CHAPTER 2 :

“In the beginning, we won’t overburden you, dear. But you have to act responsibly. If you see any royal person, saying something or doing anything. Just consider yourself blind, deaf. You need to respect their privacy. Your eyes should be cast down.” Amanda, the head maid was telling her everything. She was polite but very firm.

Hazel was excited to work there. For her, this was something new.

“Right now you can look around the palace. Just be careful. And do remember your limits.” Hazel nodded and then went to her small room leaving her door ajar.

This was her bed, her room. No one could touch her, abuse her. She felt happy and wanted to celebrate.     

She missed the school today but by afternoon Alec handed over a pack to her. It was a brand new wig of low quality, and still in a bob style.

Before coming here she had asked Ivy to stay strong. She was like an elder sister to her, they both hugged each other smiling through tears.

Maybe I should go out and get myself some junk because no school tomorrow and my first step towards freedom should be celebrated.

On her bed, staring at the ceiling she was missing Ivy and thinking about her pregnancy when something passed swiftly and rapidly outside her door, in a jiff. Just like a flash, like a gust of wind.

For few moments she thought it was nothing then driven by her curiosity she went outside and saw to her left where that thing might have ended up.

It was a small area with a cargo elevator. She walked towards it and stood there. The elevator had stopped at the top floor, perhaps a roof-top. She called it and pressed R cursing herself for poking the nose.

I just got a lecture to mind my own business and here I am. It’s better if I turn around now otherwise I will be thrown back to Alec's house.

The elevator doors opened, she tied her arms around her when chilled air touched her bare legs and arms. The moment she stepped out she was in awe. There on the rooftop of the royal building was an artificial garden with an artificial lake before her. The vast roof was covered with real plants, grass, flowers and whatnot with the softest lights.   

She was walking slowly admiring the view before her though she knew it was a combo of artificial and real stuff, still she found its beauty beyond words.

And then her eyes fell on it. A wheelchair! An electric wheelchair was there with its back facing her.

The wheelchair was on the edge of the roof.

Her heart dropped in her stomach. This was not a dream but the owner of the wheelchair was there to suicide.

She went ahead slowly not able to move away her gaze. She could not call anyone for help. That might be too late.

She tiptoed near the chair quietly, trying to make up her mind. Should she try to scream or should she just go and hold the chair?

The owner who was sitting on the chair stiffened a little, feeling her presence.

“Who are you?” he almost whispered.

“I … I am a no one! Almost a … Nobody.” She said while moving forward.

“Get out of here.” His voice held command.

“I … I can’t.” she stopped just an arm away.

“What did you say?” he snarled “Whoever you are. If you really want to live, you would leave me alone! Now!" there was rage in his voice. A certain kind of authority.

She swallowed her saliva, her hands were sweating profusely, “Sir. If you really want to kill me then I guess you should do it … before … killing yourself.”

When she did not get any reply she became a little braver, “Please move back. Let me do it for you.”

He was taking deep breaths now, without another word very slowly, she started pulling his chair back.

“Just leave me alone. Whoever you are just leave please.” This time the authoritative voice turned into a pleading one.

She kept pulling the chair backward. She was scared that he might want to attempt to do it again so it’s better if she takes no risks.

“Here. That’s like a good boy.” She settled his chair then switched on its breaks.

Very slowly she rounded the chair to face him and then gasped for air.

Before her on a wheelchair was a well-built boy with a wide blind-fold on his eyes.

 His half of the face was hidden behind it. But the lower half had a strong, well sculpted jaw with the perfectly shaped lips. There was a very tiny mole near his lower lip. The boy must be above six feet, with broad shoulders and seemed older than her.

“Who are you?” She whispered almost scared that somebody might hear her or could see her. She was at the wrong time, at a wrong place.

A sarcastic smirk appeared on boy’s lips. “Well. I am a nobody too.” His teeth were the whitest, and he was becoming her new crush.

For some odd reason she could not believe him.

“If you are a nobody, like me, then why suicide?” she sat on her hinges in front of the chair.

