Kavya sat heavily on the bed, her mind a dizzying mess. How could she even begin to talk to Vikram? How could she explain Arun to him ? But a bigger, more unsettling question was nagging at her "What was Vikram doing here?" She knew he was at their grandfather's house in the village, but this house? Her thoughts spiraled, a knot of dread tightening in her chest.

Her worries were broken by Ananya, who gently shook her arm. "Meeru dhenikosam antha ala alochisthunnaru, Vadhina?"Ananya asked, her voice soft with concern, sitting beside Kavya. (What are you thinking so deeply about, Vadhina?) Ananya took Kavya's hand, offering a comforting squeeze.