-• fairytale •-

"Your life is no less than a fairytale," Janet says making me turn my head to look at her. She follows and we both end up staring at each other. Our faces are swollen from the lack of sleep, eyes are tired, and bodies exhausted, but to make most of the last day we've with each other, we're awake in hopes time will take mercy on us and run slow. But looking at the clock, I don't think we have that favour. It's three in the midnight.

I scoff and look back at the ceiling. "More like a tragedy,"

She raises her hands, making a diamond of her fingers to capture the glow of lights in the confines. "When we see the world like this, we feel it's small enough to be captured." She murmurs and looks at me. "But then our belief shatters," her hands seperate falling to her sides. "When we realise the world is mightier than we thought."

"Get to the point," I probe.

"What point? I was just trying to show off my insight into things," she jest with a chuckle.

I roll my eyes, nodding sarcastically.

"What I'm saying is, until now, your world was your mother, me, and school. But that's not true, Tara," she meets my eyes. "Your world is far bigger than what you imagined. Now it's time you explore it. Think of it as an adventure than a tragedy." She smiles at me.

"All that reading paid off, didn't it?" I smirk.

She shrugs smugly.

I get up and sit with my knees pull together. My arms lock around my legs before I lay my chin on my kneecap and stare out of the window. She follows and scoots closer, pushing away the curtains before tugging at my nightdress in an attempt to make me shift closer. I oblige.

We both look down at the two guards posted at the gates. My brows shoot up in surprise. Their backs are still ramrod straight. By this time, Janet and I would have been on the sides of the road snoring our ass off.

"Want to play a prank on them?" Janet looks at me mischievously.

I shake my head immediately.

"Oh, c'mon, be a sport!" She gets off the bed and wears her slippers.

"Janet!" I hiss. "What you're suggesting is absolutely ridiculous. Come back to the bed. We're too old for this kind of caper."

"No, we're doing something fun on your last day here!" She insists stubbornly. I sigh in defeat. Once Janet Williams sets her mind on something, she does it by hook or by crook. "Get up now," grabbing my wrist, she catches me off guard when I feel myself yank off the comfort of the warm bed and on the cold floor. A shiver racks down my body and I quickly wear the fluffy slippers. "Let's go," she pulls me out of the room, nodding at me to close the door behind us. I accidentally close it harshly. She shoots me a glare.

I smile sheepishly. "Sorry."

Gripping my hand tighter, as though gaining courage from me, she descends the stairs and I follow her quietly. We avoid the steps that creak. Having spent our entire childhood in each other's house, we can run around blind in here.

"Janet," I whisper when she unlocks the front door. She looks over her shoulder and shushes me with her finger on her lips. I click my tongue helplessly. I want to run back inside to avoid becoming an accomplice in her shenanigans but I can't deny the thrill I feel right now. It's been so long since I've been my age. From the time my mother got admitted in the hospital, I had to train myself to act maturely in every situation. The thought of ending up alone someday scared me from indulging in such childish funs for I didn't want to seem young and immature. But things are different now. And the realisation of having no responsibilities to bear made my feet light enough to sneak around and create some chaos.

"Tara," I perk up in attention. "You stay here. I'll go and distract them and then we'll sneak out, okay?"

I nod, hiding behind the doorframe as Janet leaves my hand and rushes down the porch stairs.

"What's wrong?" I hear one of the guard say.

"What to do!" She flails her arms, her face distraught and hair disarrayed. I cup my mouth to muffle my laughter. "I wake up to pee! And what do I see? An empty bed!" She shrieks, her hands flying to her mouth. The two guards stand straight in alarm, sharing a glance of panic between each other. I bite my knuckles to stop myself from hollering aloud.

"What do you mean? Is Miss. Chauhan not in her room?" The guard on the left asks her.

She shakes her head slowly, looking deeply grieved. "I knew something was wrong when she mentioned about escaping everything. Could she? Oh no!"

"Wh- What?" The guard on the left stutters.

"Could she have gone somewhere far?" She tilts her head to the side, placing a hand on her chin. My shoulders vibrate in efforts to hold down my amusement. "You must go and find her!" She says. "I think she used the backdoor!"

"But Mrs. Williams told us there's no backdoor in this house!" The right guard defends.

