Chapter 2 – Shadows of ExpectationsThe morning after the rain felt heavier than usual. The lane in front of Kabir’s house glistened with damp patches where puddles had not yet dried. A group of children splashed through them, shouting and laughing, their voices echoing between the narrow walls of the neighborhood. From his veranda, Kabir watched absentmindedly, his notebook resting open but empty on his lap.Across the street, Meera’s house was alive with unusual commotion. Bright sarees hung from the balcony railing, women moved in and out carrying trays of sweets, and the sound of laughter mingled with the clinking