I groaned. My back hurt as it had never done before. I knew of the hangover that causes a headache, but never had I come across a hangover that could stiffen up my back. The usual softness I have always felt beneath me was also missing, but I could hardly comprehend what it suggested. I struggled with the muscles of my eyelids, opening my eyes. It was dark all around, but the thatched roof was still visible.

"It hurts," I mumbled, hoping it would reach some ears and the person would run to ease it. The ceiling looked aesthetic and so primitive that I wished nothing more than to click the pictures and store them in my memory...and my eyes shot open. The ceiling, the lights were vanished, there was no concrete, no fan, no colors that I despised, but rather a thatched roof. A THATCHED ROOF. Panic set in, and I was on my feet in no time looking for someone who was familiar and rushed to the thing that resembled a door but was nothing more than a thick piece of cloth hung as a curtain hiding the insides from the eyes outside. My search for the knob ended even before it begin. There was none. I struggled to open it, and the success that came from the struggle wasn't pleasant but more of a shock.

Instead of the usual cluttered living room, with the disposable plates strewn across along with the wrappers of the chips, there was a clay-painted patio with a similarly fashioned supposed road. On that road were people that had their eyes trained on me, ON ME. I smiled, looked around, and shut the door/ curtai. The shuffling behind me made me jump in horror and turn to look at the cause of the unusual sound.

It was easy to make out the silhouette of a person, but who that person was was the mystery.

"Who is it?" I asked, masking up my fear with an unfearful, determined voice.

"Me! Who else would it be?" Sakshi exclaimed. In that moment, I felt a surge of affection for Sakshi that I had never experienced before. She was my friend, my roommate, and in that strange, disorienting instant, she felt like my everything. The memory of the previous night's drinks clouded my thoughts, and I wasn't sure if what I was seeing was real or just a hallucination. Without wasting another second, I rushed to her side, shaking her gently but urgently to wake her up. I had to know if she saw it too, or if the alcohol had finally gotten the better of me.

"What happened?" Sakshi mumbled, her voice groggy with sleep. Her eyes fluttered open, and she looked at me with confusion, clearly disoriented by the sudden embrace. The faint light filtering through the cracks of the hut highlighted the dust motes dancing in the air, and the faint sounds of unfamiliar voices murmured outside.

"Open your eyes and look around," I urged, my voice low but insistent. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest as I waited for her to fully wake up and take in our surroundings. Slowly, her gaze shifted from me to the unfamiliar space around us. Her eyes widened as realization began to dawn on her, and I could see the confusion turn to fear.

It wasn't just me. Sakshi saw it too. We were not in our room, not in the familiar comfort of our own space. Instead, we were in some kind of hut, surrounded by people we didn't recognize. The air was thick with the scent of earth and smoke, and the faint hum of voices outside added to the eerie atmosphere. Her face paled, and I could see the shock written across her features. I, on the other hand, was trying to keep my composure, though it was no easy task. The thought crossed my mind that I was handling this better than her, and while I knew it wasn't the time for such thoughts, I couldn't help but feel a twisted sense of pride. I wanted to lean on someone, to have someone else take charge, but it seemed like that wasn't an option.

"What is this? Where are we?" Sakshi asked, her voice trembling as she sat up. Her eyes scanned the hut, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings. The thatched roof above us let in slivers of light, and the rough wooden walls seemed to close in around us. I could see the fear in her eyes, and it mirrored the panic rising in my chest.

"I don't know," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. I was trying to keep it together, but the truth was, I was just as scared as she was. "I was outside this... hut, and there were these people around. They looked strange, like nothing I've ever seen before. I don't know where we are or how we got here. I think we might have been kidnapped, but it doesn't feel right. Something happened, Sakshi, something we don't understand. And where are Abhay and Rishabh?" The questions tumbled out of me in a rush, and I could feel my mind racing, trying to piece together the fragments of what had happened.

I was a mess, my thoughts scattered and my words tumbling out in a jumbled mess. My mind felt like it was short-circuiting, overwhelmed by the sheer impossibility of our situation. Everything was confusing, and the uncertainty only made me more nervous. I glance at Sakshi, hoping she might have some answers, but her expression told me she was just as lost as I was.

"Hold on to your words for a bit, breathe and explain to me what happened" Sakshi asked me and I was more than happy to do so.

"I woke up feeling weird and when I did I  got the look of this aesthetic ceiling we have got. Thinking it to be a work of mind I didn't pay much attention but it was a like bolt of thunder and soon I was unlocking that door thing and when I got out there were people who didn't look like they were from the world we live in. It was unusually different. I mean they look very similar and yet very different. It's hard to tell what happened." I elucidated making her turn even paler.

