Sorry for the delay! I was not well last few days 😭Pls comment and vote guys :)

But my next attack was well planned. I immediately turned and saw Sona forwarding me her hand for a handshake. Taking her hand, I pulled her towards me and hugged her as well. She gasped as she was taken aback by shock, but she quickly covered her expressions and became stoic.

"Goodnights and sweet dreams sunshine....... If you are dreaming about me, know that I like it rough!" I whispered so that only she could hear.

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

Natasha's POV

I didn't know when the last time I fell in love like this was. It was a different feeling. People may call me names and mean things but my love was true. Meeting Dev face to face, was already a dream come true but that wasn't enough. I wanted more. I wanted him all for myself.

When I first met him, I knew that he was dating the model Sasha. Everytime I saw them together, something inside me hurts so badly.....that's when I realised that I really liked him. The moment I heard the news that he broke off with Sasha, I couldn't contain my excitement. When I expressed my desire to Sona, she didn't even understand me. Instead of being by my side, she said that he liked her! Like seriously?

Dev was a high class person. He had every quality of the guy I ever wanted. How would he ever go for a girl like Sona? She was nothing compared to me. Of course she had great looks but she wasn't his standard. She was too shy and cunning! Not to forget, she had the brains of Einstein! But that wasn't his cup of tea.

Ignoring everyone's judgements, I had started showing Dev how much I liked him. My actions towards him were already obvious. But there was no reaction from him. He invited us for his party but he was rarely attending us there. God knows where he went after he called us in.

Next, I invited him over for dinner but most of our conversations were plainly formal and forced. He excused himself to go to the washroom during our dinner and spent.....god knows how long down there! I didn't know whether he was pretending to be oblivious or he really didn't get it. I tried my best to impress him and make him acknowledge me but it wasn't working.

Now I have decided. Telling him straight would be the best way. I asked him if he was free during the weekends because if he was, I wanted to tell him how much I love him. Yes, a proper proposal. But as always, he said he wasn't free. I didn't want anything else in this world apart from him. I just hope he would accept me and consider being with me.

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

"Sona, where are you walking darling?" Abhi asked as he walked fast to catch up with her.

"Stop calling me darling Abhi! I am not your darling....and what's all this about? If you are going to stand outside my college all day, then all my friends are going to make fun of me!" Sona whined as Abhi chuckled.

"So you are worried about your friends, baby?"

"Errr......don't call me baby either!"

"You told me not to call you darling! Can't I at least call you baby?"

"NO" Sona stated firmly as Abhi sighed.

"Then what else do I call you?"

"Sona or Sonakshi.... Because that's my name. Don't be a cliché boyfriend and use all these endearments Abhi." She said as she packed her bags and started getting up from the café.

"So you agree that I am your boyfriend?" he asked cockily.

"Yes! Boy plus friend. Boy-friend" she giggled as she saw Abhi frowning.

The café had become their regular meet up point ever since Abhi indirectly expressed his love interest on Sona. Although Sonakshi told him that she needed more time, the way she was comfortable with Abhi, gave him the confidence that she somehow reciprocated his feelings.

Sona didn't deny that she didn't share feelings with Abhi but she was just scared to express to him yet. Everytime she thought about Abhi, her engagement and Karthik's warnings would scare her.

She quickly walked to her apartment and freshened up when she received a message from the devil.

Karthik – Call me at 12 today.

Me – I need to study!

Karthik – Fine I will call Natasha then ;)

Me – Okay... okay fine! Don't bother her. I will call you!

Karthik – I want to see you....live

Me - ??

Karthik – Come on video call baby

Sonakshi immediately threw her phone on the bed and sat down with her head dug in her palms. She didn't know how to handle the situation. Video calling Karthik would be the last thing she wanted to do.

She quickly took her books out and started indulging herself with work. That's when she realised that she needed to buy some stationaries from the bookstore. She remembered asking Natasha for money but unfortunately she wasn't home yet.

Sona's POV

I don't know where I was going. I just walked to the mall, but sadly there were no bookshops or any shop that resembles things that I wanted to buy. When I asked Abhi, I was sure he mentioned me this mall.... But nothing was here. God damn, I should have asked someone for help. Should I call Abhi? But what can he do? He can't come here at this time...

