Someone's voice behind Karthik. It wasn't someone I couldn't recognise. It was a well-known voice. I tried to ignore it but it was loud enough to make my breathing hitched.

"Put down the phone baby....Come back.... You can entertain her another day" the sultry voice trailed behind as I inhaled sharply.

Jia?

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

Sona's POV

How could I have not guessed? I knew Jia more than anyone did. I felt dumb to have thought that karthik would be loyal to me. After all, he was a rogue himself. Why would he even wait for me for so many years?

"So-"

"Bye Karthik!" I spoke furiously and switched off my phone.

I didn't know what I should be feeling now? It was obvious that karthik was cheating on me....but that didn't hurt. Maybe a small part of me was feeling guilty whenever I talked to Abhi. I was afraid of betraying Karthik's trust but now, everything was gone. At least I wasn't having an affair like him!

I placed my hand on my chest, still feeling the frigid cold, surrounding my heart so I know it's there, but lately I couldn't feel it beating anymore. Some say that you find purpose in the simplicity of your heartbeat. But I no longer know where my purpose lies. I was afraid, I guess. I can no longer feel anything as strongly as I once did. I was afraid of going completely numb.

That's when Abhi's thoughts invaded my mind. I needed to call him. Switching on my phone, I quickly dialed his number. He had to be upset but I needed to make him understand. He didn't pick up the first time. But on the second attempt, the line went through.

"Hello...." I licked my dry lips and waited in anticipation.

"Sonakshi..." his voice was nothing but a plea. He sounded so upset till it made me guilty.

"Abhi... please don't believe Natasha. You know how she is, right? She-"

"I didn't trust her." he interrupted me. 

"What?"

"I don't trust her Sona. I didn't... I knew she was wrong..... I trust you. In fact, I always have. I don't know why, but I felt like I needed to trust you. I knew you couldn't do something like that.... I am sorry for the messages I sent you earlier. It was sent on anger.....I am so sorry" he spoke and that's when I felt a strangled sob leaving my throat.

Finally.....someone believed me. Abhi still believed me...

"Abhi... Thank you sooo much. I........" I sobbed.

"Sona...it's ok darling!"

"I can't explain how much this means to me Abhi..........I....You mean a lot to me Abhi" I said and cried more. I had never felt this overwhelmed before. I had to tell him. He had to know how important he was for me.... I felt like he needed to know how much I liked him. If this wasn't love, I didn't know what would be.

"Sonakshi?" he gasped as I continued crying.

"Where are you Sona...? Are you okay? Why are you crying?" he panicked.

"Abhi.... Nats chased me away from the apartment....I...."

"What??? Is she crazy? Shit..." he cursed as I heard his heavy breathing through the phone.

"Abhi-"

"Tell me Sona... Are you ok? Where are you? I am coming right away"

"I...am-" before I could answer him, I felt a strong push which made the phone land on the floor in pieces.

I turned in panic and saw a scary looking guy seated beside me. Did he just push my phone in the puddle of water? Anger boiled in my system but I couldn't do anything. That guy was resting against the wooden pillar with a face of utter nonchalance, as if he were merely waiting for a bus on a spring day. He puffed in his cigarette and looked at me with a strange look. It wasn't just one...but there was a whole bunch of guys behind him. Their bodies were clearly too muscular for me to fight or defend.

They had a deadly smile on their faces as if something good were about to happen. The world fell apart when realization hit me. Good for them meant bad for me. Very bad.

"Hey pretty girl.....come here" one guy called as I gulped and looked away.

I was taken aback when a guy moved closer and stood next to me. I struggled to keep my breathing normal. It was too cold and my entire body was shaking. I knew I had to leave that place as soon as possible but the rain was too heavy and I couldn't step out.

"Hey looks like you lost your way.....need help?" the guy asked me as I slowly examined his face.

"No thanks..." I answered politely and looked down.

That's when another guy walked towards me. Leisurely, he placed his hands on my shoulder and pulled me closer to him. Words left me. I stared into those bright grey eyes burning with arrogance as he continued to hold me tightly.

"Don't touch me!" I flinched and moved away.

