I met Pearl, an enthusiastic character, behind the entrance to the big, lush gardens of the Mahal*.
Her charm wasn't the only thing that caught my attention. Behind the flowing locks, hazel eyes, mesmerising smile, and a sweet but powerful voice, I could feel a beautiful soul.
She stood there to keep a watch over the two mischievous children of Dr. Russell. I had never before seen those kids following orders from someone else as they did when the orders were from her.
Mrs. Russell, who is my mother's friend since junior high, had invited us to her nephew's engagement ceremony. It was their plan to make us stay for more than a week, which, due to my exams, had to be shortened to four-days.
Pearl was busy watching over the two boys.
I stood beside her looking at the enormous trees in the garden.
"Aren't they beautiful? Someone unfamiliar with the place might end up thinking this is a forest."
Pearl turned to look at me.
"Yes they are. Aren't you Anmol?"
"Yes, I am. And you might be Pearl. Nice to meet you!" We shook hands for the first time.
"By the way, you have a good control over the kids, I see. Their own mother cannot handle them like you do," I told her.
Pearl smiled at this.
"Children like me, because I'm never harsh to them."
"Is that so?"
Pearl giggled, "Yeah!"
I smiled, "See you at dinner. Take care."
"Sure."
After the Shaahi* dinner, Pearl and I were given the duty of tucking the children to bed. When everyone else were lead to their respective rooms, we came by the fireplace downstairs. Pearl dragged a couch near the fire, while I made myself comfortable on a beanie bag.
Pearl broke the ice, "So tell me, do you have interest in stories?"
I was immediately interested to what she wanted to say, "Why, yes, of course. Who doesn't!"
"Do you mind if I tell you one tonight?"
I came forward to listen to her,
"It could possibly be the best thing to happen to this boring night."
Pearl smiled and said,
"People beg for more after they listen to my stories."
Amazed at her confidence, I said,
"Well, let's see!"
She giggled and started with her story...
A/N:
Meanings of a few words-
*Mahal: Castle/ Fort
*Shaahi: Royal
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Stories by the Fireplace (#HorrorThriller/MysteryThriller)
Short Story#354 in short stories as of May 18th, 2016 (could've ranked higher, I just don't check regularly) Some people are great storytellers. In this book, Pearl tells a story about a girl named Emma who was constantly having creepy dreams and some very str...
