For my little baby niece, Sukanya. 

Once upon a time, in a faraway land, there was a tiny kingdom. This tiny kingdom was peaceful, prosperous, and rich in romance and tradition. Far from the palace and in the town area, lived a man named Kali Thakur who was widowed. His wife Jhanvi Thakurani died from illness when her young daughter Gauri Thakur was only 6. 

Kali Thakur was a kind and devoted father who always managed to give his beloved daughter every luxury and comfort however there was something that money couldn't buy; a mother's love.

When Gauri was 9, he felt that she needed mother's love from an actual woman since he tried to be both a mother and father to his young daughter so he remarried once again to a widowed woman called Lady Shobhana Kapoor who had two young daughters. They were a year older than Gauri and their names were Riddhima and Svetlana. 

It was all fine for a little while, everyone was happy until one night Kali took ill.

An 11 year old Gauri was worried for her father when he fell ill. She spent all night by his side, aiding him, getting him soup, checking his temperature etc but alas, Kali passed away the next afternoon.

Kali's death changed everything for Gauri...when I say everything, I mean EVERYTHING! Shobhana's  true nature was revealed. Cold, cruel, and bitterly jealous. She was jealous of Gauri's charm and beauty. She was jealous of her charm and beauty because she wished that her two daughters could have these qualities. 

Shobhana dismissed the house staff and made Gauri a servant in her own home. She kicked Gauri out of her own room so that her daughters could have her room since Gauri's room was the second biggest room.

And where did poor Gauri end up sleeping in? Not in her stepsisters' old room but in the attic, the bitter cold attic. The cold in the attic was more harsher in the winter and when it was summer time, it was horribly warm like seriously, the heat was so unbearable. It was at first lonely in the attic but soon Gauri made friends with the little tiny mice that stayed in the attic. 

Shobhana, Svetlana and Riddhima would forever torture Gauri, they would abuse her and humiliate her and make her feel worthless. Shobhana showed so much favouritism to her two daughters, she forever spent a large amount of money on those two. She would buy them expensive dresses, perfumes, jewelries, this, that. Gauri was made to cook for them and she was never allowed to eat with her stepmother and stepsisters as they ate. She was only allowed to eat after they had ate and Gauri didn't get so much than a crumb or two. Yes Gauri was made to eat leftovers. Gauri did every house chore, she would put the clothes outside, inside, clean the house from top to bottom etc. 

Though a lot had happened, Gauri never complained once. She just remained gentle and kind, for with each dawn she found new hope that someday her dreams of happiness would come true. She also stayed gentle and kind because before her mother left the world to join heaven, she told her young daughter to always have courage and be kind....these words Gauri followed religiously.   

And now...

19 year old Gauri was tired, she was exhausted physically and mentally. She wanted sleep but she couldn't, she had so much work to complete. It was evening time, Gauri was busy washing the dishes before she could eat. As she was washing the dishes, her little mice friends came up to her. 

She smiled seeing them.

Gauri: hello lovelies. 

They let out a tiny squeak. 

Gauri: I am nearly done with these dishes. Once I am done, I will get out our food.

The mice gave out another tiny squeak. Gauri just smiled. She continued to wash, dry and put away the dishes until every little dish and every big dish was gone expect for a tiny clean plate. Gauri looked at the leftovers her stepmother and stepsisters have left for her, she got them and kept them on the plate then looked at her little mice friends.

Gauri: here's your portion.

She gave them a big portion of the leftovers but the mice started to squeak as if they were trying to tell Gauri to have a bit more to eat and not to give herself a small portion. 

Gauri: don't get mad at me, I want to give you lovelies a big portion. I will mange with a little bit of food.

They looked at her, Gauri sighed and said: fine, I will just take a little bit from you guys.

She took a little bit from their portion and then looked at them.

Gauri: happy?