I finally asked a few passer-by for help and with those directions, I walked in the way they told me. However after half an hour, I reached a place which looked eerie and quiet. That's when I knew that I had lost my way. I knew I had come too far and I should go back. But I couldn't find the way back. There was 3 roadways and the street lights were suddenly off.

Maybe coming out alone was a mistake...

The breeze had morphed into a beast while its merciless gusts thrashed against my favourite attire. Night was falling, creeping towards me from all sides. Suddenly, the sound of footsteps alerted me from my thoughts.

I couldn't think of anything. I immediately called Natasha, but as usual she wasn't answering her call. I looked around and continued walking. I tried to look around for any street signs or people but there was none there. The pathway was deserted and there was no street lights there. I tried recalling how I came here but my mind was blocked. All I could remember was the small pathway door I entered when a guy directed me, saying that it was a shortcut to the shops.

I didn't want to risk changing the direction and dwell even deeper into the wrong direction. So I immediately I called Abhi. I knew I had to do it. Abhi was the only person I could think of at the moment. But before he could answer the call, a loud banging sound distracted me. I flinched and dropped my phone in panic

The window glass panel on my left made a crackling sound before it shattered and a huge rock fell on my toe. I screamed in terror and instantly turned around. That's when I saw a man running towards me. Before he could reach further, two other guys appeared out of nowhere and started surrounding him.

But that's not what made me panic. All of them had a gun in their hand!

That's when I heard it again.

Gunshot!

I don't know what real gunshots sounded like. I've only heard them in Natasha's video games. I have even fired them. But that was in the games. This was real and it was happening right infront of me. I started moving away but another guy appeared from my back.

Since I was at glued to a small wall behind me they couldn't see me and I was thankful for that. Plus the place was too dark and I was only depending on the street light at the end of the lane. I immediately tried to flee away but before I could, I heard a guy's screaming pleas.

The nausea swirled unrestrained in my empty stomach. My heart felt as if my blood had become tar while struggling to keep a steady beat. I quickly covered my mouth to prevent myself from wailing out loud. I didn't know why I opened my eyes, but when I did, I regretted. Thick red liquid poured down the side of the guy's head while he was continuously trashed around. More guys were walking behind them.

If that wasn't enough, a bullet spat out from nowhere and hit another guy's hand. I didn't want to see where the bullets were being fired from. The world shook infront of me and my vision blurred for a moment. I blinked my eyes repeatedly and that's when I realised that tears were flowing freely on my cheeks.

Returning from my panic mode, I started to run for my life. Thankfully the guys didn't seem to acknowledge my presence. I didn't know where I could go. I didn't know this place at all but I just kept running.

However luck wasn't on my side.

Because one of the guy saw me slipping away. I immediately froze when he aimed something sharp at me. Now my blood drained and heart hammered erratically. I knew I was in deep trouble but I didn't want to give up. I turned behind slightly only to see that his hands were filled with blood while his furious eyes confirmed my possible outcome.

I didn't know what came across me but I just started sprinting in full speed.

My feet slipped outwards on the wet autumn leaves as I rounded the corner, the cold evening air shocking my throat and lungs as I inhaled deeper and faster. With each footfall a jarring pain shot up from my ankle to knee. I kept looking backwards to check whether anyone was following me. I was too occupied with the view behind be that I didn't notice when a large hand grabbed me from the front.

I froze.

I was dragged inside a small lane. The person held me tight from my back that I couldn't see who it was at all. How did I not notice the person in front?

I started screaming and trashing around, pleading that person to leave me. Who knows, they might just kill me here. My eyes were pinched closed, my teeth clenched together as I tried to stop myself from having an anxiety attack. But the moment I heard the person's voice, I went rigid.

"Shh sunshine.... I am here. I am right here..."

*End of POV*

"Dev?" she spoke as her eyes enlarged. She didn't know what a normal girl should be feeling at this moment but Sona felt extremely relieved. She felt emotional and ecstatic.

She quickly pulled his hands away and turned to face him. Dev was trying to keep her quiet but the next thing she did shocked him too. She pounced on him like he was the last way of survival in a cold forest. She hugged him and started sobbing hysterically. In that embrace she was cocooned better than any butterfly-to-be.

