Paper, glue, scissors and glitter.

Who said that fairytales only existed in books?

Here I am, locked in my own tower, called my home. We lived in a small one-bedroom, living room apartment in Mumbai.

My whole family were our neighbours. Due to this, I had a lot of restrictions and sneaking out was impossible at all. Someone's door was always open.

My uncle was also friends with the watchmen, who updated him on who left the house and when they returned. Even my grandpa would sit at the building gate and watch everyone go to work and return. The only time my grandpa came home was to eat lunch and dinner and take a nap.

So, all I could do was sit at home and make the best use of my time.

I was already participating in all the activities in school. But there was only so much one could do.

I consistently won all the academic competitions in which I took part. Sports, on the other hand, was something I could never do. This one time, I was bullied (by my family) into participating. So I ran or tried to run as fast as I could. My family was watching and cheering. By the time I reached the finish line, I was the last one. And my family was rolling on the floor laughing. Apparently, I run like Donald Duck.

After that, I promised to never run again.

As I sat indoors this summer vacation, I decided to try something new.

Arts and crafts!

I asked my parents to get me several resources, from different types of papers, paints, and brushes to ribbons, buttons, and knitting needles.

Today, the first day of summer break, was when I was going to start. I took out this book from the deep inside a cabinet. It was given by my grand aunt from London. The book consisted of 1000+ things you could create at home.

The best part was that it had a whole section on tiaras, wands, wings and different things a princess or fairy would need. Having grown up watching Barbie on TV, I was super excited to try making new things to play with.

I opened the book and searched for information on how to make a tiara. It was page 25.

All I needed was paper, glitter, glue and scissors.

Without any hesitation, I followed the instructions and created a tiara. Now, it wasn’t that bad, just a bit lopsided. But I was proud of what I made. Keeping it aside to dry, I turned the page over. There was a pretty picture of a kingdom, it said colour me.

Not wasting any time, I filled the water in a small bowl and opened all the paint bottles. I painted the skies with different shades of blue, the castle was converted with vine with made it hard to paint with a thick brush, so I opted for a thin brush. Hours passed by, and I finally finished my painting.

“Come for dinner”, my mom called out, and I left the painting on the table. After eating, I went to sleep. I couldn’t wait for the next day to wear my tiara.

The next day, as soon as I opened my eyes, I checked on my painting to see if it dried up and how my tiara was doing. Luckily, both were dried and ready to play with.

“What are you going to make today?”, my mom asked.

“This wand, and then I’m ready to be a queen”, I showed her the picture in the book.

She laughed, ruffled my hair and went into the kitchen.

I started making the wand. It didn’t take a lot of time.

Soon, I kept my wand to dry, and I went to the cupboard and took out one of my gowns. It was a bluish-green gown with a sequenced boddise. It reminded me of a peacock when I first saw it.

I wore the dress and went to the living room, where I put on the crown and grabbed the wand.

After hanging the picture I painted on the wall, I twirled around the room and said bibbity bobbity boo, let me be a princess in my own castle in my pretty dress and glass shoes.

Suddenly, it felt like I was spinning too fast, the colours faded into one another. I lost my balance and fell to the floor.

It took me a few minutes to breathe, and then I opened my eyes. I was no longer sitting in my living room.

No, I was in a castle. I ran to the window and looked out. There were mountains, a jungle and a river. This looked exactly like, like my painting. I looked around the room, and I was shocked. I was in my painting.

On the side, I saw a painting hanging, and it was my room. I touched the painting, and my hand went through.

“Woah, this is so weird”, I said and touched a wall. It was rock solid.

I pinched myself to see if I was dreaming. But I was still in the castle when I opened my eyes.

Thinking about checking out the palace, I opened the door and wandered off. After walking for what felt like hours through several corridors, I came to a row of doors.

I read the names Cinderella, Snow White, Aurora, Belle, Ariel, Tiana, Rapunzel, Elsa, Jasmine, Anna, Alice, and Pocahontas.

