The rain is relentless, a grey curtain blurring the edges of the bustling marketplace. He stands beneath a faded awning, clutching a single, wilting jasmine garland. His tailored suit is damp, clinging to his shoulders, and his usually impeccable hair is plastered to his forehead. He keeps glancing down the narrow, cobbled street, a flicker of hope – quickly extinguished – in his eyes with each passing auto-rickshaw. The vibrant colours of the saris and bangles around him seem to mock his muted despair. He reaches into his pocket, pulls out a crumpled photograph, and traces the outline of a smiling face with a trembling finger. The scent of wet earth and spices hangs heavy in the air, a poignant contrast to the emptiness in his gaze. He’s been standing there for hours, a solitary figure amidst the vibrant chaos, waiting for a promise that feels increasingly like a ghost.
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