"She will be down in five minutes, so I think we will wait for her before we order anything," Comm. Seth informed them, "please do order something for yourself to dampen your throats if you like. No hard drink in front of the lady please," he further commented. Everyone nodded, but none made a move to order and only glanced at each other.

Bandu oblivious to all this was still in the shock of hearing the name Raka and even Miss Sakhi's arrival couldn't cheer him up. Ravi nudged him as she walked into their vision. Bandu looked up and his demure softened up a bit and a smile appeared on his lips and her eyes lingered for a little longer on Bandu.

Bandu stood up and pulled up the chair for her and sat down back on his chair.

"Welcome, Miss Sakhi, and thank you for your cooperation in this case," Comm. Seth greeted her.

"Please don't thank me, sir, I look up it as my duty,"

After greeting each other Sakhi began to elaborate on the findings of her father's research on Ghatti and cleared some of their doubts, after which food was ordered and the conversation on the subject continued over that.

"So according to him, there is a treasure in that mountain, but has not seen it for himself in person. This tale was merely told to him by his friend, that is by Bandu's father Mr. Raghav," Comm Seth summed up.

"I too have a doubt," Ravi said, "You see as per his story the whole village was engulfed into the underground by a sudden earthquake. In that case, maybe the treasure too must have been pushed back deep into the depths of the earth and lost forever," the issue he raised was pondered over by everyone.

"That is a possibility, Ravi," Sakhi seconded. Bandu kept quiet not wanting to highlight his ignorance by suggesting anything stupid and munched his food although he had no appetite.

"So how should we proceed for tomorrow's mission?" Sakhi asked.

Silence prevailed on the table and it was comm Seth who first spoke after many deliberations, "We will be leaving in a jeep from here at around 4 in the morning and Ravi will drive you'll to your destination but will disembark just a few miles before the final spot. This move is to ensure that they don't try unfair means and change their plans," he paused to look around, "it is not wise to discuss our plans here, we should leave now so that you get a few hours of sleep to remain alert for the rest of the mission," Comm Seth ended his short speech of instructions and everyone dutifully rose from the table to disperse the meeting.

Bandu wanted very much to talk to Sakhi, but could not garner the courage nor did he have any conversational skill to engross her in one. He only wished her goodbye looking longingly at her and she replied shyly to his greeting. The men gathered on the road outside the hotel. Ravi drove away in his SUV and the rest of them sat in their own vehicle which had been mysteriously parked outside the hotel.

Makhan took charge of the steering this time and by 10 they reach the hotel. Not much was discussed on the way, each one was absorbed in their own thoughts.

Bandu laid down on his bed, but sleep eluded him at the thought of responsibilities riding on his shoulders that of his family and friends, and soon enough his heart earned for them.

He had not talked to them after reaching Chalhat and mentally noted down to call them before he left the hotel early morning tomorrow. He was sure that mother was eagerly waiting for his call to come through.

After some rolling around he finally slipped into a sleep. He was too embarrassed to be woken up by comm Seth the next morning, who was already dressed up. He concluded his activities in half an hour and was ready to go.

"Do we need to carry our bags, Sir?"

"Ya, you better, don't know when you would return here, can't hold on to the room till then," he said.

In the lobby, they were met by the other members, and after paying off the bills they took to the road. Bandu saw many facades of the small town, from clean to filthy surroundings during the drive. But at one point in time even in that time of dark morning he soon became aware of the strange exercise that the driver was up to. He realized a strange landmark that was embedded in his mind came to pass twice in his sight. He was baffled as to why they were going around in circles and knew something was up and was not being told, thus decided to brace himself for any eventualities and felt his dagger for a wee bit of confidence.

The car suddenly picked up speed on the deserted road and now was heading straight as though they were moving out of town but in another direction. Soon the houses were left behind and they took to a wide road lined by bushes along either side. Trees stood scattered here and there and cast shadows in the moonlight.

"Where are we going?" Bandu finally asked unable to bear the curiosity.

"To meet Miss Sakhi and pick her up," the brief reply from Comm. Seth said that he was not coming forth with any other information. But for one going to meet his fate, he didn't need any information. The landscape was now changing to a barren one and the air was getting hotter, with everyone shifting in their seats uncomfortably. There was rarely any vehicle sighted on the road at that time.

Ahead a black stiletto appeared at the side of the road and on getting closer the frame of an SUV emerged stationery at the intersection of a crossroad going right. Their car began to slow down as they neared it.

"Bandu you have to leave us in a few minutes and walk to that car and sit inside. I know that you are armed so if need be don't hesitate to use it. Nayantara...remember you have to get her and out of danger first, then further negotiate what they want with you. Ghatti does not support any mobile range so you cannot call for help unless you are out of there" he kept on instructing Bandu while their car had almost reached the black car.

"Yes, sir," Bandu said.

"Bandu avoid going into Ghatti. My experience with these people so far tells me that they are going to double-play us, but since we have no other option, we have to play by them. They never gave us a chance for negotiation," he frowned in frustration.

Bandu now saw two people seated in the black car.

"Sir, there are two people in that car," Bandu pointed out.

"Yes, one is Miss Sakhi and the other is Mr. Rajput,"

"Mr. Rajput?" Bandu was stunned, "Why him? Is he going with me?"

"Yes, as a driver,"

"But that was not part of the bargain"