There was once a guy, who told me that
'My Sona is not capable of hurting anyone.'

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

Dev was shattered. He was so broken that he didn't even know what to do or how to start. He didn't expect this decision from Sonakshi. This was the most unexpected thing he had ever came across. Sona's evacuation was like the last blow for him to fall down. It felt like the end of the world.

He knew that he did something grave. It was a mistake and he regretted it... He expected her to argue, be upset or even scream at him. But he didn't expect such a decision from her. It was so painful to even think that she had gone away. He never meant to chase her away when he said he needed space. He was merely asking for help.....

He had a fair confidence that he was going to find her soon. But the realisation of the reason behind her decision, pricked him. She didn't want to be with him anymore. She was ready to leave him.... Forever.

"Dev, don't worry... I called her university and told them the situation. Our team is informed... we will find her in less than 24 hours." Arjun consoled, but Dev's heart was dead. He was already drowning in the sea of sadness where he couldn't be pulled up.

"I don't.... think.... she will ever come back..." Dev spoke dejectedly. Arjun sighed and massaged his temples. His head was throbbing, and he just couldn't work any longer. Everything in the house was draining his energy.

Arjun looked up and raised a questioning brow at him.

"How else did you expect her to react Dev?" Arjun asked, gritting his teeth. Dev just shook his head and looked away. He knew he messed up, but there was more things he had to think before taking certain decisions. He just couldn't take decisions like Sona.

"AT least.... I didn't leave her."

"The hell you didn't!" Arjun huffed angrily. His eyes was red and all the turmoil in his heart was taking a toll on him too.

"I told you very well that this marriage was important.... Your decision was purely based on your brains and not your bloody heart. If not for yourself, you could have at least listened to your mother's advice. But you didn't. You publicly rejected her and didn't even give a proper reason for it. How long did you think she will bear all this Dev? You thought that you could keep doing whatever you want, and she wouldn't do anything back?" Arjun asked as his eyes brimmed with angry tears.

"I knew I messed up.... But if I had married her, it would be more critical Arjun. The marriage is a deal... a partnership....a promise-"

"Which you were not ready to give, right? Then why make her stay? Might as well chase her away and have your space, right?" Arjun interrupted rudely. Dev looked at him painfully and shook his head.

"I was grieving.... My heart was filled with pain and-"

"Don't you think everyone's grieving too? Don't you think Tarun is like a brother to me too? I brought him up and pampered him as much as you did. I loved him and would have happily died for him if there was a need. His decision is tearing me apart and it's hard to even think about his death. But what can we do? Don't you think maa is dying from her insides, thinking about Tarun? She gave birth to him! It's not just you, Dev! Everyone's grieving. Everyone's dying inside too..... But that doesn't justify mistakes like this Dev.... It really doesn't. In situations like this, thinking rationally is very important. Even in this pain..... maa told you to marry Sonakshi. That takes... lots of strength, you know?" Arjun said.

"I needed space Arjun..."

"And that's exactly what she's doing right now. She's giving you the space you need. What you did was unforgivable. If you think that she's the reason behind Tarun's death, you have all rights to be angry on her. But silently killing her and indirectly insulting her infront of the whole auditorium was hell Dev......"

"I didn't mean to insult her..." Dev lowered his head, unable to speak further.

"But you did my friend...." Arjun replied sadly, sitting next to him, shoulder to shoulder. There was so much of grieve pulling the guys down. But Arjun was the only one who could show him the reality after Asha. If Asha was there, she would have done exactly the same thing.

"I.... didn't know she would leave" Dev repeated again, in the most broken tone. Arjun felt pity on Dev. His broken state wounded him more than anything. He just wanted Dev to be happy again, but that would be impossible if Sonakshi wasn't around.

Dev had indirectly asked for his own doom and that was what Arjun was trying to prevent. Although the marriage with Sonakshi was Asha's huge wish, Arjun supported it because he knew that it would be the best way to heal Dev. Sonakshi would have been able to heal him if she was around. But Dev pushed her away.

Arjun needed to find her before his state gets worse.

