Rolling his name over her tongue

"Long time?" Anjali craned her neck at her husband to see if he actually meant it. "Did you not have your share yesterday morning? You sound like a deprived alien from a drought-prone planet." She was late to the office yesterday because Parth only let her leave once he was satisfied.

"Alien in a drought-prone planet?" Parth nodded his head seriously."Sounds good, Angel. I can abduct and keep you for myself, so you can never wander around the haunted buildings like a ghost."

"I am not a ghost." She barked at Parth, though his words put a smile on Anjali's face. She wondered when he had turned into a smooth talker. The first time they met officially, he maintained a distance from her because he was unduly shy with girls. Anjali was pushed back to her college days, the very first time she saw Parth.

....

"....so, over the centuries, researchers have found bones and artefacts proving that humans like us have existed..."

The professor's lectures continued in the background, students attentively jotting the points. But all his talks were going into thin air for the girl sitting on the last bench. Resting her head on the desk board, she turned the next page of the book lying on her lap, eager to read if Sherlock holmes found Stapleton's secret.

"Anju..what did you bring for lunch?" A plump, well-fed girl sitting next to her asked in a whisper as she dumped a couple of chips into her mouth. It's Meera, Anjali's bench partner.

Meera covered her mouth with her hand and slowly chewed so that the sound didn't reach the professor's ears.

"Daal Makhani," Anjali muttered and went back to reading. This chunkey-monkey always has an eye on her lunchbox. Sitting on the last bench comes with benefits. It's not just a bench for Anjali. It turns into a kitchen when she is hungry, a recreation room when she is bored, and a bedroom when she is sleepy.

Meera's mouth watered, feeling the delicious taste of cooked lentils on her tongue. She will not let this chance slip. "I brought Upma. Let's exchange the boxes." Meera eyed Anjali's bag with hunger.

"I am not giving a single drop of the curry today." Putting the book aside, Anjali grabbed her bag and clutched it to her chest. They start lunch together, and by the time Anjali completes one-fourth, Meera will have gobbled her food, plus Anjali's. She will have to starve until she returns home. "Have you ever brought a dish other than Upma?"

"My mom is too lazy to prepare...Please.. please...Anju...let's exchange just for today." Meera begged, and when Anjali didnot heed her wishes, she gazed at the professor standing on the podium, who was rambling continuously. "I will complain to the professor that you are reading a novel in the class."

"How about I complain that you are eating Dorito chips in the middle of the class?" Anjali smirked. She couldn't believe this butterball had chosen Dhal Makhani over their friendship.

"Where? Show me?" Meera quickly slipped the Dorito chips packet inside her dress. The cracking noise caused by the snack cover pushed the heads to turn to Anjali and Meera's sides.

The duo began fighting each other until the Professor's voice thundered into their ears. "Anjali and Meera! Is this a classroom or a fish market? Both of you stand up!"

Giggles erupted in the classroom as they both stood.

"What are you fighting, Meera?" The professor asked as he walked towards them.

"Sir, Anjali is reading a novel in the classroom.." Meera said, throwing the blame on her friend.

"I_I didnot, sir...Meera is lying." Shocked by Meera's response, Anjali tried to hide the book, but the professor's gaze had already shifted to the book lying on the desk. "Then why would an archaeology student has a novel instead of history books?"

"I only borrowed from the library today to read at home." She replied, hoping that her professor would buy her lie. "Honestly, it was all Meera who started, sir. She was eating chips, and when I told her to quit eating during class hours, she started the fight."

"She is lying, sir" Meera screamed, causing the professor to cover his ears.

"You too.." The professor sighed. These backbenchers are always trouble creators. The only difference is the first time he encountered girls instead of boys.

"She has slipped the packet into her dress." Anjali retorted.

"Well then...you are welcome to check my body, sir.." Squaring her shoulders, Meera stepped forward as the professor retreated one step. Meera knew that the professor would never dare to touch a girl.

Giggles erupted from the students watching the funny banters between the professor and the students.

"Enough!"

The classroom turned silent with the blow.

"Both of you." The professor shouted, pointing his finger to the door. "Out of my class."

Neither Anjali nor Meera didnot budge. Seeing them rooted to the ground, the professor declared to the students. "I am not starting the class until these two are out."

"Anjali, Meera.. please..."

"The class is very interesting.."

"I want to top the class this year...please, Anjali..."

"These toppers are losers!" Anjali muttered. Upon the request from the first benchers, Anjali and Meera went out and stood by the door. Being a foodie, Meera slipped out of the college to eat roadside, leaving Anjali alone.

"Stupid girl..she ruined my mood." Anjali let out a curse as she leaned back on the wall. She passed the time playing a peek-a-boo with the sun when she suddenly heard a deep-echoing voice from the opposite classroom. The manly rigid voice drew her attention. She tried to see through the window by lifting her foot, but that was futile.

In a moment of surprise, Anjali saw a man, tall and strong, appearing from the classroom. Dressed in a formal black shirt, he bore a carefree attitude yet was powerful and intimidating. A group of students followed behind him, carrying loads of paper.

Who is he? A senior year student? But she had never seen him on the college premises.

"We must cover at least two colleges by evening, Parth." Someone from the group addressed the man as their footsteps approached her. Anjali held her breath as she watched the man walk past her and enter her classroom.

"Parth.." Anjali muttered, rolling his name over her tongue without knowing her words, caused the man to halt his footsteps and turn. Anjali's breath hitched in anxiety as his fiery eyes met her clear eyes for a brief second before he turned and resumed walking.

.....