The sunlight sneaked through the curtains; volume light hit my naked back as I forced myself out of bed, groggy from last night’s chatter with Mukesh and Sandy. The clock read 7 a.m. too early for me. I slipped into my nightgown and padded downstairs, the house eerily quiet.

Mom was probably at the temple, as usual. Geet was nowhere in sight. I stood in the empty kitchen, considering making coffee but decided against it. Then, a faint moan caught my attention. Dad’s office door was slightly ajar. I hesitated.