Chapter 1

Scarlet Wizard

@FromTheAshes

Prologue

Her life consisted of a grilled gate, a voice and a lantern till yesterday. She hasn't seen more than this. Except a plateful of food and accessories that came through the small window of her room from time to time. She knew how to talk since some voice used to call her while giving the food, but she has never seen the origin of the sound.  She is Khushi. The girl who has never seen daylight in her life, who has seen anyone and has always been shut in this room of darkness.

Khushi has faint memories of a person taking care of her in her childhood. But now there is no one in her life, except the voice who talked to her while giving her food. The voice has told her few things why she has been kept captive and also said things about outer world. She was considered to be a bad luck to her family since her mother died giving her birth. Her father disowned the newborn baby and kept her in a prison. He has never visited her since then. Not only has he, nobody from her family ever visited her. Khushi now longed to go out.

But today, Khushi is 23yrs. And the first thing she saw when she opened her eyes was that her prison door was open. The long years of captivity has come to an end. Now she can move out. She is free.

This is the story of a girl who has to start learning everything from seeing the sunlight, enjoying the rain, etc. This is going to be really difficult for her since she has no one to help her and to guide her. These days even the voice was not there to help her.

Chapter 1

Bright rays entered her eyes as she came out of the strange place. Her eyes were paining. She shut her eyes as soon as the light came. After a few moments she slightly opened them again.

She saw colors. There were green, stationary things which had yellow things on them. She remembered the voice telling her that plants are green. And that they have flowers of different colors on them. She assumed that these are the plants and flowers he mentioned of.

She walked some more. She was now in front of a wide black strip on which many things were running in both directions. "May be this is a road and these are vehicles which Shabd used to tell." Khushi used to call that voice 'Shabd' ever since it taught her Hindi.

She didn't know how to cross a road. So she walked front. Suddenly she heard a screech. A car has suddenly stopped in front of her.

Khushi was having a new feeling for the first time. Her heart was beating faster than usual. She was sweating like anything. Is this the feeling of fear??

"What are you doing on the middle of the road? Don't you know how to cross a road? Why are you staring at me as if I am an alien? Answer me damn it!!!"

Khushi stared at the creature standing before her.

"Is this is called as a human. Like me??? The green thing embedded in the white thing on him is so beautiful. Is that the eyes??"

Arnav stared at the girl in front of him. She is tall. She is as if she is the new representative of early man. She is dirty as if she hasn't had bath for years. But her eyes have a special charm. Who is she??

"Are you what is called as a human?" Khushi asked innocently.

Arnav was shocked at her question. Nobody has asked him such a question till date. Is she mad??? Or is there some mystery? She looks like she doesn't know her way. Should I help her?? Arnav was confused.

CHAPTER 2

Arnav was shocked at a question. "Is she actually asking if I'm a human? Don't I look like one??" For one minute he was lost in his these weird thoughts.

"What kind of a stupid question is this? Now I doubt, were you actually born today just like this that you don't know what a human is?" Arnav asked starting to get angry at this stupid girl.

"I... locked... there...don't know..." Khushi was confused and pointed to Arnav the place in which she was locked all these years.

Arnav looked to what she was pointing. There was an old building, which did not give an appearance that it was inhabited for so many years.

"You were locked there???" Arnav was stunned when she nodded her head in approval.

Arnav suddenly grabbed her wrist and told "Come with me".

New sensations evoked in Khushi's body at that touch. Something was beating continuously in her chest. Was it the heart?? Khushi's cheek started becoming reddish and she felt her blood circulation at her cheeks. All these were extremely new for her. Neither she has felt like this before nor has heard of such feelings from Shabd.

Khushi followed Arnav obediently to her old home, the prison. He was the first human she has seen and she trusted him completely.

They entered the place and they moved forward. As they went inside Arnav saw the truth of Khushi's life. A grilled room was there inside that place. There was a broken lantern and few tattered clothes on the floor. There was a small window on one side and a plate with some bad looking food was inside this. "She was kept inside this." The realization struck him.

