
The evening shadows stretched long across the haveli's courtyard, the last rays of the sun painting the old walls in shades of amber and gold. From the kitchen, the clatter of utensils and the rich aroma of spices mingled with the cool breeze that swept through the open windows.
Jaanki stood at the hearth, lost in the rhythm of cooking. Her saree, a simple cotton one in pale yellow, was tucked neatly at her waist, the pallu secured securely as she bent over the stove. A thin sheen of sweat glistened on her nape, on the curve of her neck where a few stray strands of hair had escaped her bun. The heat from the flames had flushed her cheeks, and her fingers moved deftly, stirring the dal, adjusting the flame, adding a pinch of salt.




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