Angel

Before leaving, Parth informed Anup to keep this mission a secret until he moved to town. Nikhil, who was daydreaming, was back in the present when he recalled something important that he had to discuss with Anup.

"When is he leaving, sir?" Nikhil was overwhelmed by joy with the thought of enjoying his space in the office after Parth had gone to Vikramgad. Hitting criminals' asses, collecting their urines, watching them eat their own shit, he dared to recall the nasty stuff that Parth made him do.

"Why? Want to tag along?" Anup questioned with his raised eyebrows.

"That's such a funny joke!! HAHAHAHAH." Nikhil left, feeling like he bit his own tongue, asking something sensitive. He rushed after Parth, and once he caught up with him, he asked. "Sir, how long are you planning to stay for the mission_"

"Pack your bags. We will be leaving soon."

"S_ir..." Parth's statement was like a bomb set under Nikhil's ass, ready to explode. "Why? I mean, why do you need me?" He is not an officer to solve cases like him.

Why is he targeting me?

"Entertainment," Parth said in such a deadpan voice that Nikhil thought he was serious.

Entertainment, my foot. Did he think I am a pole dancer? The thought of stepping into the eerie town had chills down his spine.

"My mother is not well." Nikhil smoothly lied. "She is in the hospital. I need to take care of her."

"Didn't you take leave on her birthday? It was two days back, though." Parth said, pausing his steps. His gaze narrowed at Nikhil's alarming face. "Don't act smart. Your cheap tricks are not going to work with me."

Parth left, commanding him to take care of the Minister's court-producing process. Nikhil pulled a photo from his pocket and gazed at it. It was God Hanuman. "Is it revenge for not offering money in your temple yesterday?"

....

Throwing the file onto the desk, Parth picked the newspaper to resume the news. His morning routine starts with reading the newspaper or watching the news on television. Since his wife was not in the house, he didnot feel like staying there. So, he returned office early in the morning. It was just a day since she had gone to her mother's house, and he was already missing her.

Snubbing the thoughts out of his mind, Parth concentrated on the work. He flipped the pages, reading past the details, and somewhere in the corner, he caught sight of a familiar face. The picture was blurry, but it's not a typical face he could ignore.

"What the!" His blood boiled, hot as a fire. The newspaper crumbled in his hands as the picture provoked him. "ANJALI! YOU ARE SCREWED TODAY."

...

The spacious house, surrounded by coconut trees, added a hint of refreshment. The sun's rays passed through the balcony window and fell on a woman's face, sleeping peacefully without knowing the commotion she created on the other side of the city.

"Anju!! Did you see my cricket bat?" A voice pierced into her ears abruptly, waking up from her dream. "We have a cricket match with Rajguru college tomorrow. I need to practice."

"I don't know, Ansh." She grumbled at her brother in a groggy voice, pulling the blanket up to her neck.

"Where could it be?" Ansh questioned, searching the cupboards of her sister's room. He has a hunch that his sister hid his favourite bat to annoy him. "Get up, sleepy head. Mom will screw you if you don't get up by the time she comes home."

"Mmmmm...Five more minutes."

"I will not wonder if you are sending brother-in-law to the office on an empty stomach." Ansh was sure his brother-in-law would have turned into a chef so he wouldn't die of hunger. "By the way, your photo is published in today's newspaper."

"What did you say?" Her brother's words caused her to flare up from the bed. Her dishevelled black hair clouded her face like a sheer curtain. An angelic voice and the svelte thin body accentuated her marshmallow-coloured complexion. That's Anjali. Closed ones call her Anju, and someone dear to her heart has a special name.

Anjali jumped out of bed and dashed into the living room, Ansh trailing behind, demanding his cricket bat.

She grabbed the newspaper on the table and quickly turned the pages. Somewhere in the corner, she found the news about her. 'A brave woman stayed in a haunted college building to prove ghosts don't exist. Kudos to Anjali and her team for showing immense braveness.'

"Argh!" Anjali pulled her hair in frustration. "I am screwed if Parth reads this" If there is one thing Anjali can't control, it's curiosity. Since the day she heard gossip about a ghost haunting the college hostel students at night, solving this mystery had become a top priority. Knowing that Parth would not let her step out of the house, she lied and came here to execute the plan. But her futile attempts went all in vain.

"Why did these buffoons publish it in the news?" Anjali dropped to the floor and leaned back on the chair. "Will he get to know, Ansh?" She asked, worry written all over her face.

"I will tell you if you give back my cricket bat." Ansh blinked his eyes, acting cute.

"Like hell, I know, idiot." She kicked her brother's leg and dashed into the bedroom.

Ansh screamed, wailing in pain. "My leg! How do I score runs in tomorrow's match?"

Meanwhile, Anjali consoled herself. "Don't worry, Anjali. The news is published in the entertainment section. So, the odds of Parth seeing it are very less."

As she got fresh, the landline ringed with an incoming call. Anjali called Ansh, but there was no response. So, she dragged her feet into the hall to pick up the call. "Yes..Anjali speaking." With a swag, she answered the call.

"Are you happily sleeping, thinking I would have skipped reading the entertainment section?"

Anjali's eyes widened in surprise upon hearing the familiar voice. Oh no! He read it. Is there anything that doesn't get noticed by this man? Now what, Anjali? Find an escape plan.

Pulling the phone away from her ears, Anjali screamed, which sounded like she was speaking from a distance. "Hello...hello.."

"I know you are hearing me, Anjali."

"Hello..Hello...There is always a problem with the phone." Anjali ended the call. She didnot have a moment to relieve herself because her neighbour Sheela aunty arrived at her doorstep, to inform Parth called their landline.

"How does he know Sheela aunty's number?" Anjali pulled her hair in frustration for the second time. Knowing that Parth would give her a big class after returning home, she avoided the call this time.

Post breakfast, she took a shower and dolled herself in a beautiful red dress. Ansh was back in her room demanding his cricket bat. Anjali gave him another kick before throwing him out of the room.

An hour passed. Anjali lay on her stomach, fully engrossed in reading the novel. The door opened, and her irritation reached peaks this time, thinking it was her brother. "I am telling you. I will kick your ass this time."

"Well, Let's try in the bed. I would love to experience that, my dear Angel." The baritone voice had a huge fanbase in the college, and one of them was her. But that's not the concern now. Gripping the book tightly, Anjali flipped her position, facing the man standing by the door as imposing as he was. His stony expression signified she was doomed.