𝐀𝐧𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐧𝐚 : 𝐸𝑐ℎ𝑜𝑒𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐷𝑎𝑟𝑘𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑠

~🥀 Unshackled 🥀~

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Haseena's POV

It's been a month since I've been trapped in this gilded cage. My life revolves around the same monotonous routine-room to dining, dining to room. The only solace I've found is in the library, my temporary refuge where I feel a semblance of peace amid this chaos.

But today... today is the day I've decided to reclaim my freedom. I've spent weeks observing, analyzing, and planning. Every detail, every movement in this palace, has been etched into my mind. I've learned the patterns of the guards, the shifts, and even the timing of Anubhav's arrivals and departures.

This palace, though vast, still feels like a maze to me. I've only familiarized myself with a few areas: the hall, the dining room, a single corridor leading to the library, and the route to my room. But what I've discovered is enough.

For instance, I've noticed that the guards change shifts precisely at 6:00 am and 6:00 pm. During this transition, there's a crucial five-minute window when the main gate is left unguarded. It's brief, but it's my best chance.

Morning escapes are impossible-he's always here during the day. But at night, he often returns late, sometimes as late as 10 or 11 pm. And on rare occasions, he doesn't return until much later.

The most important discovery I've made is the CCTV room. It's monitored continuously, but during the guard shift change, the in-charge also leaves briefly to hand over duty to the next person.

And today, I overheard something that feels like a sign. Anubhav was discussing with his chief bodyguard about attending a business party tonight. That means both of them will be away.

This is it. Tonight, when the clock strikes 6:00 pm, I'll make my move. Five minutes is all I need. Five minutes to slip past the gate, past the cameras, past this prison.

I clutched the small pouch I had prepared, containing nothing but a few essentials I could gather. My heart pounded with both fear and determination. This is my only chance. And I won't waste it.

Evening, 5:45 PM

Haseena paced back and forth in her room, her heart racing as the minutes ticked away. She clutched the pouch tightly, her palms slick with nervous sweat. The stakes were high, but so was her determination. She couldn't live another day like this-caged, watched, suffocated.

The faint hum of the palace was her only company, the servants moving about quietly, preparing for the evening. She strained her ears, waiting for the sound of cars leaving the main gates.

At exactly 5:50 PM, the distant roar of engines echoed through the vast hallways. She rushed to the window, parting the heavy drapes slightly to catch a glimpse. Her heart leaped when she saw the convoy of black SUVs disappearing down the driveway. He's gone. It's now or never.

She quickly adjusted her scarf, ensuring her hair was tucked neatly into the folds. It wasn't the best disguise, but it would have to do. She slipped on her sandals and tightened the straps of her pouch across her shoulder.

5:55 PM

Haseena peeked out of her room, her eyes scanning the corridor. It was empty, just as she'd hoped. She moved cautiously, her footsteps light as she headed toward the grand staircase that led to the main hall. Her heart pounded with every step, a mix of adrenaline and fear coursing through her veins.

As she descended the staircase, she kept her focus sharp, her eyes darting to every corner. The palace was eerily quiet, the usual air of authority replaced by an unnatural stillness.

She finally reached the ground floor and pressed herself against the cool marble wall, waiting for the right moment. Her ears picked up faint murmurs from the guards stationed outside, their voices carrying into the hallway.