CHAPTER 3

Run….Run…..Run…..Hffffff…..Ufff….Run….

“I have to …..ffffff………get…..fffff…..away…..out of …….the town……before……fffffff…..dawn”

I have been running since more than last half an hour! It is dark all around except for the street lights. I don’t know where I am going even. I just kept running and running.

After running for some more time, I feel my knees hurting, my feet paining. I breathe and pant heavily bending on my knees holding them with my hands. I am sweating like a pig even in this cold night. I stay like that for a few minutes to even my breath and then look around slowly. Yes, now I am quite far from my house. But I still have to keep moving. I don’t wish to get caught.

I wait for a cab and hail one in a few minutes. I get in and ask the driver to drive to the beach. It is quite far from my place and people will probably not look for me there. They would check airports or stations.

As I sit in the cab, I feel exhausted. I lean back on the seat and close my eyes. I had a tough time running….

(Two hours ago)

It was almost past mid night and everyone in the house was asleep, except for me! Tomorrow is the wedding and it was now or never!

I quietly lit the torch. I thought it will be better than switching on the lights, as I didn’t want to wake up anybody now. I had to be as quiet as possible. I had already shifted my things to the big backpack since it would be easier to carry.

I came out of my bed and slipped into a black slim fit jean trouser and a fittings grey top. I wore a very thick fur coat and cap as it is cold outside. I packed my gloves which I would wear later.

I had tied up my raven black hair into a tight bun under the cap and tip toed out of my room.

I cautiously climbed down the stairs and opened the main door. I was very careful, moving like a shadow in silence. Once I was out of the main door, I ran swiftly towards the outer gate crossing the huge lawn and waited behind the bush.

There were four guards at the gate and it was impossible to pass them. Hence I waited for my trick to work. Within a few minutes there was smoke at one corner of the garden near my window. I have thrown a bundle of cloth soaked in gasoline and lit a little corner before coming out of my room, so that by the time I reach here the fire starts. I have closed my window from inside before leaving my room. I didn’t want to wake up my family, just needed to distract the guards. And it worked just the way I wanted.

Seeing the smoke and a small fire, two guards ran towards the spot and it was the moment for my next step. I quickly removed my backpack and hid it behind the bush. I then threw few stones at another direction.

The noise made one to run towards that direction and at that moment I ran frantically towards the gate and with fear in my eyes and panting, I told the other guard, “There is someone hiding behind our Mansion there,” I pointed the spot from where the sound came (because of the stones ), “Please go and check, I will get inside. I think there is more than one person. They may be here to rob!”

 Without waiting for him to respond I ran back towards the Mansion but only after taking some steps when I looked back and saw the only guard, running towards the sound, I changed my direction and hurried towards the bush.

I picked up my back pack and started climbing up the metal gate which was locked. I was always physically fit and participated in different sports. Also I am quite slim and hence within a few minutes I crossed the gate and disappeared in the darkness. I didn’t even try to look back, I just ran and ran….

(Back to the moment)

I look at my watch. It is almost 3.00 am. Soon the taxi stops at the beach and I get down after paying him. I walk towards a small area where there are rocks and boulders and hide myself in between two big rocks.

I am exhausted, tired, thirsty and sleepy. I take out a small bottle of water and drink half of it, not bothering about some that spills wetting my top. I rest my head on the rock and laugh! I am free from the marriage and from the hell of a life for ever!!

I feel sad for Nanny Agatha although, yet the happiness for the new freedom is more than my sadness. I have to now wait till morning and then I will move out of the town. Till the marriage time is over; actually till next evening, I will not come out of hiding. I am sure that my parents will spare no effort in finding me. They would have people looking for me everywhere! Airports, stations, hotels, resorts, friend’s place, churches…but I don’t think they will think of the beach. It is a place where I came whenever I was sad and no one knows about this place except for Bony. And Bony will never open her mouth.

Also this is the place where I will also lose my virginity after 348 days!

I have chosen a remote part among the rocks with a nearby small cave. I have to rest for long here and knowing this I have brought some dry snacks to take care of my hunger. I know I need a lot of strength and I can’t fall sick. I have everything planned. Tomorrow evening first I will go to a small Motel, may be one which my family won’t know or think of. Then I will start looking for a job. Any job! May be in a cafeteria, or a small restaurant, or a doctor’s clinic, anyplace which is not popular and will pay me enough to take care of my basic needs will do. Once I complete my college, I will move to another country. Till then I will have to keep low and hide well.

It is very cold outside and I had to sip the scotch from the small flask I carried along because even the thick coat, cap and the leather gloves which I am wearing now, are not enough to keep me warm, but I just need to survive! And I can do it!  

Thinking all these I don’t realise when I fall asleep right under the sky, freezing in the cold.