"Hey Dev......I am working on it yaar. So far no phone calls" he replied and I rolled my eyes.

"There won't be any phone calls because she lost her phone idiot! Track the last call from my phone...and listen..."

"uhmm?"

"The name is Sanjay Agarwal"

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

Dev walked inside his quarters and saw his men seated on their chairs with their laptops, indulged in their work. His heels clacked roughly like they were damaging the walnut floor. Six heavy built guys came from a room with big guns in their hands. The moment they saw Dev, they bowed their head and nodded in respect.

Arjun walked up to Dev and reported all the information he had, before he can walk back to his room.

"Dev.... We have three problems now. Number one, we have captured RK.....and-"

"Where's he?" Dev interrupted, halting in his steps.

"Inside..." Arjun spoke while Dev made his way inside the padded doors. His face was stern, rigid and void of emotions.

When the door was opened, an eerie silence filled that place. Two tall and muscular guys were placed there for security. When Dev entered, everyone were quiet and their gazes were locked on Dev. His back was tensed and arms were clenched at his sides. Arjun didn't know what was cooking on Dev's mind, so without any word, he signaled everyone out from the room.

RK spun around and frowned at Dev. His eyes held confusion and fear. He noticed Dev in his cold and emotionless expression.

"D-Dev.....why have you brought me here again? I have told you..... I really had nothing to do with what happened yesterday. Please.....leave me" he begged stepping back while Dev pulled out his gun and stood infront of him.

"Uhuh.....so who were the guys at the bus-stop yesterday RK? I am sure they didn't call you without a reason...right?" Dev asked in a dangerously calm tone, which scared RK out of his wits.

Dev was still playing with his gun while RK contemplated on what to say. He knew that Dev would easily find through his bullshits, given his experience and power. But telling the truth would also risk his life. Finally after mustering up his courage, he decided to confess the truth.

"N....no.... I am sure you must be mistaken D...dev. I don-" before he could complete the sentence, a bullet pounced from Dev's gun and hit RK's arm. RK fell on the floor with a thud, turning the white floor red with his blood.

In his intense silence of the room, his blood curling screamed tore out from his throat like a thunder. His eyes were wide with horror, mouth rigid and open, his chalky face gaunt and immobile, fists clenched with blanched knuckles and his nails digging deeply into the palms of his hand. He struggled on the floor while Dev watched him struggle.

"Dev....please leave me. I have no link with anyone.... In fact I have stopped....all...my.....ahh" he held his hands while another bullet pierced his knee. He screamed in pain and Arjun immediately ran inside the room.

Arjun was horrified with the scene unfolding infront of his eyes. He knew that Dev had a crazy temper and a weird way of dealing things. But what he never expected was RK to be shot.

"DEVV...what the hell? Why did you shoot him......we need him" Arjun spoke while Dev carelessly shrugged.

"I don't freaking care Arjun. If he doesn't give me the truth, then his life holds no value to me!" Dev spoke while inserting the next bullet inside the gun. RK's eyes widened as his body shivered.

"Wait.....no please....don't do anything to me. I....will answer everything. M.....my men called me yesterday and told me that......they found a girl in the streets. They sent me the picture..." he paused and analysed Dev's face, "I...... I was the one who told them to bring her" he completed.

Arjun knew that RK was indeed in great trouble. He gulped and analysed the calm composure of Dev. He knew that something wasn't right.... Dev held a stern, emotionless look. His eyes, a mixture of deep brown, held a gaze more fearsome than a tiger. Arjun could tell that Dev was controlling his anger................like the silence before the storm.

And just like he had expected, Dev shot his last bullet, ending the life of RK. Arjun stood there paralysed. He didn't know what to say. All he knew was, Dev had invited trouble for himself.

"You didn't need to do that........." Arjun gasped while Dev wiped the gun.

"I don't freaking care Arjun! His men tried kidnapping Sonakshi last night and he....... he was responsible for that! He wanted her for himself and that's all I need to know! He is better off this way....." Dev spat and dashed out of the room.

