"With dreams in her eyes and chains at her feet,

She walked toward freedom, though the path was incomplete."

AUTHOR'S POV(SAISHA):

Saisha stood in front of the mirror, adjusting her white kurti, when a sudden loud noise echoed through the house. Her heart skipped a beat. It wasn't just any sound—it was her father's angry voice. She rushed out of her room, peeking down the grand staircase.

Father (furious, pointing at the manager): "What do you mean the deal is falling apart? I pay you to handle these things, not to come crying to me!"

The manager flinched, lowering his gaze. Saisha instinctively took a step back. She knew better than to be caught in front of her father when he was in this mood. Just then, her younger sister, Neha, walked past her, casually scrolling through her phone.

Saisha (whispering, grabbing Neha's wrist): "Neha, what's going on? Why is Papa so angry?"

Neha (shrugging): "I don't know... Something about a messed-up deal. I also heard the company is facing some issues."

Saisha sighed. Typical. Another day, another problem. But none of it ever concerned her—not directly, at least. Her father never involved her in business matters. Not that she expected him to. He barely acknowledged her existence unless he had to. And her mother... well, her mother only had eyes for Neha. Saisha had learned long ago that she was an outsider in her own home.

Not wanting to risk getting noticed, she quietly slipped out through the side gate and hurried to college. Today was important. Today, the results were going to be announced. This was her chance. If she ranked well, she'd secure an internship that could change her life.

Her Dream was Within Reach....ALMOST.

As she entered the college gates, her best friend Vaishnavi joined her, excitement clear on her face.

Vaishnavi (grinning): "Saisha, today's the day! Are you ready?"

Saisha (nervous but hopeful): "I hope so... If I don't make it, I don't know what I'll do."

The two rushed towards the result board where a crowd had gathered. Among them, Rivan was already waiting, scanning the list. The moment he spotted Saisha, his face lit up.

Rivan (excitedly): "Saisha! You did it! You topped! You secured second place in the whole college!"

A wave of relief and excitement crashed over her. She had done it! This was her ticket out.

Saisha (grinning): "Wait, really? Oh my God, I can't believe it!"

Vaishnavi (hugging her): "I knew you would! You deserve this!"

As the realization settled in, a faculty member approached them with an official letter.

Faculty Member (smiling): "Saisha Saksena, congratulations. You have multiple job offers from companies in Mumbai. You'll have to attend the interviews there."

Mumbai. A new city. A fresh start. It was everything she had ever wanted. But then, a bitter thought crept in—her family. Her father. Her mother. Would they even let her go?

Her fingers tightened around the letter. Funny, wasn't it? Even for her own dreams, her own rights, she had to beg. It wasn't new. It never was. But if struggles were written for her, she would face them. Because this time, she wasn't going to back down.

Saisha (determined, to herself): "I'll convince them. No matter what."

The battle was just beginning.

AUTHOR'S POV(VIHAN):

The soft hum of the air conditioner filled the silent office as Vihan tapped away at his laptop, deep in work. Another day of meetings, reports, and deadlines—it was routine by now. Just then, the door swung open, and Shekhar, walked in with a stack of files in hand.

Shekhar (clearing his throat): "Vihan, about the internship program we conducted this year... The response has been really good. The offers to the students have been sent out, and the interviews will be conducted soon."

Vihan (without looking up): "Make sure the interviews are conducted properly. No going easy on them. I want good-quality employees, even if they're just interns."

Shekhar (nodding): "Got it."

As Shekhar left, Vihan leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples. Another long night of work awaited him. He wasn't one to complain—this was the life he had chosen. But sometimes, the exhaustion seeped in more than he'd like to admit.

It was almost midnight when a soft "ding" broke the silence of his office. His eyes instinctively darted to his phone. The screen lit up with a notification.

GUMMY BEAR: Hii, Masked Man! How was your day?"

A small, almost unnoticed smile crept onto his face. No matter how tiring his day had been, her messages always made him feel lighter.

Vihan (typing): "Hello, Gummy Bear. My day was the usual—work, meetings, and more work. What about you?"

Gummy Bear: "Today, I'm on cloud nine!"

Vihan: "Why so? May I know?"

Gummy Bear: "Our results came out today! I secured 2nd place in my college, and I got job offers from companies in Mumbai! I'm so excited!"

