The afternoon sun filtered through the half-drawn curtains of the living room as Esha sat on the edge of the sofa, scrolling through her phone. Her mother had left an hour earlier to visit her sister across town, saying she would be back by evening. The house felt quiet at first. Then the front door clicked shut behind her father’s two elder brothers as they stepped inside without knocking.

Her father, Rajesh, stood by the television. Uncle Vijay leaned against the wall near the window. Uncle Suresh closed the door and locked it. Esha looked up, a small frown forming.