Kriti sat on her bed, the weight of the day pressing down on her. Memories flooded her mind her hand drifted to her neck, a habitual touch that sent a jolt of panic through her body.

Her mangalsutra was missing. Heart pounding, she searched the bed with panic, she searched the whole room, but it was nowhere to be found. Fear gripped her as she imagined Nishank's reaction to its absence. The thought of facing his anger sent shivers down her spine.