The next few days passed in a quiet rhythm inside Rehman Dakait's house.

Every morning Zara would wake before sunrise, pray, and help Ulfat bhabhi prepare breakfast. After that, she would sit with Naieem and Faizal under the neem tree or in the cool inner veranda. Naieem was improving slowly in English and mathematics, though he still complained every now and then. Faizal was more interested in drawing cars and listening to stories than studying, but he adored Zara and would cling to her hand whenever she tried to leave.