(Flashback)

Sona was wide awake for the past three hours after their endless late-night lovemaking. The duvet was covered till her neck hiding her nakedness from the streaks of sunlight that was passing through the curtains.

Sona sighed and turned to her right to see Dev stirring in his sleep. He looked so peaceful and calm even in his sleep. She took out her fingers and caressed the creased lines on his forehead. Just as she was about to withdraw them, Dev caught her fingers.

"Keep doing it." He mumbled sleepily, making Sona's lips curve into a wide smile.

"You know..... the sun is up. Which means.... I have to go." Sona spoke softly, fearing that his grandmother next door might hear something.

"Uhuh.... And what about our second round?" he pouted, making Sona's eyes go wide.

"Excuse me mister. There's no second round. I am already getting late and you are not even fully awake!" she whined and pouted her lips.

"Nope. You will leave after having lunch, okay? I will specially cook for you." Dev tried convincing but Sona grew tensed.

"Dev, I told my aunt that I am staying at Rosie's house and will return early morning. If I don't go now, she will start suspecting me. I can't stay till lunch...pleeeeeaseee" she said, trying to lift his heavy arms from her torso.

Dev smiled and turned fully to face her. Wounding his arms around her, he pulled her closer to him. The smell of her usual honey-almond fragrance still lingered in the air. His fingers slowly crawled over her bare stomach and landed over her pelvis. Sona pressed her legs tighter as she felt the usual butterflies in the stomach when Dev drew patterns on her skin..

He scooted over and placed an open mouth kiss along her swan-like neck. Sona closed her eyes and bent her neck to his side to prevent him from going further. But that did not stop his eager lips. He slowly hovered on top of her and leniently pulled up the duvet to cover them up.

"Dev.... I have to go. You've worn me out." She wrapped her arms around him and sulked.

One look at Sona's face and his movements instantly stopped.

"What's wrong?" he cupped her face and looked into her eyes intently.

"Dev..... Whatever we are doing...Is this right?" she asked sadly and Dev's face instantly dulled. Moving away, he laid back next to her and glanced at her tensed face.

"I don't know Sona...... I don't know whether we are right or wrong. But what I know is that, I don't regret this." He said, taking her palms into his.

Sona smiled and scooted closer to him. She felt his warmth seeping into her body as he cajoled her.

"I don't regret this too, Dev. But we really need to get married. We can't keep doing this secretly..." She bit her lips and Dev smiled at her.

"Well, the groom is always ready. Looks like the bride is the one who needs more time." He teased and Sona frowned.

"Dev, come on! You know-"

"Okay... okay, don't panic sweetheart. I will wait for our marriage even if it takes ten years. But that doesn't mean you can keep my hands tied till then. If you think that marriage is the key for me to have you, then I don't agree with any of your conditions." He spoke in a warning tone, making Sona roll her eyes.

"Seriously?" she hissed. "Guys will always be guys. I can't believe you just talked about bedding me while I am speaking something so serious." She gave him an unbelievable look.

"What??? This is important too, okay? I just can't seem to take you off my mind after the first time we physically connected with each other. People may say anything they want. But that doesn't decrease the love we have for each other, does it?" Dev asked and Sona just kept mum.

"Sona...." He nudged her sides and saw her eyes lifting up at him.

"Sona darling, I love you so much, that leaving you for a few hours is now hurting me." He held her hands a fraction tighter and saw her eyes lighting up with joy and a tinge of shyness in them.

"Dev, I love you too." She spoke and held his palms softly. "But can I ask you a question?"

"What?"

"If I suddenly leave you and go away, will you find another girl for yourself?" she asked and Dev's eyes jolted in surprise.

Is this what they call the love-test placed by girlfriends?

He looked at Sona's face cautiously and replied, "Hmmm.... I don't think I would be that thick-skinned. But honestly, what do you think I should do?" he threw back the question on her.

"Dev, honestly I think you should go for it." Sona replied in a daze. For a moment, he thought that she was joking, but when he looked at her serious expressions, he was taken aback.

"Sona? Are you kidding me?"

"No Dev... I am being serious. I don't want you to waste your life on something that may not be the right decision for you. You have so many things to achieve and if I am really gone from your life you should always go for something better that's awaiting for you." She spoke softly.

"That's the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard." Dev was seriously mad now.

