Dev was bored after he had his usual bland breakfast. He decided to look through his emails and social network in the meantime.

When he logged in to his celebrity mail, he scrolled through various invitations to events, parties and club nights. Rolling his eyes at several unknown chats and fan messages, he decided to click his junk which was flooding with messages.

One particular message, titled 'Apology' was sent in almost fifty times. It was just so random and the person who sent the email was someone who he already knew. Why was she under the junk category?

It was Sasha of course! She had sent numerous emails asking for apology and a second chance. Taking his handphone out, he decided to message her straight.

He needed closure.

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

Sona walked inside the house after a long day of work. This time she was stunned to see everyone seated around for lunch instead of having lunch in their own rooms. Tara was arranging the table while Asha and Arjun were serving the lunch to Dev. When she saw Dev there, she got a bit worried. Did he walk down again?

"How's your wound?" she blurted out and realised that all heads had turned towards her direction. Dev's eyes lifted up to look at her and she gulped visibly. She mentally cursed for being so stupid and talking to him as if nothing happened. It had only been a day after he chased her out of his room. What if he gets angry with her again?

She was nervous that he would scream at her or react violently.... The situation in the table was tensed and everyone looked at Dev for answers. Sona fidgeted nervously and quickly strode away from there, when his voice stopped her.

"I am fine. Thanks." He spoke and her legs halted in her steps. Her eyes widened. Did he just say thanks? Arjun heaved a heavy sigh and quickly called Sona to join them for lunch.

Initially she refused to be even present there. But when she saw everyone requesting, she had no choice but to join them. Washing her face and hands, she joined them on the dining table. Sitting just across Dev, she felt her hands fisting on her dress under the table. Her heart thudded violently against her ribcage as she peeked up at Dev, watching him secretly from her hair which shielded her eyes like a curtain.

Unlike the other times, the atmosphere in the house was warm and fun. Arjun was cracking his usual jokes and pulling Tara's legs amidst his comedies. Asha and Dev seemed to be happier too. Food was served and everyone were talking happily.

Dev's face was calm and he seemed to be enjoying the conversation happening there. Sona didn't really listen what Arjun was saying as she was too busy analysing Dev's face.

He was still as handsome as she had seen him from day one. It was the kind of aura he radiated around him. It just comes from within him with ease. He didn't even have to try to be good-looking. As he aged, he became all the more striking. His features sharpened and his muscular form added on to the manly features. As his lips moved in sync, all she could think was, ways get a sneaky kiss from him. Wish I could just kiss him...

"Urhmmmm" Arjun coughed loudly, catching Sona's attention.

Sona was alarmed and the next thing she noticed was, everyone's eyes on her. Arjun was controlling his laughter while everyone had a mischievous look on their face. Dev was also looking at her. But this time he had a cocky smirk on his face. Oh god, what happened?

"Um... Sorry what happened?" she asked and Tara looked at her with a small smile.

"You really didn't know?" Arjun asked and she glared at him with irritation.

"Sorry... I was just.... Um.. I was thinking about something else." She blabbered, making Dev's smile deepen. Looking at Dev, she started listening to her own explanation again. Did she say something wrong?

"Did you say something?" she asked Arjun while Asha controlled her smile.

"This is why they say.... Don't think aloud!" Arjun snorted and her eyes enlarged like saucers.

"Oh god....." she remembered thinking about the kiss. Dang, did she say that loudly? She looked at Dev and started blabbering again.

"I swear Dev.... I wasn't thinking about you... shit no. I didn't mean it for you. I mean...um-" And then everyone's reaction was stunning again. Tara gasped and gaped at Sona.

Tara turned towards Sona, "Sona... shut up. Arjun is just pulling your legs. You didn't say anything. You were just staring at Dev in a daze till you didn't even hear our questions." She said softly.

Sona's mouth opened in shock. This devil Arjun!

"So... someone thinking about Dev, huh?" Arjun teased and Sona's body heated up. She felt like someone threw a bucket of hot water on her.

Sona's eyes immediately looked at Dev and he raised his eyebrow at her amusedly.

She opened and closed her mouth like a fish thrown out from the fish tank. Her useless brain ran out of come-backs that she usually had for Arjun. Her cheeks reddened brightly and she promptly diverted her eyes to the food.

"Arjun, enough please. She just came back from work!" Tara hushed and Arjun gave her a sealed-lip sign.

"Anyways Dev, there's this event which is coming up in two weeks time. The fiftieth film festival is being held in our hotel and we have special invitations for that event!!!" Arjun chirped enthusiastically, making Dev beam.

"Wow... that's great dude."

"Yea... and I was thinking that if you recover soon, we could attend that together... Finally, something fun." he chirped and Asha looked at Dev worriedly.