The mice squeaked happily. Gauri smiled, and then she and the mice ate their portions. Once they were done, Gauri had to set up the fireplace. As she was setting up the fireplace, her eyes tried to close for sleep but Gauri kept trying to keep her eyes open. She really did but tiredness soon won. She laid down next to the fireplace and allowed her eyes to close. She rarely managed to sleep because of all the chores she was made to do. Her sleep was a violent whirl of colour like a kaleidoscope on acid.

...

"GAURI WAKE UP!"

"Gauri, where is my tea?"

"Gauri, I need my French toast RIGHT NOW!"

"Why isn't there any breakfast being made?"

"Gauri, stop being lazy!"

"WAKE UP!"

Gauri woke up, still feeling tired but she stood from the fireplace and went to the kitchen to make breakfast for her stepmother and stepsisters. Once she was done making tea and corn fritters for Riddhima, French toast and tea for Svetlana and black coffee for her stepmother, she came to them with their plates then their cups to the table. Svetlana preferred it when Gauri cut the French toast in half for her, so when she was cutting the French toast at the table, Shobhana spoke.

Shobhana: Gauri, what's that on your face?

Gauri: pardon?

Riddhima: it's ash from the fireplace.

Shobhana: do clean yourself up. 

Svetlana: you'll get cinders in our food. 

Riddhima: I got a new name for her! Cinderwrench!

Svetlana: I got a even better one. Dirtyri.

They laughed.

Riddhima: Cinderella! That's what we'll call her. 

Shobhana: oh girls you are too clever. 

Gauri was upset to know that they spoiled her name but she kept it to herself. She just gave them their breakfast then went to the kitchen. She heard whisperings as she went to the kitchen.....

Svetlana: she is so ugly.

Riddhima: tell me about it. She needs to fix her face up.

Svetlana: mum, when will you toss her out?

Shobhana: if I toss her out, who will do all the work around here?

Riddhima: you have a point mum. 

Gauri picked up a metal plate so that she could see her face. She went to the sink and wash her face, wiping it with the towel. She saw her stepsisters and stepmother leaving. After collecting the dishes, washing them and putting them away, she continued to think about what her stepsisters and stepmother said to her. She needed time away from them, just a little bit of time away from her step family was all she needed. 

Gauri went out of the house and to the stables to get her horse, Midnight...Midnight was her father's horse's foal. Ever since Midnight was born, Gauri felt a connection to her and waited till the day that she was old enough for Gauri to ride her. She went on Midnight and rode her. Midnight took her to the forest not far from her house. As she was riding Midnight and as she was lost in her thoughts, a creature came in front of her. 

Midnight got scared and started to run, during this, Gauri fell off the horse but before she touched the ground and blacked out, she found herself in someone's arms. Midnight stopped running knowing that Gauri wasn't on her and stood there. 

She looked at the face of the person who saved her from falling. He was so handsome, raven black hair that reached to his shoulder, a perfect maintained beard, breathtaking black eyes with stars in them...

If her stepsisters and stepmother weren't so cruel, then Gauri would have never gone out to the forest and if she didn't go out to the forest, she would have never met the prince.

He kept her back on her feet and they just looked at one another. She looked at him, the way he dressed, it looked as if he came from a rich family. He looked at her from head to toe...she was indeed the most beautiful girl he had ever met, he observed her every feature; her eyes were dove-shaped and they were a beautiful hazel colour, her wavy long black hair reached up to her waist, her small tiny nose, her naturally rose pink lips, her sky blue coloured cotton angrakha suit though the sky blue seemed to have faded a little bit, he noticed her long eyelashes and the small dimple of her left cheek. Really she was beautiful. 

Man: are you alright?

Gauri: I'm alright. Was you hunting that creature?

Man: the one who came in right of you and your horse? Yes. 

Gauri: have some shame! What has that creature ever done to you that you had to chase him about? 

The man let out a small laugh then spoke: I must confess I have never meet the creature before. Is the creature a friend of yours?

Gauri gave a small smile: an acquaintance. I met the creature just now. I looked into his eyes and he looked into mine at that quick moment but when I saw his eyes, I felt like he has a great deal left to do with his life. 

