Morning came slowly, the pale light of the sun slipping through the curtains and falling across the room. Aarinya stirred faintly, her body heavy and sore,and she is full with something her mind still clouded with exhaustion. For a few seconds, she didn’t remember where she was—but then reality returned, and with it came a deep, sinking feeling in her chest. She lay still, staring at the ceiling, her eyes dry but empty.

Beside her, Manav was already awake.