The morning sunlight poured lazily through the car windows as Avinash’s sleek black car rolled out of the mansion gates. The air smelled faintly of petrichor after last night’s drizzle, and a soft playlist hummed from the speakers. Ayaan sat in the front seat, fidgeting with the AC vent, while Alia sat in the back, her neatly braided hair falling over her shoulder, a small smile on her face as she watched the trees pass by.

“Can we play something non-boring?” Ayaan muttered, switching the playlist to something more upbeat.