The morning continued its steady rhythm, but the air had shifted subtly. Meera’s thoughts were still heavy, reflecting on the events of the previous day, as well as Kabir’s behavior. Though he had been distant as always, there was an unmistakable tension in the air between them, a silent acknowledgment of something deeper, something neither of them was ready to speak of.

As she moved to tidy up the small living room, the front door creaked open again. This time, it wasn’t Kabir. It was Raghav Ahuja, Kabir’s father. He walked in, his presence commanding the room with ease, as though he owned every inch of space around him. He was a tall, regal figure, with an air of authority that always seemed to unsettle Meera. The difference in their mannerisms couldn’t have been more pronounced—Kabir’s sharp, controlled demeanor in contrast to his father’s outright arrogance and confidence.