"But Dev.... You need rest-"

"Oh, come on maa. I need to go out a bit and explore. Staying in one place will makes me insane. Anyways, it's after two weeks." He scowled, making Asha roll her eyes.

"And Dev bhai, will you go out with that cast in your neck?" Tara questioned and Dev gave her a thoughtful look.

"The cast will be removed after a week...." Sona answered reservedly. It was almost as if her voice came from the plate rather than her mouth.

Dev looked at Sona and he couldn't help but grin widely. She was looking at her plate curiously and she refused to even acknowledge any eyes on top. He couldn't help but adore her.

Arjun looked around the house and gasped widely.

"Oh my god.... Tara did you hear anyone speaking now?" he mocked and Dev pressed his lips tightly to control his smile. He couldn't even laugh out loud at the poor girl. This Arjun was such a bully!

"Arjunnnnn!" Tara warningly spoke and Arjun laughed again. If Sona's cheeks weren't visible before, they were now resembling the colour of bright tomatoes.

"Arjun, will you stop teasing the poor girl!" Asha warned playfully and they started eating again.

Once in a while Dev would lift his eyes and notice Sona. But her hair covered half her face and she only seemed to be keen on her food. Everyone were busy with their own food until Arjun broke the silence again.

"Anyways, there's a theme for the event and you have to..... go there with a date." He said hopefully, looking at Dev.

Sona's hand stilled at the glass she was holding. For once, she looked at Dev and saw how excited he was, listening to Arjun. Her ears were sharpened and she tried her best to not show any unwanted, dramatic reactions.

"Uhuh....so?"

"So... I mean, are you planning to bring anyone? I may bring the maid there..." Arjun joked, making Tara roll her eyes. Dev smiled and just shrugged in response.

"Maybe. I might... If I am, then I may think of Sasha." He said and Sona's eyes broadened. Arjun coughed vigorously as the water he held almost slipped down from his hand. Asha's hand came up and patted his head while she calmed Arjun.

"Sasha????" Arjun said between his coughs while Dev stared at him.

"Yea..... I want to see her and make sure-"

"She isn't dead???? Hell Dev, she broke up with you three years ago. What makes you think that she isn't married or having a boyfriend?" he huffed in apprehension.

"Well, she called me today morning!" he said and everyone's eyes widened. Arjun was dumbfounded.

"I am sorry to interrupt, but may I know who is Sasha?" Tara asked innocently, making Arjun almost faint.

"Dev's ex-girlfriend" Sona stated calmly, and it was everyone's turn to be quiet now. They all looked at Sona and saw her resuming her attention towards the food. Dev looked up at Sona and saw her eyes on the food. But her expression was as hard as a rock.

So stern and strong enough to cut through people's emotion.

"Thanks for asking such intellectual questions..." Arjun gave a fake-smile to Tara. Tara frowned and she quickly turned her attention the food quietly. She already regretted asking the question.

"Why Arjun? Any problem?" Dev raised an eye brow and Arjun just looked at him sceptically.

"Um.... Nothing. It's just awkward that you are meeting her after a break-up."

"Come on yaar... I need a closure from Sasha myself. I can't just live in disillusion, can I?" Dev spoke and stuffed another morsel of food inside his mouth.

"It's not about that...." Arjun murmured hesitantly, "Everyone in the event knows that you're married............." Arjun uttered and Dev tensed. He looked at Sona and saw her eyes squinting with uneasiness. She looked up and for the first time, their eyes connected.

Dev couldn't do this.... She wasn't the type of girl he brought for events, forget about dating even. His irritation level increased as he heard Arjun's statement.

"No... I haven't even accepted Sona as my wife yet. How can I pick a date who I don't even like? I mean....." he looked at Sona and instantly regretted his words. His hands fisted as he saw her staring dead into his eyes. The pain he saw, made him fumble in guilt.

"I am sorry, I need time...." Dev spoke out clearly, not even apologetic of his words. Because he knew that he needed time. If everyone were going to think that he was going to bring Sona as his date, then they were wrong. He had to make his points clear.

Sona gulp down her food with force. Ouch. That word fell deep inside her heart like someone hammered a nail inside that organ. She couldn't even swallow her food without feeling her chest clog up.

"I think we should end the event topic here." Asha said, trying to end the awkwardness. After all, she had vowed to keep silent to all of Dev's words.

"Yea...we really should." Arjun shook his head and drank another gulp of water to soothe his irritating throat.

"I am done eating... By the way, food was good." Sona stood up abruptly from the table with her plate. Dev noticed that she barely ate and the food on her plate was untouched. Asha was sceptical as she gazed at Sona with a pleading look.

"Sona... have some more-"

"No maa, I am full. Plus, I am feeling a bit lightheaded. Going to catch my sleep for a while." Sona smiled warmly and walked to the kitchen. Dev felt his heart sunk deeply as guilt gnawed his chest. He should have been a bit more considerate.

