Love Beyond Borders.

Mira's POV

Happiness filled my life. My parents were the best. The sweetest of all was Grandma. They were everything to me. Despite being lavished with attention, I was disciplined. In our hamlet, my father was a highly esteemed and significant individual. He practiced medicine. Before he died, my grandfather advised my father to do everything in his power to assist those in need. Thus, my father established a free hospital in our hamlet. South India is where our village is located.

As a gold medalist in economics throughout her college studies, my mother found fulfillment in establishing a free senior living facility. She had dreamed of opening an assisted living facility after losing her parents when she was quite young. She used to argue that leaving our parents was terrible because we wouldn't be here without them.

My dad had a younger sibling; thus, my family doesn't end here. The agricultural land is under his care. Priya is a younger relative of mine. You must have questioned how we manage the free hospital and assisted living facility. The majority of our village's agricultural land belonged to my grandfather. You would have seen by now how the profits from agriculture were used to pay for the costs of the hospital and the assisted living facility. My life was ideal. Up until that day, I even thought I was the luckiest person alive. Twelve years ago, my entire world was turned upside down. (Mira, age 9) Mom yelled from the kitchen, "Mira, wake up. Grandma is ready."

Grandmom and I made the decision to go to the temple event the following day after I shouted back, "Ma, I will be ready in half an hour," and got up to get ready (ma-mom). My aunt and Priya took a holiday to her parents' house.

My folks are traveling to the neighboring hamlet today to attend a marriage ceremony.

I got ready and then went down.

"Good morning boo boo" or "Good morning pa" (pa-dad). Dad said, "Come here and close your eyes." I call my pet boo boo.

"Y pa" "Close your eyes and don't ask questions." I felt something in my palm when I closed my eyes.

"Now open your eyes and see," I said, opening them quickly to reveal a dreamcatcher. It was the same one I was pointing to the Dreamcatcher in one store with my dad, so I was taken aback.

"I cherish you, Dad. I hugged my dad and said, "I know you Boo Boo," not expecting this. Dad returned the hug and stated

"So you don't love your ma?" my mother said as she came from the kitchen. I ran to embrace her and tell her, "I love you too, ma."

"So you don't love me, you only love your mom and dad haan?" my grandmother then questioned.

"I love you too, and you three know how much I love you all," I murmured, releasing my embrace.

They all chuckled.

It was becoming late, so my parents got in the car and drove off.

Grandma and I abruptly decided to attend the evening temple function.

When the call that rocked my life arrived, we were both watching television.

"Is this doctor sir's house?" I said. "Yes." "I'm not sure how to explain that this doctor sir and his wife had an accident and passed away immediately." I dropped my phone. My body was immobile and motionless. My mother's and father's smiles began to reflect backward. I passed out right there.

At noon, I opened my eyes and took in my surroundings. When I realized the truth, I began to shake. Since I was too little to witness the accident scene, I was told that my grandmother and uncle had visited the location and that I was not permitted to meet my parents.

At least for the final time, I was unable to see my parents' faces. When they got in the automobile, the last thing I remember them doing was waving their hand good-bye.

Twelve years have passed since the accident. Everything changed after that. A year after the deaths of my parents, my grandmother passed away. She was unable to go past the sadness since she loved her son so dearly. I was left alone with my heartless relatives after she fell ill and passed away. Only after my grandma passed away did I realize the true nature of my uncle's family.

The old age home, the hospital, and the property were taken over by my uncle. He converted the free senior living facility into a paid one. The hospital is no different. Both were transformed into the ones that generated enormous revenues. He quickly quadrupled the property, made money, and transformed everything into luxury-but not for me. We relocated to the metropolis from our village.

My aunt frequently hosted parties at our home and brought other wealthy women. She was elected president of a well-known women's club. Priya is a fashion designer in her final year of undergraduate studies.

Regarding myself, once my loved ones went, my uncle sent me to a government school, which is free, and Priya to a renowned city school. My father used to say that anyone can learn anything wherever if they are determined to study, so I wasn't bothered by it.

I had to embrace the fact that my new daily regimen was exhausting and entirely different. When I was in school, I would get up at five in the morning, clean the house, make tea, and offer it to my aunt and uncle. Make a bath for Priya and my aunt. From a young age, my mother demonstrated and taught me how to cook.

Twice a week, she would provide the underprivileged with complimentary meals in our home. I became their cook since I know how to cook. I ate breakfast and lunch, rushed to school, returned at 4 p.m., completed the tasks assigned to me, made supper, washed the dishes, and went to bed. Despite their wealth, they kept a maid in the house who served as both Aunty's maid and personal assistant. I started working as Priya's maid. For twelve years, I have been performing the same act.

