“Stay close now,” Kiran said, guiding Kavya through the slow-moving crowd. Vivaan bounced beside Vivek, trying to peek past drums, puppet voices, and sweet-seller calls.

“We’re going to the big ground,” Vivek said, “where Ravana waits for the final fire.” Vivaan hurried two steps ahead, then checked that Kavya’s bangles still jingled behind him.

A loud thump-thump rolled across the fair, and Kavya clapped at once. “Tonight,” Vivek said with a smile, “people remember how wrong loses when people choose what is right.”