There were no streetlights on this rural road from the airport to the center of Udaipur. Blanketed in the pitch black darkness of rural India where light pollution was not a thing, the only lights that flickered were those of the massive trucks driving by, which both comforted and worried me at the same time. I had gotten out of the car and waited, somehow feeling safer that way. But by now, I was nervous for real, my stomach a bit in knots. Though the driver was kind and apologetic for the inconvenience, I couldn’t help thinking of what ugly things could unfold. I kept pushing the thoughts out of my mind. But the minutes continued to pass and my dread continued to increase. I silently prayed to the universe that all would be fine. And it was.