The train swayed a bit harder, the air conditioning already turning the cabin cold enough to demand a thin blanket, and Naina folded her saree, stuffing it along with the blouse and underskirt inside her bag. She knew there would be hell to pay as soon as she opened…

The evening sun made surroundings glow golden; the twittering of birds interrupted with honks from vehicles; children could be seen playing in the park, footpath, society compound, relishing the feel of summer vacation. A roadside sugarcane juice stall tempted people to stop and have a drink, and Sameer parked…