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Chapter 4: A Step into the World

Pranay's POV

Morning light filtered through the curtains as I finished my coffee, mentally preparing for the day ahead. It was strange—waking up knowing someone else was in my house. I wasn't used to it.

I walked to Saisha's room and knocked lightly before pushing the door open. She was already up, standing near the window, her fingers absentmindedly tracing the edge of the curtain. She turned when she heard me.

"I'm leaving for work," I told her. "If you need anything, call me."

She tilted her head. "Call you?"

I frowned. "Yeah, just call me."

"But... there is no telephone here," she said hesitantly.

Realization dawned on me. Of course. Why would she have a phone? She had been shut inside her house her whole life.

"You don't have a phone?" I asked.

She shook her head. "I never needed one."

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "Would you like to come with me to the office?" I asked. "Only if you're comfortable."

Her eyes widened in surprise. "I can?"

I nodded. "Of course. If you want to."

She hesitated for just a moment before replying, "Yes. I want to."

I noticed the veil draped over her head, covering most of her face. In her village, women were expected to hide behind layers of cloth, their voices barely heard. But here, there was no such rule.

"There's no need to wear a veil here," I said gently. "If you want to wear it, that's your choice. But you don't have to."

She looked at me for a moment before slowly pulling it off, a small yet significant decision. She looked relieved, lighter.

I smiled. "Let's go."

Saisha's POV

The city felt so alive.

From the moment we stepped outside, I was overwhelmed by everything—cars rushing by, people walking hurriedly, the chatter of strangers, the bright signboards. My world had been so small, and now it felt endless.

Pranay ji led me into his office, and I could barely contain my excitement. The space was filled with framed photographs—beautiful moments frozen in time. I recognized wedding pictures, scenic landscapes, and portraits of people caught in laughter.

"This is what I do," he said, watching me take it all in. "I capture memories."

I turned to him, eyes wide. "This is... amazing."

He chuckled. "I'm glad you think so."

He showed me around, introducing me to his team. Everyone greeted me warmly, and for the first time in my life, I wasn't just someone's daughter or someone's wife. I was just... me.

Pranay's POV

Watching her excitement felt strange. Things that seemed ordinary to me were new and fascinating to her.

On our way home, I made a stop at a mobile store. She looked at me, puzzled.

"We're getting you a phone," I said simply.

Her lips parted slightly in surprise. "For me?"

"Yes. You should be able to contact me whenever you need."

She looked around, uncertain. "But... I don't know what to buy."

I smiled. "That's okay. I'll choose for you."

I picked out a good smartphone—simple but efficient, something she could easily learn to use. When we reached home, I sat beside her and showed her how to use it.

"This is how you make a call," I explained, demonstrating. "This is how you send a message."

She listened carefully, her brows furrowing in concentration.

Then I installed social media apps. "You can connect with people here, see what's happening in the world," I said.

She hesitated. "I've never had this before."

"There's a first time for everything." I handed her the phone. "Here, I've saved my number. If you ever need anything, call me."

She looked at me, her fingers gripping the phone tightly. "Thank you," she whispered.

I nodded.

She was stepping into a new world—slowly, cautiously.

And I would make sure she never felt alone in it.

Saisha's POV

The weight of the phone in my hands felt strange, almost unreal. Until yesterday, I had never even imagined owning one. It felt like I had stepped into a world I had only heard of in whispers.

I traced my fingers over the screen, trying to memorize the features Pranay ji had shown me. My name flashed at the top—my name, on my own phone. I wasn't sure why, but that made my heart swell a little.

He had given me something beyond just a device—he had given me a way to connect, to speak, to exist outside these walls.

I looked at him, sitting on the couch, scrolling through his own phone. He had been patient while teaching me, answering my endless questions with a small smile. He had even saved his number on my phone.

I hesitated before clicking on the contacts app, tapping his name.

Calling Pranay...

His phone buzzed. He raised an eyebrow, looking at me amusedly before answering.

"Saisha?"

I cleared my throat. "I... just wanted to see if it works."

He chuckled, shaking his head. "It works."

I bit my lip, feeling a strange sense of accomplishment. I had made my first call.

Pranay's POV

The way her face lit up after making that call made me smile. It was a small thing, but for her, it was a step forward.

"Now that you know how to use it," I said, standing up, "there's something else I want to show you tomorrow."

Her eyes widened slightly. "What?"

"You'll see."

She looked nervous but nodded.

For now, I had given her a phone. Tomorrow, I wanted to give her something even bigger—her first taste of independence.

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