Evening settled over the Singh Haveli like a weary sigh. The sky outside wore shades of orange and purple, and the air inside the haveli was still — too still. Meera sat on the bed, her fingers tracing the rim of the steel chai ka glass. Her heartbeat was faster than usual. She had been waiting all day.

At half past six, the iron gate creaked open. The sound of Ashok’s bike echoed briefly before stopping. Heavy footsteps on the veranda followed.