Vihan's heart skipped a beat. Mumbai. She was coming to his city.

For a moment, his fingers hovered over the keyboard. He wanted to ask everything—Which company? When was the interview? Could he meet her? But he knew he couldn't. He didn't want to make her uncomfortable.

Vihan (calmly typing): "Congratulations on your success! This is just the beginning, Gummy Bear. There's so much more to explore, and I hope you achieve it all."

Gummy Bear: "Thank you so much! But a big task awaits me—convincing my family to let me go. As you know, Raipur and Mumbai aren't that close, so it's going to be difficult."

Vihan smirked, typing back playfully.

Vihan: "Do you want me to come and help you?"

Gummy Bear: "Yeah, sure."

Vihan chuckled. She was comfortable with him. It felt... effortless. Like they were tied together by some invisible thread, a bond unknown yet undeniably strong.

Vihan (smiling to himself): "Then I guess I should start packing."

Little did they know, fate had already started weaving their stories together in ways they couldn't yet imagine.

AUTHOR'S POV(SAISHA):

The morning sunlight seeped through the sheer curtains of Saisha's room, casting a warm glow on her face. She stretched, a content smile forming on her lips. After years of feeling invisible, of being overlooked in her own home, she finally had something to be proud of—something that was hers and hers alone.

She had spent the night thinking about how to bring it up with her father. Convincing him was going to be a battle, and she knew it. But for the first time, she wasn't scared of fighting for what she wanted.

Taking a deep breath, she stepped out of her room and walked towards the living room where her father sat, reading the newspaper, his usual stern expression in place. The air in the house always felt heavy around him—like an unspoken rule of silence had been placed upon them all. But today, she was determined to break it.

Saisha (hesitantly): "Papa, I want to talk to you."

Her father didn't lower the newspaper but hummed in response, signaling that he was listening.

She swallowed, gathering her courage.

Saisha: "Yesterday, my results were announced... I secured second place in my college."

A long pause followed. As expected, there was no acknowledgment. No words of praise, no nod of approval. Just silence. But she was used to this. She had stopped expecting warmth from him a long time ago.

Still, she pressed on.

Saisha: "I have also received internship offers from companies in Mumbai. I need to go there for an interview."

The newspaper rustled slightly, but he didn't look up. Another long silence stretched between them, thick and suffocating. Just as she was about to give up and walk away, his deep voice finally cut through the air.

Father: "When are the interviews? And where will you stay?"

Saisha's breath hitched. Did he just... ask about her plans instead of outright refusing? She had expected a firm no, an argument, a demand to forget about it. But this? This was unexpected.

She quickly gathered herself, answering carefully, afraid that if she said the wrong thing, the tiny window of opportunity would slam shut.

Saisha (cautiously): "The interviews are in two weeks, and I've looked into hostels for female interns. The company also provides temporary accommodation for selected candidates."

Her father finally lowered the newspaper, looking at her for the first time since the conversation started. His gaze was unreadable, sharp, assessing. She felt small under it but refused to break eye contact.

Father: "Who will be responsible for you there?"

Her heart pounded. She had anticipated this question.

Saisha: "Papa, I'll be responsible for myself."

A flicker of something—anger? Disapproval?—crossed his face. But he didn't say anything. Instead, he picked up his cup of tea and took a sip. She stood there, waiting for a decision that could either change her life or shatter her dreams.

Father (after a long pause): "We'll talk about this later."

It wasn't a yes. But it wasn't a no either. And for now, that was enough for her.

Saisha walked back to her room, her mind buzzing. She should have been jumping with joy—her father hadn't refused outright! But something felt... off. Too easy. Too smooth. Her father had never been one to give in so easily.

Was he planning something? A way to keep her tied down? Or was she just overthinking?

Pushing the doubts aside, she sat on her bed, holding onto the small spark of hope she had been given. She had taken the first step towards her freedom. And no matter what happened next, she wasn't going to back down.

HEY CUTIES . IF YOU ARE ENJOYING PLEASE VOTE AND LEAVE COMMENTS . ALSO FOR BEING UPDATED PLEASE FOLLOW MY PAGE.

YOU CAN ALSO FOLLOW ME ON IG -- euphoricnovella_

LOVE ALL ,GOD BLESS.