Man: what do they call you?

Gauri: never mind what they call me. 

Man: okay well you shouldn't be this deep in the forest alone. 

Gauri chuckled: I'm not alone, I'm with you Mr...what do they call you?

Man chuckled: you don't know who I am?

Gauri looked confused.

Man: well to answer your question, they call me Om well my father does when he's in a good mood.

They laughed.

Gauri: where do you live Mr Om?

Om: just call me Om and I live in the palace. My father's teaching me his trades. 

Gauri: you're an apprentice?

Om: of a sort. 

Gauri: that's very nice. Do they treat you well at the palace?

Om: better than I deserve to be honest and you? 

Gauri sighed, she didn't want to talk openly about the torture she endured everyday so she said: they treat me as well as they are able to. 

He understood what she meant by that.

Om: I'm sorry. 

Gauri: it's not your fault. 

Om: it's not your fault either I believe?

Gauri stayed quiet for a minute then spoke: it's not that bad, others have it worse I'm sure....we must simply have courage and be kind right?

Om: yes you're right. 

She giggled.

Om: that's exactly how I feel. 

They heard trumpets and more noises, they heard the palace hunting staff chattering. Gauri went to Midnight and Om went to his horse...he got off his horse when he saved Gauri from falling. 

Gauri: please don't let them hurt the creature. 

Om: but we're hunting which means we have to.

Gauri: just because you have to doesn't mean you should! 

Om: you're right again.

They stayed quiet again for a minute.

Gauri: you'll leave the poor creature alone won't you?

Om thought and then said: I will. 

Gauri smiled: thank you very much Om. 

Om was about to speak when one of the palace hunting staff spoke: ah there you are your High...

Om interrupting: it's Om! Just Om! Only Om!

Gauri held in her laughter. 

The man looked confused but still spoke: when then we better get going Mr Om!

Om: on my way...

He looked at Gauri and she looked at him. He went on his horse.

Om: I hope to see you again.

Gauri: I also hope to see you again 

They took one last look at each other before he went to join the staff. Gauri went on Midnight and rode back home, thinking of Om. It felt so nice talking to him. She couldn't remember the last time she had a normal conversation with a human being. She had been to the market many times to buy food for her family but the only words she spoke to the people were "please may I have this...." or "how much does this cost" or "thank you, have a lovely day".

Once she came back to her house, she went back to work. After all her day consisted of her just working.

...

Om reached the palace and went to his father King Tej's room where the doctor was checking up on him.

His father had not been in the best condition for a little while now. Om and Khanna were present in the room as the doctor checked upon his father and then uttered the painful news: I'm afraid your majesty that you have very little time to live.

Tej just nodded and dismissed the doctor. Once the doctor left, he looked at his son: Omkara, I want you to do something for me.

Om: what is it?

Tej: we have our annual masquerade ball coming this Saturday and I want you to find yourself a princess.

Om: a princess?

Tej: yes a princess who you will marry so then when I die, you have a queen by your side.

Om: but dad, why a princess?

Tej: because you are of royal blood and everyone who is of a royal blood marries someone else who is also a royal. It's tradition.

Om: but what if I didn't want to marry a princess?

Tej: then who would you marry?

Khanna: he would marry a simple town girl sire.

Om gave him a look and Tej looked at Om.

Tej: a town girl? Really? I would have accepted a duchess, an empress, a queen even but a town girl? No!

Om: but you got to choose who you really wanted to marry.

Tej: yes I know your mother but your mother was a princess not a town girl and it was love at first sight.

Om: do you miss her?

Tej: everyday Omkara...anyway this is not about me, this is about you...you are going to marry a princess.

Om: if I have to then can I suggest a change for the guest list?

Tej: and what is this change?

Om: I want every young woman whether she is a town girl, a villager but I want every woman to come to the ball regardless of her class.

Tej: why?

Khanna: to find his town girl.

Om gave him another look then looked at his dad: because I think it would be nice if we allowed the women of our kingdom to have one night when they can feel like a princess.

