Episode 4

(The bus rumbles along the busy road. Monika has her earbuds in, head-bobbing energetically to the upbeat rhythm of "Kacheri Kacheri."She’s totally in her own world, looking out the window with a confident smile. Beside her, Baviya is a nervous wreck, clutching her bag and staring at the floor, the whisper of"Ulo va"still echoing in her mind.)

Monika's Phone:(Rings loudly)"Amma Calling..."

Monika:(Pulling out an earbud) "Hello, Ma! Yeah, we just got on the bus. No, don't worry! The palace is amazing. I’m actually so comfortable there. At first, I was a bit creeped out by those huge lizards and the dusty corners, but honestly, Ma? I’m so happy we stayed. I slept for like 10 hours straight! It was the best sleep of my life."

Monika's Mom:(On the other end, her voice rising in disbelief) "What?! 10 hours? In that place? Monika, people say they can't even close their eyes for ten minutes in that house! Are you two girls really safe? Put Baviya on the phone. Let me ask her."

Monika:(Covering the mouthpiece and leaning into Baviya, whispering fiercely) "Hey! It's my mom. She's all panicked because of the rumors. Whatever you do, don't tell her all that nonsense you were imagining. Don't mention the anklet or the voices. I really love that palace, and if you scare her, she'll make us move to some boring hostel. Just tell her everything is fine!"

Baviya:(Taking the phone with a trembling hand) "H-hello, Aunty?"

Monika's Mom:"Baviya, tell me the truth. How was the night? Did you hear anything strange? Is Monika acting... normal?"

(Baviya looks at Monika, who is making a 'be quiet' sign with her finger. Baviya looks out the bus window and sees her own reflection—for a split second, her shadow in the glass seems to be wearing a heavy gold headpiece.)

Baviya:(Gulping hard) "Everything is... fine, Aunty. Monika slept like a log. It was... very quiet."

Monika's Mom:"Are you sure, Ma? Your voice sounds thin."

Baviya:"Just first-day nerves for the new job, Aunty. Don't worry."

(She hands the phone back to Monika, her heart hammering. As Monika goes back to her music, humming the chorus of Kacheri Kacheri, Baviya notices something. Even though the bus is crowded and hot, the seat next to her—where her bag is—feels icy cold, as if someone is sitting right there invisibly.)

(The office vibe is buzzing. Monika is in her element, her eyes sparkling as she works on her UI/UX designs. Every time she walks to the pantry, people turn their heads.)

Colleague 1: "Wow, Monika! You look so bright and pretty today. There’s a literal glow on your face!"

Colleague 2: "Seriously! But Baviya, you’re also pretty, but why do you look so dull? Did you pull an all-nighter coding?

Monika: (Laughing, leaning back in her chair) "Oh, don't mind her. It’s her first time staying in a new place, so she’s just being a bit of a night owl. But me? I slept like a queen! The atmosphere there is so peaceful and cool."

Rahul: (Joining the conversation) "New place? Where did you guys find a flat so fast? Is it nearby?"

Monika: "Better than a flat, Rahul! Look..." (She pulls up her phone and shows a photo of the grand, sprawling palace they are staying in.) "We’re staying right here."

(The group crowds around the phone. As soon as they see the heavy wooden doors and the ancient stone carvings, the chatter stops. Rahul’s face drops.)

Rahul: "Wait... you’re staying there? Monika, are you serious? That’s the old palace. Everyone in this city knows that place is dangerous. People say it's been cursed for decades!

Colleague 1: "Yeah, my grandmother told me stories about that mansion. No one stays there for more than a night. How are you even sitting here so calmly?

Monika: (Waving her hand dismissively) "Aiyyo, you guys are just like Baviya. So many stories! Honestly, there's nothing to worry about. It’s quiet, it’s grand, and if you actually stay there, you’ll get the best sleep of your life. I feel more active today than I ever did in Bangalore!

Baviya: (Muttering under her breath while staring at her blank screen) "That's because something is keeping you awake...

Rahul: "Monika, I’m telling you, be careful. That place has a history with 'dancers' and 'unfulfilled spirits.' You shouldn't be joking about it."

(Monika claps her hands, a mischievous glint in her eyes as she sees her colleagues' terrified faces.)

Monika: "Oh my god, you guys are such scaredy-cats! Dancers? Curses? It’s 2026! Tell you what to prove there’s nothing but old dust and pretty carvings, you’re all invited to our palace tonight for a housewarming party! Drinks, music, and you can see for yourselves how peaceful it is."

Rahul: (Exchanging a worried look with the others) "A party? In that house? Monika, even the locals don't walk past that gate after sunset.

Monika: "Exactly! So we’ll have the whole place to ourselves. Baviya will make her famous tea, and we can play music. Come on, Rahul! Don't tell me a big developer like you is afraid of a little old building.

Baviya: (Looking up from her monitor, her voice trembling) "Moni... wait. A party? Tonight? Don't you think it's too soon? We haven't even explored the upstairs yet...

Monika: "That’s the best part! We’ll explore it together. It’ll be like an adventure. If anyone feels a 'ghost,' I’ll give them a treat. It’s settled 9:00 PM at the Palace gate!"

(The colleagues start whispering, a mix of fear and curiosity taking over. By the time the clock hits 6:00 PM, Monika is packing her bag with a huge smile, while Baviya feels a cold shiver down her spine. As they leave the office, the sun is already setting, casting long, orange shadows that look like reaching fingers.)

Baviya: "Monika, please... tell them it's cancelled. I have a really bad feeling about tonight.

Monika: "Stop it, Baviya! It’s going to be fun. Now let’s stop at the store—we need snacks for our guests!

