It was almost two in the morning by the time the blue mini-truck finally entered the border of Ottapalam. The long seven-hour journey had exhausted both Ashok and Krithi completely. The truck had rattled nonstop through highways, small towns and dark village roads. A few times during the journey, they had stopped near roadside tea stalls for snacks and tea.

Krithi sat silently beside Ashok in the back of the truck, half asleep as cool night air rushed through the open sides. Her head kept drooping forward every few minutes before she jerked awake again. Ashok looked equally exhausted, but at least they were far away from Tamil Nadu now.