Tej: fine! But you must choose a real princess to marry okay?

Om: yes dad.

Tej: now tell Babulal to send out invitations to every household in the kingdom.

Om nodded and stood up to go. Khanna was about to leave as well when Tej stopped him.

Tej: Khanna, tell me more about this girl Omkara met.

Khanna: yes sire.

So he told him about Gauri, well he didn't know her name so he told her about the girl Om met in the forest.

...

The invitations were sent out to every household the next day and within one day, the only thing that was being spoke about was regarding the royal ball.

Svetlana: oh my god! A royal ball!

Riddhima: I will meet Prince Omkara and I will marry you.

Svetlana: you will be the one marrying him? I will be the one marrying him. He is my dream man.

Riddhima: he is my dream man.

Svetlana: he is mine.

Riddhima: no he is mine.

Svetlana: mine!

Riddhima: mine!

Svetlana: mine!

Riddhima: mine!

They continued bickering when Shobhana spoke: girls, stop arguing. There is only one Prince Omkara but if one of you marries the prince then the other one of you will get access to other princes of other kingdoms.

Svetlana: you're right.

Shobhana: of course I'm right.

She turned to Gauri who was busy stitching some buttons on the clothes.

Shobhana: Cinderella?

Although that was not her name, Gauri looked up and said: yes madam?

Shobhana: I want you go to the market and go to Nia's Fashion Boutique. Order three dresses and masks.

Gauri smiled: three? How considerate of you.

Shobhana and her daughters looked confused.

Svetlana: what do you mean Cinderella?

Gauri: three dresses and masks, me, you and Riddhima. Thank you for letting me go to the ball.

Her stepmother and stepsisters looked at one another then laughed like mad hyenas. Gauri was now looking confused.

Shobhana: three dresses and masks meaning one for Svetlana, one for Riddhima and one for me.

Gauri: oh.

Svetlana: what would you do at the palace anyway?

Gauri: I have a friend there.

Riddhima: you? Having friends? And that too who are of royalty? (she laughed) what a joke!

Shobhana: I don't care if you have friends or not, what I do care is about having those three dresses and masks in my house before Nia runs out of dress making material! So go to her boutique and get those dresses made!

Gauri nodded and left the house to get the dresses and masks made. Once again she was excluded. But Gauri didn't need some fancy dress made by the most well known designer in her area. She had a dress...her mother's old dress.

Once she was done giving orders about the three dresses, she went back home and to the attic where she got up her mother's old dress. It just needed a couple of adjustments and then it would be as good as new.

She worked the next couple of nights on the dress and her little mice friends helped her out by handing her the equipments she needed. Soon the dress was finished. Gauri smiled; wearing her mother's dress at the royal ball would make her feel like her mother was with her.

During those couple of nights, she always made a mask. She had her mother's heels and that was it...a mask, beautiful shoes and the perfect dress, that was all she needed for the ball.

...

It was now Saturday, it was time for the royal ball. After helping her stepsisters get ready, Gauri washed herself and then went to the attic to wear her dress and do her hair.

Her stepmother and stepsisters were all decked up and they were about to leave and go to the palace in a gorgeous carriage when Gauri came down, looking like the princess that she is in her mother's dress:

Her mask rested on her head.

Shobhana: what are you wearing? 

Gauri: this is my mother's gown.

Shobhana: why are you wearing it? 

Gauri: to go to the ball.

Svetlana: the ball?

Gauri: well the invitation did say that all women should go to the ball.

Shobhana: ahh yes so it did. Well you can go to the ball, let me make a minor adjustment to your gown.

She ripped the fabric on Gauri's left shoulder. Gauri gasped. The stepsisters got the message of what they were supposed to do and ripped some of the fabric of Gauri's dress. Riddhima pulled Gauri's bun making the bun fall.  Soon the dress and the mask  were ruined. Tears were in Gauri's eyes but she didn't dare to cry in front of them.

Shobhana: listen to me Cinderella, you shall not go to the ball.

