Morning sunlight streamed into the room, warming the wooden floor. “Riya” sat at the edge of her bed, combing her hair in long, careful strokes. Her smile never faltered.To anyone else, she looked exactly the same. But there was something off. Her movements were too precise, too stiff — as if she were imitating a human she had only recently studied.Later that day, her best friend Meera visited.“Riya! Finally settled in?” Meera laughed, hugging her. But the hug was cold, unreturned. Riya’s arms hung at her sides for a second too long before she slowly, awkwardly patted Meera’s back. Her