The haveli had never felt so dangerous. After the Navratri festival, an uneasy silence hung in the air like the calm before a storm. Servants moved with hushed voices, while Maasa’s sharp eyes seemed to notice everything. Rudra, however, had only one focus — Meera. His little innocent girl had become the center of his universe, and he was ready to burn everything down to keep her safe and loved.

Meera worked in the inner courtyard that afternoon, watering the tulsi plants. The sun kissed her skin, making her simple yellow lehenga-choli cling slightly to her curves. Her breasts had grown noticeably fuller in the last few days — the medicine from Dr. Ishika was doing its work. She felt sensitive, heavy, and constantly aware of Rudra’s hungry stares from the balcony above.