Prologue

                                    

                                          
Happiness. Joy. Cheerfulness.
                          
That's what her name meant, and she has try her level best, since her childhood, to live up to that name of hers. Her sole aim has always been to spread happiness in the way of her loved ones, to combat every obstacle thrown at her with a smile and shining confidence, regardless of how harsh it is.


                          
But today, today neither is she giving joy to anyone nor can she smile anymore. 


                          
She inhaled sharply, swallowing her tears and fears as she stood on the edge of the terrace, staring into the abyss which was about to engulf her, forever.


                          
Khushi Gupta, a girl in her early twenties, has always lived her life to the fullest. Helping others has been her motto, forgiveness and acceptance has been her virtue, for she has always seen the world in the positive light. She thought that the world Devi Maiya created was a beautiful thing. But now, after all she witnessed, this world does not seem to be that innocent anymore.
                          
The vultures-like human beings made it look so ugly to her that she now knows, that there are some sinister creatures under the human skin, who knows nothing but to corrode others' lives, who are here just to watch the world burn after their hideous actions.
                          
They broke her faith in humanity, something she started worshiping when God had sent to her the most loving and caring adoptive family after the tragic death of her biological parents. They made her feel disgusted.


                          
She knows what she is going to do, the way she chose to escape, was not exemplary either. She is committing a sin, something that will bring waves of grief once she's gone, but she has no choice.




                          
"You have two days. Two days to decide what you want! Either marry me willingly or be ready to witness your family's destruction and then, I will make you my wife forcefully. In every sense."




                          
The devil's words rang in her mind again, and she stifled a sob.


                          
What should she do?


                          
What's left for her to do?


                          
She tried, every possible way to stop him. She threatened him, begged him, but he didn't pity her and stayed firm at his obsession, to have her. By hook or by crook.


                          
If he doesn't, then he will kill everyone and if he does, then she will be the one destroying lives, including her own.
                          
And she can't let that happen. She can't let so many people burn in his hell. She can't lead that life, that horror that's awaiting her.


                          
So, she has to do this.
                          
For them.
                          
For her own self.


                          
She knew it will break her family's heart, the love they have for her will cause them a lot of pain, but that short period of pain will be better than the lifelong imprisonment hovering over their heads.
                          
And she has only one way to stop that imprisonment, to secure everyone's lives and that is, by ending hers.


                          
She looked up at the sky, the bright stars shining in her glistening eyes. Her blistering heart soothed at the sight.


                          
At least she is not going to be alone there.
                          
She will be with them. With her parents, hiding in their cocoon, away from this world and its creatures.


                          
A grim smile made it's way on her sorrowful face and she opened her arms, spreading them wide open on either sides, eager to embrace the freedom. 
                          
She didn't have to do anything after that, her curiosity to discover a new land filled with angels was enough to pull her towards the end of her this life and within seconds, she felt herself falling, towards her new life.


                          
As she skimmed through the biting cold air of the night, her smile stretched, turning into giggles soon after as the adrenaline rushed through her veins, filling her to a point where she was no longer afraid. She closed her eyes, a lone tear dripping down when she saw the hard core floor approaching and with a sharp but quick rush of ache, her body fell limp and she was finally liberated.




                          
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