Arjun followed him outside. Before he went, he saw the dead body of RK lying down on the floor. He knew RK kind of deserved it.....but this time, Dev was biased. He killed RK only because of Sonakshi. Arjun gritted his teeth in anger and stormed towards Dev's room.

"So.... What's the other two issues we have?" Dev asked once the door opened.

"Amar died." Arjun said and Dev's body tensed.

"How?"

"Same thing....the drugs deal..." Arjun shrugged and sat down opposite Dev.

"What is happening Arjun! This is the second time....Why the hell am I informed about this so late?"

"Dev.... I just got the information now. I thought we could have made RK on our side to spy for us.......But dude, you spoiled that entire plan! What are you going to tell Jordan now? Seriously, your anger is only destroying stuff! There are so many things to worry about and yet, all you do is, think about that girl! You know......Jordon was talking about passing this work to another person?" Arjun asked while Dev's hands stilled on a paper.

"Fuck..." he muttered under his breath as he thought of the consequences. Dev knew that if he does not act fast, his entire dream would be buried infront of him.

"Okay..... What's the third issue?" Dev asked, eyeing Arjun. Arjun's body stiffened as he pulled out a small paper from his front pocket.

"Sonakshi Agarwal!" he sighed, and Dev's body straightened. He immediately picked up the papers and analysed them. After every page, his heart skipped a beat.

He didn't know whether he should be happy or sad after seeing this.

"So........It's exactly what we expected Dev. It's just another business deal for Sanjay. She is engaged to Karthik Khanna as part of their business collaboration. A well-planned contract marriage..... I have collected every single detail I can but from what I can see, it's too difficult to break that contract. If we interfere in that, I guess we will be stuck in deeper shit!" Arjun narrated while Dev scanned the document.

"Hmm..."

"Dev......... Sonakshi is too much of trouble. They have contacts world-wide and.....if they declare war, then it's gonna end ugly. Maybe we should just leave her" Arjun sighed while Dev looked at him with amusement.

"Oh well....... I like playing with trouble Arjun. And this time...... I am going to fulfill my dreams with this mission" he said, still eyeing the paper.

"What do you mean?" Arjun asked, confusedly.

A wide smile appeared on Dev's lips as he crushed the papers and sat straight. Arjun stared at his friend with confusion. He just prayed that Dev didn't think of anything dangerous again.

"Well....... Now, we can hit two birds with one stone!"

Sona's POV

I felt dizzy. Too dizzy to even get on my feet. My head was aching too. I closed my eyes and tried to figure out what I could do. Maybe a painkiller would help. I woke up two times last night only to fall back asleep. However, this time I tried opening my eyes. but I still failed. I felt like I was dying...like literally.

That's when I remembered all the incidents which happened in the past forty-eight hours. Dev's road confession, Natasha's misunderstandings, being chased out from the apartment, confession to Abhi, humiliated in the roadside, attack by goons, rescued by Dev, discovering that Dev's mother was Asha, fainting at their doorstep and lastly, warning from my father!

Wow...... my life's so exciting!

I remembered talking to dev before fainting. I didn't know why he always made me angry. Maybe the anger was after all not at him but with my own self. But he has no rights to order me like that right? I needed to go out and he wasn't allowing me. Who would do that?

Still lying down at Dev's house, everything felt like a nightmare. I have missed a day in my university and my entire life was becoming a question mark. I wanted to meet Abhi.... The pain in my heart increased when I thought about him. I loved him..... thinking about the days we spent together, made my heart clench painfully. Did I make the right decision?

My father gave me only one month time.... In that time, I could only call Karthik and beg him to extend my time here. And if that works........... I could be lucky again to study. But who would pay for my fee?

I had no phone with me and no place to go after this. I can't be staying with Dev.... Damn, I needed to meet Abhi and talk to him. Maybe that would ease my pain. But before that, this dizziness has to disappear!

God please help me....

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

"Maa......why are you crying?"

"Sona.......go outside and play"

"No Maa, I can't leave you" Sonakshi trembled as she held her mother's hands tightly.

"No Sona darling, mummy is not crying. See.." she smiled wiping her tears and giving Sona a painful smile.

