Virat looked around in distress. Except for the tall, silent trees, there was no living creature  around him. The sound of crickets coming from nearby bushes feels like breaking the silence with the music. The occasional hooting of owls were enough to send shivers down anyone's spine. Virat squinted his eyes, trying to see in the darkness. There was no one in sight as far as he could see. Suddenly, something gleamed in the far distance. It looked like a fire had started somewhere and the whole jungle lit with it. Virat forgot everything and started to run towards the light. But as he came closer the pictures were started to becoming clearer. It wasn't as simple as it looks like from the distance. The fire was so terrible that it was ready to burn the entire forest to ashes. Currently it was reaching to a house situated in the middle of the jungle.

It was the same house where he used to play with Rajshree during his childhood. Screams and cries were coming from inside the house. Someone might be inside stuck between the fire.

"Help... Somebody help please.." he screamed hoping to get any help nearby. But there was no one to listen his screams. So he decided to help them by his own. As the person inside might be in danger and the delay can worsen the situation. he picked up a big piece of tree branch lying nearby. He tried to break open the door with the branch. After several attempts, he finally succeeded in opening the door. Smoke was filled everywhere inside. He started to cough. It was too hard to see anything in this situation. So he called out,

"Is anyone there... I'm here to help you. Where are you?"

But there was no response. As soon as he took a step inside, something hit his feet. He tried to stand still but stumbled and fell face-first onto the floor.
"Jesus.. what's going on here?"
He tried to get up, but the sight in front of him left him shocked. Sanjeev and Meena were lying lifeless on the floor. His breath quickened in panic.

"Uncle... Auntie... what happened? Don't worry, I'll take you to the hospital. You will be fine." He tried to lift them by holding their hands, but their hands were as cold as ice.

"You came too late. It's all over." Hearing a voice behind him, Virat turned around. Seeing Rajshree standing there brought some relief to him.

"Thank God you're safe."

She was standing by the door, staring him  with cold eyes. Her face was expressionless, as if she was a living corpse.

As soon as Virat tried to move towards her, a gunshot echoed from somewhere and Rajshree's lifeless body also rolled to the floor near her parents. Blood splattered all over the room. Some splashes of blood flew and fell on Virat's face too.

"Rajiiieeeee..." Virat screamed in panic and fear and woke up. His whole face was drenched in sweat, and his heart was pounding as if he had just run a long race.  Rakesh was instructing the guards to stay alert Outside the room.

As soon as he heard Virat's scream, he dropped everything and rushed into his room.

"Your Highness... are you okay?" he asked, looking at him with concern.

"I'm fine." Virat said, trying to control his ragged breathing. His throat gets completely dry. So He picked up a glass of water from the nearby table and gulped it in a single breath.

"Did you have a bad dream again? If you need should I get the sleeping pills for you." Rakesh moved towards the drawer, but Virat stopped him.

"Forget it... Until I catch that real killer, I won't be able to sleep anyway." Virat had nightmares since his childhood, but after Rajshree, a.k.a. Menka's death, these dreams had become more frequent and bothersome.

"By the way.. Why are you still awake?" Virat asked, looking at Rakesh with surprise.

"Sir, it's only eleven o'clock. I'm used to staying up late anyway. I thought to take a walk before sleeping. While walking I would also check the security of the palace."

"Hmm... okay then, let's go together. I also need some fresh air." Virat said, getting out of bed.

---------

Lucky was tossing and turning on her bed. She was trying to sleep since an hour, but there was not a single trace of sleep in his eyes. So she got up and sit on the bed.

"No... I can't just sit idle like this. No matter what, I must complete the task I came here for. Whoever The real culprit is he must be waiting for a chance to meet me alone to kill me. Before he caught me it's better if I will catch him first. But it's only possible if that rat will come outside his hole. To catch him, I need to drag him out of his hole. And for that I have to take risks." She immediately get out of the bed, fixed her clothes and checked her appearance in the mirror and than  stepped out of her room without hasitation. She started wandering around for a while hoping someone will try to approach her. But nothing unusual has happened. After some times she gets tired so she sat on the grass in the lawn. Suddenly, an idea struck her mind,
"That drug... what was its name? Yes... Cure 31... this drug is a product of the Tomars' pharmaceutical company. If I could find files related with that old matter, may be I could solve this case."

But the problem was that files could only be found in the record room. Even after being here for so many days, Lucky hadn't found the record room yet. In fact the tomar mansion is so huge so she hadn't even seen the entire mansion properly. Since she couldn't sleep anyway, she decided to find the record room tonight and headed towards the place where she had last seen the library. The library was in the north section of the mansion. The meeting room, where Yashraj Ji met important VIP guests, was also in that section. Like other days today also some VIP guests came to meet Yashraj this evening, and their meeting had lasted until late at night. Lali was one of the staffs who were serving the guests in the VIP room. When the meeting gets over  she was heading towards the staff quarters after finishing her job there. Other staffs were already gone to their rooms so there was no one around. Suddenly, a few men appeared from the darkness and stood in front of her. Lali gets a little frightened being stopped like this. When she took a closer look she found out they were the same people who came with the guests to meet Yashraj Ji today. She tried to pass by them, but this time, they blocked her way forcefully.

"Though moonbeams often kiss the earth at night,
Tonight, I am witnessing a rare celestial sight,
The sunrise is blooming in a radiant golden glow In the darkness." Sooraj chaudhary took his entry in his usual poetic mood. "Wow.. I became a poet after seeing this beauty in front of me." He praised himself.

"Young master... what an original poem created by you."

