On her last day in Ludhiana, as Tania sat alone in the living room, her legs folded under her, she thought about how she would narrate these last few days to Mom. The birthday party, Pinky aunty, Pari messing her hair every ten minutes, Harmeet saying Dad was a postman. She smiled to herself.

Her thoughts drifted to the message on Dad's phone. It had been imprinted in her mind. Miss you. Can't wait to see you tomorrow. She had recognized the name of the sender. A colleague ...