KHUSHI POV

WHAT DID YOU DO???!???

I DID NOT DO ANYTHING. THIS...this is not my doing. I simply came to check his coffin-like usual. But he...

BUT WHAT? But what Payal Gupta? Will you please explain to me how the hell his body vanished in thin air all of a sudden then?

Khushi I swear I did not even touch him. Trust me will ya? I mean I already feel that the very idea of guarding a coffin is creepy enough. What pleasure will I get from making that mans body disappear??

With a thud, I sat on the dusty ground of the dark basement where a now empty coffin greeted the both of us.

UGHHH.This cannot be happening to us. Not after all the struggles that it took us to get this coffin away from the caves of Madhyampur. OH LORD, who told you to become an archaeologist Khushi Sharma. Feeling the familiar hand on my shoulder I turned to face my colleague who inturn mirrored my expressions.

WE ARE SO DEAD KHUSH!! Who knows what this man will do now. I mean is it even right to call him a man??

I slapped my palm on her knee in response to her weird question. Of course, he is a man. No matter what he is...he is still a man. For sure.

Khushi if rumors are to be believed then technically this person is a 2000 years old witch who...

Payal's voice trailed. I knew what she wanted to say but could not because of the shock of the present circumstances. So I helped the poor girl by completing her unsaid words.

...who was trapped using a strong spell by the spiritual protectors of the ancient city called Madhyampur.

I turned to stare in the terrified eyes of my best friend. We had done the unthinkable. After years of research and study both of us had been able to locate the ruins of Madhyampur caves.

It had taken us 4 days to retrieve the location of this very coffin. And then the transportation of it to our house here in the outskirts of Delhi had again been a pain in the a**.

But we had done it. It took us 5 years 4 months and 2 weeks to be precise. And now finally after getting a good 9-hour sleep, we were ready to check out the secret inside this coffin. However, what greeted us was an empty ancient coffin.

All the efforts and hard work of years were for this. For nothing. A failed hypothesis. So many people warned us. Teachers, Professors, Editors, Assistants, the list goes on. But we were so adamant about finding out the secret behind this box of metal and nothingness. Tears gathered in my eyes while I tried to control them.

Khushi please don't...

Please what Payal? Don't tear apart? Don't act like a loser? You want me to pretend that we can still achieve our goals, our dreams? Damn it! we invested ourselves into this for what? I know it was supposed to be a distant dream but don't dreams come true?

I wept with every word of mine. The hoarseness of my voice disturbed even myself. God, why am I losing myself? I am an archaeologist and this is not the end of my career. This is just a block. A simple block in my growing career.

Khushi calm down. It is okay. Maybe whoever was in this coffin he walked outside or ran away to get his freedom?

What? What do you mean?

Khushi until last night this coffin was sealed and shut. We were asleep till 9 o clock. So maybe this man/witch woke up in between and escaped.

He...escaped??

Khushi tried to digest the new perspective. Can it be true? Can this really happen? Wiping her almost dry cheeks the woman tried to brainstorm with the ideas of her friend.

Yes. Escaped. Duhhh! Khushi if I were stuck in a coffin for centuries my first priority would obviously be to get away from this creepy metal box.

You...you might be right Payal.

Finally, my friend's words inspired me to get over my pity party and I composed myself enough to think properly. Dusting my behind I stood up and began to look for more clues getting close to the creepy coffin.

I sensed Payal behind me which gave me the confidence to keep exploring. The russet-colored coffin was open with spiders and their webs sprawled everywhere, decorated with a thick layer of dust. Both of us examined the box as thoroughly as possible. Nothing appeared to be out of ordinary until Payal noticed something alarming.

One of the outer edges of the coffin was bent at an odd angle. On closer inspection, we realized that there were finger grooves and impressions of a human palm all over it. Like someone tried to open the box with an inhuman force.

Payal and I exchanged a look in acknowledgment of our discovery. So our runaway witch had tried to use all his power to get out of this bolted coffin.

The rusty gigantic box did hold a wizard who probably escaped as soon as he found the energy to do so. But why did this person not escape earlier? Why the wait? What took him a bajillion years? Or maybe...

Yes. Perhaps the spell was bound to the limits of Madhyampur city. And since now we are here in a different place the man found the perfect opportunity for his much-needed freedom.

Well. It's a good thing that he escaped. Who knows what harm he might have caused to the both of us. A powerful wizard against two weak humans. We are simply two girls living in the outskirts of Delhi with no one to call for help. Pheww. That would have been a hell of an experience. I gulped in relief.

Khushi...

Payal's voice brought me back from my train of thought. So I quickly blinked and turned to face her only to see my friend holding a very old parchment which seems to be rolled securely.

What is this Payal? It looks like a...

..like a sheet of paper too old to be of my great great great gramps age.

I stupidly nodded agreeing to her statement. That is definitely something ancient.

Open it.

And she compiled to my command. Unfortunately, she could not unroll it. No matter how hard Payal tries the result was the same.

Khushi. This piece of paper is too stubborn. It seems to be sealed with magic dude.

What?!?

She held the parchment out for me but I scooted away in fear after comprehending her words. If this thing consists of magic then I am not gonna screw myself by being in contact with that thing.

Relax Khushi. Its just paper. And I might be wrong it is just a theory since we cannot open it.

I...I...lets leave all this here. I am famished at the moment and I need to take a break from all this...stuff.