"Absolutely, you are too good young master..." his two lackeys Tara and Sitara didn't miss the chance to flatter him.

"So, Miss Lali ... care to explain why you were running away after seeing me? Do you know how long I've been looking for you?" Suraj said, stepping towards Lali. Seeing him coming near lali stepped back in fear. This wasn't her first time facing this situation. Sooraj was keep coming in the palace with his father since his childhood so everyone here knows him very well. He never missed a single chance to  flirt with Lali when he comes here. And that was the reason lali always tried to avoid him.

"It isn't like that sir. Why would I try to avoid you? It's just.. I... I have some urgent work... So I need to go. But I'll be back soon." She tried to leave again, but this time Suraj stepped forward and grabbed her hand.

"What are you doing... let me go." Lali gets panic just by his touch. Anyway, there was hardly anyone around at this hour who could help her. This thought scared her even more. Virat and Rakesh were also walking down the same path. When they heard a girls screams, their attention was drawn to that side. Witnessing the scene that sooraj is harassing a poor girl Virat really got angry this time. The mansion's security system had already shown so many flaws, and now this? But before he could move towards them, Lucky appeared out of nowhere.

"What's going on here?" she asked loudly, stepping between them.

Sooraj was startled by her sudden interfere. As soon as his grip loosened, Lali quickly pulled her hand free and came to stand beside Lucky. In fear, she held Lucky's hand tightly. Seeing Lali scared of Suraj, Lucky moved her behind and stood between them. Suraj has now his eyes fixed on Lali's hand, which was holding Lucky's hand.

"Tara, Sitara..." Suraj roared with full agitation.

"Yes, young master..." his two lackeys immediately stood in front of him.

"Who is this eclipse between the Sun and his rays? I've never seen him in the mansion before." Suraj looked at Lucky tip to toed but it didn't bother her at all.

"He seems to be a new servant, young master. If he knew who you are, he wouldn't have dared to mess with you." They both said in unision.

"Then why you both are standing there and watching all the drama? Give him my full and proper introduction. I was in such a special mood tonight. But this man ruined my whole mood." He scolded them.

"Oh Sardar Ji... why are you inviting your own death? Do you even know who he is?" Tara now looked at Lucky.

"No..." Lucky looked at Suraj with a bored expression.

"No?? Have you heard of Diwakar Chaudhary? The state's health minister? His one and only son, Suraj Chaudhary, is standing in front of you right now." Tara and Sitara introduced Suraj in a manner reminiscent of old-time heralds announcing the arrival of kings. Suraj also puffed up and gave Lucky a proud smile. Hearing Diwakar Chaudhary's name, Lucky was taken aback.

"Shocked, aren't you? But our young master is very generous. He doesn't harm anyone without reason. Just leave the girl here and quietly go back to your room. We won't complain this to His Majesty about you... Just think wisely about it." Tara said in a tone that was more threatening than persuasive.

'Oh... so this is Suraj Chaudhary.' Lucky looked at him carefully. Like any other typical Indian minister, Diwakar Chaudhary had a series of criminal records. There was no need to say, his son was exactly following in his father's footsteps. Sweety had complained about him several times. Suraj often came to her bar and misbehave similarly with bar dancers as he was doing right now with lali. But because of Diwakar chaudhary  no policeman dared to file a single case against him.

"Sorry, sir... it was my mistake that I didn't recognize you. But what were you doing just now? Do you know who this girl is?"

"This is Lali... she works in this mansion. Isn't it her identity, right?" Sitara scratched his head.

"Tut...tut... tu...Well, I thought you knew everything which is going on in this mansion. Specially when it's related to miss Lali." Lucky said, pretending to be disappointed as if Suraj had missed out on something big and important.

"What should I know? Whatever it is, say it clearly. Don't talk in riddles." Suraj said in an irritated voice. Lucky looked around once and then leaned towards Suraj. She said in a low voice, "She is not a normal staff member. She is the future mistress of this mansion. May be have no clue about this, but Your Highness has his heart set on Miss Lali. He loves her way too much."
Lali looked at Lucky with her mouth open in surprise. Virat loves her?? On the other side, Rakesh started to massage his forehead with his fingers. Once again, Lucky was digging her own grave. He looked at Virat, who was standing right there watching this complete drama. And obviously he was beyond furious after listening all the shit Lucky just said about him. His blood was literally boiling with anger.

"Virat loves Lali? Are you out of your mind? It's like you are matchmaking a king to a beggar... It's impossible." Suraj looked at Lali in disbelief, who was still staring at Lucky in shock.

"Why? Why it can't be possible? If the great Suraj Chaudhary can fall for miss Lali than why can't Prince Virat fall for her?" Lucky flattered him further.

"Well young master. He has a point..." Tara and Sitara also found her words convincing. But Suraj was not a man which anyone can convince so easily.

"You seem new to this mansion. How do you know all this?" He glared at Lucky with creased brow.

"What are you saying? Not just me... everyone knows about Your Highness secret love. Didn't you hear the rumour that Prince Virat is going to be engaged to a girl working in this mansion? She's the one. As for me, if you don't know me let me tell you. I am Your Highness's  personal assistant, Rakesh. So obviously I know all his little and big secrets. Your Highness himself told me to take special care of Miss Lali."

Hearing Lucky's words, now Rakesh also clenched his fists in anger. "I swear... this boy is going to get beaten up by me today." Virat was also standing there, barely containing his anger. Today Lucky was really going to be in serious trouble. If she anyhow manage to get rid of Suraj chaudhary she still has to deal with Rakesh and Virat.

To be continued...