The reception party was almost over. The guests had begun to leave. Sonakshi was really tired. She planned to go back home and sleep. She could not find Dev anywhere. She was annoyed. Had Mr-A-bit-romantic-jerk just ditched her?

Suddenly, she felt someone cover her eyes with their hands. Sonakshi tried to think who it could be. Dev would never do something like this. It was just out of his character. The kiss was out of character too, but he would never behave childishly by fooling around with her. Sonakshi quickly jerked the hands of that person off her eyes. She turned around to see who it was.

Vikram.

"What the hell are you doing here? How dare you touch me, Vikram Tripathi?" Sonakshi yelled at Dev's cousin.

Vikram was looking at her and was smiling devilishly. Sonakshi noticed his shaking figure and understood that he was drunk. The best thing to do in such a case would be to move away from this man quickly.

Sonakshi turned and started walking away. Suddenly, she felt a strong grip on her wrist and was pulled. Vikram had pursued her.

"Let me go," Sonakshi tried to free her hands. Sonakshi regretted coming alone inside to search for Dev. Not one person was in the view.

"You look so beautiful when you are angry. I just want you. One night that's it. I will be more fun than Dev bhai. I promise," Vikram slurred.

Sonakshi felt disgusted hearing such words. This man was her husband's cousin for God's sake. She stamped his foot with her high heels.

"Owww..." Vikram yelled, leaving her wrist.

Sonakshi took this opportunity and started to run out of the hall. But unfortunately, luck was not on her side. Vikram caught up with her. Sonakshi started pushing him off her and then suddenly, gathering all her courage, she slapped him.

The sound of the slap resounded in the whole hall. Sadly, there was no one in the whole dancing hall to hear that and move to help Sonakshi. 

Thud!

Vikram staggered back at the force. His hand went up to feel his cheek that was now aching with pain. Sonakshi took the chance and started to run, but she felt something collide with her leg. Something that pricked really badly, such that Sonakshi could feel blood seeping out of the wound.

Vikram had thrown a whiskey bottle at her leg. Sonakshi clenched her eyes shut, she could feel the pain but still moved ahead. She did not want to be near Vikram. Vikram was groggily trying to move towards her when Sonakshi took out the heels that she was wearing and threw them at his face.

Sonakshi reached the exit where a car was waiting for her. She got in and closed the door of the car. She did not care if she did not find Dev anymore. Her priority was to get out of the place as soon as she could.

"Please take me back to the mansion," Sonakshi commanded the driver.

"Ma'am, Vicky sir is coming this way. Should we wait for him?" The driver asked.

"No!" Sonakshi yelled at the driver, and the driver started the car and drove away leaving Vikram back at the venue.

Meeta lightly dabbed the antiseptic on the wound on Sonakshi's right leg.

"It is impossible that this happened due to your clumsiness Di," Meeta said while putting a gauze around Sonakshi's leg.

Sonakshi had come to Meeta's room for a first aid kit, but the latter stopped her at the room and was doing the dressing herself.

"Actually," Sonakshi said in a hushed tone "Someone threw a glass bottle at me."

"What! Why?" Meeta screamed.

"Shhh! Don't yell! The guy was after me. He wanted to sleep ... with me," Sonakshi replied, disgust evident in her voice.

"I am going right now to tell Ishwari ma'am and Vishal sir. Even Dev sir needs to know," Meeta said, standing up to leave.

"No," Sonakshi said and held her hand.

"But this is serious," Meeta said.

"I understand. But Vikram was drunk. I am safe now. The story is closed," Sonakshi said. She did not want any more drama at this place and this hour.

Meeta was still not convinced. She wanted to go and reveal everything.

"Who was it?" She asked hesitantly.

Sonakshi took a deep breath and revealed the name, "Vikram."

"Vikram?" Meeta repeated, "Vikram Tripathi, as in Dev sir's cousin?" 

"Sadly, he is the only Vikram I know," Sonakshi replied while looking at the bandages.

"Are you sure?" Meeta asked as she started pacing around the room.

