As the morning sun came through the cottage windows, Amira slowly opened her eyes, still feeling the weight of sleep. Her body felt weak, but she remembered being brought here after a snake bite. She looked at the small table nearby, where herbs were scattered around. The smell of fresh and dried plants filled the air. A bandage covered her hand, and she felt the coolness of a herbal paste on the wound. Whoever treated her seemed to know what they were doing.
The world outside seemed alive. The soft sound of birds chirping mingled with the faint rustle of sweeping dust on the ground. But there was an eerie stillness inside the room; no one was nearby.
Driven by curiosity, Amira sat up and stepped outside to look for Raamya. The sight that greeted her took her breath away. The village courtyard was full of life, with the morning sunlight highlighting a scene unlike any she had seen before.