The sun hung high over Jaisalmer, casting harsh shadows through the palace windows, but inside the main hall, time seemed to have stopped. The entire ladies of Ranawat family sat in tense silence, their eyes fixed on the grand entrance, their hearts beating in unison to a single prayer.

Nisha sat on the edge of the carved sandstone bench, her fingers working restlessly at the edge of her saree. She hadn't eaten since morning. Hadn't slept. The only thing keeping her upright was the fragile hope that her son would walk through those doors.