Peace: War

Crossing his hands over his chest, Parth leaned back on the wall, his piercing gaze holding Anjali on the edges. He handled hundreds of criminals and schemers. Infact, the department calls him the biggest manipulator. But they were wrong. There is someone who can beat him, and it's none other than the naive maiden sitting on the bed, looking at him with puppy eyes, as innocent as a lamb.

"G_ood morning?" Anjali blurted something that came into her mind. Parth's sudden presence startled Anjali, her emotions changed gears and ground up, thinking about what was yet to come.

But what's with the speed? Did he come in a flying car? Anjali wondered. It takes at least one and a half hours to reach her home from his office. Anjali showered and had her breakfast. Not an hour passed, and he stood in front of her in a poised manner.

"It's afternoon." Parth pointed his eyes at the clock hung on the wall. He went back to silent mode again.

"Oh!" Anjali's face turned sour as if she had sucked the first bite of a tamarind lollipop. Is he giving a cold shoulder? If living in a haunted building has angered him, ending his call might have outraged him, Anjali thought. The situation has gotten worse. Let's get the flirtatious Anjali out.

"What's up, handsome husband? You are making the temperature soar in my room." Fanning her hands over her face, Anjali spoke in a seductive tone.

"Is it?" He hummed, playing right into her game. The hint was enough for Parth to take a step. "Well then, allow me to remove your clothes, my lady."

"No...not now. I was joking.." Before Anjali jumped out of bed to escape his clutches, Parth was a step ahead, pushing her back onto the bed and straddling her.

"Tell me, what punishment I give for liars?" A whisper escaped his lips as he moved his head closer to hers. "Hmmm?"

"I_I come in peace, your majesty." Anjali's heart raced as her soft petals slightly grazed over his.

"Too bad. I have come for war, your highness." He countered in the same tone. Although he wants to throw every logic out of the window and devour her because the red dress was driving him crazy, Parth restrained. "Care to recall what you promised me on our first night?"

How can she forget the most important day? She was at the peak of pleasure when her husband ordered that she avoid dangerous adventures although her job demands. Being under his magic spell, Anjali threw every logic out of the window and agreed to his wishes.

"Do you ever listen to my words, Anjali?" Parth questioned.

Anjali gazed at Parth, who was searching her eyes. "I was not alone, Parth." She cupped his face, staring into his worried eyes. She knew Parth always worried that her curiosity would someday pull her into danger.

With his complete attention on her, Anjali spoke. "As I promised you, I took my colleagues along with me. I will never put myself in danger because I don't want to die, turn into a ghost, and come to your wedding when you are marrying another_"

"Never talk about death, Anjali." Parth's tone was curt. "Am I clear?" There will never be another woman in his life.

"Alright, sir.." Anjali pecked his lips as a form of apology. He would take it on a serious note, even if she meant a joke. It took her almost five minutes to cool the stubborn man.

Finally, resting her head on his chest, Anjali spoke. "Did you miss me?"

"Of course, yes, when I was taking a shower in the bathroom." His teasing earned a slap on his chest.

"Aren't you curious about the thing I saw instead of a ghost?" She pouted.

She has come to the point, finally. Parth shook his head with a smile as he spoke. "So, what did you see in the college building if it's not a ghost?"

"You wouldn't believe Parth." Anjali started, and Parth was in a bright-eyed bushy-tail mode seeing his Angel's excited face.

"Someone has put a broken iron chair on the top building of a girl's hostel."

"It's the windy season, right?" Anjali continued to which Parth nodded. "The surrounding trees around the hostel caused the iron chair to move every time the wind blew. The girls would go to college in the morning, and by the time they returned to their rooms, it will be evening. So, they heard the sounds later in the evening."

"I heard from one of the students that a girl named Hansa hung herself to a fan on the seventh floor because she failed exams. The event happened a month after she died. So, they strongly believed that it's Hansa's ghost." Anjali's director was a close relative of this college principal. He asked her if she knew a Mantrik.

Why does he need a Mantrik or Tantrik when Anjali is here? And she was right. There is no such thing called ghosts. One thing that surprised Anjali was the girl's rooms. Broomsticks under pillows, lemons-infused water, and they told it is to ward off the evil. She can't believe people still believe in Bhoot and Pisach in this century.

"Anjali...."

"Hmmmm..." Parth's sweet yet seductive voice caused Anjali to gaze at him, casting her ghost thoughts.

"It's been a long time. Shall we?"

....

Mantrik: One who use sorcery and magic.