No one noticed his anxiety. But he knew that there was no escape and they will surely face it too. And when the bell rang he braced himself for the impact. It was Ramesh at the door.

"Comm Thushar Seth has arrived and would like to meet Mr. Maan and Miss Sakhi at the palace office on the ground floor," he announced and turned to leave.

"Why has the ambulance arrived, Ramesh?" Bandu asked and then cursed himself the next moment when he heard gasps from behind him. How could he have been so stupid? Ramesh's silence was even more scary.

"My...brother..."he heard mother's pleading voice.

"He is fine...It's Rajkumari Nayantara...she has met with an...accident and still unconscious, " he relayed with an emotional stammer to his voice for the first time. There were gasps and cries. Ramesh left.

Hearing about the accident confirmed his worst fears. The gift had arrived and another sin was burdened on his soul. He would face Seth's interrogation and he would be repeating the same words. He was guarding his past believing that if he opens that pandora's box he would drown in it's storm also taking his family down with it. He would be subjected to many questions to which he would have no clear answers thus appearing as a conman trying to deceive everyone with his half baked stories.

"It's so unfortunate. My dear brother would be devastated," mother's cry brought him to the present and he turned away from the door.

"She will be fine mother. You can see her yourself. I will go and enquire and then take you to see her," Bandu tried to pacify her but it did not do much, "Miss Sakhi, commissioner Seth must be awaiting us, shall we go?"

"Yes, we better go and find out what really happened," she agreed and turned to mother and Sukhi to bid them goodbye.

The ground level was strewn with attendants, carrying trays; police constables at the gates and near the office and family relatives huddled in groups and sole bystanders all collected in front of the office to meet the commissioner. From where he stood, near the lift, he saw a doctor descend from the stairs and head straight to the office, where the commissioner sat and entered it after a knock. Bandu and Sakhi slowly moved in the direction of the office where the relatives stood, but all he saw in their eyes were hostility. He too didn't care a damm.

It was sometime after the doctor left that comm. Seth presented himself and following him was Dr Mathur. Bandu felt relived at seeing him all well. Comm. Seth's shrewd eyes took in all the individuals spread in front of him, but he acknowledged Bandu and Sakhi with a nod and smile. Then he cleared his throat.

"I am here on Raja Saheb's request to investigate into two matters," his thundering voice demanded attention, "First matter pertains to ransacking of a guest's room," there was sudden murmuring in the crowd, "and second matter is regarding the unfortunate accident of princess Nayantara on her way to the palace from the airport," this time the buzz was even louder, "Now" he spoke up and silence prevailed, "cooperation is expected from all of you,"

"How is Nayantara now? Are we not allowed to meet her?" a lady relative arrogantly asked. She appeared as a ghostly figure with her fat and stout figure wrapped in a glittering black saree with the gaudy makeup to complete her look.

"Nayantara now has been kept in an induced sleep so that the injuries to her head heals faster. Until she recovers no one will be allowed to disturb her," he informed all of them with an authoritative voice.

"Now, I would like to question everyone one...by...one," he said emphasizing on the last three words, "and I hope that it won't be bothersome to...you'll to give me some of your valuable time?" his sarcastically weighed question collaborated with a challenge indicated by his one raised eyebrows. His imposing personality left no scope for any protest by word or look.

"Mr Raghav and Miss Sakhi please step into the office with me" he announced and entered the office, the door closing behind him. a guard quickly took his position beside the door with a pad and pen in hand.

Bandu looked at Sakhi with unspoken agreement as they stepped forward to follow the commissioner into his room. Loud buzzing resumed once they reached the door and walked inside.

"They are an angry lot," the comm. Said as he occupied the seat behind the table, "have met them all before. A bunch of dirty scheming jackals, bent on attacking each other for money," he snorted angrily, "You are a part of this family too, Bandu," a speck of angry fury settled on Bandu.

"I did not ask for it, sir" Bandu replied.

"I knew you were no ordinary tea vendor by your looks, when I first met you in Goriyon," he said pointing a finger at Bandu and embarrassing him, "and I was right," he concluded triumphantly. Bandu merely nodded his head in defeated agreement.

"Please be seated both of you," indicating to the chairs placed in front of his table.

"How are you, Miss Sakhi?" his demure had overcome a sudden change, "It's a pleasure meeting you again," a smile had magically appeared on the angry face, that now was calm.

"I am fine, thank you and glad to see you again," Sakhi greeted him with her dazzling smile.

"So, Bandu, what's your real name?" he asked turning his attention to Bandu.

"My mother calls me 'Maan'. So I guess you can call me Maan Rajhav,"

"No, Bandu, the full real name, your father's too,"

Bandu clenched his jaw.

"I will have to talk to your mother then," comm. Seth suggested when he saw hesitation.

"No...she need not be involved in this," he blurted out, "My father's name is Surjan," he declared.

"Ok...Maan Surjan it is. I don't like to dig things out and get my hands dirty. It's always better I get my answers when I question," he growled in anger, "I don't know for what reason you are hiding information, which ultimately will come to light," he said not losing eye contact with his prey, who clearly displayed nervousness. Comm. Seth turned his attention to Sakhi who had a worried frown on her face.

"I see that you are not surprised at all, Miss Sakhi," the eagle had keen eyes to spot it's prey from miles. Sweat glistened on her forehead at being caught off guard at that true statement. She couldn't quite meet his eyes and darted a quick glance sideways at Bandu and back.

"Silence speaks volumes," the comm. said, "I will get there. For now I want to know about the call you received from the doctor," he said.

"Yes...I got a call from Dr Mathur asking me to meet him in the library," Sakhi said, "After which I proceeded to the library, but did not find him there,"

"In that case, the doctor will have to be cross examined. Both of you can leave for now. Before you go Bandu, leave the note you received today morning," he reminded Bandu, who immediately retrieved the note from his pocket and place it before the comm. and then left the room.

Both of then gave out a sigh of relief as soon as they were out of the door, as though they had a narrow escape from a beast. But composed themselves when they realised that many eyes were rooted at them. They saw the doctor approach them.

"Miss Sakhi, I assume that the comm. has given you permission to move to your hotel," he said to which she nodded, "If that is the case then the driver awaits outside to drive you to the hotel, whenever you are ready"

"Yes, Dr Mathur, I will leave in 15-20 minutes after I have changed and packed. I will give you a call. Can I have your number?" she said and duly noted down the contact number. Even Bandu saved it on his phone.

"Can I see Raja Saheb before I leave?"

"I am afraid... he is unavailable at the moment. He too has been put on sedatives. He got worked up on hearing his daughter's accident, which can damage his heart condition further," he said with a dejected look.

"I sincerely hope they both recover soon"

"Thank you, Miss Sakhi. Though I think other members would not wish for," he said

"Then ask such people to leave the palace, if you clearly have such fears," Bandu butted in.

"And declare an open war. No, that won't do, at least when they are here they dare not try anything for the fear of being suspected,"

"Then why not put in request for police protection," Bandu whispered.

"I have discussed this with comm. Seth and will be considering the matter. I must be thankful to him for his immediate action which was why Nayantara could be saved or we would have found her bled to death,"

"What!" Sakhi exclaimed from between her teeth.