The heavy sandstone walls of the Haveli held the deep warmth of the day long after the desert sun had dropped below the horizon. It was past midnight. The entire estate was quiet, wrapped in a peaceful stillness that only came when the gates were barred and the chaotic energy of the daytime faded away.

Down the corridor, little Anvika was fast asleep in Maa Sa’s room, exhausted from a long afternoon of chasing the courtyard peacocks. For the first time in weeks, Rudransh and Shivika were entirely alone.