The today morning in Almora had its own rhythm. Bhawna was gleaming with happiness.
The smell of fresh parathas of gahat ki dal filled the kitchen, mingling with the distant sound of temple bells. Outside, sunlight slid gently over the hills, turning the pine trees into golden silhouettes.

Bhawna was moving around the kitchen with practiced grace , checking the tea on the stove, flipping parathas on the tawa, and humming an old pahadi song "Tak takatak kamla " under her breath.