The Diwali lights had faded, yet the warmth of the festival still lingered. Ishika Singh had been reluctant to attend the 30th wedding anniversary of Krunal Raichand’s parents—a formal invitation extended by Vijay Raichand, who shared a long-standing, formal friendship with her father, Anirudh Singh.

One sharp glance from her father had been enough. No bickering. No excuses. She got ready quietly, politely, preparing herself for the social interaction she had always found exhausting.