She too left the cot we were on and walked outside and instead of going out like I did, she peeped and so did I.

There were people still looking at where we were and as they passed by they gave a side glance and talked in hushed voices. It was clear we have gathered some attention which wasn't needed.

"This seems like some fantasy movie we are stuck in. What the actual fuck?" Sakshi exclaimed and I hugged her. 

"I know, but on the brighter side...

"There is no brighter side to it," Sakshi interjected, her voice sharp with frustration. I wanted to agree with her, but I wasn't going to give in to the pessimism she was bringing into the situation. I knew we needed to stay calm and think clearly if we were going to figure out what was happening.

"There is a brighter side," I said firmly, trying to sound more confident than I felt. "Firstly, we need to sit down and think with a clear mind."

Sakshi raised an eyebrow but nodded, and we both sat down on the only piece of furniture in the room—a small, wooden cot. The room was dimly lit, with only a sliver of sunlight peeking through the cracks in the wooden door.

"We don't know where we are," I began, trying to organize my thoughts. "To figure that out, we need to check the location of this place. So, we need to find a phone."

Sakshi rolled her eyes, her expression suggesting that what I had just said was nothing more than gibberish. "Are you serious?" she muttered. "You think we can just find a phone here, out of all the places? Look around yourself, Sana. This is a hut. There's a cot, some earthen pots, and absolutely no sign of technology. Do you really think there's a phone here? And even if there was, do you think the person who brought us here would be kind enough to leave it for us to use? I don't even know if we were brought here or... or how we even ended up here."

Her voice trembled as she spoke, frustration and fear seeping into her words. I couldn't blame her. I was feeling the same way—frustrated, annoyed, skeptical, and scared. But I didn't want to give in to those emotions. I

"I hate to admit it, but you're right," I said finally, sighing.

But before we could continue the conversation, a loud noise outside interrupted us. It was a sound we couldn't quite place—drums beating, people shouting, and the murmur of a crowd growing louder. Our hearts raced as we exchanged nervous glances.

"What is that?" I whispered, already knowing the answer. Without thinking, we both moved toward the door of the hut. It wasn't much of a door—just a piece of cloth hanging from a wooden frame—but it was all we had to separate us from whatever was happening outside.

I pulled the cloth aside slightly and peeked out. What I saw took my breath away. Sakshi leaned in beside me, her hand clutching my arm tightly.

It was not what we had thought. We weren't kidnapped, and we weren't in some secluded modern hideout. It seemed like we had been teleported to a completely different time and place. The man walking down the pathway was dressed in traditional clothing, beating a drum and making an announcement. People were gathering around him, their faces filled with excitement and anticipation. The scene was straight out of a historical drama—something we had only seen in movies or TV shows.

"Gather around, gather around!" the man shouted, his voice echoing through the narrow pathways. People began to push forward, eager to hear what he had to say.

"The Prince is on his way to visit his subjects and return the love you have shown him," he announced, his voice booming. "It is important to understand that he is here to greet you and not to hear your complaints. So, make way for him and let the procession pass with his praises being sung!"

The crowd erupted in cheers and shouts, their joy palpable. Some people started chanting the prince's name, while others scrambled to find the best spot to watch the procession.

Sakshi and I stared at each other, our minds racing. "Where are we?" we asked in unison, our voices barely above a whisper.

The answer to our question was outside, in the crowd, but there was one problem—our clothes. We were both wearing modern outfits, shorts and tank tops, and the people outside were dressed in traditional, elaborate attire. Going out in our current clothes would draw unnecessary attention, and we couldn't risk that.

I looked around the hut, hoping to find something—anything—that could help us blend in. Sakshi did the same, her eyes scanning the small space frantically. And then, tucked away in a corner, we found it—a few sets of traditional clothing, folded neatly and left as if someone had known we would need them.

I breathed a sigh of relief. It wasn't much, but it was something. And for now, something was all we needed.

It was not entirely unexpected, yet the sheer intensity of the situation made it feel shocking nonetheless. For the first time, we found ourselves at the receiving end of such piercing, unwanted attention, and it sent shivers down our spines. The weight of those lingering eyes was suffocating, and the pounding of our hearts was so loud, so overwhelming, that it drowned out even the rhythmic beat of the drum that had been played earlier. Every glance felt like a dagger, sharp and cold, cutting through the air and into our very souls.