It was not pity that Arnav felt that time. It was a sudden rage to all those people who did this to her. Though he met her today only, Arnav had felt a connection with Khushi.

"Are they so blind to keep an innocent soul captive in this horror room? Who knows for how many years she was inside it? I think she has never seen the outer world even once.

I'll help her. I'll teach this innocent soul to live in this world. I don't care if anybody opposes me in this. I'll be her guide" Arnav smiled at his decision.

"From how long were you inside this?" Arnav asked.

"I don't know.  Shabd had told me I was inside it from my birth. My mother died due to my birth. So my family hated me and kept me in this prison. I've no one since then."

"From birth?" Arnav was stunned. "She is a fighter. Nobody else can survive all these years in this." He thought.

"Don't think you have no one. From today I'll help you. I'll guide you in this world. From today I'm your family." Arnav assured her.

Khushi smiled at the word 'family'. From today she has a family. She felt another new feeling. A new feeling of happiness.

PRECAP : Shabd reveals Khushi's truth to arnav. 😊

Chapter 3

"Family?" Khushi asked with a newfound joy.

"Yeah. By the way do you know your name?" Arnav asked.

"Shabd used to call me Khushi beta. I think that is my name." Khushi replied with a confused mind.

"Khushi" Arnav repeated.

"And... you didn't tell me who this Shabd is." Arnav asked.

"Shabd is the person who used to give me food, clothes and other things. I think he is also a human. He told me why I was kept inside this when I cried loud one day. He has also taught me how to speak in Hindi and he used to tell me how world looks like. But I don't know why I haven't heard him for the last few days. He didn't come to give me food also." Khushi replied.

"Have you seen him?" Arnav asked.

"No. He used to knock at that window door and used to speak from outside. But he didn't come inside to see me." Khushi replied innocently.

Arnav felt a little gratitude for the person who taught Khushi how to speak. Or else it would have been very difficult for him. But he felt bad that the only person in Khushi's life never cared to come inside this place and see her.

"I'll look out for that Shabd. May be he will give me more information on Khushi." He thought.

"Do you want to see Shabd? We will look out for him" Arnav asked grabbing Khushi's wrist again. He led her out of that wretched place again and came out to open air.

"Shabd!! Shabd!!" Arnav called out. He made Khushi stand at one corner and went out to see Shabd. He felt that Khushi will be locked up again if Shabd sees her. After all he has never cared to free her all these years. He needed to know what kind of a person Shabd is before bringing Khushi in front of him.

Arnav walked through the place. There were many trees growing wild all around. Suddenly he saw a small room at one corner of that place. He went towards that room. It was a place smelling liquor. Walls were damaged at many places. There was a small cot inside and a small table. The table had many used bottles of liquor and few old newspapers scattered. There was a shawl on the bed and a few clothes on the bed. The clothes were of an old man.

Arnav heard water running in the room adjacent to it. Maybe there was a bathroom attached to the room. Arnav guessed.

Suddenly the bathroom door opened and a man of about sixty years came out. He was suddenly shocked to see a young man glaring at him.

"Who are you? What are you doing at my house" The man asked.

"Are you Shabd?" Arnav asked not caring to reply to the man's question.

Shabd! That was the name Khushi beta used to call. The man was afraid now. He knew that if a fight is going to be started, he won't be able to win it. He was too old for that.

"How do you know Khushi beta? Only she calls to me by this name." The man asked.

"That is not your concern. Tell me why that innocent soul was kept captive in that horror room for years" Arnav replied.

"No, I won't tell. Who are you to ask me all this?" Shabd retorted.

"From today I'm her family. So I need to know everything related to her. And I'll make you tell all the truth if you decide to keep your mouth shut. So speak!" Arnav replied in anger.

Shabd could easily realize that the young man's eyes were spilling anger. He saw his clenched fists trying to control the anger that was overpowering him. He knew that he won't be able to stand against this man for longer. But he had to. Or else his life will be in danger. Also, Khushi beta's.