"I am not an expert in relationship Dev.... But one thing I know for sure is... This time, you fucked up. But I am not even angry at you because I know that you're not at the right state to take decisions. One thing you have to understand Dev..... we don't expect you to be strong all the time. It's okay to break down. But during vulnerable times, it's important to listen to other's decisions. When you make choices on your own while grieving, you make the worst decisions." Arjun pointed out, while Dev listened quietly.

Everything Arjun had said made sense. But it still didn't heal anything inside him. Nothing can heal the pain inside his heart until the situations at home was alright. He needed his mother back, Tarun's memory to be brushed off and Sona to return home.

He started doubting whether any of these would ever happen.

"I didn't mean to hurt her so much.... It happened in the spur of the moment. It was so painful for me as much as it was for her. I was sad too......." Dev brushed off the lone tear that trickled down his cheek.

"But the rejection was infront of a whole crowd Dev. If you had done it at home, she would have stayed by your side. She empathised you.... She felt guilty seeing our pain. She wanted to be your strength. But it was YOU, who pushed her aside. You didn't even give her a chance to speak to you.... It was after she said 'yes' in the hall.....you said your no.... The rejection was yours! According to the whole world, they will make her look like an evil person. The media will not spare her Dev......."

"How could I lean on the one who's the reason for my misery? It wasn't my fault that all these happened. I tried my best Arjun.... But I couldn't stop Tarun and Sona from hating each other. How could I express to her what I am feeling... I couldn't let her near me because her presence was hurting me."

"And your ignorance was hurting her back...... I know that you're not at fault Dev. You have to understand that everything is not your fault. You did your best to prevent everything you could. But not everything is in your hands...... Shit happens and it's not our fault Dev. We don't know the full truth yet, and we can't judge anyone...." Arjun said in a plea.

Dev had nothing to say. He couldn't help but agree more to what Arjun was saying.

"What should I do now?" Dev turned around and asked Arjun helplessly. For the first time, he really didn't know what to do. He felt so powerless and drained. Everything he did seemed to be wrong or pathetic. He needed guidance and he didn't want to lose anything more in life.

"I don't know..... I guess we just need to wait until we find Sonakshi's whereabouts."

"She will be fine......right?" he asked hesitantly, fiddling with his ring.

"Hopefully...."

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

"Jordon why the hell do you keep calling?" Arjun snapped as he answered the call.

"Language young man. Language...." Jordon's deep voice intimidated Arjun.

"You know the situation here and how can you expect Dev to be back at work? Are you out of your mind?" Arjun yelled, very well prepared to be fired the next minute. Instead all he got was silence.

"Are you done?" Jordon asked and Arjun's eyes furrowed in confusion. Why wasn't he screwing him up yet?

"Arjun.... You need to know something. I am always ahead of you when things aren't in place... If Dev helps me in this mission, then I may help him find his wife! The ball is in your court. After that, it's up to you to decide!" Jordon said and placed the phone down.

Arjun was stunned. What the hell?

Before even he got from his shock, he received another phone call. When he saw the caller ID, his eyes widened.

"Devvvvvvv" Arjun screamed, running down the stairs. For the first time in the day, he felt like he was getting back all his energy. But when he came down, Dev wasn't there at all. Arjun tried asking the servants, but they claimed that none of them saw him. Arjun frowned and quickly rushed out to start the car.

Finally, some good news, he internally exhaled.

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

Dev walked inside the house, mentally and physically drained. He tried his best to enquire about Sonakshi to everyone....but none of them knew. The more he searched, the more he felt like committing suicide.

He had gone to her university too. But the management there had reported that she had sent a sudden email, requesting to withdraw her name from there. The reason for her exit was stated that she was ready to enrol in another college due to personal reasons. Dev couldn't believe what he was hearing. Did she want to stop her studies completely or was she really enrolling in another college? But why? Did she take the decision of forever going away? The more he pondered, the more he was losing his health and focus. He was going crazy.

He wanted to track the IP address of the internet she was using to send these mails.

He sat down on the sofa and cracked his brain further. He wanted a cue.... Something that he could use to find Sona. Just one clue.... One evidence...one trail. As he kept thinking, the sudden noise at the door woke him up. Her jerked from his place and sat upright; his eyes fixed on the door.