I was a great student throughout my academic career. Priya and I are the same age, and I went to government college to complete my undergraduate degree in physics after finishing school. Despite my merits and all of my scholarships, my uncle forbade me from attending distant colleges.

My two closest pals are Pooja and Divya. They are everything to me now. From school till now, we have been one, and they are fully aware of me. It's clear that they detested my family, and my family detested them in return. Even with them, I was never permitted to walk outdoors, and they were also prohibited from entering the house. My father used to adore his brothers very much and always urged me to respect them and treat them as my parent's second. For this reason, I never complained about anything and took everything. They are now my family, at least in terms of namesake. After we relocated to the city, I was introduced to everyone as a maid.

By the following week, our undergraduate days will be coming to an end, and now we have tests. I had to study for my tests today, so I got up at three in the morning. I was permitted to remain in the tiny space on the other side of the kitchen. I started cleaning the house at five in the morning since my aunt always likes it to be spotless, and she would stop eating if she found even a single dust particle.

Every day, I only get to eat what's left over from every meal. After that, I cleaned, lit the lamp, and prayed to God in the pooja room. I then made tea and served it to Uncle and Aunty at 7 a.m. It's 7.30 now, and I have to go wake Priya. I ascend the stairs to the house's first level. I opened the room carefully. Priya's room is large, with pink walls and pictures of her and her happy pals hanging all over it.

I approached the bed carefully and gave her a call. She didn't answer as usual. Now I roused her a little. "You idiot, don't you know how to wake someone up, how dare you touch me?" she said as she stood up abruptly. She half-closed her eyes and yelled. I took a step back, dropped my head down, and said, "I'm so sorry, Priya. I had to wake you up because you were going to be late for college."

As she walked to the bathroom, she remarked, "You had better make my breakfast and iron my clothes right away or else you know the consequences." I swept the room, folded the bed linens, and nodded. I quickly went downstairs to prepare her breakfast after keeping her in bed as I had previously ironed her clothes.

I cooked the breakfast that was on the dining table and left for my room at eight in the morning. I slept on the floor, and my room was basic with no cot. When Priya decided to throw away her dresses, I had them. The majority of them were too modern, so I would either mend them and wear them myself or give them to Aunty's maid. As a result, I had fewer outfits, which I purchased with the meager funds I received from my job at the college library. I walked to my clothing in the little cupboard. I grabbed a blue Kurti and wore it with a shawl and leggings.

I gazed at my thin frame and pale face in a tiny mirror. I knew I was undernourished, but I was unable to stop myself. I combed my long, naturally wavy, black hair, which was tailbone length, put on a clutch, and let it fall loose. I put eyeliner on my round, jet-black eyes, and my mom gave me flawless eyebrows by nature. I am fair-skinned, with large lips, a sharp nose, and round eyes.

I prepared to go by keeping a small bindi and applying a small amount of viboothi, which is a Hindu forehead ash formed from burnt wood. My lack of funds is the only reason I don't use cosmetics. I don't trust my buddy when she says that I don't need cosmetics because I look gorgeous. Priya often reprimands me for being a worthless creature and having an awful face. After gathering my belongings and obtaining my hall pass, I headed to the bus stop.

Mira's POV.

Due to severe traffic, the bus travel took forty-five minutes. At 9.15 am, I finally arrived at my college. The entire college was crowded with individuals moving around with their books, some looking for the exam room, and some chatting in groups. We can only observe everyone holding their books during exam time. Our college's building needed extensive repairs because it was so old. I was on my way to my block when I was abruptly attacked from behind. "Divya, how many times have I told you not to jump on me?" I knew who it was. Divya is a prominent and fashionable girl at my college. She features almond eyes, a big nose, large lips, and shoulder-length black hair with brown strands. She is the lifeblood of our gang.

She put her hands on my shoulder and said, "How many times have I told you to change your boring and studious personality?" "Okay, go now." I know I'm asking the wrong person the appropriate question, but did you prepare for the test?

She laughed and went on, "See, it wasn't even a minute ago that I told you not to be too studious." "I asked Dharani." She smirked at me and said, "I'll pass because she studied."

"You won't change madam, at least pass without getting fail..ok ..where is pooja?"

She didn't finish her sentence before another voice asked, "Am I missing something, my two idiots?" "You know where she will be..she is with her boyfriend in the canteen."

"Yes Pooja madam we were just talking about you, how come you came early,y leaving your romantic talks?" Divya asked with a smile.