"No Dev.... Remember one thing carefully. In a difficult situation, always ask your heart whether the decision you make will bring you happiness or not. If the answer is a 'yes', go for it no matter how hard it can be. But if the answer is a 'no', don't go for it no matter how tempting it is."

"Your point?"

"If one day, you feel that having me next to you is bringing you sorrows, then don't hesitate to leave me."

Dev's eyes widened as saucers and he hated that uneasy feeling building up his chest. He felt as if someone suffocated him with a pillow.

"Stop it now Sona." He said with a hint of anger. Sona turned to him and gawked when she saw the murderous rage resembling on his face.

"Dev. What I meant to say is that-"

"No Sona. I said stop. There's no such thing as another girl in my life. If you're gone, I am dead too. Understood?" he said sternly, making Sona's face pale.

"But Dev-"

"No Sonakshi. I have told you....and that's my final decision"

(Flashback ends)

Dev looked at his laptop with weariness. The lack of sleep and uneven work timings was making him insane. His colleague James who was supposed to help him was also in leave. He felt like throwing away his things and walking back at home. But this job was the only distraction he had for now.

Grunting to himself, Dev took his purse and got up from his cabin when he saw his colleague Sara walking towards him. He gave her a faint smile and tried to walk past.

"Dev." She called him as he tried to move away. Dev halted in his steps and raised an eyebrow at her questioningly.

"Dev, can we go for lunch? I have something I want to discuss with you." She fumbled with her fingers nervously while Dev's eyes squinted in confusion.

As far as he knew, Sara and him were working under completely different departments. They had nothing to speak in common and they did not even share mutual friends. What could she possibly say? Without finding any reasons to reject, Dev nodded in agreement.

Sara's face brightened and she gave him a huge grin. Walking to the nearest café, both of them ordered their food and waited awkwardly. None of them spoke.

It was ten minutes since they reached. Dev looked totally lost while Sara carefully studied his features. He looked like he wanted to be anywhere but there.

"Urhmmm" Sara coughed, finally deciding to break the silence. When Dev looked at her face, she quickly interlinked her fingers and fumbled with them fretfully.

"Yea Sara... you said you needed to discuss something? Any problem?" Dev spoke professionally while Sara's face gave away her anxiety.

"Dev.... I really don't know how to speak this. But if I don't tell you now, then I am scared I would never be able to tell you anytime soon" she gulped nervously. Dev frowned in confusion.

"Nevermind Sara... just tell me. I won't judge you or scold you... We are just colleagues after all." He tried to force out a smile. But Sara could see that it never reached his eyes.

"Dev... I am in love with you." She spat those words and quickly closed her eyes, not wanting to see Dev's reaction.

"What?" Dev's jaws dropped in shock. He did not know how to react as he was least expecting this proposal from Sara. They rarely met in the office and hardly spoke a few words. Did she even know anything about his screwed up life?

When did she even develop such a love interest? Out of everything, now she was still closing her eyes, afraid of his reaction.

"Urhummm" it was Dev's turn to clear his throat now. He saw her eyes peaking out from her fingers and Dev fought the urge to laugh.

"D-Dev..."

"Sara." He said in a strict tone, "Look I already have a girlfriend and-"

"I know..." she interrupted in a babyish tone, making Dev scowl. He was surprised at first, but later realised that maybe she had known it from the co-workers.

"That's not all Sara... things are complicated." He sighed. Sara looked up at him and blinked clumsily.

"I know Dev..." this time, she spoke more confidently. Dev looked up at her and narrowed his eyes with worry.

"Dev, I know that you love a girl called Sonakshi. In fact, I have seen her visiting you too.... I always used to envy your relationship with her. The past two years were really difficult for you... I knew that you were waiting for her. I have always liked you from the start and wanted to tell you about my feelings. But after Sona came inside your life, I kept silent... I respected your feelings which was why I did not disturb you past two years. But now, I heard that she doesn't remember you and..... she does not want to live with you." She spoke the last sentence silently.

"So?" Dev's voice revealed his irritation as he heard Sara talking about Sona. In fact, he was horrified that Sara knew so much of things about him.

"So.... I mean... if you ever think about getting married and moving on, I would just like to say that I will be waiting for you." She released the breath which she was holding for long.

Dev's eyes widened. He never expected that kind of statement from her. She was willing to wait? How long? Dev did not know how to react to her proposal. There were lots of things that was a secret in his life. Many things which only Sona knew about him.... How could he share those moments with another girl all over again? His palms were sweaty and he grinded his teeth in tension.

