March 1, 2026 – two nights before the wedding. The bride’s family haveli in C-Scheme, Jaipur. 11:38 p.m.

The mehendi night was winding down in slow, syrupy motion. The courtyard still glowed with hanging lanterns and fairy lights, but most of the guests had drifted indoors—older aunts complaining of the March chill, cousins scrolling through the professional photos already being uploaded to the family WhatsApp group. The dholki had gone silent half an hour ago. Only a few stubborn girls remained near the central rangoli, giggling over the last of the thandai, their palms still wet with drying henna.