CHAPTER 15 #3
“I thought you’d like it,” Esha says with a small smile.
“It’s different. And honestly, it’s something you should see and experience at least once.
There are folk dances throughout the evening too.
A lot of tourists come just for the food, the performances, and to witness the joy of these women choosing their partners. ”
Then she looks at me with those bright eyes.
“I really want you to come too.”
“Me?” I ask, surprised.
“Yes,” she says immediately. “You don’t have to do anything. Just be there. Watch. Experience it.”
This sounds exciting and far better than sitting alone in my cottage all evening, overthinking everything.
“Okay. I’d love to,” I say, and her smile widens in response.
“Great. I was hoping you’d say yes,” she says, more excited now. “I’ll send you a local outfit tonight. You’ll have to wear it tomorrow.”
I raise an eyebrow. “Is that mandatory?”
“Actually no,” she replies playfully. “But trust me, you’ll love it. And it’ll help you blend in with the celebration.”
I let out a small laugh. “Alright, I won’t say no to that then.”
“Great,” she adds excitedly. “And if the dress needs alterations, we’ll get them done before tomorrow morning,”
“Thank you, Esha.” And I mean it. She has given me something else to think about. Something that isn’t Parag. Or Raghav. Or the mess my life is turning into.
And suddenly, a thought slips into my mind. Why wasn’t I born here, in this valley, where a woman is allowed to choose the man she wants? Where no one forces her into a marriage she doesn’t want. Where one decision, made from the heart, is enough.
The buggy slows and comes to a stop in front of my cottage, pulling me from that thought. I step down, and Esha gets out beside me.
“I’ll pick you up sharp at six tomorrow evening,” she says.
“I’m looking forward to it.” I give her hand a light squeeze before turning towards my cottage, where Michael and the other guards are already waiting outside.
The sight of them instantly wipes that smile off my face. If I’m going to the festival tomorrow, out of RK estate, they’ll be there too, hovering around me. Watching my every move. Breathing down my neck the entire time.
My steps slow just a little. This is going to be a problem. Right on cue, Michael walks up to me in his usual stern expression.
“Where were you?” he asks.
I roll my eyes without bothering to hide it. “I told you I was going to the game lounge,” I reply casually. “Why? What happened? Didn’t your precious cameras catch that?”
He exhales slowly, already sounding exhausted. “We track you,” he says. “But we don’t have access to the private guest areas of RK Estate.” His eyes narrow slightly at me. “If you hadn’t returned by now, I would’ve had to come there myself and check what was taking you so long.”
I know that too. Raghav hasn’t given them full internal access to RK Estate. And for once, that works in my favour.
My guards can monitor the entrances, pathways, and outer grounds, but not the private spaces within the estate.
There are no cameras by the pool, in the game lounge, or in the inner sections of the gym.
Even the lily garden behind the eastern cottages, where I slip away almost every night just to breathe peacefully for a while, has no surveillance cameras.
Esha told me this on my second day here.
That’s exactly why Michael and the others never realise I leave the cottage at night sometimes. They think I’m inside resting peacefully while I’m actually out there among the lilies, breathing in the cold valley air without someone tracking my every move for once.
“But there are gaps sometimes,” Michael adds. “Moments where you’re not visible anywhere. You just… disappear. And by the time we trace it, you’re either back or show up in another camera feed. Why is that?”
I look at him, feigning irritation. “If I wanted to escape, Michael, I would have done it long ago. I’m so done with your constant suspicion.”
Not waiting for his response, I turn and head towards the cottage.
“Tomorrow evening,” he calls out from behind me.
I stop and turn back again. He’s watching me carefully.
“I’ll be out for a few hours,” he adds. “But the rest of the guards will be here. So don’t try anything.”
There it is. That warning. That assumption.
Like I’m just waiting for a chance to run away.
I meet his gaze head-on. If I really wanted to escape, they wouldn’t even realise I’m gone until it was too late.
But not this time. Not without Mom. And not until I have a foolproof plan that ensures the mafia world can’t trace us again.
Despite wanting to give him a kick-ass reply, I turn away and walk inside.
But the moment the door closes behind me, a smile tugs at my lips.
Michael won’t be there for a few hours tomorrow.
That’s all I need. The rest of the guards are predictable and easy to handle.
As always, I can pretend to be inside the cottage, while I’m actually at the event, enjoying, even if it’s just for one night.
It looks like destiny is finally giving me a small chance, and I’m going to grab it with both hands.