The last day of Ganesh Chaturthi at school arrived like the final chapter of a story no one wanted to end. The chants of "Ganpati Bappa Morya" echoed softer than before, as if even the children knew this was goodbye.

Ishani stepped in with Ishita and Vrishti, her school bag slung loosely over one shoulder. Her eyes darted left and right, scanning faces near the classroom doors, then the corridor leading to the assembly hall, then back again—searching for someone in the school crowd.