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While Mila was having breakfast the next day, Daisy talked to her.

“Rita told me what happened to you in the grassland. You should be more careful”.

“Don’t worry about me”. Mila smiled. Daisy looked worried.

Mila took a book and walked to the fields. Mila never chose her friends. She will talk to someone and slowly they get closer. Mila was never asked to be someone’s friend. She had no intention of making friends with Sabrina, but Mila had to know more about her mom. The only person who will talk to her about her mom’s past is Sabrina. Sabrina was a mystery for Mila. As Irvin said, she differed from everyone else in the village. She has something in her mind, some deep sorrows, and secrets. It is difficult to get something from her mind.

When Mila stepped onto the muddy path, Sabrina was sitting alone in the field. Mila searched for Irvin but couldn’t find him. Sabrina smiled. Her face glowed more when she found the book.

“I didn’t read this, a new one.” She examined the book.

“I never saw mom reading in the city.” Mila started.

Sabrina said nothing. She looked at her sadly.

“She always sat alone. Sometimes cried, and she stitched, but for a living, you know. We had no one.” Sabrina was silent again, and Mila felt disappointed.

“You were her best friend. You know why she left this village. For a boy, or is there something else?”

“Boy. No, never”. Sabrina reacted suddenly.

“Then, why she left here?” Mila was more curious than ever.

“Mila always hated this village. She needed freedom and more happiness. Mila wanted to meet new people. She wanted to show her talents to the world. And there were more reasons, only Mila could understand.” Sabrina stared at the far end of the field. “It was stupid, though. I never thought she will leave here. She knew the consequences. I think she was under the influence of someone”.

“Consequences, what consequences?” Mila stopped her.

Sabrina looked at her with pity, but she was calm. “There is something about this village. I know how much you know about that, but someone must tell you everything and if someone does that, I don’t know how you will take it and I think it is not the right time”.

Mila was impatient. “What consequence? Why everyone talks like this? What are you people hiding from me?”

Sabrina lowered her voice. “You will find this stupid. I felt that when I first heard it. But this village protects you. We have a God here and if you leave or even plan to leave here, you will face some problems. You won’t live for more”.

Mila stared at her eyes. Sabrina withdraw her eyes and opened the book.

“I will go and I want to”.

Sabrina looked at her again. “I know what I said is stupid. But it is true. You can decide and choose your destiny, but think about Mila”.

“Why it happens like that?”

“Nothing is normal in Flovalwood. We lived more than you and”. Sabrina stopped talking. Her father was walking towards them.

“Mila, go away. I will return the book soon”. Sabrina hid the book inside her dress. When Mila reached the end of the field. She could hear Daniel scolding her loudly.

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Mila checked her handmade calendar. It was almost two months. The next day she should talk to grandma about going back. A sudden unpleasant feeling went inside Mila. What if she said no. How she is going to get out of the village?

A message tone interrupted her thought. She was surprised to find Luke’s message.

“Mila, it has been a long time. I thought, I will never text you again. But I waited for so long and I want this to end well. I never wanted to think about a girl other than you, but a lot of things happened.

It is Ella. She tried to take her life. It was her boyfriend. He left her forever. I was there and then she told me. Her first choice was me. She never talked even though we were best friends because she knows how much I and you loved each other. Now you have gone and we don’t talk again. So I think it is time for me to think about a new life. A life without you. I am sure you must have found someone in there and I am happy for you. I just want you to read this. Don’t reply if you’re sad. I suffered a lot. And I don’t want more”.

Mila looked at the message for a long time. The world was spinning around her. Is this a joke? Or some new idea their friends injected into Luke’s brain. Mila replied.

“Luke, stop this. I know you’re joking or playing some tricks. Why you pulled Ella into this? I am coming back. This will be my last message from here. I am talking to grandma tomorrow. If they won’t allow me to come back, I will do something myself. And I want no more stories like this in my inbox”.

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The next day Mila found Daisy as always, busy in the kitchen. Mila was confused about how to begin. She remembered the time when Luke talked to her mother about Mila. There were many people to support her then. But now she is alone. Mila tried to get her voice straight and concentrated on the beautifully embroidered table mat. Daisy finally served the breakfast and Mila started.

“Grandma it has been two months since I left the city”.

“Yes, I can’t believe this. It was so easy with you.” She smiled.

Mila hesitated. Then again, pressed on the subject.