Gauri just nodded as the three left the house. Once they were gone, she ran to the garden and sat on the garden bench, crying. She cried letting her feelings all out. 

She felt hurt.

She felt sad.

She felt betrayed.

She felt angry.

Her mice friend came up to her and they squeaked

Gauri: no I am not going to a ball.

One of the mice squeaked.

Gauri: they told me not to. They destroyed my dress and my mask. 

Another mouse squeaked.

Gauri: have courage and be kind....those words never got me anywhere. I don't know why I decided to be kind. 

Tears fell down her eyes and just then sparkles appeared in front of her eyes. Her mice  friends and herself looked at the sparkles. The sparkles formed a human being...a woman who was dressed in a gorgeous silverly white punjabi suit. Her grey hair was tied in a bun and it was adorned with some diamonds. (Our dadi)

Gauri: who are you? 

Woman: I am your fairy godmother.

Gauri: fairy godmother? They don't exist.

Fairy godmother: they do. Didn't your mother believe in them?

Gauri: yes but how did you know?

Fairy godmother: I heard her. I heard her tell you when you was little that she believed. She believed in fairy godmothers, she believed in Santa, she believed in magic, she was a believer. 

Gauri: she was. She used to tell me stories about fairy godmothers and mermaids and princesses and talking animals. 

Fairy godmother: so she did.

Gauri: if you really are my fairy godmother, then where have you been all my life? 

Fairy godmother: I have been waiting for the perfect moment to appear before your eyes and this is the perfect moment I believe.

Gauri: why so?

Fairy godmother: because this moment is about love. The man you love will be at the ball and I know that you want to meet him.

Gauri: Om, I want to meet Om. 

Fairy godmother: and you will. 

Gauri was about to talk when her fairy godmother continued to speak: first you seem to have a lovely vegetable garden. Zucchini no. Tomato nah! Cucumber urgh! Ooo a pumpkin! Perfect.

She made her wand appear then waved it around turning the pumpkin into a beautiful golden carriage.

Fairy godmother: tada! 

Gauri: wow.

Fairy godmother: now for The horses. Ooo mice!

She looked at Gauri's mice friends. They started running about but her magic reached them turning them into beautiful white horses. 

Gauri: Gus Gus, Jack Jack, Matilda and everyone else you all look so cute.

Fairy godmother: indeed. Now we need footmen....

She looked around and found two lizards. She waved her wand and turned them into humans then she saw a swan running around. She turned the swan into a coach man.

Fairy godmother: I think we are done! Yay! 

Gauri: excuse me? 

Fairy godmother: yes? 

Gauri: my dress is torned.

Fairy godmother: so it is. I can fix that! 

She waved her magic wand and sparkles surrounded Gauri. The horses, coach man and footmen looked at her as the sparkles circled her: she twirled as the sparkles circled her and soon stopped as the sparkles disappeared. 

Her long hair was decorated into a bun, she wore handless laced gloves, her dress was a sky blue decorated with white lace, the dress had a flowing tulle skirt and an off-shoulder neckline.

Fairy godmother: wow! You look like your mother.

Gauri: do I? 

Fairy godmother: yes you do. The splitting image.

Gauri smiles.

Fairy godmother: now to make sure no one recognises you.

She waved her magic wand and a metallic blue mask with a feather appeared on Gauri's face.

Fairy godmother: perfect! Oh by the way look at your feet.

Gauri did as she was told and saw that on her feet, she had glass slippers.

Gauri: glass slippers? 

Fairy godmother: yes, fit for a princess. Also they are really comfortable. Now go Gauri, he is waiting for you. 

Gauri smiled and walked into the carriage as one of the footmen helped her. 

Gauri: thank you.

Fairy godmother smiled as the carriage started to move but just then she remembered something important, she ran and stopped the carriage with her wand then went to Gauri.

Gauri: what happened?

Fairy godmother: I just remembered something and listen very carefully, it is very important, at midnight, exactly at the final stroke of midnight, the magic will disappear, everything will go back as it was earlier. So you must leave the ball before the last stroke of midnight

Gauri: okay fairy godmother and thank you once again.