Anyone who came through there made him hope that Sonakshi was the one. He really really prayed that she would return back, missing him just like he did.

But no....

Asha was at the door, with Arjun by his side. Dev's eyed enlarged and he immediately stood up from his place. He felt like loads of current was pumped inside him.

"Maa.." the moment those words left his lips, his eyes watered tremendously. He couldn't even utter any words further than that. His heart felt like it was suffering from a blockage.

"Dev, where were you gone? I was searching for you. The doctor called and told that maa's health had improved and we could discharge her. Thank god, that hospital was so fuss free.... I managed to bring her back by an hour" Arjun explained and Dev just nodded meekly.

"Can you take my bag for me, Arjun?" Asha signalled, and Arjun instantly took the bag which was lying lifelessly on the table stand.

"This bag had been lying there ever since you were admitted!" Arjun muttered under his breath while Asha took it and limped slowly to her room.

Asha didn't speak another word yet. She just took baby steps inside while her eyes registered towards the corner of the house where she fainted the last time. Her pale skin and darkening eye bags worried Dev as he walked closer and held Asha's hand firmly. She stumbled a step backward, but Dev managed to hold her firmly in place.

"Maa.... You alright?" he asked softly, not knowing what she was feeling. He just prayed that she doesn't ask anything about Sona. But how long can luck stick with him?

Asha looked around the dimmed lights of the house and scoffed lightly. She felt like she was standing at the same place where she stood twenty years ago. Helpless, scared and depressed. Nothing she did or said would have any effect on the people around her. She believed that she brought her sons up well....but now, she doubted it. She doubted whether her upbringing was really good.

One of her son failed her badly while the other left her speechless. She walked slowly to her room with the help of Dev and sat there silently. She was so confused and perturbed on starting a conversation with Dev. Arjun gave silent instructions to Dev before leaving the room, to give the mother-son duo their much needed privacy.

"Who stayed w-with you since morning?" Dev squatted down to her level and asked with a shaky tone. His palms rested on her knee as he gazed at her longingly.

How much he missed her.....

"Tara did....." Asha said and there was a long silence which followed after that. None of them knew what to say next. Unknowingly, a salty fluid dripped over Asha's small cracked lips. The emotions ripped out from her heart, making her feel so broken.

"W-where's Sonakshi?" she brought herself to ask that question, very well knowing the answer behind it. Arjun had only told her one thing all the way throughout his journey.

Dev called off the wedding.

Arjun didn't provide any other information after that, but Asha had already sensed the things that might have gone wrong there. When Dev didn't answer for long, she repeated her question again.

"I am asking y-you Dev...... where's Sona?" Asha asked in a desperate plea. But that guilty look in his face told her everything she needed to know. Her eyes widened for a second, and heart constricted in her chest.

"She.....left" Dev said and looked down, unable to face the expecting look from his mother. A loud gasp was heard, and Asha's orbs stoned at him. Dev's eyes teared and he couldn't hold back his cries any longer. He was so ashamed of himself for the first time in his life...

He knew that Asha was expecting something good from him. But how could he explain to her about the tragedy which changed his life in the past 24 hours? It was his fault and he cursed himself that he was the reason for everyone's sadness once again. He couldn't bring himself to tell Asha that he was the reason Sona left. He was the reason she was forced to give away everything she's built. He failed in protecting Sona.......and he let his mother down too.

He just couldn't see Asha's disappointment in him..... But when he mustered the courage to look at his mum, he was stunned. She looked at him in what it seemed, sympathy.

"Why did you do that Dev.......?" She asked; her voice shaking, and she seemed so calm when she looked at his desolate eyes.

"Maa..."

"Why did you stop the wedding?...... Don't you love Sona anymore?" she asked, looking straight into his eyes. There was no anger or disappointment from Asha like how Dev had expected. Instead she was sad.... She was completely emotional at the turn of events.

"You....weren't there with me. How could I marry without you being near me?" Dev spoke between his tears in a low tone, taking his mother's palms in his. He felt his burdens slowly lifting off his chest as he laid down on her laps and clutched her fingers tightly.

