In the warm chaos of the Gupta house, Tanuja (Pallavi's mother) and Anupama were in the kitchen, busily preparing sweets and snacks for the incoming guests. On the living room couch, a lifeless Pallavi sat unmoving, guilt and embarrassment written all over her face.

Mr. Pradeep Gupta was pacing back and forth with visible stress, high blood pressure making him red in the face. Right behind him, Saanjh was trailing him, waving a handheld fan like a devoted assistant.