We three form a gang, with Pooja being the third member. Because of her very possessive partner, she also wears a shawl and chudidar. She is a lovely girl with little lips, a hooked nose, and hooded eyes. She always looks respectable and wears very little makeup.

" With me by his side, my child said that he didn't study yesterday or today. Thus, I arrived.

"Ohh, that is the reason, uh?" Divya chuckled. "All right, let's head to our exam rooms," I remarked, and the three of us made our way there. By 1 pm, the exam was over, so I said goodbye to the girls and boarded the bus to return home.

After the exam ended, I was on my way to the bus stop when Divya and Pooja stopped me. The week went by so quickly, and today is the last day of the exam.

"Madam, where do you believe you're heading? We don't know where we'll be after today, which is the last day of our college careers. Pooja is also free because her boyfriend is going somewhere with his buddies," Divya said. I sensed there were problems.

"So," I said as I approached and took a seat on the bus station bench.

"So ..we are going to the shopping mall to shop," she replied. She has a strategy to get me into trouble, as I mentioned there.

"Divya, you know I will get into big trouble if I get caught roaming or go home late."

I also reasoned that once I had to accompany them, it was either now or never. "We didn't ask you, we just commanded you to come. Whatever it takes, you should come with us. Don't think of the result, think about now." However, I informed my aunt that I would return by four o'clock today because I had library duty; fortunately, the library was closed today. I therefore had a solid three hours to return home.

I exclaimed sharply, "Okay, I'll come, but you people have to leave me at 3:30 so I can get home." Pooja said, "Okay, Mom, we'll leave you by then," and they both chuckled.

Divya jumped when we said, "So start the girls' time," and we all laughed. To get to the mall, we took a bus. As a maid, I had previously visited a mall and carried all of Priya's shopping bags. I felt a little uneasy when I walked in and worried about what might happen if Priya was there. Pooja jolted me, jolting me out of my reverie.

Pooja inquired, "What are you dreaming boo boo?" Only my two buddies used to call me that after my parents passed away.

"Nothing..where is Divya ?"

"See there," she chuckled.

When I turned around, I noticed Divya making strange faces and making fun of the Chota Beem man who was there to promote sales. I went to apologize and pulled her to join us. She will not change, and I like her vivacious personality.

As she pulled me inside, Divya said, "Come, let's go to trends."

You know I don't have enough money to buy anything, Divya. I rolled my eyes and continued, "I can just help you make a decision."

As she made her way to the Kurthis section, she added, "At least let's do some window shopping boo boo."

We browsed through a number of gowns, and I noticed a light blue kurthi that caught my eye. Despite my financial limitations, I decided to try it on.

Pooja and Dibya proceeded to the billing department after thirty minutes. Pooja purchased three kurthis, Divya purchased two jeans, and three shirts.

After that, they made the decision to visit an ice cream shop. I received a chocolate cone, Divya had Oreo ice cream, and Pooja received a large butterscotch cup. We were speaking about unrelated topics. Pooja abruptly appeared next to me and shut my eyes.

"What are you guys doing ?"

I felt something in my hands when Divya said, "Open your hands, boo boo."

The identical blue kurta that I had discreetly tried on was there when I opened my eyes. I had flashbacks about my father similarly gifting me a Dreamcatcher. "Hey, what happened Mira?" I sobbed uncontrollably. "Nothing, I just remembered something, I won't ask how you people know about my mind. But I didn't expect this..why did you spend this much? It's costly," I said, wiping away my tears as Pooja and Divya sat next to me and worried.

"Stop talking, boo boo. Other than your grin, nothing matters to us. We need something to remember you since we adore you, and it is the last day of college. Divya told me and hugged me.

I gave them both a hug in return. I will always remember this day in my life because it was the first and possibly the final time I went out with my pals. We paid the amount and left the store because we were running out of time.

A man carrying a bunch of flowers approached us. In college, I saw him.

"Divya, that guy is coming only to you," Pooja and I muttered.

The man stated "I love you, Mira" right in front of me. I was terrified and astonished as I stood there.

Mira's POV

"I love you, Mira," that guy stated as he approached me. I was astonished to see a man approach me and ask me to marry him. Priya and her boyfriend Arjun were standing a little distance behind him simultaneously.

I was so terrified of the repercussions that I was immobile. "I loved you since our second year," the man went on. I believe you know me too. I swear to keep you content. "Accept my love, Mira," he replied, oblivious to my current circumstances.

"You worthless creature, you have been hiding all this and roaming without our knowledge," Priya said, walking irascibly and giving me a harsh slap. Is this man your partner? She said, "Come home, and I'll see you there," and turned to leave.

