She looked outside her window peacefully. She still hadn't got to terms with leaving the mansion, her father and Tanvi. But her mind was restless, and more than anything, she felt anger towards them. What had to be done had to be done.
…
27th of November, the day of Diwali
Archie woke up with her heart racing fast. She was really going to make it out of this mansion and have a fresh start. She took Tanvi's phone from her locker and placed it in the row outside her suitcase.
She checked the list once more to notice 'Father's credit card.' She took the card from inside her handbag and hesitated. She felt guilt rush like adrenaline through her body as she slowly walked back towards her father's bedroom and placed it on his desk. She couldn't do it. Instead, she took the same bundle of keys and started making her way towards the safe. Once she reached, she took as much as she could hold and opened the lower row. Her eyes widened at the gold beam which came from the jewellery which was scattered on an open bag carelessly. She didn't have to think twice before realising that it was her mother's wedding ornaments. She took the bag itself and proceeded to walk back towards her bedroom. Looks like she would need another suitcase.
~
Back in another room, Tanvi was desperate to talk to her father. But at the same time, she didn't have the guts to tell him that she had made the mistake of telling Archie of the reality behind her life. She fidgeted with her fingers until she grew hungry and decided to make her way to the dining hall downstairs.
Archie and Tanvi sat face to face in the dining area, not uttering a word. Just eating what they had been served by the chef. The silence between the two was painful. The mansion was now dull where it used to be happy with laughter and screaming. The sisters were still young.
The chef looked up from his cutting board to observe the abnormal behaviour of the siblings before sighing and going back to his work. To their left stood Augustin who had already planned Archie's escape and was ready to leave the mansion with her although that plan was yet to be introduced.
"Great dosha, right Archie?"
"Yep, Nice and crisp", Archie mocked as she gritted her teeth.
Augustin couldn't help but snort.
Tanvi turned to glare at him to which he responded to by standing back up from leaning against the wall and clearing his throat seriously.
"Well…" Archie said as she stood up and handed the plate to the chef who smiled back at her and continued his work.
Tanvi sat at the dining table, minutes after Archie had left, unable to take another bite.
~
It was evening now and everything was ready. Archie looked out the balcony for the last time as she noticed the moon slowly appearing from behind the clouds. She will never see this sight again. Or at least she hopes not. From behind, she feels a presence, it was Augustin.
"Ready to skedaddle?"
"What…?"
"Oh right, you don't know modern slangs. no social media I assume.."
"I'm kind of thankful at this point." Archie added pathetically.
"Anyways, I came to tell you something."
"What is it?"
"I'm coming with you"
Archie thinks for a while before answering
"Why such a decision?"
"If Raj finds any trace of me helping you to escape, I will not be spared. You and I both know this."
"I guess so... Anyways, where are we off to? It has to be far away since father has many connections all around New York."
"Don't worry, I have arranged facilities in San Diego."
"San Diego? Isn't that a bit too far away?"
"It is but the further away, the safer and the safer, the better.
Archie thought about it for a while before sighing in agreement.
"Your father will only return by 11 pm. We can leave by 10 if everything goes as planned. I'm quite excited myself."
Archie forces a smile from the corner of her mouth before walking back to her room.
~
It was now 9:45 pm in New York. This was the very first Diwali since the sisters remember which they spent without their father. How unfortunate…
Everyone was asleep in the mansion… except for Archie, Augustin and.. Tanvi.
Tanvi lay awake on her bed, unable to sleep, thinking of what had occurred over the last three days.
As it turned 9:50, Archie made her way quietly down the stairs, holding two large suitcases on both her hands and her handbag hanging through the sides of her shoulder. She tiptoes carefully as even the smallest sound will echo through the walls. As Archie continues to slowly make her way down, she catches the attention of Augustin who was patiently waiting for her beside the main door. He takes the suitcases off her hands and carries them into the car which he had arranged for them the day before. A white Jeep Wrangler with the number plate KR15HN4.
The two whisper to each other in secrecy.
"Close the door, Augustin."
"Wait, just a minute."
"Be quick"
"WAIIIiiiit"
"Shhh be quiet."
Augustin groans as he was closing the boot of the car before walking back to the door to shut it slowly, bit by bit when the cold wind swept through and closes itself with a loud bang, shaking the bells which were tied to the door knob.
Without explaining himself, he grabs Archie's hands and runs towards the car where they got in desperately before Augustin turns the keys and leave speedily, the wheels spraying the sand below them.
Meanwhile as Tanvi was lying awake in her room, she hears the loud bang of the main door closing before the bells jingled, echoing through the mansion, into every room and wall. She sits up straight and finds her torch before rushing out the door and down the stairs towards the main entrance. She looks around in confusion before opening the door to catch just a glimpse of a white Jeep making its way out the large golden gate, disappearing from her vision…