"Excuse me?" Sonakshi asked, standing up and winced.

"I am sorry, Di. I did not mean to question you. I meant that you need solid proof to accuse such a close person to the family," Meeta apologized and held Sonakshi.

"Meeta, I am very sure of it. Tomorrow you will see my hand imprinted on his cheek," Sonakshi said.

"Okay Di," Meeta said.

"Good night," Sonakshi said, limping towards the door.

"I promise Di. I am always with you," Meeta said and Sonakshi smiled back at her and left for her room.

Sonakshi was stopped by Meeta again, "Di!"

"Yes, Meeta?" Sonakshi asked her.

"I need you to know something. Vikram sir is dating my best friend, Akansha. She too works in this house. I can allow you to meet her tomorrow," Meeta said.

"How would that help though?" Sonakshi asked perplexed.

"Vikram sir is playing around with her. I do not want my friend to suffer due to that monster," Meeta revealed.

"Where were you? I was searching around the whole venue for you," Dev said as soon as Sonakshi walked into their room. 

His eyes fell on her limping leg and the bandage on it. He also gazed at the crepe bandage on her right hand.

"What happened?" He asked, his eyes filled with sudden worry.

"Um this," Sonakshi stammered not knowing what to reply.

"I am waiting for your answer Mrs. Dixit," Dev said.

Sonakshi felt something different when he said, Mrs. Dixit. He said it so softly. She could see genuine feelings in his eyes. He was not the ignorant douche who did not speak much to her throughout the week.

"I accidentally dropped a beer bottle on my foot at the party so I left early," Sonakshi lied.

Dev looked at her, still unsure of what she said, "We will go to a doctor."

"I am a doctor," Sonakshi argued.

"I meant a real doctor," Dev retaliated.

"Then what am I? A five-year-old child playing doctor-doctor?" She scoffed.

"Really funny. I think you are a child. A really stubborn one and we are going to the doctor. That is final," Dev said.

"Who are you to decide that?" She argued.

"Your husband!" Dev yelled.

"I know you are my husband, but I do not want to go to the doctor," Sonakshi huffed.

She did not want any drama now. She wanted to sleep and get some peace of mind.

"Are you scared of a doctor?" Her husband suddenly.

"NO!" Sonakshi yelled back. She wanted to sleep and this man was pestering her.

"Why are you yelling?" Dev asked her.

"Because I want to sleep," She stressed and pointed to the bed.

Dev chuckled and said, "Good night Mrs. Dixit."

The next evening Sonakshi was in the living room having fruit juice with Neha. She had repeated her fake story about her clumsiness to everyone who saw her wounds. Vikram strolled into the room with his head up high.

"What happened to your face Vicky Bhai?" Neha asked referring to the bruise that was clearly visible on his cheek.

Vikram  looked at Sonakshi and replied, a devilish smile not leaving his face, "A wild cat got out of control, I will tame that cat soon."

Sonakshi felt disgusted at what she had heard. He needed to be taught a lesson the next time he tried something pathetic.

"Will you be staying tonight Vicky Bhai?" Neha asked him.

"I will. My flight is for tomorrow morning," Vikram replied throwing himself on one of the couches in the room and picking up a VOGUE magazine.

"Okay. Sona Bhabhi, I have some work. I will leave. Remember to call the staff when you need help," Neha said as she left the room leaving Sonakshi with Vikram alone in the room.

Sonakshi began getting up to leave the room. However, Vikram blocked her way.

"Did you forget last night? I can slap you again till that wound turns black," Sonakshi threatened him.

"Last night, I was drunk. Now, I am not," Vikram spoke hate visible in his eyes.

"If you try to even touch me, I will..." Sonakshi started.

"I am not into you Saxena," Vikram cut her off "I can't even stand you Saxenas. But you would be a good game. Fiesty girls are my taste."

Sonakshi's anger reached its peak. She raised her arm to slap him but Vikram held it before she could do anything.

"What's happening here?" came a deep voice.