"Dev?" Sara called.

"Sara.... I am surprised that you knew so much about me." He took a deep breath and started speaking.

"But there are lots of things that you may need to know if you are going to wait for me." He said, blinking his eyes multiple times. He did not know why he didn't reject her straight. Maybe he did not want to hurt her too.

She looked too innocent and nice to be involved in his screwed up life.

He did not want to hurt her cruelly...but at the same time, he was also getting tired of his own life. He needed a life partner and Sona refused to even acknowledge him properly. If Sona leaves him completely, he would be left devastated and Dev did not want that.

He was done being a sad soul. He wanted to live happily again, but that didn't mean that he was going to give up on Sonakshi.

"Tell me Dev... I am willing to hear you out." Sara gave him an encouraging smile.

"I and Sonakshi.... We were not just a normal couple." Dev shifted in his seat uncomfortably. Looking around, he realised that it was the first time he was speaking to someone else about his relationship.

"We were more than an ordinary couple. We shared an emotional bond....and we even lived in together few days. We shared a very intimate relationship..... I am sure you get what I say." He looked down, feeling uncomfortable to share such details.

"Ouh...." Sara looked down uneasily.

"Yes... and also, I still do have a little hope on Sona. Until she's completely out from my mind, I can't give any lady a chance. I hope you are not offended?" Dev asked softly.

He knew the pain of rejection. That's why he was very careful in dealing with Sara. He did not want to hurt her feelings... especially when the girl was giving him selfless love. Selfless love was something rare in today's world. Dev was really guilty for hurting her, but his love for Sona was too extreme.

Sara just gave him a small smile.

"It's okay Dev... I completely understand. In fact, I am still proud that I am in love with you, because in these days, its hard to find a guy who's so loyal like this. Sona is extremely lucky to have a boyfriend like you. You are great...." She smiled and took her purse.

"Okay Dev, I am getting late. In the case where you change your mind, this is my number." She whispered shyly and forwarded him her name card.

Dev could see her face turning bright like a tomato. Smiling warmly, he received the card and placed it inside his pocket.

"Bye..."

-------------------------

"Hello? Sona?" Dev placed his phone in his ears, only to hear a frustrated grunt.

"What now?" she replied with an uninterested tone.

"Today a girl proposed to me!" Dev stated blankly.

"So what? Want me to give you permission to date as an ex-girlfriend?" she asked sarcastically.

"Are you okay with it, baby?" Dev asked in a sarcastically-sweet tone.

"Dare you call me baby! I am not anyone's baby." she sneered and Dev chuckled. "Why the heck did you even call me. I was sleeping peacefully without listening to your voice the entire day. Now that I heard it, I have started hating your voice!"

"But I really miss your voice Sona.... I am missing it too much that I think, now I am living in my dreams." He spoke sentimentally. His voice dipped one tone lower, making Sona worried.

Sonakshi paused and her heart thumped loudly as she heard Dev's voice changing. Something about his tone bothered her.

"Dev.... Are you okay?" she asked and Dev was taken aback by her sudden concern.

"Um... yea. Why?"

"I don't know Dev............ I really feel guilty for your state now. I feel like I owe you something. I wish I could remember something to help you, but I don't. Tell me whether there's any other way I can help you?" she asked and his lips twitched into a smile.

"Sona.... there's a digital camera you left behind, before you went Paris. Do you want to come to my house and see it?" he asked politely.

Sona's eyes narrowed and she tilted her head sideways.

"What if you try to flirt with me at your house?" she teased and Dev's lips curved upwards. Although they were speaking through phone and Sona could not see his face, he felt so conscious of his looks.

"Oh don't worry. I don't have to flirt with you to impress you. Once you recall your memory, you will come running to me. And wear your best to my house, okay?" he chuckled, making smoke ooze out from Sona's ears .

"Oh really? Please mister... don't have high hopes. I am going to wear the most decent clothes to your house. Understood?" she said, making Dev chuckle.

Dev thanked his stars that she finally accepted his invitation.

"Don't worry. There's nothing left to see... I have seen it all!" he said, making Sona drop the phone on the floor.

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Okay, so this story is extremely short. That's why my updates are very short here. I hope you guys don't mind. And pleaseeeee comment. I love reading your comments. Just take this extra step and write down your thoughts.