Dev's hand rubbed her back soothingly as he continued to whisper comforting words in her ears but she couldn't concentrate on whatever he was saying. She clutched his collars tightly and whimpered.

Dev felt her soft skin and the gentle squeeze of his own hands, bringing her closer. Sona felt his arms wrap around her bony frame and she hugged his neck. She soaked in another person's warmth for the first time in her life and she didn't even regret it.

"Save me please.....save me.... Just bring me back.... I can't stay here.... Please Dev..." she murmured between her sobs while Dev hugged her tightly, firmly telling her the words that she wanted to hear.

"You are fine Sona.... Nothing is wrong. You are here... with me" He coaxed but her cries only increased.

"Dev... they shot someone....they" she coughed as he stroked her long hair and pulled her to his chest.

"I know I know..... shhhhh you have to keep quiet darling. Please.... I am trying to help you down here" he spoke as she sniffled her cries and looked up at him.

"A person....was shot......and I....couldn't....do anything" she whispered as she swallowed the lump on her throat after every word.

"Shh.... There's nothing you can do about that Sona!" he gritted before looking around, "... you stay here. I will check what's happening there and be right back..." Dev spoke but the next minute, her arms tightened around him. She rested her head above his heart and started shivering.

"Don't let go... Don't leave me.....please" she mumbled quietly, afraid that he would hear and laugh at her but he didn't. He did hear her but he didn't laugh. He simply pulled her closer and kissed her temples.

"I will never do that. Promise" he held her tighter, trapping her against his chest. "Not until you tell me what the hell you were doing here!" he spoke into her hair. His voice rose slightly serious.

Dev was fuelling from inside. His anger knew no bounds when he saw Sonakshi at such a dangerous place. If he had not seen her at the right time, she could have been dead. Or worse, she could have been brutally raped. He knew how dangerous the place was and couldn't help but wonder why she was there. The minute he held her, he wanted to blast all his anger at her.

But the moment she hugged him, his anger faded away. Seeing her vulnerable state made him melt into puddles. She was sobbing in his chest like a baby and he had no idea how to calm her down. He just held onto her a little tighter and nuzzled his nose in her neck, breathing her scent and allowing his muscles to relax. At that moment, it just felt so surreal that he couldn't help but pull her into his wildest thoughts.

He heard a soft gasp as he felt her shuddering against him.

"Are you okay?" he mumbled in the same position.

"Hmm.... I am scared....."

"I am here for you darling"

"You can let me go now..." she softly said, yet her fingers were stroking his hair unconsciously.

"But I just got you" he mumbled back, "Not going to let go of you so fast"

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

Dev quickly brought Sonakshi out from the place and dragged her towards his car. Sona silently followed him as she didn't dare to question him anything after the incident inside the mysterious place. She was traumatised and deeply wounded. The images of that screaming guy made her terrified.

"Now tell me," Dev's serious tone brought her out from her thoughts as she looked at him with confusion. "What were you doing out there Sonakshi? I will ask you this for the last time and don't you dare lie to me!"

"I....." she gulped before shifting herself in the seat, "I got lost Dev..."

He stared at her with an unbelievable look. It was a look mixed with anger and frustration.

"Lost?"

"What?" she whined, not being able to handle his look.

"I can't believe you could get lost like this? I mean..... Where the hell were you travelling at this time?" he yelled.

Tears which were dried by now gathered again in her eyes.

"I was just going to get some things from the bookstore. I couldn't find the store so... I tried asking for help. I didn't know how I landed up here. I tried calling Natasha for help but she didn't pick up..... It was too dark so I couldn't find my way back too..." she choked as she looked at him helplessly.

"That useless friend of yours..." he muttered under his breath as Sonakshi's eyes widened.

"It's not her fault. She might have been busy. It's my fault for leaving without telling anyone..." she said wiping a small tear at the corner of her eyes.

"You know..." he paused as his fingers reached out for her cheeks and caressed her. She instantly winced when he touched her. But when she looked at him, she realised he wasn't angry. Instead his eyes held care and concern. She gulped and leaned further into his hold. She knew it was wrong but she couldn't help it.

"You should have called me...." He whispered huskily.

"Why?.............. I mean.....I don't even know you..... We are not even friends" Sona said as she stared down at her lap.