"Maa........ what are you doing with this knife?" Sona panicked as she saw blood staining in the bedsheets. Her mother's eyes widened in fear as she looked around to check if Sanjay was there. One of her hand was clutched her stomach as she dropped the knife, which was coated with blood.

"Ahhhh....." her mother winced as Sonakshi clutched her mother's hands in fear.

"Maa.....are you okay? Why are you bleeding?....Is my baby brother fine?" she asked innocently, pointing at her mother's stomach. Her mother smiled with tears and looked at her.

"I don't........want him..... In this hell"

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

"Sona.....Sona.....are you awake?" someone tapped me, waking me up from the nightmare. I knew that voice, it was so familiar. Urghh.... It was professor Asha's voice. I opened my eyes slowly, but it stung... I couldn't even keep it open for more than a second.

"It's okay.... Slowly dear." She spoke as she caressed my hair softly. I relaxed slightly by her touch and tried to sit down straight.

"Why am I feeling so dizzy?" I coughed as she looked at me and smiled brightly.

"Maybe it's due to the lack of energy in your body. Your fever's quite high too. Have some food and take these tablets. You might feel better" She said, passing me a bowl of soup and tablets on a tray.

I felt so grateful towards her. She was so caring even when I crashed into her house unwantedly. I never had someone who cared about me for the past twenty years. If I ever had a fever back then, it would be just me suffering alone. No one cared for me or bothered about getting medicines.

My stomach felt sick while my whole body was shivering. It had been a long time since I had nightmares. Now, having it again.......my heart ached.

I looked around the room and froze when I saw the time. It was already past sunrise. I can't believe I slept for nearly fourteen hours!

"God, have I been sleeping the whole day?" I gasped.

"Well....yea. I tried waking you up last night but you were so exhausted. Dev told me that you had food before you slept.... So I didn't disturb you" she spoke.

That jerk!

I knew that Asha mam had no reason to help me but she still did. She was so caring and helpful, that I felt guilty of not returning anything back to them.

"Thank you......so much" I softly whispered.

"No worries.... You are my guest and it's my responsibility" she smiled. I wanted to ask her so many questions but I couldn't really speak up much. My body felt numb and void of emotions.

I tried ignoring that small ache and slowly finished the soup. I picked up the tablets and quickly swallowed it. The food helped me feel better though. I had to say that it was the best soup I had tasted so far in my London trip. After placing the tray aside, I rested my head against the headboard.

"Sona....are you ok?" Mrs Asha asked as she was still staring at me with curiously.

"Huh....Yea I am...well alive" I chuckled robotically.

"Sonakshi..... what's wrong?" she asked again and this time, her voice was laced with worry and concern.

"Um....I am okay....why?"

"I heard that you are withdrawing from the course...... is that true?"

"Yea.... I am. My parents have called me back to Narela..... So I don't have a choice. I don't want to be a burden to anyone anymore" I said while she sighed.

"If money is a problem, then I can arrange for you Sonakshi..... You should really think about continuing...."

"My father won't understand Mrs Asha......."

"Do you want me to talk to them?" she asked as I quickly shifted my gaze towards her. From the look on her face, I could tell that she wasn't kidding. She was dead serious..... but how do I explain to her about my dad?

"No please don't ....." I answered instantly, and she was stunned by my quick reply.

"But Sona.... You at least have to finish another year. You know.... You could get exemptions from two modules if you write the seminar exams next month. That could save you another six months.... If you leave now, everything will be wasted." She said in a desperate tone.

I clenched my eyes shut and bit my lips. How could I ever explain to her that my father was against my studies and hell bent on getting me married.....how?

"Mom.... You seriously need to stop pressurizing her" Dev's voice reverberated from the back and my eyes widened.

Asha quickly turned behind. Dev was standing there with a crazily messed-up look. He looked surprisingly good for a devilish guy! Some kind of power was reflecting on him. Well, he had plenty of money and the suit he wore would cost more than my one-month semester fee! His presence and dominance was felt even without him demanding it. With his brown eyes, black hair and slight beard, he could become the next Hollywood sensation.

