Chapter 1: The Mass of Parvati

Sat, 23 May 2026 20:02:00 +0000

The problem with genuine Chola dynasty golas wasn't the sheen. It was the weight. Mihika Agarwal adjusted the magnifying loupe strapped to her right eye, her breath fogging slightly against the cool glass of the protective display case. Outside, the late-September Mumbai monsoon was throwing itself violently against the colonial era arched windows of the Jehangir Heritage Gallery, a rhythmic, thundering bassline to her racing thoughts. It was 11:42 PM. The gallery had closed to the public nearly five hours ago, but Mihika hadn't moved a single centimeter from the conservation bay.