Parul entered the principal's office. The inspector was sitting there with his back facing towards Parul.

"You're here, Ms. Parul." The Inspector called out to her without turning back. The temperature in the room dropped suddenly. Everything seemed eerie all of a sudden. Parul felt a cold wave pass through her body.

She took a deep breath and walked towards the inspector. Mrs. Falero, their Principal, shot daggers from her eyes at Parul. Parul cringed.

"You called for me?" Parul asked no one in particular. She wasn't sure whom to address first so she directly got to the point.

Mrs. Falero removed her spectacles and placed them on the table. Then she looked up at Parul with very disappointed eyes. "Unfortunately, some students of our college have managed to commit a crime. Its very disgraceful for the college as well as the students. Now, Parul, I want you to be cooperative with the Inspector. Abide by the college rules as well as the constitution rules and no harm will be done to you. Am I clear, child?"

Parul started sweating contrary to the environment. Her palms were wet with perspiration and her mind raced back to that dreadful night. A chill ran down her spine. She remembered Natasha Dalal's face very clearly in her mind. She remembered how Natasha got into a fight with the mystery man and then the next thing they knew-Natasha had disappeared.

"Parul, be honest. You know the consequences of hiding things from the Police are very bad. If you're not found to be honest, we'll have to arrest you and your friends." The Inspector said sternly. Parul shuddered. She was scared. She cursed herself for being stupid enough to barge into someone's house just to satisfy her curiosity.

"Y-Yes sir." Parul stuttered. Her forehead was glistening with the sweat she'd released due to nervousness.

"Come, have a seat." The Inspector himself got up and made Parul sit where he had been sitting before.

"Do you know anything about the night of Ms. Natasha Dalal's disappearance?" The Inspector began his interrogation. "Well, ofcourse tell us something other than the story you guys cooked up before."

The Inspector's sarcasm filled Parul's mind with terror.

He knew that she had been there. She didn't know how to answer. On one side she had Devaki and on the other side she had the Inspector demanding answers. She couldn't possibly lie. That would put them all in more danger.

"N-No sir. I don't know anything else." Parul hesitantly answered. The Inspector stared right into her eyes with a firm look. He knew that she was lying.

'Are you sure you have not missed out on anything while telling us about that night?" The Inspector asked again.

"Y-yes sir, I'm s-sure."

"Then why the hell do the forensic reports say that you're fingerprints are found on the door?!" The Inspector lost his cool and banged his fists on the table. Mrs. Falero was surprised and looked frightened.

"S-sir I-I-  " Parul was cut midway by a voice.

"Sir, I'll give you the missing details of that night." Devaki walked into the room. Following her were rest of the girls- Sameeksha, Bandana, Malavika , Sara and Himani.

                                      ••••

"You all have committed a crime by hiding information from the police." The Inspector said after listening to their explanation. "The fact that you guys hid this from us points all the fingers at you all in this case. You become our Prime Suspects in this case now."

Devaki looked at him.

"Sir we didn't tell you about this because we were scared you all would think we have our hands behind Natasha's disappearance. We had simply gone their that night because we had heard a lot of shouting and screaming coming in from the house. I can assure you that we didn't do anything else." Devaki said.

"The last time you tried to assure me of something you turned out to be a liar. Aren't you the daughter of Avinash Bahirat? The famous lawyer who fought Ibrahim Ali's case? And if I'm not mistaken you're studying law too. How would your father feel when he gets to know that his daughter has been committing crimes instead of fighting them?" The Inspector said with venom dripping from his words.

The words stung Devaki. Her mouth fell open. The Inspector had insulted her in front of everyone. The Inspector literally was implying that she was going to be a horrible lawyer. She was sick and tired of people trying to prove her not worthy.

"Anyway, I don't want to get into the middle of that. Now since you all have a clean crime record and we have no great evidence against you all
I'll let you all go now. But you all can't leave this city and will be within the police's radar at all times." The Inspector drew the conclusion.

Devaki was the first one to leave. She ran out of the room wiping away her tears.

                ••••

Devaki went home directly from college. Her mood was off ever since the Inspector's filthy insults. She went to her room in the empty bungalow and threw herself on the bed. Tears fell down from her eyes and wet the bedsheet.

She didn't realise when her eyes drifted close and she fell asleep.

A few hours later, Devaki woke upto the feeling of someone leaving wet kisses down her neck. She woke up with a sudden jolt.

"What the heck?!" She sat up on the bed and then saw Karan sitting on the bed with a cute pout on his face.

"You pushed me away, mommy!" Karan made a puppy dog face. Devaki chuckled.

"Shutup baby!" Devaki playfully hit his arm. "Why were you sucking my neck while I was asleep? What a creepy person you are."

"Excuse me. I'm your boyfriend I have all the rights and privileges." He pulled her close. His hands travelled to her top's zip at the back and began tugging it down. He managed to unzip her top but Devaki pushed him down on the bed.

"You first tell me why you're here. My day is already going bad." Devaki laid over him and he comfortably wrapped his arms around her body.

"That's why I'm here baby." He kissed her lips. "...to make your day better." He again kissed her lips letting his lips linger there for a bit longer.

Teardrops stained his translucent white t-shirt suddenly. He looked down at Devaki whimpering in his arms like a vulnerable child.

"Baby?" He quickly pulled her up and made her sit on the bed. He cupped her face and made her look into his eyes. "What's wrong? Why are you trying to put yourself down because of some idiot's opinion?" He spoke to her softly.

"I-I'm just so sick of people trying to show me my worth. Am I seriously that worthless?" Devaki cried. Karan hugged her more tightly.

"No, baby no." Tears fell from Karan's eyes as well. He hated seeing his girl so vulnerable. "You're priceless and extremely talented. You're the best thing that has ever happened to me." He kissed her forehead lightly.

"I love you, Karan." Devaki looked in his eyes.

"I love you too baby." Karan kissed her again.