She smiled at Gauri and then allowed the carriage to move. Gauri turned to see her fairy godmother wave her wand to disappear. 

Gauri turned back and smiled, she was excited, her heart was beating first...she couldn't wait to meet Om once again. 

...

The palace was decorated like a bride. Royals from all over the place attended the ball and all the women from the kingdom regardless of class also attended the ball but Om was told to talk to every princess, countess etc...he was honestly bored out of his skull when he meet Svetlana and Riddhima, daughters of Lady Shobhana Kapoor. They acted so spoilt and so bratty. As he was engaged in small talk with them, his eyes kept searching for one person...his forest girl, his mystery girl. 

Svetlana was about to dance with Om when a young girl entered....her face was hidden by the mask and she was wearing a beautiful sky blue dress. Sky blue, earlier his mystery forest girl was wearing an outfit that was of a sky blue colour. The moment she walked down the marble stairs, everyone stared at her in awe. Om left Svetlana and Riddhima, walking up to this girl. He looked at the eyes and realised that it was his mystery forest girl.

Gauri looked at Om and looked at his eyes, recognising that it was Om.

Om kept out his hand and said: care to dance?

She nodded, smiling, keeping her hand in his. and they walked to the middle of the ballroom. Everyone was surprised seeing Om finally choosing to dance with someone so everyone cleared away from the middle to let Om and this mystery girl dance. 

Music started playing as Om kept his hand around her waist, she kept her hand on his shoulder and the free hands were joint together.

Teri hi boli boloongi main
Teri hi baani gaaungi main

Tere ishq da chola pehan ke
Main tujhme hi rang jaungi
Tere ishq da chooda pehan ke
Main tujhme hi saj jaungi

Gauri whispering: so you are a prince?

Om whispering: yes I am.

Gauri whispering: how come you didn't tell me?

Om whispering: well....

He twirled her and now her back was facing his chest.

Mai nachdi phira
Ban than baliye ho
Main nachdi phira
Chham chham chhaliye ho

Om whispered in her ear: I would but you assumed I was an apprentice.

Gauri whispering: well I didn't think I would be that lucky to meet the prince.

Om whispering: but you have and you are dancing with him.

Kehti hai duniya
Main hoon banwariya
Sudh se gayi main
Khud se gayi main
Teri ho gayi main
Par jag kya jaane
Man ke fasane

Gauri smiled as he turned her to face him, his hand back on her waist and her hand back on his shoulder...

Kho kar khud ko
Paa kar tujh ko
Meri ho gayi main

Teri nagariya jaungi main
Teri nazariya varoongi main

Tere ishq da chola pehan ke
Main tujhme hi rang jaungi
Tere ishq da chooda pehan ke
Main tujhme hi saj jaungi

Riddhima whispered to her mother: mum, who is this girl?

Shobhana whispering: I don't know but I also don't know why I feel like I know her.

Back to Rikara....

Om whispering to Gauri: you know I was waiting for you.

Gauri whispering: you was.

Om whispering: yes. 

Mai nachdi phira
Ban than baliye ho
Main nachdi phira
Chham chham chhaliye ho

Gauri whispering: I was waiting for this night to come. 

Om whispering: my dad wants me to marry someone royal but I much rather marry you because for me, you are a princess.

Gauri whispering: my dad used to say that to me, he used to say I was his princess.

Mai nachdi phira
Ban than baliye ho

Om whispering: do you miss him?

Gauri whispering: everyday.

Om whispering: do you want to get out of here for a little bit?

Gauri whispering: where to?

Om whispering: I'm not going to tell you, I will just show you.

Gauri whispering: okay sure.

Main nachdi phira
Chham chham chhaliye ho

He twirled her once again and they were done dancing. Everyone clapped then they all went to the middle of the ballroom to dance. As they were dancing, Om took Gauri's hand and they went away from the ballroom and to the palace's garden.