Arjun's face dulled as he looked down and concentrated on his food. He lost his appetite. He regretted bringing the topic to the dining table. He thought he could lighten the atmosphere. He never expected Dev to say such things.... But either way, Arjun admitted that it was purely his mistake now. He couldn't undo it anymore.

He also hoped that Sasha didn't reveal to Dev about Tarun's death or any unwanted events. He made a mental note of warning her later about that.

"She didn't sleep the whole night... wonder why she even went work so early?" Asha mumbled silently to Tara, which caught Dev's attention.

"She didn't sleep whole night?" he asked and Asha looked up at him.

"Yes, she didn't." She answered, turning back to Tara. Dev felt even worse at that revelation. He didn't even say a thanks to her for helping him last night. She stayed awake the whole night while he was busy hurtful her.

"Maa, why didn't you stop her? You should have told me. Wonder why she's doing this to herself! If I knew, I wouldn't let her leave...." Tara clicked her tongue in annoyance.

"It's no point stopping her now. After all, we don't have a say in anyone's life. They take their own decisions and all we can do is, watch!" Asha sighed and resumed eating.

Dev looked at them intently and groaned under his breath. Why did he have to lose his memory?

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

After a few hours, Sona walked inside the kitchen to see Tara cooking intensely. She decided to help Tara with the work and started washing the dishes on her own.

"Hey, when did you come..." Tara asked.

"Just a while ago when you were busy talking to that stove." Sona said with a chuckle. Tara saw Sona smiling and kept gazing at her with awe.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Sona asked and Tara just shrugged.

"It's so different to see you....being so..."

"So?"

"So normal, I guess." Tara smiled, making Sona pleased.

Just as they were conversing, Sona noticed Dev walking down the stairs with great difficulty. Her eyes widened and she gritted her teeth angrily. Washing her hands quickly, she wiped it with the kitchen towel and walked to the hall.

"Dev, you shouldn't be walking up and down! Please.... At least for my sake, stay at one place for three days. There's too many complications and your healing process will take time if you do much walking!" she spoke in a desperate tone, making Dev alarmed.

But the next minute, she realised that she had raised her voice so much to attract everyone's attention.

Dev saw her face contorted in pain and stress. He had never seen her flare up like this. Listening to her words, he realised that he was giving her too much unnecessary stress.

"I am sorry..... I was bored sitting upstairs" He mumbled silently, walking down. Sona's face softened and she walked closer to him.

"I didn't mean to shout like that..... it's just......." She looked at the phone in his hands and sighed. "Nevermind......" she sighed and walked back dejectedly.

Arjun who witnessed the scene, walked there with a huge album and sat at the sofa. "Dev.... Come here. Let me show you something which can kill your time.." he beamed, making Dev curious.

Dev sat down and they started looking through a huge album.

"What's that?" Sona whispered quietly to Tara.

"That's our wedding album." Tara answered and Sona's eyes sparkled with interest. She wanted to see Arjun's wedding album too since she didn't attend his wedding fully.

She stood in the corner while Dev and Arjun shared the album all to themselves. Tara joined them in the living area and looked at the pictures delightfully.

"Oh god...Dev, you know this guy? He's working in our department. And wait....yea he's Tara's father too." He grinned, making Tara narrow her eyes.

"Arjun, talk about my dad once again, you are dead!" she warned, making Dev chuckle. But then his eyes immediately widened.

"Oh god, wait.... Do they know what we work as?" Dev gasped and looked at Arjun bizarrely.

It was then Arjun remembered that Dev doesn't recall revealing their identities to anyone. Arjun's shoulder relaxed and he patted Dev gently.

"Well bro, both our partners know what we are doing........ In fact, Sona was the first to find out what you were doing." Arjun smiled and winked at Sona playfully.

Sona who sat a few seats away them, just gave Arjun a firm smile. It wasn't the best memory to recall though, but she was over it. She didn't feel anymore pain when she thought about those days.

However, Dev was still under shock. He felt like a ghost among them, where he didn't even know where he stood. He didn't even reveal his job to Lina.....she found out herself by prying on him. But he never imagined himself telling anyone about his work. Now another girl knew his profession and it made him feel disturbed.

Was he that obsessed with her?

Diverting his attention to the wedding album, he turned the page and saw the pictures one by one. Arjun and Tara looked like an outstanding couple. They were so compatible and complimented each other in very well. Dev was wearing a cream coloured sherwani in the pictures and he looked pretty good. He liked that look!

But there was something odd about those pictures.

He only saw his pictures, but there was no trace of Sona there. He turned a few more pages and saw everyone except Tarun and Sona. His eyes widened.

"I don't see any of your pictures here.... What happened?" Dev looked up at Sona and asked her. Sona inhaled and looked at Dev intently.

