"Your Goa trip." She leaned against the doorframe. "I can help. Not with money directly — your father would feel odd about that. But I have an idea."

Agreeing on a low-pressure way to stay in touch, like a quick daily text, so the family knows he’s safe without feeling hovered over. The Result: A Lasting Connection

He looked up to see Meera standing in the doorway. She was his father’s wife of three years, a woman who had navigated the delicate role of a stepmother with a grace that often left Rohan feeling both grateful and slightly guilty for his initial coldness.

When Rohan expresses his desire for a Goa trip, she doesn't immediately say "ask your father." Instead, she acts as a teammate. Addressing Concerns:

Day 4: Safety, Freedom, and the Gentle Rules Meera never smothered. She framed rules as freedom-inducing tools. “Share your location when you land and when you leave a place,” she said matter-of-factly. “Keep a copy of your ID with me. Don’t go into the sea at night if you’ve been drinking.” She explained local customs—dress for beaches, respect for shrines—and gave him a tiny first-aid kit tucked into his bag, her handwriting on the label: “For blisters and brave mistakes.”