"They can look the other way," I whispered, my voice barely audible as we walked along the narrow pathway. The words were more of a reassurance to myself than to anyone else. We eventually stopped where the crowd had gathered, waiting for the arrival of the prince everyone had been speaking of. I couldn't deny the fear that still lingered deep within me, but it had taken a backseat, overshadowed by a growing sense of thrill and anticipation. This was a moment we had been preparing for, and now that it was here, I couldn't help but feel a strange sense of excitement, a mix of dread and curiosity that kept my senses heightened.

"Pray tell, what moniker do you prefer?" The voice belonged to an old woman who had been watching us intently since the moment we stepped out of what had once been our sanctuary. Her gaze was sharp, like a hawk eyeing its prey, and her words carried an archaic quality to them. They were old-fashioned, the kind of language one might find in dusty, forgotten books rather than in everyday conversation. It was jarring, yet strangely fitting for the world we now found ourselves in. But I knew better than to overthink it. Survival was our priority, and blending in, even if it meant tolerating such peculiarities, was essential.

I glanced briefly at Sakshi, and the subtle nod she gave me was all the assurance I needed. It was a silent agreement, a reminder that the less we spoke, the better our chances of survival. So, I kept my response simple, offering no more than what was necessary.

"Sana," I replied, my voice firm but cautious. There was no need to elaborate, no need to draw more attention to myself than absolutely necessary.

The old woman's gaze lingered on me for a moment before shifting to Sakshi. "And what about you?" she asked, her tone sharp and probing. Her eyes narrowed slightly, as if daring Sakshi to refuse to answer. It was a moment of tension, one that hung in the air like a challenge, waiting to be met.

"Sakshi"

"I must confess," the woman began, her voice steady and refined, "your faces are unfamiliar to me. I wish to know the land that you hail from."

"We are from a faraway land and came here only yesternight" we were aware if we caught attention we would be bombarded with questions and thus it was only intelligent to discuss the probabilities beforehand. 

"What far land?" She pried further, but her words were drowned in the claps and hails of the said prince. As the first notes of a triumphant fanfare echo through the city, the procession begins. At its helm, mounted on a majestic white stallion, rides the prince. His attire is a vision of regality—velvet robes embroidered with gold, a sapphire-studded crown, and a broad smile that reflects his deep connection to his people. Behind him, a procession of knights, their armor gleaming in the sunlight, follows closely, their banners fluttering in the gentle breeze. The prince's guard, a formidable line of soldiers, ensures the path is clear, their precision and grace a testament to their loyalty.

As the prince passes by, the crowd erupts in cheers and applause. Children wave flowers, their laughter echoing through the streets, while elderly women tear up, their hearts swelling with pride. The prince nods graciously, his eyes meeting those of his people, his gestures filled with warmth and humility. He is a ruler who has earned the love and respect of his subjects, and today, they gather to honor him. 

"Hail to the prince, a leader true and fair, With kindness in his heart and justice in his care.From the mountains high to the valleys below,His name we sing, our love and praises show!" The people cry out in joy, overwhelmed at the sight of their beloved prince.

As I stood there, I felt the fear melting away, dissipating like mist in the morning sun. The weight that had once pressed upon my chest now lifted, replaced by a warmth that spread through my veins, invigorating my senses. The sheer thrill of the adventure coursed through me, a potent mix of excitement and exhilaration that left my heart racing and my mind buzzing with anticipation.

It was a place I never could have imagined myself, a world so different from the one I once knew. The familiar comforts and routines of my past life seemed distant, almost forgotten, as I found myself in this new, vibrant reality. The contrast was stark—where once there was predictability, now there was unpredictability; where there was calm, now there was chaos.

Here, the air was thick with tension, each moment a puzzle waiting to be solved, each step a journey into the unknown. The world around me was alive with energy, a kaleidoscope of experiences that drew me in with every breath. There was chaos, a thrilling storm of unpredictable moments; drama, with its twists and turns; and fights, not just of the physical kind but of wills and wits.

This was a place I had always fantasized about, a realm where every day was a new challenge, a new story waiting to be written. It was a world that called to me, a siren's song of adventure and possibility. And now, here I was, not just a spectator but a participant, ready to embrace whatever lay ahead with courage and curiosity.

In this world, I found a strange sense of belonging, a feeling that I was exactly where I was meant to be. The thrill, the anticipation, the chaos—they all combined to create an environment that was both daunting and exhilarating, a place where I could lose myself yet find myself in the same breath.

And so, I stood there, ready to face whatever this new world had in store, my heart pounding with excitement, my spirit soaring with the endless possibilities. This was my adventure, my journey into the unknown, and I was eager to see where it would lead.

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Your views are welcome and valued.
Hope the effort to put your minds off of the hectic days was successful.

Happy reading.