Sonakshi and Vikram both turned around and saw Dev standing there. Sonakshi's hand was still in Vikram's grip. He let go of it immediately.

Dev walked slowly towards them with a poker face. He looked at Sonakshi first and stopped when he stood between Vikram and her. He faced his cousin and said, "I asked you a question."

Vikram let out a nervous laugh, "Nothing. Just normal things."

Dev frowned, "That did not look like nothing, and it was miles away from normal."

"I just remembered, I have to go pack my bags," Vikram said and started to walk away. Dev stopped him by gripping his shoulders. Dev turned to see Sonakshi, who had a thin layer of tears in her eyes already. Her expression was a mixture of sadness and anger.

"Tell me everything Sonakshi," Dev said softly.

The tears started to flow from Sonakshi's eyes. She narrated everything to Dev. The truth about why she went away uninformed from the venue and why Vikram was holding her hand. 

Dev turned to face Vikram. Vikram began stuttering, "I... I was... drunk. I thought... she was... someone else..."

Before Vicky could finish, Dev landed a blow on his face. Sonakshi looked at him with shock. Dev went on slapping Vikram. He held Vikram's collars and growled, "How dare you harm my wife! Are you even from a respectable family? Is this what education in the US has taught you?  Women are meant for pleasure? Speak up, you bastard!"

"Dev bhai. I am sorry," Vikram pleaded, gasping for breath.

"To hell with your sorry! How dare you lay a finger on her?" Dev yelled punching Vikram.

Sonakshi limped to Dev's side and pleaded, "Dev! You will kill him. Stop."

"He deserves death," Dev shouted.

"Stop! Please! I don't want you to do this. I just want you to be there with me," Sonakshi yelled and cried.

Dev stopped hitting Vikram and dragged him out of the house and closed the doors at him. He turned to look at Sonakshi. He walked towards her and embraced her.

"Why didn't you tell me last night?" He asked her softly.

"I did not want any more drama," She replied tightening her hold over him while letting the tears flow freely.

"You do matter to me Sonakshi. It is not drama. You are family. I did not do this for myself," Dev said.

Sonakshi frowned at what he had said. Throughout the week, he had hardly spoken to her. The last time something like this happened, Sonakshi still remembered the way he had said 'my wife'. He had called her his property.

"I did it for you," he whispered.

HI READERS 👋

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WORD COUNT: 2468 WORDS

How did you all find the chapter?

Dev and Sonakshi have reached an understanding?

Stay tuned to know more. 

One more thing. No stalker or pervert should be left without punishment. Recently, I was a bit disheartened seeing a judgment by a court in our country. The judge said that marital rape is not considered rape. This has pained me so much. Women are always treated like objects for pleasure. The world is moving ahead but the thinking is not changing too much. 

I am really glad that despite being a girl, my parents have never treated me like a person to be married away. My parents have always given me the exposure to do whatever I want and pursue my dreams.

Now, KRPKAB talk.

I don't know about you guys but I feel that Sanjana is not normal. I mean, once she has come to know that Dev is a married man, she should stop pursuing him. Instead, she is talking to Sonakshi as though she owns the place. Does she not have any self-respect? Even when Dev's assistant has told her that Sonakshi is the strong solid support in Dev's life, she says that she wants to give him unconditional support. She really needs therapy.

Thankfully, madforelena got arrested. Vicky has really become a gem of a person. Radha rain is so entertaining. I have also started liking Ishwari again. At least she is not interfering regarding the gifts Dev is giving to Sona. Bijoy vs the new tenant is something hilarious to watch. I miss Asha ma in every episode.

THANK YOU ALL MY READERS FOR READING MY BOOK AND SUPPORTING ME. YOU ALL HAVE BEEN REALLY UNDERSTANDING WITH MY DELAYS IN WRITING. I LOVE YOU ALL ❤ ♥ 💖 💕

I would just like to tell people that it takes just one click to like someone's work. That might mean a lot more to them than it may mean to you. Please I hope you get what I mean.

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