Inside the tent, Vikram made a move to remove his kurta, and Parwati immediately turned around, her heart racing. She proceeded to remove her jewellery, each piece clinking softly in the quiet night. She took her time, fingers trembling slightly as she worked, prolonging the inevitable moment when she would have to face her husband.

When she finally turned around, she saw Vikram already in bed under the covers, watching her intently. He picked up one end of the sheet, raised it, and nodded towards the space beside him, silently asking her to join him.