Asha didn’t look up. Her fingers hovered over the pawn, the most humble of soldiers. Humility was where she began everything. The pawn’s first step was a promise of the rest of the board.

Nana only nodded. He had already promised. The promise felt heavy with hope. For Asha, it was lighter than the wooden pawn she balanced between her fingers.

Raghav smiled then, the smile that would later confuse many. “Asha needs a board that isn’t a roadside showpiece.”

“Train her, Nana,” Ramesh muttered, half-jealous and half-amused. “There’s money in a clever child.”