Episode 3

(Monika, completely exhausted from the travel and the stress of the day, finally falls into a deep sleep. She doesn't even notice the heavy silence of the palace. But for Baviya, the night is just beginning.)

Baviya: (Whispering to herself) "How can she sleep like this? My heart is beating like a drum..."

(Suddenly, from the terrace directly above their heads, the sound begins again. It’s not just a 'thud' this time. It’s the clear, melodic voice of a woman singing a haunting Carnatic song. The singing is followed by the heavy, rhythmic 'thump-thump' of feet hitting the floor in a perfect dance sequence.)

Baviya: (Eyes wide, trembling) "Oh no... it’s coming from the terrace. She’s up there. Nagavalli is up there!"

(Terrified, Baviya scrambles out of bed and rushes to the bedroom door. She turns the heavy brass key twice, making sure they are locked in. She then dives back into bed, crawling under the blanket and grabbing Monika’s arm so tightly that Monika groans in her sleep.)

Monika: (Mumbling) "Baviya... let go... I'm sleeping..."

Baviya: (Pressing her face against Monika's shoulder) "I'm not letting go. You sleep, macha, but I’m staying awake. If that door opens, I’m waking you up with a scream."

(As the singing on the terrace gets louder and faster, the bedroom door handle begins to turn slowly—back and fort has if someone on the other side is trying to see if it’s locked.)

The first rays of the Kerala sun filter through the ornate wooden windows, but the palace still feels cold. Monika stretches and wakes up feeling refreshed, but as she looks down, she realizes Baviya is still clutching her arm with a death grip, her face pale and her eyes rimmed with red.

Monika: (Yawning) "Macha, leave my arm! My blood circulation has stopped. Wake up, Baviya! It’s morning!"

Baviya: (Bolting upright, gasping) "Is it... is it light outside? Is it over?"

Monika: (Looking at her, concerned) "Baviya? Look at your face! You look like you haven't slept for a second. You look absolutely exhausted. Why are you still so scared? It's a beautiful morning!"

Baviya: (Her voice shaking) "Monika, you slept like a log. You didn't hear it... the singing on the terrace, the dancing... and someone tried to open our door! The handle was moving, Monika!"

Monika: (Laughing a little) "Hey, what happened to you? Yesterday daytime you were so brave, acting like a hero in front of the Grandma and Rajan. You were the one who said 'Macha, we love horror movies, why be scared?' And now, look at you! You're trembling like a leaf."

Baviya: "That was before I heard her, Monika! It’s different when it’s real! I didn't sleep because I was protecting you!"

Monika: "Protecting me? From what? The wind? Come on, get up. Wash your face. We have to get ready for our first day of work. Once you have some coffee and see the sunlight, you’ll realize it was all just a bad dream."

Baviya: (Walking toward the bathroom, looking over her shoulder) "It wasn't a dream... I’m telling you, we need to find out who lived in that room on the terrace."

Monika is humming a happy tune as she pulls out a beautiful green pleated Anarkali from her suitcase. The morning light makes the green fabric glow, and she looks completely at peace.)

Monika: "Macha, look at this! I feel so refreshed. I think the energy of this palace actually suits me. I haven't slept that soundly in years. My small 2BHK in Bangalore was so noisy, but here? It’s pure silence and comfort."

Baviya: (Sitting on the bed, staring at her with tired, bloodshot eyes) "Comfort? Monika... how can you call this place 'comfortable'? You look so happy and fresh, while I feel like I've been through a war."

Monika: (Tossing an identical green Anarkali dress to Baviya) "Here, I bought an extra one for you. Wear this! We’ll look like twins on our first day at the office. Stop overthinking and get ready!"

Baviya: (Holding the dress but not moving) "How did you sleep through all that, Monika? How? I’m serious... don't you realize what exactly is happening here? The singing, the dancing, the door handle moving... it wasn't the wind!"

Monika: (Applying her bindi in the mirror, smiling) "Honestly, Baviya, I think you’re just not used to the luxury. This palace is grand, and grand houses make grand sounds. I felt like a queen last night. Even the air here feels special."

Baviya: "Special? It feels haunted! I spent the whole night holding your arm like a life jacket while you were dreaming about office files!"

