3

The night after meeting Rudraksh and his family, I sat in my room, the shadows of the unfamiliar surroundings looming large. His father, Vikram Singh Rathore, was just as intimidating as Rudraksh, his presence commanding and stern. Yet, his mother, Kamini, had a gentleness about her that was surprisingly comforting. Despite this, the fear I felt overshadowed any sense of solace.

I couldn't help but replay the day's events in my mind, my thoughts inevitably drifting back to how I ended up here. The memory of my father barging into my grandparents' home, demanding I come with him, was still fresh. The look in his eyes, cold and unyielding, had sent chills down my spine.