Are these all Disney princesses?”, I wondered out loud.

At the end, there was a door with no name on it. Curiosity got the best of me, and I opened the door.

“Princess Hannah is back”, a voice announced and my eyes bulged.

Everyone in the room was bowing down to me. So I walked to the throne and took a seat.

“Welcome, Princess Hannah of Craft town”, the man dressed in fancy clothes announced.

“We are ready for your orders”, I looked around, and everyone was not making eye contact with me.

“This court is dismissed; we will continue tomorrow morning”, I ordered, and everyone walked out in a fashion order.

“My Highness, may I question why you dismissed the court?”, this man asked.

“No, you may not. Now, take me to my room”, I said.

He nodded and led me to my room.

My jaw dropped as I entered. The room reminded me of the princess’s room from Princess and the pauper. It was exactly like that.

I went running and jumped on the bed. It was the softest bed ever! I jumped and jumped on it till I got tired and sat down.

A while later, there was a knock on the door.

“Your Highness, dinner is served”, a meek voice spoke.

“I’m coming”, I yelled and ran to the door. But before opening the door, I doubled to see that my crown was proper, and I had my wand in hand.

I opened the door and followed the cook. I reached these wide wooden doors that opened automatically when I stood in front of them.

My eyes widened.

ALL THE DISNEY PRINCESSES IN ONE ROOM, having dinner together.

I stood frozen.

“And who might you be?”, Ariel asked.

“You are my favourite”, I gushed at her.

“Oh deary”, Snow White said sweetly.

“Welcome to the dinner table, " Jasmine said, patting the empty seat beside her.

“It an honour to be among you princesses”, I said.

“It’s an honour to have you, Princess..”, Tiana said.

“Princess Hannah”, I filled in.

“We’re so happy to have you with us. Eat quickly 'cause we have to get going”, Ariel instructed.

“Where are we going?”, I asked, but everyone was busy eating.

After eating, I followed them into a room. It was a dark room with just one chair.

“Hannah, can you help us here?”, they all looked at me.

“What can I do?'“, I asked simply.

“You can help us fix this chair”, Snow White said.

“This chair?”, I asked feeling dumb.

“Yes, this chair”, Elsa moved her hands and the chair sprouted wings and more seats.

“One of the wings got damaged as we were coming back. And this side got a bit chipped”, Ariel said.

“You can help us fix it”, Pochahontus said.

“But how?”, I looked at them confused.

“With your magic, silly”, Moana said.

“Were you always here”, I scratched my head. I didn't see her at the dinner table.

“I was, you just didn’t notice me”, she smiled cheekily.

I walked up to the chair and waved my wand. There was a poof sound, and smoke appeared. When it disappeared, all that was left was paper, glue, scissors and glitter.

I looked confused at the items. And then it struck me.

I used the scissors to cut how much paper I’d require. Then, I started folding it and sticking it on the wings and the chipped area.

When I was done, I filled the bags at the bottom with glitter, or you could call it pixie dust in the magic world.

”Let’s go. Our townies have been waiting for us”, Ariel said.

"Where are you going?”, I watched them climb into the chair, and magically, they could all fit.

“Why don’t you join us and see?”, Snow White stretched her arm. I accepted, and she pulled me on her lap. The wings of the chair flapped, and then we rose into the air.

”It’s time for you to go to play”, Jasmine said.

“Play? Where? With who?”, I asked her.

”Play with your friends”, Ariel answered.

“But I want to be with you”, I tightened my grip on the chair as I started to slip.

I didn’t want to fall down.

But my hands got slippery, and I fell off the chair. As I was falling down, I opened my eyes. My mom was smiling at me.

”C’mon princess, it’s time for you to go to play”, she said.

I sat up in bed and noticed my crown and wand were beside me, and I was still wearing my dress. Changing into my playing clothes, I went to my mom.

“You’re not going to believe what I dreamt of”, I said.