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sitting too far away, though she had hoped he’d come over to talk to her. Together they would figure out who was responsible. She had to talk to him as soon as this was over.
    â€œThe Panchayat has made a decision,” said Karthik. “Raka will announce it.”
    There was an immediate hush. Tara’s heartbeat slowed. Every throb was loud in her ears. What had they decided? She couldn’t wait to find out and yet a part of her didn’t want to hear it.
    â€œEverything that Tara has accomplished for Morni has been taken into consideration,” said Raka. “While this horrible incident is still a mystery, it cannot be denied that Tara’s dupatta was found there. We will investigate this matter further, but we’re all shocked that someone in this village was cruel enough to kill a helpless animal in such an inhuman way. Though all the evidence points to Tara, it seems unlikely she could have done this. I personally believe she was framed.”
    Raka looked straight at Tara and she gave him a small smile. He nodded imperceptibly as his eyes swept the rest of the crowd.
    â€œRakaji, you should start the investigation with Layla,” said Tara. His belief in her innocence had emboldened her.
    â€œLet me finish,” said Raka. His voice was hard. “I hate interruptions and accusing anyone without proof is wrong! The Panchayat will report back to all of you as soon as we’ve found anything.”
    Tara looked at the ground, burning up with shame. It was because of Layla that she was facing this humiliation. Layla had it coming to her, she would see to it.
    â€œIn the meantime, Tara, you will wash the temple inside and out thoroughly, no matter how long it takes. Then you will help Punditji keep it clean for one more week. Is that understood?”
    Tara nodded as the uproar behind her steadily grew stronger.
    â€œIs it wise to let the person who defiled the temple back near it?” someone said.
    â€œHave her clean up the whole village not just the temple,” a woman called out.
    â€œThis is an unfair punishment for a child. Tara didn’t do it,” said Poonam, their neighbour, who was very fond of her and Suraj.
    Tara pulled at a stray weed poking up from the parched earth. Her blood boiled and not because of the midday sun. Some of the villagers speaking against her were the same people she had risked her life for; people she had saved from spending the rest of their lives as Vetalas. And yet, based on this one incident, they were ready to condemn her. Tara felt a hand on her shoulder. She looked up.
    â€œIt’s all right,” said Parvati. “We’ll get to the bottom of this. If Father were here, it would have been very different, but we’ll have to manage on our own until he returns.”
    â€œServing God is a good thing and Lord Ganesh knows you didn’t do it,” said Shiv. “Even if he cannot give evidence on your behalf.”
    Tara nodded, grateful for their support. Even Suraj flung his arms around her and squeezed her tight.
    â€œThe meeting is over,” said Raka. “You can all go back to work.”
    Tara started walking, scanning the crowd for Ananth, but there was no sign of him. He must have slipped off to tell his mother the news. At least she had managed to keep Gayatri out of this. It was the only thing that gave her some solace.
    â€œSuffer!” A sibilant whisper close to her ear made her jump.
    Tara turned around. Layla stood there, sneering at her. Tara felt a deep pang of fear. For the first time in her life she saw purpose in Layla’s eyes — other than the desire to stuff her face full of food.
    Tara then knew with absolute certainly that Layla was behind this. But how was she going to prove it to the villagers before it was too late?

— four —

A Deadly Rumour
    T ara had never worked so hard in her life, not even when Kali had been around, treating her and Suraj like slaves.