We walked deeper and deeper into the ground on a slope made inside the ground. As it got deeper the environment started to feel cooler and cooler. That underground world was far beyond my imagination. There was a whole city inside that door. It had buildings, roads, vehicles, parks, and many other things that I couldn't recognize exactly what they were. There were lights everywhere. Just like the spaceship The whole city was built up of that glass-like material. The whole city was twinkling in front of my eyes.
As it got deeper and deeper the city became more magnificent. After walking for about fifteen minutes we got to our destination. That was the biggest and the tallest building in the city. It looked high and mighty. The huge door in front of us wide opened and through it, some ladies in masks welcomed us inside.
I was stunned to see what I was looking at with my eyes. That was the coolest building I had ever seen in my life. Every corner of the room appeared to me like a perfectly cut and polished gem. My eyes couldn't let go of the sight of the finest carvings that were engraved on the walls. Even the tables and chairs were decorated with breathtaking engravings.
"If my guess is right, This must be a royal palace", I thought.
As we walked into that glass palace, the ladies in masks separated me from the rest of the crowd. I was not sure about where they were taking me, But I dared not ask them. They took me into another room where an old lady was sleeping. As we entered the old lady woke up. As she sat on a giant comfy chair everyone in the room Bowed to her with their hands on their hearts. I was confused and started looking here and there. But when one lady started gazing at me with angry eyes I quickly bowed to the old lady with my hand on my heart.
The old lady laughed and said something to everyone in the room in their language. After listening to her Everyone started leaving the room. So I started walking out of the room too. She smiled at me and with her hands told me to come closer.
She watched until everyone left and closed the door and said,
"So you must be Minashi".
I opened my mouth to say yes but in an instance, I got stuck. "I…yes I am" I stuttered.
" Don't be afraid dear, no one inside this palace will hurt you" She said as she touched my face.
"you can speak our language!" I screamed excited to finally find someone who can understand me. "But how? Are there any other people who know my language?"
My overexcited high pitched voice squeaked.
"Shh, you need to be quiet" she whispered with her finger on her mouth.
"Now from today onwards, that is going to be a secret between you and me. But for your question, well the answer is no. I am the only one who knows your language. Keeping that fact a secret is going to be your first duty under me" She said while offering me a red color cookie.
"Well, I don't quite understand what you said. What do you mean working under you?" I asked her taking the cookie from both my hands.
"Didn't they tell you, my dear? Oops, sorry. How could they tell You", she laughed.
"Well, you were brought here To take care of me. You know, this old woman needs a companion now. I have servants to do everything I need. But no one else in this palace can help me with this boredom I am feeling" she continued.
"What do you say, my dear, can you keep company with this old grandma please?"
I was breaking down inside. "Am I here to work as her maid? I mean, How am I supposed to do that? I am a medical student. My whole life dream was to be a doctor. There was nothing I didn't do to get closer to my dream each day." I was trapped in an internal struggle.
"If I keep you company, will you let me go? Will you take me back to my earth?" I asked her expecting a positive answer. But she didn't answer me. Instead, she looked down.
"So does that mean you all dragged me down here to be your maid? Is that it?" I cried. "Are you asking me to give up my family, my dream, my friends, my whole life and keep you company because you feel bored?"
"How can you even ask me something like that? Please take me back to my world. Please I beg You. I don't want to stay here!" I was sobbing bitterly.
"There is no way to send you back home even if I wanted to my dear. I am sorry" she replied holding my hands.
My heart felt heavy. I felt like I was struck by a thunderbolt. I felt my feet starting to tremble. The old lady quickly made me sit on her bed.
"But I really want to go home grandma", I said with tears in my eyes.
She looked at me with tears in her eyes and replied, "You are right. You don't have to give up everything. You are a beautiful girl. I'll try everything I can to take you back to your home."
She hugged me tightly allowing me to cry all I wanted. After crying for a long time she offered me her lap to have a nap. With all the exhaustion and grieving I fell asleep in no time. I felt grandma brushing her fingers through my hair gently.
In a faint voice, I heard her saying, "you don't have to suffer like I did little girl".