(Adult Entry for May )
*The Enchanted Castle*
(Inspired by the various news items in GDN on human trafficking)
She was drawn to him as a butterfly to a flower. His charm was enigmatic, he became popular within a few days.
As the wedding preparations progressed the family failed to notice this budding love story amidst the hullabaloo. He was her cousin’s good friend. She was quite attractive herself yet a bit naive, like any other small town youth.
Oblivious to the world around, she created her own fantasy land.
In her waking hours, she kept trying to catch a glimpse of him,admiring him. Her dreams were occupied with her prince, riding on a magic horse to scoop her along and carry her into an enchanted land. Her dream castle was as white as a pearl surrounded with lush greenery, well kept stables manned by guards.
The castle was protected by high walls, just she, her Prince Charming and their future of happily ever after. Her dreams were riding an unbridled horse.
Hopelessly in love was not a mere aphorism for them. The revelation of this budding romance was met with a certain amount of resistance, which was short-lived. His charm had worked its way into everyone’s heart. Strangely, his disclosure of not having a family did not matter anymore. He was welcomed, whole heartedly into her family. A ceremony was performed and they were betrothed.
Finally the day arrived for the hero and heroine to start a new journey,literally and figuratively,into their own enchanted land. He was the knight in shining armour throughout the journey.
After reaching the city, he dropped her at an aunt’s place. She was curious to know why weren’t they going to their own home. He charmed her again by telling her she will have a surprise and he needed to make preparations.
Starry eyed, she walked around the premises. She wondered on the number of females in the aunt’s house who looked so disheveled.
The aunt looked very stern and scary. Her efforts to make a conversation was met with monosyllabic replies. As the hour of dusk arrived, she hesitantly inquired about him.
The scathing reply shattered her dreams in a jiffy. Her mind numbed, her body shivered with fear of the unknown. Her tears, her screams fell on deaf ears.
She had been sold into a brothel!
The scornful laughter accompanied snide remarks about a new husband, each night.
She arrived in a castle undoubtedly. The castle’s drawbridge allowed her only a one time entry. Instantaneously, her ‘Prince Charming’ had turned into the villain of her love story.
Dimly lit rooms had many dragons pulling her out of her reverie. Those dragons robbed her of her existence.
She could sit on the terrace of the castle, but the surrounding moat of her stained life wouldn’t let her go beyond its high walls.
While she still grappled to accept the reality of her life, the devil progressed to ensnare other victims.
Nivedita Roy
