The first rays of sunlight slipped through the curtains and fell gently across Bhavya's face.

A smile immediately appeared on her lips.

Before even opening her eyes, she remembered.

Today.

Today was the day.

Her twentieth birthday.

The day she had been waiting for years.

Slowly opening her eyes, Bhavya sat up on the bed and stretched lazily.

The room was bathed in golden morning light.

Everything felt brighter.

Everything felt happier.

Even the birds outside sounded more cheerful than usual.

A giggle escaped her lips.

"Good morning, Bhavya," she whispered to herself.

Jumping out of bed, she hurried toward the large mirror standing beside her wardrobe.

The moment she saw her reflection, she grinned.

Her long black hair looked messy from sleep.

Her cheeks were slightly puffed.

Yet she smiled proudly.

"Happy Birthday to the prettiest girl in the bungalow."

She tilted her head.

"No."

"The prettiest girl in the world."

A dramatic gasp escaped her lips.

"Oh my God, Bhavya."

"You are becoming too beautiful."

She burst into laughter at her own words.

If anyone else heard her praising herself, they would surely call her crazy.

But Bhavya didn't care.

There was no one around to hear her anyway.

Still smiling, she walked toward the bathroom.

The warm water washed away the sleepiness from her body.

For almost twenty minutes she hummed random songs while getting ready.

Today felt special.

Different.

Important.

Because today she would finally ask her mother to fulfill the promise she had made years ago.

The promise that had stayed alive inside Bhavya's heart all these years.

When you become a big girl, I'll take you outside.

The memory instantly made her smile.

She wrapped a soft bathrobe around herself and stepped out of the bathroom.

The moment she entered her room, her steps stopped.

A beautifully wrapped box sat on the bed.

Bhavya blinked.

"What is this?"

Curiously, she walked closer.

A small note rested on top.

Smiling, she picked it up.

"A beautiful gift for my beautiful daughter."

Her eyes softened.

"Amma..."

The smile on her face widened.

Carefully placing the note aside, she opened the box.

The moment the lid lifted, her breath caught.

Inside lay the most beautiful dress she had ever seen.

A white frock.

Elegant.

Simple.

Yet breathtaking.

Tiny pearls decorated the sleeves.

The fabric looked soft and dreamy.

Like something a princess would wear in fairy tales.

For several seconds Bhavya simply stared.

Her eyes sparkled with wonder.

"It's beautiful..."

She carefully lifted the dress.

The material felt smooth beneath her fingers.

She immediately rushed toward the mirror.

Holding the dress against herself.

Turning left.

Turning right.

A huge grin spread across her face.

Without wasting another second, she changed into it.

Minutes later she stood before the mirror once again.

Speechless.

The white dress fit her perfectly.

Her hair fell in soft waves around her shoulders.

The dress made her look delicate and elegant.

Almost like one of the princesses she used to read about in storybooks.

Bhavya spun around.

The frock twirled beautifully.

She laughed.

Then spun again.

And again.

Until she became dizzy.

"Oh no..."

Holding her head dramatically, she collapsed onto the bed.

A burst of laughter escaped her.

After a few moments she stood up again and adjusted her dress.

This time she carefully examined every detail.

Satisfied.

Very satisfied.

She nodded proudly.

"Perfect."

Then suddenly another thought entered her mind.

Today she had to ask.

Her smile slowly faded.

Her stomach fluttered nervously.

What should she say?

Should she ask directly?

Should she wait until breakfast?

Would Amma get angry?

Would she say no again?

Bhavya bit her lower lip.

No.

This time would be different.

She wasn't a child anymore.

She was twenty years old.

A grown-up.

Surely her mother would keep her promise.

The thought comforted her.

Taking a deep breath, she left her room and headed downstairs.

Every step felt heavier than usual.

Excitement and nervousness battled inside her chest.

As she reached the hall, she saw Savitri sitting comfortably on the sofa.

A cup of coffee rested in her hands.

She looked up immediately.

A warm smile appeared on her face.

Bhavya's heart softened.

No matter what happened, she loved her mother deeply.

Without hesitation, she ran toward her.

"Good morning, Amma!"

Before Savitri could react, Bhavya leaned down and kissed her cheek.

Savitri laughed softly.

"My birthday girl."

She cupped Bhavya's face lovingly.

Then pressed a kiss against her forehead.

"Good morning."

"And happy birthday."

Bhavya smiled brightly.

"Thank you."

Savitri's eyes moved over the white frock.

For a moment she simply stared.

Her little girl had grown into a beautiful young woman.

"You look beautiful."

Bhavya immediately beamed.

"Really?"

"Very beautiful."

"I knew it."

Savitri raised an eyebrow.

"You knew it?"

Bhavya nodded confidently.

"The mirror already told me."

Savitri laughed.

"Such confidence."

"It's not confidence."

Bhavya tossed her hair dramatically.

"It's facts."

Both women laughed.

For a few moments, everything felt perfect.

Just like every birthday before.

Yet unlike every other birthday, Bhavya's heart carried a secret wish.

A wish she desperately wanted to ask.

She sat beside Savitri and chatted about random things.

The weather.

The cake from last night.

The books she was reading.

The flowers blooming in the garden.

But her mind remained elsewhere.

Outside.