Sharing a look of agreement Payal placed the parchment back in the coffin and then we locked the basement door and windows securely.

Arnav POV

This is not Madhyampur!

Jesus...where am I?

This place...these people...my surroundings...my goodness. How long has it been? My mind is feeling overwhelmed right now.

And my body is still weak. I have been asleep for centuries it seems. I still feel the numbness surrounding the different parts of my body. I need to find a human immediately. Someone with an appealing energy to consume.

As a wizard, what keeps me going is the radiating all-consuming energy of a live human being. And I have not had my share since ages.

Dragging my body to the edge of the forest I tried to locate my source of power. Naturally, instinct took over when I noticed a man meandering into the forest singing in an off-key tone too happy to acknowledge the trouble he was about to face.

With a chuckle, I zoomed towards his direction and took him by surprise. His aura was euphoric probably due to that bottle which carried a terrible odor that he was sipping in merry.

I locked my eyes with his and commanded him to stay very still. His pupils dilated in reflex and he stood very still in obeyance. His heart was beating erratically knowing that I am something beyond normal.

I roughly held his face in my palms and my wizardly tentacles within seconds consumed all of his exuberant energy. His eyes drooped and the poor excuse of a man turned unconscious.

Feeling my restored energy I felt rejuvenated. As if I was never locked away...ever. The electrifying energy made me more alert. Feels good to be myself. I mused.

Wait. I need to go back to that small house behind this forest cover. Before I ran away from the place my feeble mind had registered the two heartbeats nearby. That was hours ago. However those two humans had given me my freedom, and it would be pretty foolish of me to ignore them.

Who would want to endanger themselves by freeing me from that awful spell? They must have had agreed of sorts to take such a risk. What if they were a part of a planned schemed by an enemy of mine?

My mind quickly flipped through the memories of my ugly past. That demon Shyam who had murdered my twin sister Anjali. When my twin who was a powerful witch herself and rejected his proposal. That satan killed her. My heart twinged in pain recalling my innocent sister. That monster has to be alive somewhere...

Hmmm, now I get it. All of this must be his doing. I had destroyed his village in my thirst for revenge and his people had attacked me in return paralyzing me with a harsh spell ultimately sealing me in that pathetic coffin.

With a low growl, I whooshed back to that house. I will compel them to confess all that they have done behind my back. Pity...they will have to be killed. Anger boiled in my veins and I banged open the big door and followed the two scents that were about to be screwed by me.

However, a female sighted me and screamed out loud in shock and fear. I simply smirked in return. She back treated from me and shouted for a Khushi. But I continued my advance.

Scream all you want because this will be the last chance for you to do so.

Cornering her to the wall I used my wizardly powers on her making her recite like a parrot everything that needed to know.

Where is Shyam?

I don't know any Shyam.

When did he hire you?

No one hired me.

Why are you conspiring against me?

I am doing no such thing.

Her replies were only frustrating me. Why is my command not working on her? Did she find an antidote for my compelling? What is Shyam trying to pursue from this? What can two humans do to harm me?

STOP IT! Whatever you are trying to do to my friend just stop. Please don't hurt my friend.

The panicked voice stirred something within me causing me to face the owner of the voice. An audible gasp escaped my lips in surprise. And Anjali's prophecy flashed in my mind.

You will fall in love brother. Your heart won't be yours then. She will be your destiny. A fair maiden with big brown tantalizing eyes and an enchanting mole on the bridge of her nose.

Centuries ago I had ignored her premonitions. But now seeing the woman that matched my sister's description of my lover made me breathless all of sudden. My heart evaded my mind and I retreated from the trembling female.

The enchanting brown-eyed woman bravely came forward and placed herself between me and the other woman. While my eyes followed her every move appreciating her beauty and brains.

Are you alright Payal? Did he hurt you? Say something? If you dared to hurt her my friend I will kill you with my bare hands.

Her fluctuating emotions felt so refreshing. I was used to fear and fascination but not anger. Interesting I mused. With folded arms, I took a defensive stance.

Calm down Brown eyes. Your friend Payal is completely fine. I just have a few questions for her.

Its okay Khushi. Don't worry I am ok.

Hmmm, so that's what her name is. This Payal was calling Khushi for help earlier. Hmm. Khushi. Beautiful. A name filled with joy and happiness. So enthralling to the ears. Her presence almost made me forget why I was here in the first place.

Alright. I will not harm your friend but in return, you shall have to tell me the reason behind my sudden freedom.

For a minute I could only hear the tick-tock of a weird circular decoration on the wall along with the usual outside noises. However, I did not miss the guarded look that passed between the two girls followed by a determined expression that could make normal humans doubt themselves.

Then to my surprise, the one called Payal spoke in a soft tone as if she was approaching a wounded animal.

Uhmm....we are preparing lunch. May we discuss this over a meal Mr...?

Arnav Raizada.

I replied to Payal's question while my eyes were focussed on the perplexed yet fearless Brown eyed woman. Khushi. Who muttered my name in a mocking manner rolling her eyes in emphasis. I nodded towards the ladies and followed them like a good gentleman. Lets see whats in store for them. I mused.

To be continued.....

.
.
.
.
.
.
Hey folks. Its been a while, I have not updated my Arshi OS series. So here is a lil something to refresh your mood. Be positive and keep reading. Oh yes... Ramadan Kareem to everyone.