The strength that he used to squeeze her fingers were the intensity of his pain. But Asha felt her fingers being squeezed gently. It was surprising to her, because she knew that it wasn't Dev's usual strength. He was stronger than that and his hold had always been hard. But now, the pain in his chest was making every single thing difficult for him. He was physically becoming weak too...

Asha smoothed her chaotic hair and wiped the tears from her cheeks which left blotchy red marks in her face. Her whole face was now washed with dull red while she stared at her son who was lying down on her lap.

"Do you think she might be coming back?" Asha asked hopefully, and Dev's shoulders turned rigid.

He hesitantly looked up and more tears spilled from his eyes. "I don't know...." He replied honestly. And that honesty, made Asha heart shatter even further. Dev quickly lifted himself up at sat upright.

"Have we lost her completely?" Asha asked and Dev bit his tongue. His chest heaved and he looked away from her. He couldn't answer her anything. He was scared of the answers. He wasn't ready to believe that Sonakshi was gone too.

"I couldn't proceed with the wedding maa. I am sorry. It was my fault...... I just couldn't get married like that....knowing that she was associated with Tarun's death."

"So you are accusing that she's the one who killed your brother?" Asha asked, slowly wiping his tears away. Dev was astonished for a moment, but he couldn't tell whether his mother was being sarcastic or not. She sounded so different.

"I am not accusing....... I just needed.....space."

"And what did you exactly do?" Asha asked, making Dev feel numb.

"I called off the wedding.......in front of the marriage officers. I felt like............ I was being choked underwater. I felt like....... I was dying and I couldn't......bring Sonakshi along with me in this suicidal path." Dev clenched his eyes shut and expressed his raw emotions.

Asha was able to see him clearly after a long time. He was not the Dev whom she saw in the funeral the last time..... he was different. He was crying infront of her, holding her hands in pure pain. It was rare but she treasured it. She slowly detached her hands from his, and Dev flinched. His eyes slightly widened.

But Asha slowly brought her hands and cupped his face tenderly.

"You know something Dev......?" she asked with a small smile. Dev shivered slightly, expecting his mother to scold him for something he had done. But what he saw there only shocked him further.

"When I was young and doing my doctorate, I would always hear my friends and relatives teasing me, saying that my job ended once I gave birth to Tarun....The duty of being a mother, father, brother, friend....everything was done by Dev. Dev does this, Dev does that.......everybody would taunt me using your name. Their taunting would get so bad that I would often get so offended and try to spend more time with my kids. But to be honest, I could never give the kind of love and care you gave to your brother. In the end, I just couldn't help but agree with the others...... I only gave birth to Tarun. Bringing him up......and being his parent in every step of his life... It was you." She said with teary eyes, making Dev's heart skip a beat.

"You know that I love you a lot....right?" Asha bit her lips and asked him, seeing his eyes brim with tears.

"Maa... I am-"

"You don't have to be sorry Dev. I know you." She said, placing a kiss on his forehead. She just couldn't bear to see her son sitting there in a crushed state. Dev had no energy to bear another loss in his life... Sona's absence was tearing him apart and Asha could already see it.

There was no point chiding in for a mistake that he had no control of. Dev was emotionally growing weak and she didn't want to witness his heartbreak. He was turning towards her for solace and this time, she just couldn't help but be his support.

"Tarun's death........ isn't Sonakshi's fault Dev." She sobbed and Dev shook his head with a small smile.

"I hope so too...." He said amidst his sad smile. But Asha's eyes widened.

The pain stung on her nose and throat started to tighten. She opened her mouth to let a small breath enter while her tears welled up in her orbs. She fought with everything she had to keep them from falling, but when Dev shook his head dejectedly and turned away from her, she couldn't control it. She broke down and started crying hysterically.

"No Dev.... I am not saying this to make you feel better. I am saying the truth.......... It's not anyone's fault that Tarun died. It's only his fault that he took this decision. We believed him blindly....but he cheated us!" She closed her face with her palms and started crying. Dev wiped his tears and held his mother's hands with worry.