I could totally feel why Natasha went crazy about him...

Once he walked inside, Asha's eyes gleamed with happiness. From the way she looked at him, I could tell that she really loves him. She walked up to him and pulled his ears while he squealed.

"What's the time now....huh? Why are you so late Dev? Where were you last night?" she questioned as Dev hugged his mum forcefully. Gosh..... him and his forceful hugs!

"Maa....I am sorry! I had work" he smiled and pulled her cheeks.

There was definitely something about him that was so lovable. He loves his mom too much. The way he behaved like an obedient school student infront of his mother was just an aww moment. I didn't really pry on their conversation, but it was cute to watch. The way he teased his mum while she was angry on him, brought a small smile to my face.

Maybe if my mum was alive......we would have been like this.

I immediately looked away and played with my fingers. Soon I realized that Mrs Asha was gone, and it was only Dev there. Although I didn't look up, I could feel his stare burning through my sides when he walked next to the bed.

"Sona.......look at me." his voice was soft and gentle. I took in a deep breath and looked up.

"Dev.........." I started but he interrupted me immediately.

"I will drop you at your college....just don't faint again. Okay?" he winked and pulled my nose. My face immediately scrunched up into a frown.

"Really? Why the sudden decision?"

"I hate to see your face like this! That's why..." he shrugged and my eyes widened.

"My face? Like what?" I asked.

"You are having that sulk on your face.....like all the time. It makes me want to kiss you so bad" he said and before I could reply, he pecked my cheeks and walked away.

I gawked as I saw his retreating figure.

Idiot!

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

The car ride was silent. None of us spoke. Dev was constantly checking his phone while I stared outside the window. The weather was slightly better but it didn't really help my body condition. I still didn't know what I was going to do when I reach my school. I was still preparing my speech when Dev interrupted.

"Why do you want to withdraw from the course?" he asked, breaking the silence.

"My father called me back..." I answered while I staring outside.

"Come on! I am sure there's more to it. After all, it's so hard to get a place in UCL.... And you are dodging it..... Just because your dad asked you to come?" he asked while I glared at him.

"Is it really your dad or Natasha?" he muttered as his face was still facing the road.

"It's because of you! I am returning only because of you! They think that I am having an affair with you behind their back! Happy?" I gritted as I folded my hands and blinked my tears back. It wasn't a lie.... He was the sole reason for my misery. If only he had not been there, I would have finished my studies and found a way out of this pathetic life. But now, everything was too late...

"What did I do? Wasn't I doing the same thing as what Abhi was doing?" he fake gasped while I rolled my eyes.

"You know what? You can never compare yourself with Abhi because both of you aren't the same!" I emphasized the word same while he glared at me.

"Why can't we be the same? I am sure he is as human as me!"

"Well, our relationship is different!"

"How?" he grunted as I raised my eyebrows at him.

"We've lived in together!" I blurted and he gasped. Suddenly, he slammed the car breaks with force which caused the car to stop with a jerk. He immediately turned towards me with a murderous look and glared at me for answers. Okay...that was a bad move!

"What the fuck? How dare-"

"You see....you believed it! That's the exact reason why I like him and not you!" I said pointing at him. I saw pure anger radiating from his body. His eyes flashed with indignance and anger, much like a lightning on a pitch black night

"Huh.... What do you mean?"

"Natasha told Abhi that we both were having an affair but he didn't believe it! Can you believe it? HE DIDN'T BELIEVE IT.....but once I told you that I had something with Abhi, you trusted it." I spelled out as he watched me with a blank look.

"Are you crazy? Did you not want me to trust you? Of course, if a crazy bitch like Natasha told me, I wouldn't have believed it!......Here, you were confessing something yourself! How can that even be compared?" he frowned.

Okay.... I had to admit! He was right.

I am just so dumb sometimes that I forget what I am saying. I just rolled my eyes and faced away without answering. But he still didn't start the car. Instead a small smile was playing on his lips. Okay, what's so funny? I just ignored him and adored the tree outside the car until I heard him speak.

