Long after the noise of the mehendi ceremony had faded and the elders had retired to their rooms, the courtyard still held a quiet kind of life. The younger ones had gathered in the courtyard sitting in a loose circle on rugs and cushions. Plates of sweets, freshly fried snacks laid out on the table in the center and half-finished cups of chai sat scattered across the table.

Across the circle, Aarav sat with his back slightly relaxed against a cushion, but his eyes were nowhere except on Kiara. His gaze stayed on her with quiet admiration—the kind he didn’t even try to hide anymore.