He was getting nervous about Asha's health. She just got discharged and seeing her cry was making his heart race.

"Maa....please don't cry-" before he could complete his sentence, Asha gathered her strength and quickly unzipped her handbag. Taking a file from there she forwarded it to Dev.

Dev's eyes narrowed at the file while he stared at her in confusion.

"What's this?" he asked while Asha wiped her tears and looked at him firmly.

She had turned numb ever since she knew the truth. She had taken the bitter pill and now, it was time for Dev to see it too. She had no choice but to let Dev see the reality. She could no longer hold the truth back from him.... He had all the rights to know the biggest truth that was shielding his life. In gact, he held more rights than her in knowing this.

"Tarun's post-mortem report." She replied dryly, making Dev wince. He felt like an arrow was pierced through his heart. Seeing the report, reality crashed in front of him again. Tarun's death..... his brother's post-mortem report was staring at him, right at his face.

He slowly took it with shivering hands and looked at his mother.

"Tarun died............... not because of Sona." Asha repeated.

But this time, her next sentence, just took away all the life that ever existed inside Dev's body.

"He was diagnosed with AIDS"

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

"No Jordon.... I can't do this. Please...." Dev's throat clogged as he tried to sound as firm as possible.

"Dev, why don't you understand that I don't have a choice. You are my last hope. You have the capability to crack a strong plan and handle such criminals. I have no such men who have the experience and guts like you. The other team which I sent out almost risked people's lives and failed the entire plan. I don't want to take another chance..... I know that only you would be able to do this." Jordon tried urging, but Dev's mind was not able to take any decisions.

"But Jordon, I am not in the state to work now."

"I understand Dev... but please try to understand my situation too. This is about pre-school kids... Their lives are in danger. If it wasn't this important, I wouldn't be asking you at all. The government officials are pressurizing me Dev..... Please do this for me." Jordon asked, making Dev go into deep thoughts.

"Jordon......" Dev huffed a deep sigh and laid back on his bed with a heavy heart.

"Dev....If you do this for me, I will do anything you want. A favour to favour!" Jordon persuaded, and Dev pressed his lips in a thin line. He was still not convinced.

"Dev..... I will help you investigate about the reason behind your brother's death." Jordon spoke in a professional tone and that, hit a nerve in Dev's brain.

Jordon's words were a like a ray of hope into his darkened mind. He needed Jordon's help in so many things. He needed to find Sonakshi, throw that bloody Natasha behind bars, correct his mistakes and most importantly, save the little children's lives.

If he managed to achieve all these things, then maybe he would be able to overcome the grieve and guilt that he was dwelling in.

"Will you...." Dev's voice chocked as he brought himself to ask the question. He had never asked any favours from people before. He only ordered people and things happened on their own. Every job that he did previously was for work reasons, but now....it was no longer work.

"Will you help me find Sonakshi now? I really need to know whether she's save or not......If you help me....." Dev breathed in a deep breath and looked at his sides. A picture on the side table of Sonakshi smiling flashed at him. He forced a sad smile and replied to Jordon. "I agree to do this mission for you."

Jordon was dumbfounded. He was in fact surprised that Dev had changed his mind. Previously, if Dev had made up his mind, then he would never agree to anything even if the world turned upside down. But now, he was forcefully putting his life in risk just for a girl? Jordon frowned, not understanding what's so special about that girl who left him devastated. If Dev wanted, he could find any girl at any time....

He wondered what magic Sonakshi casted on him.

"Dev, are you sure?"

"I want Sona found at any cost, Jordon...." Was everything Dev said. His statement was so powerful that Jordon didn't dare to ask him any other questions.

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

"Dev, why the fuck didn't you tell me that you were going to take that mission? Dev are you mad? Does maa knows?" Arjun gasped.

"Is maa supposed to know?" Dev answered sarcastically. Arjun rolled his eyes, knowing that he just threw the wrong question. Still, Dev's decision seemed too hasty for him.

"Dev, how can you be so cool about this? Didn't you tell Jordon that you needed time to think?" Arjun blasted.