But he smirked and started walking closer. While I picked up my bag, another goon grabbed me by my hair and made me face him. He slowly moved his lips closer to mine and I gasped. Another guy came beside him and grabbed my waist.

I didn't know what came over me but I immediately slapped him. I felt so disgusted and violated. My watery eyes enlarged and the hairs on the nape of my neck bristled. I couldn't believe I just hit a man who was twice as big as me. I tried to scream, but the inside of my mouth lacked any moisture and a croak was all that came out.

The menacing guy who stood beside me held my hand and yanked me towards his chest. With all my strength, I pushed him away.

The moment he stumbled back, I ran. I had no time to take my luggages or phone with me. I just ran, ignoring the rain and the loud thunders. I ran to protect my dignity and life. My face was flushed red and my expression was pure panic. My heart pounded heavily, sending blood to my muscles. My head started to get dizzy until I heard a horn sound. A car immediately stopped in front of me, making me slip and fall there.

My face was drenched with tears and water as I sat there paralyzed. I turned around and saw the goons still chasing me. I had no more energy left to run. That's when I decided to ask for help, looking at the car in front of me.

But life had other plans for me. I froze when I saw an angry looking Dev exiting the car and walking towards me.

"D...Dev?"

"Sona.....What's wrong?" he crouched down and touched my face. I quickly flinched and moved his hands away. I didn't want to see him anymore... I hated him. He was the sole reason for my state.

"Go away! Just go..... I don't want to see you anymore. You said that you wouldn't come back.... Why are you here?" I cried as he just stared at me blankly.

It was all because of him. If only he left me alone from the start, I wouldn't have been stuck in a mess like this. It's his fault. He made me go through hell in such a short period of time. I almost squeaked when I felt his one hand curling around the bottom of my knees and the other winding around my back. Soon, I was lifted up into the air and brought to the door of his car.

However, me being my stubborn self, struggled and got away from his grip. With a huge strength, I pushed him away by his shoulders. Before I could successfully get away, he held my wrists and glared at me. But before he could speak to me, the goons were back.

"Woah.....look out who's here!! Dev Sharma huh?" one of the guy mocked while Dev rolled his eyes. My eyes widened as I immediately stepped back in fear. I didn't expect them to run behind me in the rain...

"Look here..... We have weapons with us Mister! Give us the girl and we shall spare you!" One of the guy yelled from behind as he flashed his knife towards Dev. Colours drained from my face as I looked between him and Dev.

Dev raised his eyebrows and looked towards that guy before looking at me, "Who said that I was protecting her? Just take her with you.... I am leaving!" he said casually as my heartbeat stopped.

"DEVV" I clutched his arms tightly while the men ahead gave me an evil grin.

"What? You told me to go away right? Then why are you holding me now? GO!" Dev said as more tears came out from my eyes.

"How.....wait....save me!" I gasped as the rain and the wind were slowly freezing my brain.

"Find a way to fight Sona! You always loved to fight me right? Use the same method and they might flee away" he replied sarcastically.

"B...but... They are going to kill me Dev..." my lips wobbled as I spoke to him. All of us were getting drenched but none of them seemed to bother by their state.

"So what? Didn't I come here to help you? Weren't you the one pushing me away? Didn't you know that you were in trouble when you fell infront of my car?" he screamed as I felt my ears getting hot. He was right.... I am so stupid!

"I....I didn't mean...." I stammered as the goons started running forward. My eyes enlarged and I quickly kneeled down.

"AHHHHH" I screamed and clenched my eyes shut, when one of the goon shoving his knife towards my arms.

But before I could feel the pain, a sharp gasp was heard and surprisingly, it wasn't from me. There was neither any knife nor pain felt on my skin. I slowly and hesitantly opened my eyes, only to see that the goon's nose bleeding heavily. My eyes widened and I quickly looked down at Dev's hand, which was turning blue-black in colour with white knuckles. Looking at both of them, realization drawn upon me. Dev had just punched that guy.

Oh no...

"How dare you hit our guy? You bastard!" another guy screamed and raised his hands, only to be stopped by Dev again.

