For Sharan, a software engineer, the move back to Kerala during the COVID-19 pandemic marked a quiet recalibration of pace and priorities. “My wife is a teacher, and we have two young boys. At the centre of it all sits the courtyard, anchored by the mango tree and subtly orchestrating daily life. There is a sense of openness and calmness there—it truly feels like the heart of our home.” And yet, the bungalow in Thrissur never feels overworked.