"He told me that he will help me find Sonakshi....." Dev answered and Arjun froze.

"The fuck? Am I inside?"

"It's up to you Arjun..... but I think you should stay out. Maa and family needs you. I will manage by my own." Dev responded, throwing the pillows aside and searching through the room.

"I am not going to leave you like that Dev! Like it or not, I am signing with you inside... You are not risking your life alone." Arjun replied angrily.

"Risking my life is the least of my worries...... I want Sona to be found and Jordon's help is crucial. He said he would help me tonight itself."

"Don't tell me that you fell for that? Come on Dev..... we can find Sona without that bastard's help!" Arjun clutched Dev's shoulder's in agony. But Dev just sighed and looked at Arjun sadly.

"Arjun.... I can't do this yaar.... It's been more than twenty four hours. Not even a single news about her....nobody knows...No one has seen..... Where else do you think we can search for her? She doesn't even know this country well..... I wonder where she is....Has she eaten, slept... Is she safe?" Dev brushed his hands in his hair and looked around him. His room was a mess, looking for tiny clues that could make his search easier.

But he found none.

"Dev..... Jordon is making use of your weakness. He knows that you have no choice! That's why he's doing this" Arjun looked at him with pity while walking to and fro the room.

Dev scoffed and smiled bitterly.

"Well either way, I have nothing to lose. My life's already gone when my father died." he answered and looked through the last drawers. That's where Sonakshi used to keep unnecessary stuffs. Dev slowly discarded all the items and searched her things there.

There was so much of papers she left behind. Most of them were her study notes while others were important details. His eyes widened when he spotted her bank ID. He knew he could trace her through her transaction details.

On the other hand, Arjun's phone kept ringing.

"Hello!" Arjun called harshly and Tara almost dropped her phone at that tone.

"W-what's wrong? Why are you shouting?" she replied nervously. Arjun just sighed and pinched his temples.

"Tara..... I am busy now. I will call you back later." Arjun said.

"But Arjun, did you get any news about Sona?" Tara asked but Arjun was too distracted with the thoughts of their new mission.

"Nothing so far.... If I do, I will text you."

"Arjun......"

"What?"

"Dad.... Wants to speak to you." She replied nervously. Arjun frowned and pinched the bridge of his node.

"What's it about?"

"I don't know.....Maybe about...us?"

"What the f-" Arjun stopped himself and took a deep breath. "Does he know what's happening in my house?"

"Arjun please, listen to me-"

"How do you expect me to be calm when all your father does is nag at me?" Arjun spoke without thinking twice. Maybe that was one of the rarest days Arjun spoke without thinking. Tara gasped at his rudeness.

"Excuse me! If you don't tell me what's happening, how do you expect us to know?.... and when did my father ever nag?"

"Oh... so now you want to know the facts? I just don't understand one thing... I don't care if your father doesn't understand my family problems. But you do, right? Why can't you explain it to him?"

"You are over-reacting for no reason, Arjun... I know maa has been discharged and Sona is missing.... You didn't call me for two days, so I just called to check up. I know your family is important but.... I needed to talk to you too. I was just.....worried. It's also not my fault that my father wanted to talk to your mother about-"

"Oh not again! Come on Tara. There's a time and place for everything... maa had just returned home and nothing is settled yet. But all your dad thinks of, is of our marriage! Is he alright? Come on, I am not kidding... if he's in such a rush to get you married, then why didn't he-"

The line went dead.

Arjun held the phone and his jaws dropped in shock. Did she just hang up on him? Oh well, who cares? But a larger part of him knew that he cared more than necessary. In the chaotic mess inside the house, Arjun had totally forgotten about Tara. Not that he didn't love her enough, but his family needed him at that time. He was frustrated and annoyed beyond limits.

He was in a situation where he was tempted to murder a few criminals and dump them in the river! He was just looking for someone to pour his anger on, and this time Tara was the scapegoat. She had received the full blow of his anger without even doing anything. Arjun regretted the words he had spat in anger. He should not have answered the phone at all....

