Chapter - 2

"Run away from home." I choked on the cake I am eating. "There is so beautiful world out of your Mansion's gates. Nobody would speak of killing each other. Girls of our age can walk freely at midnight too." She continued.

"Really? But everyone knows I am Aadhya Reddy and my parents always said the world outside is unfair and I am safe only inside the gates."

She chuckled. "They are playing with you, Aadhya. I have been outside the gates and it is completely different from your house. Your parents think you are still a child, are you?"

"Hell NO! I am not a child. I can take my own decisions. I will escape from the house and this stupid marriage. Let them know I can explore the world alone without anyone's support." I puffed.

"That's the strong Aadhya, I know," she smiled. "Now before you run away leave everything which proves your identity. You must look like a common person so that nobody can recognize you."

"Oh! Should I time travel or go to a witch for a magic potion? How do I become unrecognizable?" This is so hard.

"You know if there is anything I like about you, it’s your stupidity. You just need to remove all the expensive attire of yours and dress up like a commoner. I can lend you my clothes and prepare you."

Whoa! It is that simple. Aarushi is truly genius. By the way what's there to like about being stupid? Anyway, I am so excited and nervous. A few minutes later Aarushi came with a sack of her belongings to my room. She pulled out a simple black frock along with the servant’s brooch to pin on my shoulder. After wearing the dress Aarushi tied my long hair into a tight bun like hers, she removed all the makeup I had on my face revealing my smooth skin.

"Now you look like a perfect maid." She laughed. "Aadhya, the servant." She started laughing hard.

My reflection speaks the truth. We both look so alike after the makeover. Wow, nobody will recognize me. I twirled around in happiness and Aarushi stopped her laugh.

"What are you doing?"

"I am so happy, Aarushi. You are very talented, thank you." I hugged her.

She pulled out of my hug, "you must not be happy from now on, Aadhya. I mean you are a servant, and people might get doubt if a servant is happy."

Woah! There is so much to learn in my life. Now I blame my parents for not showing the beautiful world outside and hiding me here. Anyways, I will be free from tomorrow. My beautiful life here I come.

As soon as the clock struck twelve midnight I sneaked out along with Aarushi. She made sure that I left anything which would suspect my real identity. I don't even have a single coin on me, Aarushi will throw the bag of money and my clothes towards me as soon as I jump from the tall wall. After climbing secretly with the help of ladder I saw the other side and it scared me.

"Aarushi, I am afraid. It's so dark and I can't see anything on the other side." I shivered with the thought of being alone.

"Don't worry, I placed a cushion for you. As soon as you jump you will be safe. Please hurry up, someone might see us." She hurried inside as soon as she noticed someone coming to our side promising to come back here after they are gone.

I waited for more than fifteen minutes but Aarushi did not come. I was alone standing on the wall just a feet away from my freedom. But it bothered me for unknown reasons. Will I really be happy away from my family? Should I just marry Mr. Menon and be safe? A tear rolled down my cheeks followed by a thousand. It's so cold out here and there is no one with me.

My body swayed with the wind and was about fall on the other side of the mansion wall but stopped as soon as a bright light filled the entire mansion. Instead of the cushion there are huge rocks. The thought of falling on those hard rocks scared the living shit out of me. Aarushi must have forgotten to place the cushions. All thanks to my overthinking, I did not jump.

I turned back to look at the bright light source and froze the next second. This is a nightmare. The mansion is burning while some people are just slashing my family's throats. "Mummy!" I screamed but nobody could hear me as I am very far from the mansion.

I came down the ladder and ran towards my family, m house where I belong. My feet hurt as I wasn't used to the barefoot running. As I came closer and closer I saw my people on floor lifeless. I finally spotted my father until someone slashed his throat too in front of my eyes.