Correction...most dead bodies are not discovered unless they are lucky."

"Calm down, Vikala." Suketu threw a warning look at his brother. "Let Madhava speak."

"He is not someone we can snub it off, my lord—a man with no track record of failures. " Madhav explained. He would not have called the council heads if the recent Bhavishyavani was spoken by the Elephant-headed God Ganesha.