"I can't tell you anything. I'll be killed if I speak anything against them." Shabd replied sadly.

"Why? Why are you supporting those people who kept their own daughter captive from birth? You have to tell me everything and I'll make sure that nothing happens to your life. If you don't tell me everything I'll be the one who will be killing you today."

Shabd saw the rage in Arnav's eyes and doubted if Arnav would actually kill him. Anyway what is the good in supporting the wrong people? He wanted to do at least one good thing in his life. So he is going to tell the truth. He liked Khushi beta so much and if this will help her, he will do it.

"Ok. I'll tell you everything. You please sit down." Shabd asked politely clearing the dirty clothes from the bed.

"One minute. I'll bring Khushi too. She also needs to know everything."

Arnav went out and came back with Khushi.

Shabd was happy to see Khushi. Though she was looking dirty, she still had a charm. He also hasn't seen her as he was not allowed to do that.

"Are you Shabd?" Khushi's melodious voice broke him from the trance.

"Yes Khushi beta. I'm the same person who used to talk to you all these years." Shabd replied excitedly. "Sit beta."

Khushi suddenly sat on the floor. Arnav was stunned at what Khushi did. Later he realized that there was no bed or chair in that prison and Khushi was used to sit and sleep only on the floor.

Arnav stood up and made Khushi also stand. He grabbed her shoulder and gently led her to the cot. He made her sit on it.

"You can sit on this like this. Floor is not a good place to sit." Arnav told her gently.

Khushi nodded her head in reply. Sitting on something like this was another new experience. It was not as hard as the floor. And she was more relaxed sitting in this than on the floor. Khushi liked this new knowledge.

"Tell us now. We want to know everything regarding Khushi's life." Arnav told to Shabd.

"Yes. I'll tell you everything." Shabd replied.

He continued, "Khushi's father is the great politician Rajvardhan Gupta. You may have heard of him. Rajvardhan loved his wife Padmini immensely. They were a rich family and the family believed much on a saint who was called as Kavi Baba. He was actually more of a black magician than a saint. When Padmini's pregnancy news broke off, Kavi Baba had warned that if it is a girl child, it will bring bad luck to the family. But Rajvardhan did not heed to the warning and waited for the arrival of his child, whether it is a boy or a girl. But when the child was born, it was a girl. After a few hours, Padmini died due to immense blood loss. Kavi Baba reminded everyone of the warning he had said before and claimed that the death of Padmini is only the start to the bad things that is yet to happen to the family. He implanted negative thoughts on Rajvardhan's mind against Khushi beta. Rajvardhan who was affected by Padmini's death and also all the words of Kavi Baba asked him for a remedy other than killing the child. Kavi Baba asked him to disown the child and keep her in a prison far away such that the world will never know that this child existed. Rajvardhan's brothers also supported Kavi Baba since they were worried that all the family wealth will go to Khushi if she existed. All the pressure made Rajvardhan hate the child and he gave me the newborn baby and asked me to keep her captive in his old house in Delhi. He also asked me not to see her or love her ever. I was threatened to be killed if I go against him. I knew his power well and did what he asked me to." Shabd told the story with tears in his eyes.

Both Arnav and Khushi were stunned to hear the story. They couldn't believe that anybody could hate a newborn so much.

"But if no one saw Khushi who took care of her when she was an infant?" Arnav asked.

"Rajvardhan had appointed a caretaker. She used to come here till Khushi beta can walk and eat alone. But I don't think Khushi beta remembers her." Shabd replied.

"One more question… Why did you not give her food for the last few days?" Arnav asked.

"Because I didn't have the money to give her food. Rajvardhan used to send a small amount of money for mine and Khushi beta's food and other necessities. But he died last month. He died of cancer and had a very painful death. So the money flow stopped. I adjusted last moth with the little amount I had but it was also over a few days back. So I couldn't buy her food. And I didn't have the courage to answer her when she asks me about food. She doesn't know what money is. Even I haven't eaten anything for four days. Sorry Khushi beta." He replied.

