Meera and Raj’s friendship began under the expansive canopy of the banyan tree, a place where the children of Kumbalgarh often gathered to play. The tree, with its myriad of hanging roots and sprawling branches, was a natural playground that fostered imagination and adventure. Meera and Raj, just six years old when they first met, quickly became inseparable companions.

Their initial encounter was marked by a small act of kindness. One hot summer day, Raj, a quiet and introspective boy, sat alone under the tree, engrossed in a book of sketches. Meera, lively and curious, noticed him from a distance. She approached him, holding out a mango she had plucked from a nearby tree.