Akka? What brings you there in the shadows? From the far end of the hallway came Shwetha, fingers tight around her school bag.

  Her face stared back at me, soft and unaware, hair tangled in those crooked braids. She’d always stood beside me, the one person who never turned away. That moment cracked something open - I saw how my so-called duty wasn’t really about pleasing mother or father. It was armor, built around her. Letting someone like Franklin inside, or even Vikram, meant breaking that wall. And when walls fall, it's the quiet ones who take the blows.

  Out of nowhere, I told Shwetha what was on my mind while stepping closer. Then came the hug - firm enough that she caught her breath mid-sentence.

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  "Is Franklin going to call again?" she asked.

  "No. He's not. We don't need those calls anymore."

  Midnight came slow that evening, when I found myself doing what I’d long forgotten. Not asking for crushes or shiny awards this time. Kneeling near the candles instead, whispering wishes for Innocent Dhanya - just one more breath, one more dawn. Her name trembled on my lips as if it might vanish too.

  A piece of paper held George’s number, along with thoughts of Franklin speaking. Into the kitchen I went. Over the burner flame they curled into black bits.