Magic Mirror, on the wall,
who, now, is the fairest one of all?
The mirror could not decide.

I was looking into a mirror. A mirror image of mine sitting opposite to me. She was doing the same. We were both observing each other when finally I broke the silence and asked her, "What's your age?"

"Twenty one," she replied.

"So, we are not long lost, twins. I am twenty. Tell me about yourself and I shall tell you about me. There's no point in concealment. What say?" I was so curious. It was only in movies that things like these happened.

"I don't know you but I feel, I can trust you. My name is Chaya and I am the princess of Aryabhoomi. I am here because I ..."

"You are a Princess? Wow! I have never met a royal in my life. A royal who looks like me! Hahaha!" This was an exceptional night. Chaya furrowed her brows at my comment. I stopped laughing and bow dramatically. "Your grace."

She smiled at my antic. We might look indistinguishable but she was exquisite.

"I didn't get your name," Chaya asked softly.

"My name is Pratima, your highness," I answered her.

"What a beautiful name, Pratima." Chaya appreciated my name and I smiled.
Yeah, one of the few things my parents did well for me was giving me a beautiful name.

"Thank you. Please continue with your introduction. I am sure you have lots to tell." I was using all the magical words I knew. I was talking to a royal and needed to be at the best of my behaviour.

"Pratima, I am here because I am bored... Fed up with my life. Being proper all the time, following courtesies. I need a break. Especially before my father starts searching for suitors to wed me, I wanted to be free. Live in a small, cosy house. Do my chores myself, walk on the roads without cars and security. Wear sloth clothes and roam without being judged." Chaya looked at the far end narrating her list of desires.

"Uh! I get it. The princess wants to let herself loose. Pardon my saying so, but you are very lucky to be born with such facilities. The life you desire is full of struggles and I am a live example in front of you. I am running away too. From my mother who just wishes to save every penny she can, from the tiring daily chores I have to do, from walking miles on foot, from the same clothes I wear to every place I go." My list was endless.

"Pratima, this is so much fun. Such a spicy life. You must embrace these things with open arms. Fighting and achieving something." Chaya asserted with a smile.

"I could say the same, princess. Not everyone is born with a silver spoon, gold spoon in your case, if I may say." The girl was so unreasonable. Who gets bored with luxuries? These royals were crazy.

"Pratima, trust me your struggles are any day better than the cage I am in. I can't do what I want. Eat what I want. Study, what I want. I wanted to study business, I had to take up literature to polish my already polished language skills. All that looks glitter and gold is actually dusk and stone." Chaya's list of 'sacrifices' seemed endless too.

"It's the same for us, commoners. We can't eat what we want because we don't have that much money. Study? That's not even an option. We chose the cheapest course available." I retorted. Chaya was anything but privileged and she was exaggerating non-existent struggles.

"Grass is greener on the other side. Hence proved." Chaya remarked and I agreed.

"So, basically you have escaped from your house and chose to hide in our house." I enquired. Under that innocence, I could see a very naughty child.

Chaya gave a sly smile and implied, "Maybe."

I knew what she meant. A spoiled brat was up for some fun till money and mood lasts. Vivasvan was one such brat. He was never serious about anything.

"Why did you come early? You were scheduled next week. Besides, the guest wing is not ready yet." She had paid in advance so I had to accommodate her but I needed time.

"Why should I stay in the guest wing?" Her eyes were shining with mischief and I knew the news was not good. My forehead creased in confusion and she suggested...

"Pratima, it might sound like a cliched movie plot, but let's switch? We look identical like 'mele me in bichde Bhai-behan' types, our age, weight, height and voice are similar too. I mean no doubts our tone and accent don't match that much but I know we can manage, my fidus Achates." Chaya sounded so excited and desperate.

"What will be the benefit of this... 'SWITCH'?" I may have seen a lot in life but I cannot analyse the reason behind this switch. 'Don't invest, if the business is not profitable.' The mantra for life I have been taught.

"Is there any cafe nearby where we can discuss the pros and cons?" Chaya was indeed on an adventure trip. So, we walked to a small cafe nearby. The princess was playing with a pebble while gracing the road with her Gucci sandals. They must have costed a fortune. I wonder if they were comfortable too? The sandals I bought from mall road were nowhere close to them.

We sat at a corner table and Chaya was observing the cafe like a curious child. She ordered a large cold coffee and sipped making a 'bhur bhur' sound. She played with froth and licked her upper lip with her tongue. Thankfully, the cafe was not that crowded else we would have surely grabbed eyeballs.

"Princess, it's getting late and we should head home." I requested her and she pouted in disappointment.

"First, stop calling me "Princess". I am on a vacation. Second, you haven't heard the deal, so, sit and hear me out." She took the last sip of her coffee and burped loud. God! How uncouth! Was she a princess? I had my doubts.

