Years passed in the quiet Kerala tharavadu house. The monsoon came and went. Coconut trees grew taller. Village festivals repeated every year. Rahul's elder brother still worked in Dubai. Rarely came home. The family stayed the same. But inside the house, everything changed.

Rahul was 30 now. Collar still locked around neck. Leather soft from years. Key never left the chain between Meera boobs. Cuts faded to thin scars. Bites healed but new ones came. Body full of secret marks. Mouth forever tasted golden juice. Every night. Every morning.