"Oh," she blinks. "Right, there is none." She nods before snapping her head up. "But do you think that's enough to stop a fierce young woman intended to rebel the world!?" She squares her shoulders at them. "She must have taken the back window. Go and find her! I'm sure she went that way! Find her before this cruel world swallows yet another helpless princess!" She points to the road. "I've complete belief in you," she looks at them with a glint of pride. "Your magnanimous statures, that wolf like pride, those laser sharp eyes and the high intellect, together you can find even Aladdin's lost lamp, then she is a mere princess! Go!"

They take off faster than a bullet.

I finally allow myself to be heard and bend over in fits of laughter, slapping my knee as I step out of the door. She laughs along with me and rushes upstairs to grab my hand before we run off into the night.

"What historical dramas are you watching lately?" I ask her in between the hysterics.

She looks over her shoulder, laughing even louder and increases her pace, causing me to kick up on my speed to match hers. We stop a few blocks down the road, bending over gripping our knees and panting through our mouths.

"Are we just going to run around the neighborhood like headless chickens?" I sit down on the pavement.

She sits beside me. "I don't mind." She huffs, swallowing visibly. "Ah, this feels liberating," she places her hands on either of her sides and looks up at the sky.

I do the same. "The sky is beautiful tonight."

"Tara," she points at the brightly shining star.

I chuckle. "Janet," I point to the star beside the one she declared as me.

She looks at me and smiles widely. "I'm going to miss you."

I nod. "Me too." My voice turns heavy.

She looks back at the sky and I follow.

We sit there stargazing for a few minutes before she suggests taking a trip around the neighborhood. I agree excitedly.

"Do you remember that shop?" She asks.

I look at the first toy store introduced in our neighborhood ten years ago. It was a treat to eyes for all the kids here. All the toys we saw in the movies and comics were displayed on windows for sale. I remember going on a food strike to convince mom to buy me the Iron Man figure. I was so crazy for Iron Man back in the days.

"Yes. You bought that rotating musical umbrella doll, right?" I ask her.

She nods eagerly. "I still have her in the attic." Then she leans in to grab my hand in hers. "Let's go," I oblige wordlessly.

We end up in the park next. Now nothing more than a passing spot on my way back home from the school, I had almost forgotten how much it meant to me in my childhood. Every evening Janet, I and her dog used to come here to play around with the other kids and eat popsicles or candy floss. Those days were the best.

"Tara, come here!" I hear Janet exclaim. My thoughts break from the past and connect to the present. I find my best friend on the swing as she points the one next to her. I chuckle and skip my way towards it. Holding both the chains, I plop myself on the worn out seat and hike myself to my toes before pushing forward with force.

Cold air slices through my hair and goosebumps rise on my bare arms, snaking all the way to my spine and nape. Janet joins me and we swing in the air like we are ready to take off in the sky.

"This is so fun!" She screams making me burst out laughing.

"Shut up! You're going to wake up the entire neighborhood." I say through my chuckles.

She giggles with me.

I shake my head to push my open hair back and close my eyes. Even though the heights I can reach on this swing are limited by the length of the chains, I feel free like a bird. Spreading my arms open, I raise myself even higher, reminiscing the fond memories of my childhood. There's nothing better than looking back in time and having something to smile about. I'm lucky enough to have plenty of it.

The cool breeze feels soothing against my skin. It is the first time in so many days I am actually soaking in the serenity of nature rather than rushing about from home to hospital, hospital to school, school to home and then back to the hospital.

"Tara," Janet calls out to me.

I slow down and hum in response.

"Now that you're a princess, does that mean you'll marry a prince?"

"Princess?" I snort. "Did you not read his Wikipedia page? It said Titular Crown Prince. A namesake one."

"But still, that doesn't change the fact that you're a princess of Royal descent. And I've searched about the Rajputs, Tara. Being a Rajput means prestige and power. You're a Rajput, Tara." She presses, sounding completely awed.

"Considering you know more than me about this royal thing, maybe you should go in my place? I adore my life here in England." I shrug.

"Could I?" Her eyes sparkle.

"Yeah you can, as long as you manage to convince my father and brother that you're the real Taranya Singh Chauhan." I say sarcastically.

She rolls her eyes and looks back to the front. "Whatever. Just know that if you get to marry a prince, hook me up with his brother or something." She nods at her own statement. "You'll get to attend rich parties and balls in dreamy gowns and get to dance with handsome fellas, ugh, that's so not fair! You're not even the kind to think of fictional stuff. Why did God have to be so unfair!?" She looks up at the sky bitterly.