"Pratima, we both are fascinated with each other's life. You desire to mine, I yearn for yours. Go, live the life of a princess and judge for yourself whether you are lucky with what you have, or the grass is indeed greener on my side. I will do the same.
Live like Pratima, struggle like Pratima. Realise if being a princess is fortunate or being a commoner is better. Let's do this. Life doesn't give such opportunities to everyone. We live a few hours away from each other and with social media so widespread, never crossed each others path? But, we met now, when you were lost and when I had given up. It's a sign from above. Think about it Pratima. Live the life of a princess. I assure you, our palace has all the luxuries in the world, it just lacks the warmth." Chaya was finding the switch like a cakewalk. The girl had no experience of the real world.

"Chaya, as desirable as the plan may sound, it's not practical. We will get caught. What next, your father gets me executed. He might blame me for your kidnap or anything. Just looks can't swap our lives. We are born in two different worlds and there is no barter between those worlds." I broke the bubble, princess Chaya was building.

"I can bet no one at my home will guess. My parents are not bothered about my whereabouts unless we have to make a public appearance. They have appointed guards to keep a check on my activities. They even forget it's my birthday, sometimes." Her last statement pinched my heart but still, it was an impossible plan.

"I feel you Chaya but still it won't work. My Granny will catch you in a minute." Granny knew me so well she will know an imposter is living with her.

"If you trust your granny enough, tell her. I don't mind. Look Pratima, I am not a liar or a 'spoiled brat' up for fun as you might think. I just need this break, desperately. I will be married based on a deal and not out of choice. I want a few months to my self. Please Pratima." Why do I feel like helping this soul. What could happen at worse? I will be hanged to death? My life sucks as it is. Maybe this will be a rejuvenation for me too. I was tempted to give in.

"If you give in writing that this switch was your idea and I was not involved in any criminal activity and..." I was trying to explain but Chaya put her palm on my mouth to shut me.

"Whatever, wherever you tell me to sign, I will. Just share your life with me." Chaya was stuck at the same point. I heaved a sigh and smiled. We shook hands and came home. I knew my mom would have left by then and it will be just my old Granny. I sneaked Chaya to the top floor meant for guests. Then calmed myself before checking on Granny. She was drinking whiskey. I knew she was sad. I left her alone in the battleground.

"Granny, " I called her in a sugar-coated voice.

"I don't have diabetes but this sugar you are feeding me, is infectious." Her voice slurred.

"Sorry." I apologised hugging her.

"Quitting and back out is a bad option. Never start or enter a fight, you can't finish. Pri, I am fine but your mother was angry. I don't know what step she will take. I won't leave this home that's for sure. If your Nani comes, we both will tackle her don't worry. You are a very precious child Pri, I love you." Granny's words brought tears to my eyes. I can't leave her. I love her more than anything. I helped Granny to the bed. She drank a little above her capacity.

I went upstairs to check on the princess. She was dancing with headphones like a hippy girl. She pulled me for the mad dance and I let myself loose. We danced a bit then settled on the chairs.

"Chaya, I am sorry, but I love my granny too much to stay away from her. I don't think it's a good idea." I told her straight away before she got her hopes high.

"Oh! It's okay I won't force you." Chaya's disappointment was visible. "When I left home I was sad too, a bit. My parents won't bother for a day because I told them I was going on a day trip with Ragini, my friend. I was allowed because her brother is a prospect for me. Huh! I haven't even seen him, just his pictures with Ragini when they were kids. My parents thought it will be good if I mingled with the family. Ragini is on the same page as me. She is also frustrated with her life and when I shared my plan she was ready to help. 
My parents would eventually know about my running away but I wanted to revolt. So, I escaped the huge palace gates. I wanted to trade my return.
When I saw you, I thought God was by my side and sent you to help me. If the switch was successful, we will not have to lie and live peacefully for two months at least. I know my father has a lot of pride and my running away will not settle well with him. He might know about my hiding spot and drag me back home. But, all said and done I will still stay here whether you like it or not." Chaya took my hand in her's and declared.

"You are more than a welcome princess and trust me I wish to switch too, living the life of a princess is a dream but granny is above all."

Five in the morning, I came to my room after a heart to heart conversation with Chaya. I took a bath and was ready. It was still dark and no one was out. Chaya gave me a bag with all the necessary things including her phone.

"All the best for the Metamorphic Switch, princess." Chaya wished hugging me tightly.

______________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Readers,
Pratima and Chaya are not twins but are a replica of each other only physically though. While Pratima is a practical person who knows life is not easy, Chaya is a princess living in a fantasy world. So, it seems. Both the girls loathe their world and want a new life.
Will this exchange, Chaya suggested, be successful? Only time will tell.
Has Pratima agreed to leave her granny dearest and go ahead with the swap? Have the charms of the princess worked?
Will this be a METAMORPHIC SWITCH?
Or a total disaster?
Find out!
Rest assured this is not remotely similar to any 'Switch/Swap/exchange' series you have watched or read. It's filled with mysteries dying to unfold. So, stop wasting time reading Author's note and swipe up.

Stay hooked!
Lots of love.