Gauri: wow it is so pretty. 

Om: I know, it's my favourite place of the palace.

He took his mask off and Gauri got to see his handsome face once again. She also took her mask off and Om could see her beautiful face again. 

Om: do you believe in love at first sight?

Gauri: yes I do. I believe in love at first sight. Sometimes we don't know we are already feeling the love, but as some time pass, we learn that we are feeling love and the feeling is true.

Om: you're right. You know from the last week, all I could think about was you. 

Gauri: even I could only think about you. 

Om smiled then brought her to the swing that hung from the dress. 

Om: take a seat.

Gauri: what will you do?

Om: push you slowly.

Gauri: are you sure?

Om: yes, now sit.

Gauri sat on the swing and Om pushed her slowly.

Gauri: is it easy being a prince?

Om: not really, there are so many rules on how to act or what to do with your life. It's frustrating. 

Gauri: it must be. 

Om: it's also lonely, I never had siblings and all the children my age only visited for a short while and they were royals so I had to talk to them unwillingly. My dad was a good person to have a conversation with when he wasn't busy running the kingdom....did you have anyone to be friends with?

Gauri: I had a whole collection of friends...a goose, horses and little mice.

Om: really?

Gauri: yes.

Om: are they good company?

Gauri: yes, they are very good listeners....youdon't think I'm weird do you?

Om: of course not. I used to talk to my horse when I felt really lonely. Animals are always the best listeners. 

Gauri: and the longer you spend with them, you feel like you can understand them too right?

Om: I agree. The longer I spent with my horse, I started to feel like I could understand him.

Gauri smiled. 

Om: so what is your name?

Gauri: my name is....

Suddenly the clock chimed, she was shocked. She couldn't stay any longer. It was nearly midnight, the magic would be gone at midnight.

Gauri: I have to leave. It's hard to explain. If I don't then lizards, pumpkins, I'm sorry. Thank you for a wonderful evening. Bye. 

Om: but....

Gauri got off the swing and started to run. Om chased after her. She kept her mask back on so her step family wouldn't recognise her. She went into the palace.  As she ran, she bumped into the king.

Gauri: your majesty.

She curtsied. 

Gauri: I am so sorry.

Tej: think nothing of it my dear. 

Gauri smiled and went but before she exited the ballroom, she said to Tej: I just wanted to say your majesty that your son is the most lovely person I have ever met and I hope you know how much he loves you.

She then left before Tej could say a word. Om continued to run after her. Tej was confused of what was going on. 

They were outside, Gauri ran down the staircase but then a glass slipper went off her foot. 

She turned but the clock continued to chime so she couldn't pick it up. She ran to the carriage and the coach man started to make the carriage move. 

By the time Om reached, she was gone but he saw something glimmering on the staircase.

Om: a glass slipper? It has to be hers.

...

The carriage was nearly at the house when the clocked chimed once again and again and again...it was midnight. The carriage started to tumble, the horses started to shrink, the coach man was getting his original beak back and the footmen were getting their tails back, Gauri's blue dress started turning baby pink and the rips were appearing. Within a flash, the carriage was back to a pumpkin, the footmen were back to lizards, the coachman was now a swan, the horses now mice and Gauri was back in her pink ripped dress and her hair was no longer in that bun. One thing remained the same though, she still had the other glass slipper. 

Gauri: let's go guys.

She said that to the animals as they walked the rest of the journey. Once they reached the place, Gauri went to the attic to change into one of her working clothes. She smiled looking at the glass slipper and kept it in the small box in her attic then went down to start making tea for her step family.

...

The ball was now over, the guests left and Tej was now feeling sick. Om was with his father as the doctor checked on him.

Doctor: your father is going to die very soon.

Om looked sad, the doctor left.

Tej: Om, listen to me.

Om: tell me dad, anything, whatever you want me to do I'll do it, I will marry a royal girl if you want. 

Tej: I don't want you to marry a royal girl.

Om: you don't?

Tej: I met your mystery girl. 

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