Dev's disastrous decision was already making his heart sink. Now Tara's argument had aggravated it. He took a deep breath and sighed. Looking back at the phone, he gazed at his Dora's picture.

"I am sorry baby" he whispered, looking at her picture. He knew he had a long way to go to get his dear one's forgiveness. But that's what life, isn't it? Everyone makes mistakes and everyone deserves forgiveness too. Just like that....... Sona and Dev.... Both of them deserved forgiveness and togetherness. And when that realisation kicked in, Arjun's eyes lit with an idea.

"Dev-" Arjun turned around and called, but Dev wasn't listening to him. Instead, his hands were shaking. Arjun gazed at him weirdly and waited for his friend to respond.

But Dev was gone far away. He pulled out a small card which was hiding underneath a pile of books. Dusting it with his hands, he carefully examined it. His eyes immediately widened when he recognised the yellow coloured envelope with a bright red sticker on it.

"I will give this card to you.....only on our wedding night!"

The way she winked at him playfully was still captured in his mind like a digital snap. If only everything was alright, he would have read this letter with Sonakshi last night. But again, luck and fate wasn't on his side. It was his fault that he wasn't understanding enough.... Sonakshi was now gone somewhere far from him.

The guilt of accusing her crashed like a tsunami in his body. He unnecessarily accused Sonakshi of something she had no control off. He wondered how she must have felt when he disgraced her..... Ever since he read the post-mortem reports were revealed, his grief had doubled. Tarun was a person of mystery and Dev realised that he was not even fully aware of who his brother was.

Maybe Sona was right........ he must have misbehaved with her.

His heart whispered to him. But what's the use? It was too late...... she was already gone from him. He had no idea how he would even face her when he finds her. Will she come back? That was a million dollar question....

He had put her through so much and yet, she endured it like a strong woman she was. Dev knew that he deserved all this pain for making Sona cry everytime. The times she had cried after their marriage was more than the times she cried before. That was the amount of pain he had inflicted on her.

The physical and mental abuse she went through didn't break her down. Instead, his love and betrayal did......

Dev was amazed that his body was still able to function without giving up. He wondered why he was still alive after all this pain he had put others through.....

His fingers itched to open the letter that she had fondly written for him. He wanted to know what she had wanted to say for so long. He wanted to smile....at least reading that small piece of her heart. He knew he had nothing left to lose after this. So without caring about anything, he tenderly opened the letter. But the moment his eyes fell on the words she wrote, the world slipped under his feet.

Her words left his insides contracting, coldly. His heart exploded in his chest as he wiped his hair that was pasted on his sweaty forehead and hyperventilated....... A strangled sob left his lips as he heavily leaned on a wall, letting the card drop on the floor.

"A-Arjun...." He gasped, not finding enough oxygen enter his lungs.

Arjun was paranoid. He quickly ran towards Dev and shook him slightly.

"What happened Dev?" Arjun asked, but instead of replying... Dev started crying. And that cry tore Arjun's heart into pieces. He feared the worst as he stared at the card behind him terrifyingly.

What did Dev see, that's making him so broken?

Arjun's fingers shook as he slowly reached out for the card which was now laying flat on the cold tiles. When he flipped it around, his pupils dilated in shock.

To the most awesome husband in the world,
"Happy Father's Day" - Love Wifey❤

*~*~*~The end~*~*~*

That completes the end of the story.... I will post the epilogue tomorrow morning! Stay tuned.

Okay guys, I know that you guys can't digest the ending just like me. But not all love stories have a happy ending. Life goes on even after the worst days.

Sona and Dev were good people and they faced the most horrible life anyone would ever face. But most importantly, they faced every fall bravely unlike people like Tarun.

Despite having the whole family supporting Sona, she couldn't live there because she didn't receive the support and respect from that one person she wants. And for Dev, despite being so powerful and influential, he couldn't bear the loss of Sonakshi even when he was disappointed in her. He asked for space, yet he couldn't see her far away. That's how love works.

Sona didn't want a child, yet she wanted to make Dev happy. Dev wanted a child all his life.....but when life gifted him once, fate destroyed it.

Hence the couple will always remain as my most precious Broken Jewel........💎💎💎