If they send me out of the house, what will I do? Where am I going? I'm positive they'll beat me and throw me out. I sobbed deeply as all of these ideas raced through my head. Divya and Pooja tried to comfort me, but I was unable to do so.

They said to him, "You see, you have no idea what she's going through. She is currently in serious difficulty because that was her sister. To protect her from harm, you ought to come and explain yourself," Divya said, glaring at him. "What? No! I can't confront her parents. I could end up in trouble. He said quickly, "Forget what I said," and hurried off.

"I am aware of these boys. These days, this is the love. I have no idea where real love can be found. "Don't worry, Mira. We'll both come and explain it to your uncle," she replied, and I recalled what Aunty had said.

You and your worthless pals. If you're with them, you'll get the same cheesy personality as them. If I see those females or anyone else visiting this house. That will be your last day, and I would also give their parents a call. After my pals visited me on my birthday last year, this occurred.

"No! Divya. I've had numerous beatings and reprimands. I'll do my best to control it. I don't want to cause any trouble for you people. "I swear to call you in some way," I murmured, fighting back tears and terror. I wasted no time in hurrying to the bus and confronting them.

Uncle, Aunty, and Priya were seated on the sofa when I arrived home. Aunty shoved me to the corner and gave me two harsh slaps as soon as I entered.

"You have no right to carry out this action behind our backs. How many days has it been like this? She hit me and screamed, "Aunty, I don't know who the guy is. Where did you get the guts to do this?" I've never spoken to a man. My friends accompanied me because it was my last day of college. Please don't misunderstand me." I sobbed, shaking in terror.

You and your falsehoods. "Aunty, please ask Priya. The guy was just coming over to me and he started the conversation. Do you think I'll believe you?" she asked. I have no idea who he is.

Then she turned to face Priya and said, "Mom, I'm not sure what he said." She might have been his buddy or in a relationship with him, and today he considered asking her to marry him. "See what she said," she added, raising an eyebrow and giving me a sly smile. Mira, you're cheap. Have you been educated by your parents to go around like this and bring shame to the family? "Now leave the house!" she yelled.

I knelt and pleaded, "Please, aunt, think. You are aware of me since we have been together for so long. I've done nothing incorrectly. I'll tell it again: I had no idea who he was. Please, this will be the last time. Please, aunt, don't let this happen again.

Priya spoke up and said, "Leave her mother alone." Let's give her one last chance, and I'll be keeping an eye on her going forward.

Uncle gave us a look and remarked, "You are an adult girl, so I didn't raise my hand. Since this is the first time I've received such news, I'm leaving you to remain in this house. I'll kick you out of the house if I ever hear something that brings you into disrepute. He continued, "Remember your father's name and you will be disciplined from now on," and turned to leave.

"Do you think you can get over this easily?" Aunty asked, bending over to gaze into my face. You will work as Priya's full-time maid and refrain from eating for two days. Additionally, you will accompany Priya to New York as a maid until she finishes her master's degree there. Do you get it?

I nodded as she stated that.

I got up, walked to my room, and sobbed as I considered my current situation. I grabbed the picture of my parents from my cupboard and sobbed as I held it.

Why did you leave me alone in this world, Mom and Dad? If nothing else, you could have brought me along. For stuff I didn't intend to do, I get thrashed. I'm putting up with all of this by considering them to be you. It was you who advised me to think of them as my parents. However, you were unaware that they would not regard me as their daughter in exchange. I won't give you a bad reputation, Dad. I apologize, Dad, for bringing your name today. I'm sorry, mom. I will always think of them as family and continue to live this way. I apologize.

I sobbed when I lay down. I couldn't recall when I went to sleep, but I was awakened by my phone's ringtone. Since I was not permitted to use a smartphone, I had a button phone.

I answered the phone.

"You moron, How come you're in your room? From the other line, Priya said, "Come to my room immediately."

I hurried over to her room. In front of the dressing table, she was seated. She said, "Today I am going out," as she saw me walk in. Come quickly and do my makeup and hair. She said, "At least do this correctly." I went to apply her cosmetics and hair. Despite performing this every day, I have never been able to utilize it on myself.

Priya turned to face me as I was about to finish and grinned, saying, "You idiot! Did you think I didn't know anything about you? Will any rational man ever adore you? I am aware that you were not involved with that individual. Tears were streaming down my face when she replied, "But you see, I hate you and I think you too need some lessons."

"Be a good girl and a loyal maid to me till your death," she said, tapping my cheek. "I'm not sure what you'll encounter in New York," she said, laughing, before picking up her phone and leaving.