Akansha stood nervously at the threshold of the grand haveli, her red bridal lehenga heavy with intricate gold embroidery. The marriage ceremonies had been lavish, filled with laughter and rituals, but now, as the evening sun dipped behind the ancient walls, a strange unease settled in her stomach. She had married Shushant, the charming second son of Rajendra, into this sprawling joint family of only men. No women remained in the household—only the patriarch Raghuveer, his three sons Virendra, Rajendra, and Dharmendra, and their grown sons.

"Welcome home, bahu," Rajendra, her father-in-law, said with a warm smile, placing a hand on her shoulder. His touch lingered a second too long. ("Welcome home, daughter-in-law.")