"Well, what are we then?" he asked as she stayed silent.

She knew she had no answer for that. She didn't even know how she felt about him. Their relationship was the most complicated out of everything. She hated him for his guts, boldness and carefree attitude, yet she felt a strong connection with him. She didn't complain when he was close to her or even after he kissed her forcefully twice. Were they friends, acquaintance or just strangers? Even she didn't know.

Every time she was in trouble, he managed to save her. How was that even possible? That's when something hit her.

"Wait, what were you doing down there? I mean.... How were you suddenly there to save me?" she asked as she narrowed her eyes at him.

"I go there everyday Sona. I have friends living next to that area and I visit them. Plus I know that it's a dangerous place and gang wars happen there frequently. If they find any girls there..... Then you won't even hear about them again" He spoke like it was the most usual thing. Sona's eyes widened as she couldn't believe how casually he took it.

"Thank god, I found you at the right time" he sighed and continued driving the car.

How was he able to go to such places and come back calmly? Wasn't he scared?

"Thank you.....for saving me" she said. She didn't look at him but she knew that he was constantly glancing at her.

"Just a thanks?" he asked as she rolled her eyes. How could she not expect this?

"Thank you Mr Dev Sharma! That's all I can say now. Don't annoy me"

"Oh come on...." He whined as she shook her head tiredly.

"I can't give you anything more than that Dev....Plus I am extremely sad right now." She pouted as she stared outside the window.

"Why sad?"

"Because I dropped my phone there..... I am always unlucky when it comes to phone" she said, making him smile.

"Well, my phone is a lucky one then. You can start using that!" he chuckled as Sonakshi just ignored him.

"No thanks!"

"Come on, that's not how you thank people!"

"Then what do you want me to do?" she asked tiredly as he gave her a lopsided grin.

"You can follow me out for a coffee date tomorrow?" he suggested as he raised his eye brows at her suggestively.

"You never leave a chance do you?" she shook her head as she started leaving the car.

The car had stopped and they had reached Natasha's apartment but Dev wanted answers first. Before she could leave Dev walked out from the car and blocked her way.

"Come on please.... Just once. If you don't want to meet me after the date, then it's fine! I promise, I won't trouble you after this" he spoke as he looked at her expectantly.

"N.O......NO!" she spoke firmly and walked away.

"Ouch..."he winced holding his hand. Sona immediately turned and ran towards him.

"Dev... what happened?"

"It hurts..." he said as his face twisted painfully.

"Where?" she asked but the next moment, he pulled her closer and took her palms in his. He slowly brought her palms and placed on top of his heart.

"Here...."

"What?" she gasped as he leaned closer.

"Please.... Just once. Come out with me.... Just listen to what I have to say. If you don't want to date me after that, then it's fine. But no harm trying right? All I am asking you is just one date..... only one." He spoke sincerely as she was lost in his eyes.

They kept staring for a minute before Sonakshi snapped and looked away. That was the longest she had stared at someone in their eyes. Her face flushed vigorously.

"Dev-"

"Please mon amour..." he pouted.

"What's that?" she asked as a small smile formed on her lips. Dev's eyes lightened at her smile.

"I will tell you only if you agree to come with me!"

"Will you leave me after I accompany you for the coffee tomorrow?" she spoke nervously.

"Uh....Erm...yes I will" he said unsure of his own statement.

He really didn't know whether he would be able to avoid Sonakshi after a date, but he couldn't go back against his words now. At the heat of the moment, he was willing to lie about anything to make Sonakshi agree for the date and that's exactly what he did.

"Ok...I will meet you outside my university at 10am tomorrow, sharp!" she glared and walked away.

Dev watched her silently as a small smile hit his lips. He couldn't help but feel like a teenager again. Finally he made her agree but he knew convincing her was another hectic task. Just as he was admiring her view, a phone call broke his thoughts.

He picked it up and placed it on his ear.

"Yes... Everything done?" his tone changed as he answered the call.

"Sorry boss.... We almost finished him but the girl came there at the wrong time."

*********************

*Mon amour – My love*

Precap : Coffee Date

I don't wanna have any targets but lets just hit 300 first. I am very busy nowadays....I will still try to give an early update. Try to spam your comments down😘😘😘