Beyond the gates.

Beyond the walls.

Beyond the prison she didn't realize was a prison.

Soon they walked together toward the pooja room.

The fragrance of incense filled the air.

Bhavya folded her hands and closed her eyes.

She prayed silently.

"Please let Amma say yes today."

That was her only prayer.

Nothing else.

After seeking blessings, they moved to the dining room.

Breakfast was already prepared.

Bhavya ate quietly.

Savitri occasionally spoke about work.

Bhavya nodded.

But she barely heard anything.

Her mind was too occupied.

Ask now.

No.

After breakfast.

Ask now.

No.

What if she gets angry?

What if she says no?

What if she laughs?

Her appetite disappeared completely.

Finally, breakfast ended.

This was it.

The perfect opportunity.

Bhavya gathered every ounce of courage she possessed.

Her palms became sweaty.

Her heart pounded loudly.

She looked toward Savitri.

"Amma..."

At the exact same moment—

Tring!

The mobile phone rang.

Both women looked toward the table.

Savitri frowned.

"It's a work call."

Bhavya's shoulders dropped slightly.

"Okay."

"I'll be back in a minute."

She picked up the phone and walked toward the lawn.

Bhavya watched her leave.

The courage she had collected moments ago immediately disappeared.

Still, she waited patiently.

One minute.

Five minutes.

Ten minutes.

Fifteen minutes.

Twenty minutes.

The call continued.

Bhavya sat quietly on the sofa.

Her fingers twisted nervously.

Finally, Savitri returned.

But something seemed different.

Her expression looked serious.

Concerned.

Hurried.

She quickly grabbed her handbag from the table.

Bhavya blinked.

"Amma?"

Savitri walked toward her.

"There is an urgent meeting."

The excitement in Bhavya's chest instantly weakened.

"A meeting?"

"I'm sorry, sweetheart."

Savitri kissed her forehead.

"I have to attend it."

"Now?"

"Yes."

Bhavya tried not to look disappointed.

Today was her birthday.

Their day.

But work had interrupted once again.

Still, she forced a smile.

"When will you come back?"

"I'll try to come back as soon as possible."

"Okay."

Savitri stroked her cheek gently.

"Take care."

Bhavya nodded.

"You too."

A few moments later, the front door closed.

Silence filled the bungalow.

Bhavya remained standing there.

Staring at the empty doorway.

The smile slowly disappeared from her face.

The excitement vanished.

The courage vanished.

Everything vanished.

Only disappointment remained.

She sat down on the sofa slowly.

The large hall suddenly felt emptier than before.

Much emptier.

A lump formed in her throat.

Her eyes stung.

Tears gathered slowly.

She blinked rapidly.

No.

Not today.

She refused to cry today.

It was her birthday.

She had promised herself she would be happy.

Taking a deep breath, she wiped away the moisture gathering in her eyes.

"It's okay."

She smiled weakly.

"She'll come back."

Yet somehow her heart didn't believe it.

To distract herself, she switched on the television.

Different channels flashed before her eyes.

News.

Music.

Advertisements.

Movies.

Then she stopped.

A familiar animated movie appeared on screen.

Tangled.

Immediately her face softened.

Rapunzel.

The girl trapped inside a tower.

A girl who had never seen the world.

A girl waiting to see the floating lanterns.

A girl whose life wasn't what she believed it was.

Bhavya smiled sadly.

She had always loved Rapunzel.

Perhaps because she understood her more than anyone else.

Curling up on the sofa, she hugged a cushion.

As the movie played, Bhavya watched silently.

Rapunzel laughing.

Dreaming.

Wanting freedom.

Meeting Flynn Rider.

Going on adventures.

Discovering the world.

A small sigh escaped her lips.

Would she ever see the world like that?

Would she ever leave these walls?

Would someone ever take her beyond the gates?

Would she ever meet her prince charming?

The thought made her smile shyly.

She had read countless romance novels.

Maybe somewhere outside existed a boy destined for her.

Someone who would show her everything she had never seen.

Someone who would laugh with her.

Walk beside her.

Hold her hand.

Someone who would make her feel less lonely.

The idea sounded silly.

Childish.

Yet she couldn't help dreaming about it.

Dreams were all she had.

By the time the movie ended, the afternoon sun had begun filling the hall.

The bungalow remained silent.

Too silent.

Bhavya switched off the television.

The loneliness returned immediately.

She looked around.

The walls.

The windows.

The closed gates visible from afar.

Nothing had changed.

Not yet.

A tired sigh escaped her lips.

Maybe she would ask Amma tomorrow.

Or tonight.

Perhaps there would still be a chance.

Slowly she climbed the stairs.

The beautiful white frock swayed with each step.

Entering her room, she lay down on the bed.

Her eyes drifted toward the ceiling.

Today was supposed to be special.

And yet...

Something felt missing.

Very missing.

Closing her eyes, she hugged her teddy bear.

The familiar comfort calmed her heart.

Soon her thoughts became blurry.

Her breathing slowed.

And within minutes, Bhavya drifted into sleep.

Still dreaming of freedom.

Still dreaming of the world beyond the gates.

Still dreaming of the prince charming she hoped would someday find his way to her.

Little did she know—

Fate had already begun writing that chapter of her story.