The Mall.

The empty showroom began to close in on me. I felt suffocated. My eyes travelled to the clock and my heart skipped a beat! It was past closing time; I had to get out of here!

I ran past the staring mannequins, picking up my lehenga, handling my dupatta. I was annoyed by the stupid wedding dress they had put on me. I had been unable to even say anything. 

The showroom door was locked and I stood staring at the dim lights of the corridor outside. The shopping mall had closed for the day. 

I was too late!

I turned around to find the mannequins staring hard at me. As I stared back they seem to appear larger and I could even swear I saw one take a step towards me.

My heart beat wildly in my chest as I looked around for something to break the door open. Nothing came to my aid and I had to seek the last resort.

Taking a few steps backwards, I banged hard into the door. I heard the lock give away a little. I repeated the process for three more times and the lock finally gave way.

I was out!

I hurried towards the escalator. Just as I had expected, it wasn’t working. I ran downstairs in my lehenga, wondering what I looked like right now. All the showroom doors were closed, the lights out and the huge mannequins staring.

I climbed down one more escalator and finally reached the ground floor. I had to find the exit. I wondered who made a huge mall like this, where little ones like me could get lost.

The eerie silence of the building began to creep me out. I could hear faint rustles behind me as I ran around looking for the exit. I finally found one and sighed in relief.

Sunlight began pouring into the mall. It was morning.

I hurried back to the showroom; someone would come looking for me I was sure. I entered through the door and stood next to the huge lady mannequin in a lehenga. Just as I adjusted myself, the lock on the door clicked open. 

The lights of the showroom turned on. I looked at the showroom owner and smiled.

“Mum I want to wear that for the wedding,” shouted a little girl, holding her mother’s hand and jumping up and down.

She was pointing at me as all I could do was give her the smile pasted on my face.