The doctor walked out of the Operation theatre with a grim face.

Madhuri rushed towards the doctor and asked her, "How is my daughter doctor? She will recover right?"

All the eyes in the corridor were on the doctor. Everyone was scared looking at the grim expression on the doctor's face.

"We have extracted the bullet. The bullet was really close to her spine. We do not know what the after-effects of this could be. All we can hope is that there is no harm caused," The doctor said.

There was complete silence. Silent tears were falling out of Madhuri's eyes. Shekhar had a lost expression. Suraj had clenched his hands, trying to stop the tears to spill out of his eyes. Aahana had silent tears in her eyes.

Raghunath and Ishwari did not know what to say. Arjun just stood looking at Dev. Dev fell to his knees. His head pointed to the ground. Tears were flowing through his eyes. He felt guilty for putting her through this. He felt as though someone had put him ablaze on fire. He felt as if he could not breathe.

Arjun walked up to Dev and put his hand on Dev's shoulder. Dev flinched. Again.

Ouch!

"Dev. Pushing away people from you when you are hurting is something you should not do. Let it out, Dev. Don't keep your pain and bottle up your emotions," Arjun advised.

Dev was lost in his thoughts.

Flashback

"You love me as a friend, right?" Sonakshi suddenly asked.

This woman will be the death of me. RIP DEV. Dev thought. He took in a deep breath.

"Ms Sonakshi Sharma, I LOVE YOU AS A MAN LOVES A WOMAN!" Dev declared.

"I LOVE YOU TOO, AS A WOMAN LOVES A MAN." Sonakshi declared.

Flashback ends

"Dev," Raghunath shook him, "Get up. Self-pity will not help Sonakshi to recover, will it?"

Dev obeyed him. He just got up without letting a soul know about how he was feeling.

Raghunath could see the guilt in the eyes of his son. It was similar to the guilt he had in his own eyes 25 years ago.

"History repeats again. Right, Dixit?" Shekhar said coldly.

Dev was confused. He was a three-year-old child when his father had been taken by the police to jail. He had never asked his father what had happened and why had he been imprisoned.

"What do you mean Mr Sharma? What did my father do that you are so cold to him?" Dev voiced out.

"Well my boy, he did something close to what you did to my daughter today," Shekhar said his voice emotionless.

His father was responsible for someone's death? But wasn't that a common thing when you are in the underworld?

"But Mr Sharma, my father did not love any other woman than my mother. How is it similar to what happened to Sona?" Dev questioned.

It was high time to unfurl the 25-year-old incident that caused a huge rivalry between two friends.

Well yes, Raghunath Dixit and Shekhar Sharma were best friends.

Flashback

SHEKHAR'S POV

Today is Raghunath's Anniversary. I wish my PA would not have put up the meeting with the Rahejas today. I would have attended the party.

Madhuri too wanted to go. After all, it was her elder brother and sister-in-law's anniversary party. But she is pregnant with our child. Now is not the time for her to stress herself.

Raghunath invited Papa to the function too. Raghunath being my father's favourite pupil, my father agreed. I did not like the fact that Papa was going alone to the party. I was having a bad feeling about this.

Although Raghunath was a good friend of mine, our companies were the two which are competing for the best business of the year. He is not my business rival but sometimes he behaves like one. I tried telling Papa but Papa always brushed it off saying that I was becoming jealous of my friend's success.

After all, why would my father find any fault in Raghunath? My father was fonder of Raghunath than his own son. My father taught Raghunath everything about business and the way to become a perfect businessman.

I was never jealous of Raghunath. I was insecure. My father found him more important than his own heir.

"Papa! Dadda! Daddy!" The voice of Suraj rushed into the room as he ran inside playing with his paper plane.

My eldest child Suraj was four. My second child is due in a month.

"What happened Suraj? Want to show Dadda something?" I asked him imitating the way he called me dad.

He was such a cute little kid. A copy of me when I was young. All I want now is a copy of Madhuri.

"Dadda, Grampy is calling you," He said innocently.

My son called my father Grampy despite Madhuri's efforts of making him say Grandpa instead of Grampy. I slightly chuckled reminded of her irritated face when this cute bunny of ours would put all of her efforts down the drain. I kissed Suraj on his forehead and picked him up in my arms.

I walked and left him in his playing room which was a complete mess. I would have to take extra care that Madhuri doesn't see this room messy otherwise it will be one hell of an argument. I went into my father's study room. There on the chair, was my father, Shrikant Sharma.

"I am going to attend Raghu's party. Pity you cannot be there," He said acidly.

My father thought that I was making up an excuse for having a meeting with the Rahejas.

"I have an actual meeting with the Rahejas, Papa," I said.

"Prove it," my father challenged with his powerful voice.

"I will," I said grinning.

I called up my secretary Mandar and gave the telephone to Papa. He spoke to Mandar. I could clearly see the shock on his face after speaking to Mandar.

"You were not lying," My father said after a long silence.

"I was not. I have never lied to you Papa," I said a bit sourly.

I remembered all the times I told him that I felt insecure about Raghunath initially. He never understood me. He loved Raghunath more than his own son. After Maa's death, I became completely lonely with my father teaching that friend of mine I just once invited to dinner.

"I am going to the party," Papa said to me.

"Take some security with you. Please," I begged him.

"What do you think Shekhar? Will my student try to kill me?" My father asked mockingly.

"Why can't you do this for my sake?" I pleaded.

"Because what you are asking me to do is unreasonable. Raghunath will feel that I don't trust him at all. It is not the case. I will not agree with you," Papa said, cold and crisp.

