𝙈𝙄𝙉𝘿 𝙂𝘼𝙈𝙀𝙎 | 18+ [ON HOLD]

• PIECES ON THE BOARD •

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Fake mustache, a cap, and an oversized coat. A hint of illogical ego and a swagger to my walk. With all that, I looked as much like a man as I could hope to be perceived as.

The sharp blare of a train horn snapped me out of my stupor. I had been staring at my reflection in the glass of a shop near the railway station.

Clutching a black suitcase and wearing the false confidence of a man with purpose, I tried to stand out-or at least as much as one could-in one of the most crowded places in Mumbai.

The Gateway of India.

To my left stretched the Arabian Sea, its surface glimmering in the orange hues of the setting sun-calm yet alive with the rhythm of waves. On my right stood the iconic Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, a monument of elegance, its domes glowing in the golden light of evening.

Do you know what this feels like? This feels like freedom, Advika!

I mentally corrected myself. Not Advika, but Purabh. I was Purabh Singh, a man from Punjab, here in search of a job. A simple identity. One of the servants in my house was named Purab; I used his Identity.

Without wasting another moment, I started walking toward the hotel, ensuring my mustache and cap were in place with quick, furtive adjustments.

Why was I disguised as a man? Why was I running?

Well, that's a long story. Let's call it a journey-from India Gate to the Gateway of India.

Sixteen hours of travel.
Sixteen relentless hours of restlessness.

I could only hope they had lost my trail.

"Arey, andha hai kya?"

A man's sharp voice cut through my thoughts as he bumped into me.

(Arey, are you blind?!)

The white cane in my hand must have given him pause, as his tone immediately softened. He apologized, helped me pick up my suitcase, and offered his assistance.

I declined politely.

This-exactly this-was why disguising myself as a blind person was a stroke of brilliance.

Fucking genius, Advika.

I almost grinned at the thought, but the sharp ring of my phone shattered the moment.

The caller ID read Shravani Di.

I quickly answered, hoping against hope that it wasn't bad news.

"Please tell me you're not in Mumbai," her voice came through, urgent and edged with panic. "Father knows you ran away from Delhi, and he's searching for you like crazy!"