The café was buzzing with late evening energy. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and warm bread filled the air. Students laughed at one corner, office workers typed on laptops, and couples whispered over cappuccinos. But at the farthest table, tucked away in a where the light only touched the edges, sat Tanishka and Rishi.

Tanishka stirred her coffee absentmindedly, her sharp eyes scanning the room as if every face, every movement was a piece of a puzzle she already knew how to solve. Across from her, Rishi leaned back in his chair, tapping his fingers impatiently on the wooden surface. He was her oldest ally, the one who always brought her the harsh truths and the brutal options. But today, he looked tired, almost frustrated.