"As you wish Papa," I said and walked out of the room disappointed.

After a few hours, I got a call from my father's friend Mr Kukreja. I pick up the call.

"Hello Mr Kukreja," I greeted, "Papa is not at home."

"I know Shekhar. Please have courage and listen to what I have to tell you," He said.

His voice sounded as though something had gone really wrong. As though something devastating had happened. But it was true.

"Your father is no more Shekhar," He dropped the bomb.

I closed my eyes in pain.

I lost my father!

I lost my father because he went to Raghunath Dixit's party.

Flashback Ends.

Dev looked at his father. Guilt was evident on Raghunath's face. Dev knew he had to listen to the other side of the story but now was not the time.

Sonakshi was awake!

Dev ran to her room as fast as his legs could take him to her. Just as he was about to enter the room, Suraj blocked his way.

"All the best. I hope you have the courage to listen to what Sona has to say to you," Suraj said in a low voice and then moved aside allowing Dev to enter the room.

Dev was perplexed.

What was Suraj trying to tell him?

Nevertheless, he walked in. He felt his breathing become calm when he saw Sonakshi with her beautiful eyes looking at him. He frowned when he saw tears in her eyes.

He went closer to her and sat on a chair beside her. Madhuri left the room leaving only Dev and Sona in the room.

"Hey," Dev said stroking her hair gently.

"Dev," Sonakshi said shakily. Her tears were threatening to spill out of her eyes.

"Is it hurting a lot, Mia Bella?" He asked her, "It's all my fault. I am so sorry Sona. It is completely my fault."

"Dev, we should break up," Sonakshi said rapidly, in a croaking voice.

"Sonakshi, I know I was not able to protect you this time. Please give me chance," Dev said to her, hoping she would see the hope that was sparkling in his eyes.

"I am sorry Dev, but I have promised Dad," She said to him.

Dev frowned slightly.

"What did you promise him?" Dev asked her.

"I am marrying Jatin, Dev," she spilt the beans.

She looked intently at him. She knew he would not take this news easily. But this was the best for them after what her Dad had proposed to her earlier in the day.

"You are mine Mia Bella. I swear you will always be mine," Dev snarled and walked out of the room.

Sonakshi just looked at him moving out of the room with tears in her eyes.

Flashback

SONAKSHI'S POV

After a blackout for something like forever, my eyelids tried to get out of the slumber they were in. I opened my eyes slightly. The bright light was hitting my eyes really harshly. I closed my eyes again. After a few seconds of rest, I opened my eyes. I saw my family in the room.

"Sona beta. How are you feeling?" Dad asked me as my eyes opened.

How was I feeling? I guess I am fine.

I try to get off the stupid hospital bed. As I try to sit up, I feel a sharp pain near my back. I remembered what had happened.

A bullet shot was heard. I saw it being directed to Dev so I just twirled him around as soon as I could. The next thing I remembered was a sharp pain in my back. The last scene in front of my eyes was Dev's paranoid face.

"It hurts Dad," I said truthfully to him.

"I know Sona," He said.

I turned to see my mother. She took me in her embrace. She was very careful while hugging me so as to not hurt my back.

My Mother is the Best!

I Love you Maa!

Suraj bhai was standing afar with Aahana. I looked at him expectantly. He had a solemn expression. I tried to figure out what exactly his expression was. Then I identified it.

GUILT!

"Bhai it is not your fault," I said. He would always soothe me despite me being the actual cause of problems.

Me getting hit by a bullet was not his fault.

Wait a minute! WHERE IS DEV?

Bhai walked towards me, "I am sorry."

I gave him an 'are-you-stupid' look.

"It is not your fault Bhai. Do not say sorry," I said in a louder voice and pouted.

He did not say anything and left the room without even acknowledging Aahana. Something might have gone wrong between these two. Aahana left the room to follow him.

"Sona. I want to ask something from you," Dad started.

OK. Now, what does he want?

"Go on Dad," I said.

"Shekhar. I do not want you to make any improper demands," Mom warned him and walked out of the room.

"Promise me you will give me what I want Sona," Dad pleaded.

I could not say no to the expression on Dad's face.

"OK. I promise as long as it is a reasonable request," I said.

"Marry Jatin Roy," Dad said.

WHAT THE HELL!
NO WAY!
I AM NOT DOING THIS!
MY DAD CAN'T DECIDE WHO I WANT TO MARRY!
I AM NOT AGREEING TO THIS BLASPHEMY!

"No," I said, "I disagree."

"Well then tomorrow you will see the ruin of Dixit Industries," Dad said.

What is he saying? I did not give him any secrets against Dixit Industries. How can he ruin them? This is the real face of my father.

A SHREWD BUSINESSMAN.

"You can't ruin them. You have no proof," I said.

"I do," He said showing my locket to me

NO! IMPOSSIBLE! How was he able to get my locket containing the proof? The proof that I had collected on the first day. But Dev had taken it away from me, right? How did it reach Dad?

"The choice is in your hands Sona," He said to me.

I cannot ruin Dev.

But, I cannot marry Jatin. He is just a friend and nothing else. I had a choice between Dev's prosperity and my freedom of marriage.

"It is a compromise Sona," Dad said with his businesslike voice.

My Dad is actually a cruel monster. Just like how Suraj Bhai describes him to be with his rivals. All Dad cares about is himself.

Think about Dev, Sona.
Sacrifice your freedom for his stability.
Here goes nothing!

I closed my eyes and said, "I accept to marry Jatin."

Flashback Ends

WORD COUNT 2368 WORDS

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