The afternoon sun filtered softly through the sheer curtains of Kiara’s room, casting golden patterns over the floor as if the light itself was eavesdropping on the drama unfolding inside.

The three girls—Kiara, Kriti, and Rupali—sat sprawled across the bed like queens in a court of gossip and grievances. Chips packets lay half-empty. A half-drunk Coke bottle stood like a forgotten relic on the nightstand. The fan whirred lazily above, barely keeping up with the heated conversation.