Arnav stood up suddenly. He thanked Shabd for giving him his answers and gave some money to him for his food.

"I forgot to ask, why did you open Khushi's prison?" Arnav asked suddenly.

"I didn't have the courage to see her die of hunger. Even Rajvardhan had died and I thought to let her free without anybody knowing about it. So I opened the door while she was sleeping. I thought she will get some food when she goes somewhere." Shabd told.

"It was a good thing you did that. She has suffered a lot and it is the time for her to enjoy. Shabd, do you know when Khushi was born?" Arnav asked Shabd with a smile.

"Yeah... I know, it was 21^st July 1989. How can I forget that most fateful day? Young man, please take care of Khushi. She should have been living as a princess, but due to her bad fate she lived the life of a prisoner. But now it should change." Shabd requested.

"Thank you. From now I'll take care of Khushi." Arnav told before leading Khushi out of Shabd's room. Khushi followed him like a good girl. She looked back and gave Shabd a smile before going out.

The old man felt contented to see the girl he has cared for all these years free. He felt happy for his Khushi beta and smiled back to her.

Chapter 4

Arnav walked back to the car and Khushi followed him. He stopped in front of his car.

"Till yesterday you spent your days not knowing when night came or when the morning came. But from today, you will have a new life. You are no more inside that prison and you are free to roam around the whole world. It may be difficult to understand what this world is or how people are at beginning. But don't lose hope. Never fall weak and never let anyone know your weakness. I'll be there with you from today, and don't hesitate to tell me anything. Just trust me." He told Khushi.

Khushi nodded silently to what Arnav said and decided herself to follow him and obey him completely. After all, he is the only one she knows other than Shabd and also his words were sincere and from the heart. Though she couldn't understand most of the things Arnav said to her now, she could infer that he was asking her to be strong. Khushi decided to trust Arnav.

Arnav took Khushi to the car. He saw Khushi staring at the door.

"Khushi, this is a car and it helps us to move around places. Now I'll show you how to open the door." He told and grabbed Khushi's soft hand in his hands. He took her hand to the handle of the door.

"Just press this and pull it up. The door will be open. Now pull the door so as to open it completely." He instructed Khushi and showed how to do it. He again closed the door.

"Now, you try to open this alone." Arnav told.

"Me??" Khushi was confused.

"I asked you to be strong isn't it? If you are afraid to open a simple car door, how will you move forward in the world? Just try it. If you can't do it, try it again till you can open it. Fear has no place in our life. Don't let it come in your world." He tried to inspire Khushi and made a serious look as he was talking.

Khushi was shivering as she put forward her hands to open the door. She did as told be Arnav and suddenly the door opened. Khushi smiled and clapped like a little girl at her victory. Arnav too smiled at her antics.

Now the car door was open and Khushi was confused what to do next. She looked at Arnav to know the same.

"Now you have to enter inside .Just fold your legs slightly and bend your head and sit on the seat."

Khushi did the same. The seat was much softer that the cot and the floor that she sat earlier. She felt happy to look out through the glass window of the car.

Arnav closed Khushi's door and sat on his driver's seat. He starts the car and drove it. He was careful not to take too much speed since it was Khushi's first time in the car.

*******

Khushi looked out through the window as the car moved. She could see many buildings, cars of different shapes, trees, many people walking on the pavement etc. Everything was a new sight to her and it was the sight of the world she had always longed to see. Whenever Shabd used to describe the about the world to her, she wanted to go out. She also used to cry when she was a child to let her out. But later on, she was accustomed to her life and had lost all hopes. But today as a surprise she was let out.

Khushi had heard about god from Shabd. But she always doubted on it. She always used to ask Shabd back that if god existed, why it didn't come to free her from that jail. But from today she will believe in God. It came to her, freed her and also sent an angel in the form of Arnav to help her. From today she will not doubt on god. Khushi decided.