“Grandma, the college will start by next month. I am already late and it will be difficult and I will lose a year if I won’t take a seat now. I think I should leave tomorrow.” Mila looked at Daisy.

“To where?” Daisy’s expression changed.

“To my home. The city. It’s where I belong to”.

“Mila I am sorry, I didn’t tell you anything, but it was Mila’s job. She should have told you.” Daisy looked frightened.

“No, my mother did talk to me, she told me to stay here. But mom hated the city always. It is not for me. I have friends and I like it there. Just like you like this village”.

“Mila, you can’t go back there, again.” Daisy said in a strict voice.

Mila stood up without finishing her breakfast. It was the last thing she wanted to hear. She couldn’t control herself.

“I must go. I have a life. I am not your daughter. You don’t have any role in my life”.

“Look, Mila, you don’t know. We should have a long talk.” Daisy tried to remain calm.

“No, I must study. What are you trying to say? I want to leave here my whole, life stitching and doing errands for you”.

“You are supposed to live like that.” Daisy’s voice raised slightly.

“Why should I do that?”

“Mila, enough. You are angry. Get some rest. We can talk later.” Grandma pressed her forehead.

“I don’t want to. This is my decision, and I am leaving tomorrow. And why I am telling all this to you. You are nothing to me. I struggled with my mom for seventeen years. And where were you then? I am going tomorrow and you and no one can stop me.” Mila stormed into her room and closed the room with a big bang. Daisy startled.

********************************************************************************************

Mila was on her way to Peter’s home. She was glad that she neither found Irvin nor Lola on the way. She knocked at his door and waited. Peter opened the door and smiled at her.

“Mila, it is a surprise”.

“Peter, listen to me”. Without waiting for him, Mila got inside, closed the door, and occupied the couch.

“I have to go back, tomorrow itself. Look, don’t worry about grandma. I can come back whenever I want or she can join me in the city. It is my life, Peter. I have to study and I need a job and you know Luke. I miss him. You people are nothing to me. I had only him my entire life and I want to go back. You must take me there”.

Peter’s expression was blank. “Mila, you don’t know. There are certain things you must know about his village. I thought Mila told you something, but”.

“Peter, please don’t say no. I will give you anything. I got money or if you want more, I will pay you once I reach”.

“It is not about money. It is about you. It is not possible. Don’t ask me this again. Go back to your house and your grandma will tell you everything.” Peter stood up and opened the door.

Mila was crying. Peter was her only hope to get out. Mila walked out of the room, saying nothing. She walked towards the fields, Sabrina was helping her father, but Mila was looking for Irvin. She waited till he finally came out.

“Hey, why are you not talking to Sabrina?”

“Irvin, I need to get out of this place. Tell me, how can I go to the city?” Mila interrupted him.

Irvin smiled stupidly. “What happened to you suddenly?”

“Look, you love her, right? So you know. I am in love with someone from the city and I want to go back to him. Please help me.” Mila was in tears again.

“Mila, you can’t get him”. Irvin’s replied after some time. His face was serious.

“Why? He is not stupid like you. He will do whatever he can, to get me out of here. He won’t just hide in the fields and stare at me”.

“Mila, try to understand. Can we talk? Let’s go to the ground.” Irvin tried to be calm.

“No, I don’t want your advice. If you can’t help me, you can continue your useless job here”.

Mila walked faster, ignoring Irvin.

“Mila, there is no way you can get out of here.” He called from behind.

Mila didn’t look back.

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The next day Mila tried to find a map of the village. She tried to draw one, then she found a chart on her mother’s shelf. There was already a map drawn on it. In the northeast they have the mountains and the only way to cross the mountain is the hanging bridge and she had no luck the last time she tried. West there are the grasslands. Wind won’t allow her to pass that and she came from the south. The road used by Peter. That is the only way she can go back. Mila was afraid. It is a narrow and isolated road. And she had to walk a lot, to reach Hanedale, but Mila was ready to take the risk. She had no other options.

That night she got another message from Luke.

“Mila, I am planning to move in with Ella. I got your last message, this is not a trick and we are not kids anymore. So, I want no more messages from you. Now it is only Ella. And she prefers that too”.

Mila threw her phone on the bed. It was the end of a perfect day. Luke was not joking anymore, she knew that. And she couldn’t blame him, Ella, or anyone. She blamed herself for coming to an unknown village, knowing nothing. Luke was right always. She wished she stayed back. Mila cried the whole night.