(The next day, Monika is a whirlwind of energy. She has bought strings of marigolds, fairy lights, and colorful cushions to brighten up the dusty grand hall of the palace. She’s humming a song, climbing up old wooden ladders to hang lights from the ornate pillars.)

Monika: "Look at this place, Baviya! With these lights, it doesn't look scary at all. It looks like a movie set! I can’t wait for everyone to see it tonight. Rahul and the others are going to feel so silly for being afraid."

(While Monika is busy transforming the palace into a party zone, Baviya is sitting on a stone bench in the corner, her laptop unopened beside her. She hasn't touched the decorations. Her eyes are fixed on the heavy wooden door that slammed shut yesterday. Every time the wind whistles through the high vents, she flinches.)

Baviya: (Voice barely a whisper) "Moni, look at the shadows. Even with your fairy lights... the corners are still so dark. Don't you feel like the house is watching us get ready?

Monika: (Laughing, throwing a flower garland at her) "The only thing watching you is your own stress! Here, catch! Help me put these on the main entrance. We need to look welcoming.

(Baviya reluctantly stands up to help, but as she approaches the entrance, she notices something. In the dust where she had thrown the anklet the day before, there is a clear, fresh set of footprints tiny, delicate, and bare leading from the door straight toward the center of the hall where Monika is dancing around.)

Baviya: (Pointing, her hand shaking) Monika... who walked here? We’ve been wearing our sandals the whole time.

Monika: (Not even looking down) "Probably just us earlier, or maybe the floor is just uneven. Stop looking for trouble, Baviya! The guys will be here in two hours. Go get dressed!".

(The ten colleagues from the office arrive at the palace gate just as the sun disappears, leaving the estate draped in an eerie, deep purple shadow. They are huddled together, whispering and pointing at the massive, weathered structure.)

Rahul: (Stopping at the threshold, his voice trembling) "Guys, look at the base of the gate... is that... blood?"(A dark, thick red liquid is smeared across the white stone entrance, looking like a fresh stain against the ancient rock. The colleagues gasp, moving back in unison.)

Colleague 1: "Oh my god, it is! It’s like something was dragged inside! How on earth can Monika and Baviya stay in there? I’m already shaking just standing near the gate.

Colleague 2: "I can’t do this. My heart is racing. Look at those windows... they look like empty eyes watching us. There is no way a UI designer and a developer are living here peacefully. It’s a death trap!"

(Just then, the heavy wooden door creaks open with a long, piercing sound. Monika appears, looking radiant and cheerful, framed by the warm glow of the fairy lights she hung. She waves her hand enthusiastically.)

Monika: "Hey guys! Why are you all standing out there like statues? Come inside! The snacks are ready and the music is playing! Don't be silly, it's just an old building."

Rahul: "Monika! There’s blood on the gate! And it smells like old flowers and something burnt. Are you guys really okay in there?

Monika: (Laughing and walking toward them) "Blood? Rahul, it’s probably just some red oxide paint from the old pillars or some spilled juice from my grocery bags. You guys are more dramatic than Baviya! Come on, I’ve made the hall look beautiful. Once you’re inside, you’ll see how cozy it is."

(She reaches out and playfully pulls Rahul’s arm. Behind her, deep in the shadows of the hallway where the fairy lights don't reach, Baviya stands completely still, her eyes wide as she watches the group approach, her lips moving in a silent prayer.)...

(The party is a huge success. The grand hall is filled with the smell of biryani and the sounds of laughter as everyone sits in a circle on the floor, intensely focused on a Ludo game. Monika is winning, cheering loudly, while even Baviya has managed to relax a little, caught up in the fun of the game and the safety of the crowd.)

Rahul: (Checking his watch) "Whoa, it’s 11:30 already! Guys, we should probably head out. It’s a long ride back, and we have a big meeting tomorrow morning."

Monika: (Pouting as she moves her token to the home square) "What? No! Why go all the way back to your boring flats? We have so much space here. Just stay over! We can have a giant sleepover in the main hall. It’ll be like a palace camp-out!"'The party winds down with everyone in high spirits. The colleagues are laughing as they finish the last of the food, the initial fear completely replaced by the charm of the palace.)

Rahul: (Looking around the grand hall with admiration) "Honestly, Monika, I can't believe we were so scared. This place is incredible! The architecture, the vibe it’s like stepping back in history.

Divya: "Yeah! My grandma’s stories were totally wrong. This isn't a scary place at all, it's a masterpiece. I’m actually a little jealous you guys get to stay here every day!

Monika: (Grinning triumphantly) "See? I told you! It just needed some life and some good music. So, since you all love it so much, why leave so soon? Just stay the night!

Rahul: "We really want to, Moni, but we have to get our clothes ready and ironed for the office tomorrow. All our stuff is at our flats. But tell you what we are definitely coming back!

Colleague 1: Definitely! Since we have the weekends off, why don't we make this our regular hangout spot? We can come every Saturday and Sunday for weekend parties!

Monika: That’s a brilliant idea! Palace weekends! We can explore the gardens and the terrace next time.

Baviya: (Relieved to see her friends happy and the atmosphere so light) "Yes, exactly. You guys go get your rest now, and come back when you're prepared with your things. We'll see you at the office tomorrow morning!

(The group heads to the gate, waving and shouting their goodbyes. The bikes roar to life, and as the sound of the engines fades into the night, the palace becomes still once more. Monika leans against the heavy wooden door, looking satisfied.)

Monika: "Hear that, Baviya? Everyone loves our new home. No more 'ghost' talk, okay? Let’s just go up and get some of that 10-hour sleep I promised.

Baviya: (Smiling weakly) "Okay, Moni. Maybe you're right. Let's just lock up."

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