Fiction: Maya’s elaborate tricks to ward off a billionaire who has his eyes set on her sister’s home

The next morning, Maya walked down to the ruins to meet Bambi, who, like the previous day, was sitting in front of the statue of the snake.

“Tell me something more about this festival you propose, Bambi, the one you want to have on the night of the new moon?” Her brother-in-law was delighted at the interest Maya was taking. He then gave a long discourse on Klu Naga, the snake god, and his central place in the deities of Bon.

“So, basically, your festival is propitiating Klu Naga, who is the Bon deity for ‘fresh beginnings’?” Maya interjected, cutting him off when she had heard enough.

“That’s right.”

“And what rituals would you plan to do during the festival?” she asked.

Bambi rubbed his hands. “Well, there would be chanting, music of horns and drums, partaking of psychotropic brew and animal sacrifices,” he replied casually, much like a waiter recounting the menu to a guest.

Maya had done some reading on the net. “And there would be nudity and face painting?” she prompted.

“Yes, of course!” her brother-in-law assured her enthusiastically, “and ritual flogging to atone for sins at the altar.” Then his face took on a worried look. “Unless there is a problem with that?”

“No, Bambi,” Maya assured her brother-in-law, “please have it...

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