It was raining—not a storm, but a steady drizzle that soaked the earth with quiet persistence. Inside the house, Darshik paced like a caged animal in the living room, phone clutched tightly in his hand. He’d been calling Saanvi over and over again. It was late. Too late. And she hadn’t picked up once.

Just when frustration surged enough to make him grab his car keys, the door opened.