A few days passed after the Aditya incident. At home, things had mostly returned to normal. Her mother still mentioned marriage whenever the opportunity appeared. Her father still gave her those quiet, worried looks during dinner. Arjun still teased her like it was his birthright. Meera still understood more than she said. Kiara still ran around the house as if the floor, walls, sofa, and everyone’s patience personally belonged to her.

And she?