Ruby felt the sun on her eyelids. It was dawn. She stretched lazily. She had no desire or wish to open her eyes. She saw in her mind’s eyes that she was lying in the silk bedsheets in her home. A maid had drawn the curtains to let the rays of the sun illuminate her bed. Another maid stood by her bedside with her gown. But she had no desire to wake. She was tired and wanted to sleep. She lifted her arm to cover her eyes with the soft duvet when the noise of heavy metal broke her dream.

Yes, it was a dream. She was still in her prison of six by six feet with her left hand and foot chained to the wall. She was lying on a filthy rag, half of which she used to cover herself.

So many dawns had passed. The only time when the sunshine fell in her cell. Why had she been kidnapped? Why had she not been released? Where were her father, her brothers and her husband? She had no idea.

Initially, she had thrown tantrums, cried, and refused water and food till she grew weak. Then no food and water was given to her. Now, whenever food and water was passed from a small window in the door, she ate and conserved. The next time when it would come, it could be a few hours or a couple of days.