Monika: (Checking her watch) "Aiyyo, get ready! Time’s up! We can’t be late on our first day because you were busy playing ghost-hunter all night. Move it, Baviya! The green dress will make you feel better."

Baviya: (Sighing, slowly standing up) "I hope this dress has some 'protection' powers, because I am not looking forward to coming back here after sunset."

(The morning sun is bright, and the two girls look stunning in their matching green pleated Anarkalis. As Monika is putting on her sandals, she spots something glittering near the heavy wooden entrance door.)

Monika: "Oh, look! A gold anklet! It must have been lying here in the dust. It's so pretty and looks like real gold."

Baviya: (Still distracted and tired) "What? Oh, probably left behind by the previous owners. Just leave it, Monika."

Monika: (Happily snapping it onto her ankle) "No way! It’s so traditional and matches my green dress perfectly. I love these old designs. It’s like a gift from the palace!"

(They walk out and Baviya locks the heavy palace door. They start walking down the long lane toward the main road to catch a bus for their new office. As they walk, the rhythmic 'chime' of the gold anklet follows Monika’s every step.)

Baviya: (Looking down at Monika's feet) "Hey Moni... I just noticed. That anklet is really cute on you. Where did you get it? Did you bring it from Bangalore?

" Monika: (Laughing, feeling very confident) "No, macha! I told you, I found it right near the palace entrance this morning. Isn't it beautiful? I think it brings me good luck."

Baviya: (Stopping dead in her tracks, her face turning pale again) "Wait... you found it inside the palace? Near the entrance?"

Monika: "Yeah! Why are you stopping? We’re going to be late!"

Baviya: "Monika, listen to me! This is exactly what the Grandma and Rajan were talking about! The anklet sounds... the dancing... this isn't just jewelry. It’s a spirit's property! It's Nagavalli's! Take it off right now!"

Monika: "Aiyyo, Baviya! It’s just a piece of metal. Why are you so superstitious? It's just a lucky find."

Baviya: (Reaching down, her hands shaking) "No! I’m not letting you wear this. If you won't take it off, I will!"

(Baviya quickly unclasps the anklet from Monika’s leg. As her fingers touch the metal, she feels a tiny electric shock, but she doesn't stop. She stuffs the gold chain deep into her own handbag and zips it tight.)

Baviya: "I’m keeping this in my bag for now. We are NOT wearing palace ghosts' jewelry to the office. Let’s just go!"

Monika: (Pouting) "Fine, keep it if you're so scared. But you’re being really dramatic, Baviya.".

(Baviya’s handbag begins to vibrate violently, the leather pulsing as if something inside is trying to kick its way out. The ching-ching sound becomes a sharp, angry rattle.)

Baviya: "I can't take this anymore! This thing is cursed!"

(Baviya fumbles with the zipper, her face pale with terror. She grabs the cold metal chain and hurls it back toward the palace entrance. The anklet hits the stone floor, and the moment it touches the ground, it seems to slither like a golden snake back into the shadows of the hallway. The heavy palace door slams shut with a bone-chilling thud.)

Monika: (Crossing her arms, completely annoyed) "Seriously, Baviya? That was a solid gold antique! You just threw away a fortune because you’re scared of old stories. You’re being so dramatic!"

Baviya: (Ignoring her, grabbing Monika’s hand) "I don't care! Come on, Monika, it’s late! We have to get to the office!"

(Baviya pulls Monika toward the gate. The second they step over the outer threshold of the palace grounds, the air around Baviya turns freezing. Monika feels nothing and continues complaining about the jewelry, but Baviya freezes. A low, raspy female whisper crawls into Baviya’s ear, sounding like it's coming from inside her own head.)

The Voice: "Ulo va..." (Come inside...)

(Baviya gasps, spinning around, but there is no one there. The street is empty. Only the tall, silent walls of the palace loom behind them.)

Baviya: "Did... did you hear that? Someone told me to come inside!"

Monika: (Rolling her eyes and pulling Baviya toward the bus stop) "Nobody said anything, macha. It’s just the wind in the trees. Stop hallucinating and let's go, or we’ll be the only ones getting fired on our first day!"

(As they board the bus, Monika is still pouting about the lost gold, but Baviya can’t stop shaking. The voice is gone, but her handbag—now empty—still feels strangely heavy on her lap.)

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