Seema Kaur was a 24-year-old nurse, fresh out of her training program and working at a private nursing home in Ludhiana, Punjab. She was the epitome of innocence — fair-skinned, with long black hair always tied in a neat bun, big expressive eyes, and a modest way of carrying herself in her crisp white nurse’s uniform. From a conservative middle-class Sikh family, Seema still blushed at bold jokes and had never been in a serious relationship. Her parents were proud of her for taking up this respectable profession to support the family after her father’s retirement.

One of her regular patients was Sardar Baldev Singh, a wealthy 78-year-old retired industrialist. He had suffered a stroke a few months ago and required constant care. Baldev was a tall, broad-shouldered man even in old age, with a thick white beard, sharp eyes, and a commanding voice that still carried the authority of someone who had built an empire. He was widowed, childless, and known for his strict nature. The nursing home assigned Seema as his primary caretaker because she was patient, gentle, and spoke fluent Punjabi.