The next morning, the sun was barely up when Rudra’s mother called. She reminded them that the temple visit must happen at dawn for the blessings to be most powerful. Sana woke up with a heavy heart, but she did her best to look like the perfect bride. She wore a deep red saree with a gold border and put on all the traditional jewelry.

Rudra was already waiting by the car. He looked different in a white kurta—less like a businessman and more like a traditional head of the family. They drove through the narrow village paths where the smell of wet earth and cow dung filled the air. The temple was located on top of a small hill, surrounded by ancient banyan trees with roots hanging down like tangled hair.