The night had settled over the Raizada mansion like a soft blanket, dark and cool and quiet. The moon hung low in the sky, a perfect silver crescent, surrounded by a scattering of stars that blinked down at the garden like curious eyes. The fountain murmured softly in the center of the courtyard, its water catching the moonlight, and the flowers swayed gently in the evening breeze.

Riya sat on the stone bench near the banyan tree, her knees drawn up to her chest, her arms wrapped around her legs. She was wearing a loose t-shirt and shorts, her hair falling in messy waves around her face, her feet bare on the cold grass.