The massive iron gates of the Thakur Haveli creaked open slowly, their metallic groan echoing ominously across the silent courtyard. It was as if the very metal itself trembled at the man stepping beyond its threshold. The last warm blush of the evening sun spilled golden hues over the sandstone walls, casting long, jagged shadows that stretched like dark fingers across the grounds.

Manish’s bike thundered through, the deep growl of its engine bouncing off the arched verandahs like a storm breaking the stillness. Each turn of the wheel seemed to shatter the calm until the machine finally came to a lingering purr… followed by heavy silence.