This time my fear increased as the guys looked like they wanted to beat the shit out of us. Soon, the rest of the men behind ran towards us while Dev stood steadily on spot.

*End of POV*

Rage conquered Dev's body as he started punching the guy like he was a punching bag. Grabbing the hooligan by the shoulder, he dragged him across the street and threw him to a side. Blinded with rage, he attacked the guys, one by one continuously in the rain.

The rain pounded on the roads as his arms flexed with every punch on the guy's face. He breathed with every strike with a terrifying look. The sound of his anger rumbling with the thunder. He growled when one of the guy attacked him from behind.

Sonakshi stood there with shock. Once again, fear found her. It spoke to her in its cackling voice. It told her legs to go weak, her stomach to lurch and her heart to ache. She had never seen Dev in such a terrifying avatar before. His aura radiating power, dominance and darkness only reminded her the way her father was. His eyes shining with so much of malice and evilness within them that caused her heart to explode in her chest.

"Dev....stop" she sobbed as he kept bashing the guys infront of him.

One last hit caused the guys to fall flat on their faces. Sonakshi flinched as Dev unbuttoned his cuffs as if they were burning him. His knuckles red as he clenched and unclenched his fists. He strode towards Sonakshi and grabbed her inside his car. Without any words said, he closed the door with a loud bang and hopped inside.

Dev was angry. Very angry. He was drenched from the cold rain from top to bottom, but that didn't seem to cool his anger down. He was seething like an enraged panther. Looking at Sonakshi, his anger only increased. If only she wasn't so stubborn, he could have helped her earlier. She was in such a helpless state....yet her ego was so huge!

"A...are you okay? Your hands are bleeding?" she sobbed as she slowly lifted his hands in her palms and examined it. Her touch calmed his anger and her selflessness warmed his heart. He immediately took his hands away and clutched the steering infront of him.

"I'm fine..... where do you need to go?" he asked firmly.

"My belongings................are at.........the bus stop...." her voice croaked as he kept staring at her. She was crying non-stop from the time he met her. He knew she wasn't at the right state of mind, but he couldn't ignore her taunts either. When he saw her in trouble, he really wanted to help her. It wasn't just pity but she meant a lot more to him. Her cries wounded him more than anything he had ever faced. But he didn't know how to ease that away...

"Elena told me what happened!" he spoke as Sona looked at him with shock.

"She did?"

"Yes" Dev nodded as every time he parted his lips to speak, she trembled, hoping not to hear the words that he might tell her.

"I.......need to go back home" Sonakshi said softly as she looked at him with pleading eyes.

"You need to go somewhere for tonight first....The earliest flight would be tomorrow evening....let me-"

"I need to call Abhi...." she said softly and that was it. It ticked off Dev's anger off limits. His hands fisted as they tightened against the steering.

"What the fuck?" he yelled as she flinched away from him, "What do you think he can do? Bring you to his place? For god's sake Sona! He is living alone in some apartment. Do you want to go there and live with him?" Dev spat as his face displayed pure disgust.

"I.....just.....wanted to inform him" she tried saying but Dev wasn't taking any explanations from her.

"Just shut up Sonakshi! Just shut up! All I am doing here is trying to help you.....but you! You are just getting on my nerves. You know what? I am going to bring you back to Natasha's place and talk to her. Okay?"

"No Dev.........please don't do that.... She-"

"I know what she did! You don't have to act like a saint and justify her acts..... It was my fault and I will clear it. And yes..... never think about Abhi!" he spat as Sona's eyes widened.

She felt like slapping Dev hard until he lost his memories. She knew Abhi couldn't help her much from his place but stopping her from meeting him was wrong. Dev had no rights to control her but she couldn't tell anything to him. He was the only support she had now. After the phone call with Abhi, Sona at least wanted to see him once. She couldn't help but feel sorry for Abhi because if he ever saw her with Dev, then he would be so heartbroken. She wanted to inform him that she was fine but Dev was just too adamant.

"You are scaring me more than the goons there...." She stated softly as she sniffled back her tears. Her fingers were intertwined while her eyes were etched on her lap.

