Part 1
Ever heard of the phrase 'It's not what it seems'? Well there were a few examples here.Akash and Payal weren't humans.They were vampires.Well Payal was human before.She had met Akash who was a born vampire and they had fallen in love.Then to be together,Akash turned Payal a vampire.
Arnav is a demon.Correction:he was a demon.A real demon who's home was in hell.He was the prince.Demons were supposed to capture rotten souls and punish them for all the bad they did.When their punishments were over,they would be assigned to new bodies.
Angels took the pure souls who had no flaws.Those souls got to choose how their next life would be.
Arnav and Akash were great friends.Arnav used to be a happy demon until it happened...
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Payal made her way to the forest where Arnav lived in his farm house.She never understood why though.She often asked him why but he never answered.
Payal rang the door and a couple seconds later Arnav opened the door.He raised an eyebrow and looked at her questioningly "What are you doing here?"
Payal frowned "Aren't you going to invite me in?"
Arnav made a face but moved aside to let her walk in.Payal went to the living room and sat on the couch.Arnav stared at her "What are you doing here?"
"I came to invite you for dinner"
"I am not coming" he replied almost instantly.
Payal sighed.She stood up "Don't you get tired of staying in your home? I don't think I have ever seen you go out and actually take a breath of fresh of air"
"Maybe I don't want to" Arnav said stubbornly.
"Arnav,please come for dinner.It'll make me feel good"
"Look Payal-"
"Please" she pleaded.
Arnav sighed and closed his eyes "Fine but I am not staying for more than half an hour"
Payal pouted "Fine but I have a question for you.Or maybe two"
"What?"
"Why do you live in this forest"
"Because I want to" he said arrogantly.
Payal crossed her arms against her chest "I am tired of hearing the same reason.Real reason please"
Arnav sighed and looked away "Because there is peace and this is a place close to my heart.I love this place.I would do anything for it"
"And your garden?"
Arnav shot his eyes to her and stared at her "What do you mean?"
"When Akash returned from your house,he told me you were possessed by your garden or something"
"That bas***d" Arnav muttered "It's none of your business"
"Last question.I promise Arnav"
"The garden is my favourite place in this house"
"Oh? So you have a gardening hobby? I would love to see your garden"
Payal made her way to his garden before he could stop her.She opened the doors and was about to step in when she heard Arnav "Don't take a step forward!" he commanded.She stared at him confused.Arnav ran to the garden and pushed her away "Never and I mean never step in my garden.I mean it! Even if I die in here,do not take a step in here"
Payal gasped at his forceful voice and attitude.She stared at him "A-Arnav? Akash was right.You are possessed"
Arnav ignored her and closed the transparent doors.He looked at his garden with longing evident in his eyes "I think it's time for you to leave.I'll be at your dinner at 7"
"Arnav?" Payal looked at him confused.
"Leave!" he practically commanded.
Payal looked at him slightly worried but decided it would be wise to leave.
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A Few Hours Later
Payal walked inside her home and saw Akash sitting on the couch,watching tv.She walked over to him "I got him to agree" she said.
Akash looked at her shocked "No way! He actually agreed?"
Payal nodded.She sat on the couch next to Akash "You were right.It's as if he really is possessed by his garden.He didn't even let me take a step in it"
Akash sighed "That's just how it is"
Payal looked at Akash "What happened to him? I am sure he could not have been like this forever"
Akash nodded "An incident happened 10 years ago and he still believes it's his fault"
"What happened"
Akash smiled sadly "Remember? His story to tell? I have no right to say anything about his past"
"How old is he?"
Akash thought for a minute "Should be around 200 years old by now"
"Wow.He doesn't look a day over 25"
Akash nodded "So do you have all the ingredients for the dinner?"
Payal widened her eyes "I knew I forgot something! Akash,Arnav is going to be here in an hour and I don't even have the ingredients"
Akash sighed "Don't worry.I'll go get everything.Do you have a list?"
Payal nodded.She grabbed the long list laying on the table next to the couch and gave it to him "Thank you"
Akash nodded "I'll be back soon"
"Should I come with you"
Akash shook his head "If Arnav decides to come early,someone should be at home"
"Okay"
With that said,Akash left
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Half an hour later the door bell rang.Payal hoped it was Akash but sadly it was Arnav "Arnav" Payal said slightly shocked "You are early!"
"Yeah...I just wanted to get this over with" Arnav said moving past Payal and into the dining room.He sat down on the chair and looked around "Where's Akash?"
"He went to get the ingredients for the dinner"
Arnav groaned "That means I have to stay longer than I should"
Payal frowned at him and sat across from him "Okay! Enough with all the secrecy and rudeness.What is up with you and that garden.Akash says you are possessed and I can't help but agree with him"
"What I do with my garden is none of your business" Arnav shot back growing slightly angry.
Payal sighed and put her hand on top of his on the table.She looked at him in the eyes "Arnav,perhaps I can help.How bad can your problem be?"
Arnav looked away.A few minutes passed by with complete silence.Just when Payal thought she wasn't going to get anything out of him,she heard him sigh.He looked at her "You are a woman which means you have the capability of understanding one"
Payal raised an eyebrow "This is about a girl? I have never seen you with one"
"We were together far before Akash and I even met.He knows the story.I already told him and am grateful he respected my wish of never telling another including you" he sighed "I guess there's nothing to lose to tell another but please promise you won't tell anyone even whether they would believe you or not"
Payal nodded "I promise"
"Thank you" Arnav pressed his lips together and looked away.Suddenly he seemed to look so lonely and possibly heartbroken,Payal noticed.He opened his mouth and then closed it.It seemed as if he didn't know how to begin.Arnav swallowed painfully before opening his mouth once more to speak "I...I loved this girl..Her name was Khushi.Khushi Kumari Gupta.I was a demon back then when I had first met her" he gave a sad smile "She was the first girl who had ever managed to capture my attention.To top it off,she was a human" he closed his eyes tightly and covered his face with his hands "It's all my fault I lost her.She fell in love with me and...it was all my fault I lost her"
Payal stared at him curiously and with worry "What do you mean it's your fault you lost her? Did you break her heart or something? Did you perhaps cheat on her?" she asked gently.
Arnav shook his head "No not that.I did something much worse"
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