*******

Arnav and Khushi stood in front of a door. Khushi saw Arnav press some white thing besides the door and a sound was heard suddenly.

"What is that?" Khushi asked.

"It is a calling bell. When we press it a sound will be produced inside the house and the person inside can know that someone it at the door."

"Ok."

Suddenly the door opened and a woman of 27yrs came to vision. She was Arnav's sister Anjali.

"Chotte, you here at this time?" Anjali asked Arnav.

"Di, I've somebody along with me." Arnav replied.

Anjali was confused at her Chotte's reply. When she looked, she saw a girl, dressed in tattered clothes, her body full of dirt, but her eyes with a special charm.

"Chotte, who is this? And why have you brought her here?" Anjali asked.

"Di, she is Khushi. And from today she is going to stay with us in this flat." Arnav replied confidently.

"But Chotte, how can you bring some girl from the street and make her live with us? You were not like this before. What happened to you?" Anjali was angry and confused.

"Di, you are talking about the street. But do you know that Khushi has seen the same street for the first time today in her life. Di, I will tell you everything. First let us in." Arnav told Anjali.

Anjali moved aside and gave way for Arnav and Khushi to enter. She closed the door back and came to Arnav.

"Now explain me Chotte. What is all this?" Anjali asked.

"Di, one minute." He told and took Khushi to the posh sofa in their living room. He made her sit there and pressed her palm to assure that everything will be all right.

"Sit here. We will be back in a while. Don't get afraid. From today this is your home too." Arnav told and Khushi smiled back in reply.

"Di, we will go to the room and discuss this. Please." Arnav told Anjali.

"Ok Chotte, come."

*******

"Chotte, how can you bring somebody like this to our home?" Anjali asked in rage.

"Di, I accept that I saw Khushi today for the first time. But I don't know why my mind didn't allow me to leave her alone there and come back. She has suffered a lot di. Do you know, she was locked up in a prison by her family members from her birth? Can you imagine that? She saw daylight for the first time today. And the first person she has seen is me. I really don't know why I couldn't leave her there. I just felt that she deserves all the happiness and it is my duty to provide her that." Arnav told Anjali and narrated to her the whole story Shabd had told him.

"Di, won't you support me in providing that angel a better life?" Arnav asked.

"Yes Chotte. She deserves a wonderful life. I'm with you in providing that. I really treated Khushi bad and I will go and apologize to her." Telling this, Anjali cupped Arnav's face and asked, "By the way, has my Chotte fallen in love?"

"Love?" Arnav was stunned at Anjali's question. "No di, I don't believe in things like love. I just felt a connection with her and so I wanted to provide her a better life. That doesn't mean that I've fallen in love." Arnav replied.

"Ok... ok… don't get angry. Now we will go to Khushi. She must be feeling bored and lonely."

"Yes Chotte, come."

Anjali and Arnav went back and saw a nervous Khushi in the living room. Anjali smiled at Khushi.

"Khushi, I'm sorry that I spoke rudely to you. I didn't know anything about you and I was so shocked to see a girl with Chotte, I mean Arnav." Anjali said to Khushi.

"It's ok." Khushi replied.

"Anyway Khushi, you can call me Di, just like Chotte calls me. And I welcome you to this small house. I and Chotte live in this flat and when Chotte goes out I always feel lonely, from today I have a sister as company." Anjali said excitedly to which Khushi smiled.

"Chotte, do one thing. Go and buy some dresses for Khushi. By that time I'll help her wash up. When you come back I'll change her in such a way that you won't recognize her. Come Khushi." Anjali told.

"Ok Di. I will be back soon. And please don't murder Khushi with your cosmetics. She is not used to all that." Arnav told Anjali teasingly.

"Bye Khushi. I'll be back soon." Arnav told Khushi.

"Bye." Khushi replied and Arnav left leaving the girls alone.