The morning sun bathed the market in a warm golden hue, the narrow lanes bustling with early shoppers and vendors arranging their colorful stalls. The air buzzed with the aroma of street food, fresh flowers, and the rhythmic calls of shopkeepers praising their wares.

Shashwat parked his car at the corner, glancing around with slight discomfort as he opened the door. He dusted his jeans absently, eyeing the crowded alley where Siya had already started walking ahead.