Tara leaves with her guards and maids for the palace. On her way through the city, she stops to greet her friends and give them some royal sweets, as it's a tradition to exchange sweets during festivals. She visits each and every friend personally.
Tara: Guards, take me to my (friend's name)'s house. I have to give her sweets for the festival.Guard: Yes, Ma'am.
Tara reaches her first friend.
Tara: Hey! I've personally come to gift you the sweets and to wish you a happy Diwali in advance!Friend: Oh my god, Tara, it's you! It's been weeks since we last met. Where have you been these days?Tara: The workload is very heavy. I barely get a few holidays to visit my city and my mother. Even during the festival, I have to go to the palace because the Emperor has personally invited every staff member to celebrate Diwali in the capital.Friend: Oh, you're going to the capital to celebrate Diwali? You're so lucky! I wish I could too. I've heard that Diwali in the capital is celebrated with so much joy and grandeur.Tara: Yeah. Anyway, I have to go now — I'm getting late. It takes a whole day to travel from my hometown to the capital.Friend: Oh, okay! Bye!
One by one, Tara greets all of her friends and then continues her journey toward the capital.
On her way through the city, while leaving for the capital, she sees the beautiful preparations people are making — decorating their houses and streets with diyas (small cup-shaped oil lamps made of baked clay). Doors are covered with garlands of fresh flowers, their fragrance filling the streets. The ground is colored with vibrant rangolis — all signs that the festive season has arrived.
She admires the short time she spent with her friends and remembers the joy she felt helping the people of her city.
Now she has finally left the city and entered the forest, surrounded by nature's beauty. They stop in a nearby small town for a snack mid-journey. The town is well-known for being on a busy route where travelers stop for rest and refreshments.
Tara: Guards, could you stop in the nearby town for a little snack break, please?Guard: Of course, Ma'am.
They stop in the town.
Seeing an official from the state, the travelers pause and gaze at her curiously. Tara wonders why they seem so surprised to see a state official in their town. She also notices that many people are preparing to leave the place.
Tara (thinking):Why are these locals so shocked to see a state official? Isn't it common for travelers and officials to pass through here often?
Tara and her guards sit in a bhojanalaya (a place where people come to eat). Upon seeing her, all the staff rush over to serve her, and Tara notices that the place is completely empty.
Tara (thinking):Why is this bhojanalaya completely empty? It looks like there haven't been any customers here for quite some time.
Then the staff ask for her order.
Staff: Beautiful lady, what would you like to order in our bhojanalaya?Tara: Oh, I'll just have something light — a small platter and gulab jamun for dessert. Also, ask my guards for their orders as well. Thank you.Staff: Sure, Ma'am.
A small boy cleaning the tables catches Tara's attention. She calls him over in a soft, secretive voice.
Tara: Hey, kid. Come here.
The boy looks confused but hesitantly approaches her.
Kid: What is it, Ma'am?
Tara leans closer and whispers:
Tara: Why is this bhojanalaya so empty, and why does the whole town seem deserted? Wasn't this place once famous among travelers?
The boy hesitates for a while but then tells her the truth.
Kid: This town has been cursed by ghosts, Ma'am. You should leave as soon as possible, or you'll be cursed too.
Tara is shocked for a moment, then decides to speak with the town's sarpanch (the council of five elders who govern the town).
After finishing her meal, she orders her guard to call a panchayat (village meeting) and makes it compulsory for all five leaders to attend.
Tara: Guard.Guard: Yes, Ma'am?Tara: Tell all five panches (council members) to host a panchayat right now. It's compulsory for all of them to attend.Guard: Yes, Ma'am.
Seeing that the state official has ordered a panchayat, the crowd begins to panic, fearing they'll be forced to stay in the cursed town. Tara notices this and calms them down.
Tara: Don't panic, everyone. I'm not here to enforce any rule on you. I will listen to your problems and find a solution. And yes — I already know about the rumors of this town being cursed.
Hearing this, the crowd finally calms down.
Scene shifts to the panchayat finally beginning.