He stayed quiet.

This was something too serious and too much for Hazel. Without realizing what she was doing she held his knees for the support.

“Suicide is for the weak.”

“I AM weak!” he was trying to suppress his anger.

“No. You are not. I don’t agree.” She said gently.

“Did I ask for your validation?” he snapped

She remained quiet.

“Listen. Whoever you are. Better leave right now. Or …”

He was too stubborn, Hazel realized.

“Or … ?”

 “Get lost!” He was again getting aggressive but Hazel wanted to stay close.

“I would. But if you really want to suicide, you can do it tomorrow.” She wanted time. She needed to buy some time. So that she can inform someone. Anyone. May be Prince Noah. To stop this madness.

“Are you crazy? What do you think you are?” he almost screamed. And then as something hit him.

“I think I know.” He tilted back his head a little, a smirk appeared on his face. “You are a maid. Right?” Now again the sarcasm. “A maid who wants to jump on my lap and wants to devour me, thinking that I am some piece of meat …”

He had to stop when her palm left a mark on his left cheek. It started stinging.

“You … slapped … me?” he asked through clenched teeth.

“Yes Sir. I did.” her eyes were brimming with tears. “Now one more foul word from your mouth and I promise. I swear I would push you off the roof myself.” She hissed. “Am I clear?”

For some reason, God knows what, a smile spread on his lips.

“You are feisty.”

She stayed quiet. Her heart was drumming in her chest. May be after all it was a bad idea to come to the palace. Or maybe she must have heard Amanda, the head maid, for the first time.

“I apologize.” His voice sliced through the air.

“Excuse me?” she was not expecting it.

“I am sorry. The blindness and disability has made me bitter.”

She nodded her head and then she realized he could not see her, “Its ok.”

“You can go to your quarters now.” When she stood there motionless he gave a side smirk, “Don’t worry. I am not jumping the roof.”

“I don’t trust you.”

He chuckled at that. No one in his life had dared to pass such accusing remarks. Then he heard her, sniffing her nose.

He frowned a little. “Are you crying?” when she did not speak his hand came out to reach to her.

She immediately moved her arm forward and grasped his hand, kneeling near his chair. He held her hand gently bringing the other to completely cover it. “Don’t cry.”

“You made me cry.” She said in a hoarse whisper.

 “I know. And I apologized.”

“But I am still angry. I want to push your chair … and … “

“And?”

“Nothing.” She did not know why she was crying. He was still holding her hand.

While holding her hand, he moved his other one until he found her cheek and started wiping her tears.

Hazel guided his hand to her hair, she wanted him to touch her head. Getting the message he started stroking her hair not understanding why she wanted him to do that.

Very slowly Hazel took off her wig. His hand was now on her bald head.

“What …”He did not know what to say. “What is this?”

“It’s my head, hairless. I wear a wig. Used to get bullied a lot. Even my best friend makes fun of me. Lily was first horrified when she saw me like this then she could not control her mirth. But …” she stopped. She did not know why she was telling him this. May be because he was blind.   

“But?” he sounded curious.

“But even then, suicide never crossed my mind. And … ”

“And?”

“And I just realized that I am feeling cold.” She giggled through her tears and heard a soft chuckle. He was smiling. A genuine smile this time. Not a sarcastic one.

Reaching behind he took off his jacket and held it out to her.

“Here. Take this.”

“No Sir. I …” she trailed off.

“It’s ok girl. Return it later. Otherwise you would die of cold.” She took it quietly and wore it.

 “Thanks.” She muttered.

He just nodded silently, “You can go now.” Before she could utter another word he spoke again, “Don’t worry.” then taking a deep breath he continued, “You have my word. I will not jump off this roof ... not at least without informing you.”

Was he zesting?

“Now go.” He said gently.

“Ok … Thanks.” With that she started walking towards the elevator. She did not want to leave him there. But she could not stay there any longer. When the elevator door was closing, she saw him one last time. He was sitting there, motionless.