“And keep our heads down—literally,” Bittu joked nervously.
For the first time, Sarkata paused. His hollow eyes flickered with memory. Then, with a guttural sigh, he placed his head back on his shoulders—upside down—and vanished into the banyan grove.
Chanderi breathed again. But every Diwali, they leave an extra chair empty… just in case the headless one returns to sit and listen to stories of honor once more.
“And keep our heads down—literally,” Bittu joked nervously.
For the first time, Sarkata paused. His hollow eyes flickered with memory. Then, with a guttural sigh, he placed his head back on his shoulders—upside down—and vanished into the banyan grove.
Chanderi breathed again. But every Diwali, they leave an extra chair empty… just in case the headless one returns to sit and listen to stories of honor once more.