"Um... I wasn't feeling well that day. So... I went back early." She lied and Dev was quick to catch her statements.

"What happened?" he asked again and this time, Tara came to her rescue.

"Well, she was five months pregnant and she couldn't stand for long. So she went back home early. I even insisted her to join inside the family photo once we were back, but she denied." Tara said with a smile.

Arjun was impressed with his wife's lying ability. She could never lie to save her life....but this time, she did a decent job there.

"And where's Tarun?" Dev dropped the biggest bomb again, making Arjun's heart stop. He felt his windpipe tightening, making it unable for him to breathe.

"He....he..." Arjun stammered, thinking of a quick explanation.

"He was still at overseas. Arjun tried to convince him to return, but he said he had some art course that he wanted to complete. So, we had no choice...." Tara saved the day again, and somehow Dev bought that lie.

Arjun was impressed, again.

In all this chaos, Sona sat there quietly. A single tear rolled down her cheek, stinging her face. She couldn't take in Dev's innocent questions. She couldn't even lie, looking at his face. He looked so naïve and helpless. His expressions told how much he was struggling to recall his memories. He blindly believed everything that Arjun and Tara told him. He didn't even doubt on their statements.

But she couldn't do that.... If she stayed there longer, she was scared that she would blurt out the truth to him.

Arjun felt twice as miserable as Sona. He felt frustrated to lie to Dev. If only Dev had not gone through a brain surgery, Arjun would have slowly revealed the truth to him with care. But now, nothing was in his hands. He felt so horrible lying to his best friend.

But little did they know that his questions had just begun.

Dev looked at the wedding pictures and saw how happy Asha looked. It was the kind of look he had always wanted to see on his mother's face. A look, which had been missing on his mother's face now.

"By the way... how did you meet Tara?" Dev asked with interest.

"Let me tell you..." Tara squeaked enthusiastically, making Dev's eyes divert towards her. Dev laughed and nodded, looking at Tara's gleaming face. He had actually started liking Tara more because of her chirpiness.

"Actually, I studied with Sona and then Arjun would come to pick her up every now and then. That's how we met. He pranked me that he was Sona's bodyguard etc etc.... He even threatened me that he would hand me over to the police." She complained and Dev laughed uncontrollably.

"That sounds so Arjunish...." Dev commented.

"Yes, he was. So, after that, I came to your house for a Diwali party. There, he tricked me and saved his number on my phone. Oh wait.... Before that, I actually took a selfie with you, because I was such a big fan of yours last time." Tara took her phone and searched for the picture they first clicked.

"Last time? What about now?" Dev asked, acting offended.

"Of course, I am still a huge fan!" Tara chuckled and Arjun rolled his eyes.

"Yaya.... The only difference is she's married now!" Arjun butted in, making Sona giggle from the sides. Meanwhile Tara showed the pictures that she took with Dev the first time.

She also showed how Dev got engaged that day, and showed pictures of Sona and Dev standing together in the stage. Dev's heart fluttered as he gazed at the picture where Sona looked so different. She was not even the same person who was with him now.

She was smiling widely, draped in a saree which complimented her figure so well. She radiated positivity and beauty. He couldn't even blink his eyes away from the photo. They looked so happy together and he couldn't believe how happy his face gleamed in that photo. He did not even remember the last time he smiled so brightly.

Looking up at Sona, he noticed that her face was turned towards the other side. She was looking at the photo frame that was hanging on the wall. It was their family photo... which didn't consist Tara and Sona. It was only the four of them. Dev looked back at Sona's face and could see so much of longingness in her eyes.

She looked so numb and empty. Her eyes gazed back at her lap before diverting towards Dev. Her eyes slightly dilated when she realised that Dev was also looking at her. She didn't know that he had his attention on her. Closing the wedding album, he smiled faintly at Sonakshi.

"I want to see our wedding album..." he requested and Sona's face paled.

Her whole body hung limp like each bone weighed twice as much as it had before. She couldn't even pretend to smile this time as she glanced at Arjun for help. But Arjun and Tara were as shocked as she was.

Sona's natural golden skin toned into something so lifeless that it scared Arjun just to look at her. Sona's eyes closed and she sucked a deeper breath to calm her brimming tears. All she could do was to hold her hands tightly and console herself that it was going to be okay. It barely seemed enough, yet her heart rate didn't obey her mind.

Exhaling heavily, she wetted her lips.

"I..... well, we didn't have a big wedding. It w-was a s-small one and..... we didn't take much pictures there." She whispered softly.

Arjun looked at her and wished he could do something to ease the situation. He had started regretting Sona's stay over in Sharma mansion. He didn't want to see Sonakshi being tortured so much. He didn't expect this much of consequences when she first arrived.

Passing every day in pain was something no one deserved. