A few days passed in restless anticipation. Ishani found herself taking the same secluded shortcut every evening after work, telling herself it was just habit, just the fastest route home. But deep down, she knew better.

Today, the sky was a heavy monsoon gray, the air thick with the promise of rain. She wore a simple yet striking outfit: a deep maroon off-shoulder crop top that bared a slim strip of midriff, the soft cotton hugging her torso and ending just above her navel. Paired with high-waisted charcoal wide-leg trousers that flowed elegantly with each step, cinched with a thin silver belt. Her hair was left open, dark waves catching the faint breeze, and a pair of delicate silver hoops glinted at her ears. The outfit was understated sexy—effortless, confident, but vulnerable in the quiet alley.