Mala doesn’t leave. She says she’s a writer researching “forgotten hill estates.” But Pavi notices: she knows the house layout. She avoids the locked basement. She flinches at the name “Guru.”
Pavi is no ordinary watchman. He was once a university Guru (professor) of archaeology. A scandal (planted evidence of theft) destroyed his career. Now he lives in a single room of the bungalow, polishing old wooden furniture, reading decaying books, and talking to no one.
One night, Pavi finds her crying over an old photograph hidden in a wall cavity: the photo shows a young man (Mala’s deceased brother, Unni) with the Dubai businessman – and a bloodstained artifact.
Pavi confronts her. Mala breaks down: “You are not just a caretaker, Guruji . You were my brother’s professor. He stole the artifact you were framed for. He gave it to the businessman. They ruined you. Then they killed him. I came to find proof.”
One stormy night, a young woman arrives on foot, drenched: (25, sharp, but trembling). She claims her car broke down. Pavi, against his instinct, lets her stay.