I chuckle at her antics. Trust Janet to find hope even in the most hopeless moments.

I hop off the swing and look at her. "Let's go!"

She gets off the swing, coming over to where I stand. "Where to?"

"Someplace I want to visit before we end our little escapade." I stretch my hand forward. She slaps her into mine and I clasp it tightly before we venture onto the glowing streets, under the starry sky, in direction of the place that's connected to me the most at deeper level.

"Oh, it's your house," she murmurs when I stop.

I smile at her and pick up the plant on the side, jutting my chin at the key beneath it. She grabs it off and I place the plant back on the ground. I push my hand forward for the key. She hands it to me and I step up the porch to open the main door. We enter the house that was doused in darkness.

"The switch is on-"

"I know," she deapans, turning the switch on and filling the house with bright lights. I inhale a deep breath, the smell of our usual room-freshner and detergent hits my nostrils.

I believe each house has its own distinct smell. Mine does too. And it's the most beautiful. It reminds me I'm home.

"God, it's been so long since I've been at your house." She plops down on the couch, sliding her hand on the soft leather. "You keep it clean, huh?" She looks around impressively.

"How can I not?" I murmur, looking around the place fondly. "It is my second mother. The one that kept me warm and always made me feel belonged," I walk to the table holding the photo frames. "The walls that supported me when I learned to walk," I trail my hands on them. "The furniture that I used as a shield when hiding from Mumma," I hold the back of the chair, "the colors that I learned first," I stare at the beige walls. "The food I ate, the mess I made, the times I cried, and the moments I laughed, my home knows it all, it witnessed all." I sit down on the end stair and rest my head against the wall.

"Bitch, stop making me emotional." She sniffs.

I smile melancholically at her.

"You know-" she stops and I freeze when we hear the sound of engine being cut off in the driveway.

My eyes widen in horror.

She gulps, jumping off the couch as she rushes over to me. I get up as well, clutching the end of my shirt in alarm. We both look at each other, fear palpable in our eyes. The sound of approaching footsteps make us stagger back and we ascend a stair. She grips my arm tightly, her breath heavy and loud. My heart slams into my chest, echoing in my ear and draining my head of the thoughts. We both gasp when the knob starts to rattle. Our eyes fixed on it before it finally clicks in the place and the door creaks open.

I take another step back, Janet does the same. My hand grips the railing of staircase, the other hand clutched to Janet's chest with hers.

A shadow enters first.

I swallow hard. My stomach drops and breath hitches in my throat.

"Lord Jesus, save me please. I'm still sixteen and have a lot to do. I promise I'd no longer read smut in Church. Forgive my sins this once!" Janet cries in a whisper, making a cross on her chest.

I gasp when Yuvraaj steps inside the house before rising to his full height.

Janet lets go of my hand in surprise.

My shock turns into terror when the two guards walk inside the house behind him, looking out of breath. Their eyes find us and they take a breath of relief.

"Wait outside," he turns his head slightly to the right.

They nod and exit the house.

He looks back at me, his cold eyes freezing me over. I lower my head in shame, realising the motive of his abrupt visit in the middle of the night at an unexpected place. I wonder how he concluded I'd be here of all places.

"Taranya," he speaks evenly, not an emotion betraying his tone. I look up to meet his eyes, they unsettle me, but I know it would anger him more if I avoid looking at him. "What is the meaning of this?"

I didn't have an answer.

Not everything has a meaning.

This was one of the things that was done out of whim. I placed no motive behind it so I don't know how to explain it to him. I suspect he'd even understand if I try.

"Don't scold her please." Janet speaks in my defense. "It was my idea-"

"Miss. Williams, I'd appreciate it if you step out for a moment. I would like to talk to my sister in private." He says politely. It was nothing close to the request that his way of speaking tried to intend. It was a clear demand that his eyes directly imposed.

"But-" I grab her hand, causing her to look at me. I shake my head and nod in the direction of the door. She sighs in defeat but obliges without restraint.

When the door finally closes, leaving us alone in the vicinity of my childhood abode, I suck in a deep breath and meet his eyes. My courage fails me at the sight of his emotionless face.

"I'm sorry. I know it was wrong of me to trick the guards and sneak out in the middle of night."

"People who know the difference between right and wrong, yet still have the courage to do wrong, in my opinion, are the most audacious and impenitent." He remarks.

