Privileged Tala
After trekking along the clay road, I arrived at the village Chief's compound. This time, the guards at the entrance were the same as yesterday. They recognized me and, with a sense of familiarity, I handed over my wooden chip. After promptly examining it, they returned it to me, granting me entry into the compound.
As I approached the hut, my eyes immediately caught sight of the gathering outside. It was no surprise to see that some of the others had already arrived, but what I hadn't expected was the full turnout of men and women I had met during the first day of the awakening ceremony. And there, amidst the crowd, stood the village chief and his messenger, Thak, with his daughter standing closely by his side.