Anika's First Day and a Broken Heirloom

The first day of her new life began with a task. The silver cup, an Aggarwal heirloom that once belonged to Vikram's mother, sat on the bedside table, its delicate, intricate carvings waiting for a dust-free sheen. Anika stared at it, the sun streaming through the floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating every tiny speck of dust that dared to settle on its surface. Rajmata's words from the previous night echoed in her mind—keep it polished and clean... a single speck of dust... I will know that you are not ready for this family. It was a simple task, yet she knew it was anything but. It was a test of discipline, of reverence for the family's legacy, and of her place in this new, unforgiving world.