I swallow thickly, trying to control the tremble of my body.

"You're coming with me to the penthouse now," he says and turns to leave.

"I'm sorry!" I step ahead in a plea. "I won't pull another stunt again, I promise. Please, I've only few hours left to spend with her."

"Time should be used wisely. You failed to follow the simple rule, I can't trust you anymore." He says and takes a step forward.

"Bhai!" He stops, his shoulders stiffening. "Please, I won't act brashly anymore. I promise to be on my best behaviour."

He turns his head to the side, the light reveals his sharp jaw clenched tightly in annoyance. "Whose idea was it?"

"Mine." I lie.

"Lie again and I'll take you with me." He warns. "Whose idea was it?" He repeats.

"Hers." I admit timidly. "But I was an accomplice. I'm equal parts to blame."

"You are." He states. "The next time you do something like this, or lie to me for someone else, I won't let it slide. Clear?"

I nod immediately.

He looks at me over his shoulder in a warning.

"Ye-Yes, Bhai," I correct myself.

He walks out of the house and I teeter after him clumsily. Janet lifts her head, quickly lowering it when she accidentally catches my brother's gaze. Avoiding his attention like a prey hiding from the predator, she meekly walks up to me.

"What happened?" She whispers.

I shake my head in assurance.

Yuvraaj heads to his car and opens the door for me. I drag my friend along with me. I sit in the front seat before he closes the door and crosses the bonnet to reach the driver's side. I look at my cowering best friend in the backseat and smile at her in encouragement. She forces a smile back.

The engine whirs to life before he pulls the car out of the driveway and onto the road. Another car follows us. I assume the two guards are driving it.

We reach Janet's house in less than five minutes. I glance at Janet finding her family waiting outside the house in the middle of the night along with their dog. She appears mildly panicked. Who am I kidding? She looks like she would prefer to be in hell rather than here considering how furious Aunt Jenna looks.

"We're fucked." Janet murmurs and steps out of the car.

"Is that the language you use here?" Yuvraaj looks at me in disapproval.

I blink, having nothing to defend myself with. "No-Not often."

"It has to stop." He instructs. "Women of Chauhan family don't use foul language."

I nod obediently. "I understand." And step out of the suffocating space into the free air. My lips curl up in amusement at the sight of Aunt Jenna twisting Janet's ear while the poor girl shrieks out a series of apologies.

"Tara!" Uncle Garett looks at me disappointedly. "You're our responsibility for the night, sweetheart. Why would you run off in the middle of the night? Do you know how panicked we all were?"

"I'm sorry, Uncle Garett. We went out to seek some fun without realising the severity of our actions." I admit with my head lowered.

He sighs softly.

"Jesus, leave me now!" Janet rips herself away from her mother and rubs her ear frantically. "Are you nuts!?" She snaps.

Her brother slaps her on the back of the head, glaring at her to not say another word when she attempts to open her mouth. Unwillingly, she clamps her lips shut.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Chauhan. You entrusted her with us and we-"

"It's okay. My guards were at fault too." Yuvraaj cuts him off. "You should head back inside now." He motions them before looking down at me. "You too. I'll return tomorrow morning to pick you up. Keep your bags ready." He instructs.

"Uh, where's he?" I ask hesitantly.

"He?" He narrows his eyes at me.

"Our father." I clarify.

"Back at the penthouse. He isn't aware of anything."

"Wh-Why?"

"Because that's how it usually is." Yuvraaj states.

I stare at his retreating figure in confusion. The headlights turn on and his car speeds off the main street.

What did he mean by that?

Did he not tell anything to our father because he didn't want to worry him?

But then why would he sound so bitter about it?

"Tara!" Janet shakes my arm, breaking me from my thoughts.

"Huh?" I look at her clueless.

"C'mon, let's go inside. It's already five in the morning. We need to catch some sleep." She grips my arm and drags me inside the house. We reach her room and I climb the bed while she closes the door before joining me. "Even though things went south in the end, it was fun, right?" She interlaces her hands on her stomach, staring at the ceiling with a happy smile.

I chuckle, not having any reason to forfeit her claim. Indeed, it was fun.

"Yes," I agree.

"Wanna know something about fairytales?" She turns her head to look at me. I do the same.

"What?"

"Every princess has her own."

Much like Janet, who else believes in Fairytales?

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