"You are just too adorable for your own good sunshine" he mumbled, shaking his head as he started the car. He was still smiling like he did an achievement. I frowned and turned away but that made him laugh out even more.

The way his lips lifted upward, his one dimple crinkled, the way his teeth were perfectly aligned seemed to wake up the butterflies from my stomach. The warm glow that his smile gave was something which really scared me. His smile is a ray of sunshine, and I am a sunburn.

Eww when did I turn into a poet?

That car journey felt like the longest journey I ever had. When we finally reached the university, he turned towards me and fixed his gaze on me. Since the doors were still locked, I had no choice but to stare at his annoyingly-handsome-face!

"What?" I asked as he blinked a few times and gave me a confused look.

"What...what?" he repeated as my anger was ticking off.

"Open the door and let me go!"

"Oh that.... Actually what time will you be back? I need to pick you up"

"I am not sure.... But it's ok. You don't have to pick me up. Maybe I will just take a cab back. Thanks..." I replied politely but he wasn't taking any of it.

"No way.... I will let my driver know. Just tell me a time!" he argued.

"Okay! 4pm....Thank you once again" I said and started picking up my things but before I could step out, he held my hands again. This time, I was genuinely pissed off.

"What now?" I whined as he gave me a confused look. He eyes took in my entire form while his mouth opened and closed like a fish.

"I am sorry........You are just so beautiful that I forgot my pick-up line" he pouted.

I gasped and stared at him for a while. Beautiful? Me? My lips unknowingly stretched into a smile. It wasn't meant for him but I just couldn't help it. I wanted to frown and hit him but my face wasn't cooperating this time. He was just ridiculous and extremely cheesy. To be honest, I haven't seen a guy who was so thick-skinned!

The moment he saw my smile, he gripped my fingers and pulled me closer. My other hand immediately clutched his hand like a reflex action of protecting myself. But instead of whispering something stupid like he usually does, he kissed the back of my palm. I tried pulling away but this time, his hold on me tightened. His one hand slowly moved towards my face and tucked the strands of hair behind my ear. But what he did next was unexpected.

He slowly dragged the same hand and buttoned the first two buttons on my shirt. My eyes widened like saucers as I gawked at him. How the hell did I not notice this?

Embarrassment crossed over my face as I instantly pulled away. I just wished I had an invisible cloak like the one Harry Potter had!

Shit how long was this button opened?

Just as I was drowning on my own embarrassment, Dev spoke again........making me regret my entire life again!

"I don't want the others to see what's mine sweetheart"

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

The first thing I did once I entered the hall was to meet Abhi. Yes, I sneaked out and walked towards the College of Business.

After spending half an hour to find him, he was finally there! But there was something different about him this time. He was shocked to see me. The moment his eyes met mine, he rushed and engulfed me in a bear hug. I could see how worried and desperate he looked. He had fitted his head in the crook of my shoulder, running his hand down my hair. There was a genuine concern in his eyes. He always displayed the care and affection through his gestures more than his words.

"Sona..... how.... I mean where did you go? You know.... I tried calling you so many times that day but...you didn't pick up! I tried finding you....but I didn't know where you were and......I just lost it" he said, and standing closer to me and pouring out all his emotions.

"I called you after that too.... Why didn't you answer Abhi. You know how devastated I was?"

"What? But when? I didn't receive any calls...from your number. Ouh wait....there was an unknown number calling me. Was that you? Whose phone was that? Oh my god Sona-"

"Abhi.... Wait....wait relax. I am fine. It's a long story and you need to hear me out.... But before that, there is something I need to tell you." I gulped while analysing his face.

"What?"

"I am staying in Dev's house...." I said as I heard a sharp intake of breath.

I slowly told him everything that happened the day before. His face showed a myriad of emotions but that didn't stop me from saying the whole truth. If he was going to be with me, he had to know everything. With a heavy heart, I looked at his face. But this time, there was only one emotion on his face. Anger...... The next words he said, proved me right!

"Why the hell are you staying with Dev? Are you freaking crazy?" he screamed making my heart stop for a moment.

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

HAHAHAHAHAHAH WHAT DO YOU THINK WILL HAPPEN NEXT???

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