Dev stilled. He looked at her and saw the same emotion she had when he first helped her in his car. The same vulnerable and broken look was back on her face. He was taken aback by her sudden confession. For the first time, he couldn't reply her back because he knew that she was right. He was blinded by his jealousy and had acted like a complete jerk to her. Abhi's role in Sonakshi's life irritated him and he could never come to terms with that.

He tried......but he couldn't.

He quickly drove towards the bus stop and collected her belongings. When he sat back in his car, he saw her face void of any emotions. She was suddenly so quiet that it terrified him.

"Are you okay?" he asked as he lightly touched her hands.

"Can you help me book flight tickets back to Delhi... I asked Elena but she didn't reply me. I lost my phone and I want to go home now. I don't know if I can ever give you back the money....but I can't afford the tickets. If my parents get to know that I am living with someone else tonight, they will kill me. Please Dev.....please help me." She choked as tears threatened to pour from her eyes.

"Shhh.....it's okay. We will go and see Natasha first....." Dev's voice softened as Sona's body trembled in fear. She was worried to how Natasha will ever react but she just kept quiet.

When Dev reached Natasha's apartment, he stepped out and brought Sonakshi with him. The water poured down her sides, drip by drip down her face to her neck, making Dev gulp down on his own saliva. The waters dripping down her body made her clothes stuck to her skin and revealed her wonderful curves. Despite the fogginess in her mind and the situation they were in, she looked alluringly beautiful that Dev couldn't bring his eyes away from her.

After fighting a battle in his mind, he walked towards the door and knocked it.

Once, twice.....and thrice. There was no response from the other side. The silence added an awkwardness to the situation until Elena walked down. She gasped when she saw Dev and Sonakshi in a fully drenched state.

"Oh my god......are you guys okay? Sona....why didn't you wait for me? I was so worried you know? I am so glad Dev found you.........Gosh! I wanted to-"

"Where's Natasha?" Dev interrupted as Elena turned and frowned at him.

"She went out...... she was throwing tantrums ever since Sonakshi walked out. I don't know what happened ...........but after a few minutes she walked out from the house and left somewhere angrily...... She told everyone not to let Sonakshi in by any chance......such a mad woman!" Elena said as Dev sighed and looked behind.

Dev completely froze as he caught the sight of Sona's trembling form. The storm in her eyes changed quickly as so many emotions dashed through them. Embarrassment perhaps for what she had been through, shame, desperation, longing and devastation were floating in her eyes which didn't meet his. His shoulders slumped in sadness by just seeing her.

"Sona..." he mouthed as his eyes travelled all over her petite form. The more he saw her, the more he wanted to stab Natasha to death.

Before he could reach her, she walked away silently. He decided not to follow her and instantly turned towards Elena.

"Why can't she stay with you?" he asked with questioning eyes.

"Dev....my.....urm....boyfriend is staying with me. Knowing about Sonakshi, I don't think it's right to make her stay there....that's why" she spoke guiltily and Dev growled.

"Your boyfriend???? Wait.....did you just say living with you? From when?"

"Dev....it's not like what you th-"

"How long has it been?" he gritted as she feared his tone.

"It's been almost a year......"

"Why the hell is your boyfriend living with you? I can't believe you are stooping so low Elena! I mean....what if aunty gets to know about this? She will get a heart attack! Do you think it's cool to go around and say that you are living in with your boyfriend?" he yelled as Elena was dumbfounded by Dev's anger.

"I....Its' not like that D..Dev. I really love him..... that's wh-"

"So? If you start living with him now, won't you get bored after marriage? Wait...are you even planning to marry him? Do you know whether he loves you the same way you love him? If yes, then why this hiding shit? Why not get married and live peacefully? I can't believe you are so dumb Elena!" he vented as Elena gritted her teeth.

"You don't know anything about him Dev. He loves me....and he is genuine! What's the rush for marriage? I like it this way and there is no need for me to prove anything to the world. As long as I am happy, it's enough! And out of all people, you can't advise me because your life is not so perfect either! You keep flirting around with girls and breaking your promises.....so by right, my boyfriend is much better than you!" she said proudly as Dev stared at her with disbelief.

"What? Oh really? Have you ever seen me staying over at my girlfriend's house Elena? If I am ever in love with a girl, I wouldn't mind giving her my surname and providing her with the rights in my house by legally marrying her. Not keep her next to me like my mistress. Whatever.... I am informing your mum! Start packing his clothes!" he warned as Elena's eyes widened.

"DEVVV.....what the hell is your problem. Please don't do this. I will inform mum once we are a bit stable..... I mean......... Don't do this" she struggled as Dev kept walking.

"Save this shit and never get pregnant! Don't make a poor child suffer due to your dumbness!" Dev shouted and left that place. He mentally made a note to never enter that apartment again in his life. That place was filled with idiotic and insane people, he thought.

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

"Hormonal teenagers!" he swore as he came to the basement. Sonakshi turned behind and saw a grumpy Dev, walking out with a foul mood.

"What happened?" she asked as she saw him cursing under his breath.

"I am going to bring you to my house......get in!" he said as her eyes widened.

"What?? No..... I mean, in the worst scenario, I can stay at Elena's place."

"NO. You can't stay there! She's with her guy play-toy and I don't trust him!" he gritted as Sonakshi gasped.

"You are so rude! That's her boyfriend!" she retorted.

"But still.....I don't want you staying with a guy who I can't trust?" he said as she clenched her teeth and poked her fingers on his chest.

"You know what? You are such a hypocrite..... You say that I can't stay when a guy is present there but how can I stay in your house when you are a guy yourself?" she asked but he quickly held her hands and locked it behind her back.

"Because sunshine...... I have my mum at home. It's not only me there.....I live with my family and you can trust me you know" he said while he moved her slightly away from the roof of the building, exposing them to the rain. His face was close to hers while their breaths mingled.

"Still.....how can I stay-"

"Just come Sonakshi..... It's not safe for you to stay anywhere else......Please" he spoke softly as he rested his forehead on hers'.

The rain drenched their faces as she stared at him with uncertainty. For the first time, he wasn't authoritative. He tried talking to her in the way where she would be comfortable with him. But it was harder for her to change her thoughts about him. She was scared of him. Scared of the consequences that would follow her if she stayed at his place.

Nevertheless, she had no choice.

"Okay....your wish" she whispered in defeat as her voice was weak from the crying.

With ankles crossed Sonakshi watched Dev driving the car in the empty road. She knew that it was close to midnight and there was no other solution to her problem. Her mind was empty and her heart felt void of any emotions. Tears just poured from her eyes even when she tried hard.

She felt lost and abandoned. Nobody wanted her. She had nobody to turn for help. Self-pity grew stronger in her heart as she bit her lips harder to stop scowling. She badly wanted to continue her studies but without the fee being paid, she couldn't study there anymore. If she returned to her village, she would be forcefully married to Karthik. She couldn't even imagine a life with Karthik, especially after losing a part of her to Abhi. She wanted to escape from them..... Her father's warnings echoed in her ears and she felt her chest constructing, making it difficult for her to breathe.

"Don't worry..... You will be fine" Dev held her hand but his voice did nothing to ease her sorrows.

"I.....am sorry for all the trouble" she said as she faced the ground in defeat.

She hated him....or that's what she thought. But at that moment, the amount of gratitude she felt for him was unmeasurable. She felt so thankful to Dev. He saved her from the goons, fought for her and even offered her a place to stay. Despite being an egoistic jerk, he cared for her and that just made things complicated.

It wasn't a long time they reached his house. When Dev turned around, he saw the shivering frame of Sonakshi. His heart sunk when he gazed at her gloomy eyes. He wanted nothing but to cradle her in his arms and console her but stopped himself. She flinched every time he touched her. He knew that she was facing an emotional turmoil and it wasn't going to be easy.

"Here you go...." Dev forwarded his phone to her and Sonakshi gazed at it confusedly.

"Why?"

"You can call that idiotic friend of yours!" he frowned as Sona's eyes widened.

Oh...My....God

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

Precap :Sona's face to face with Asha

Target : 330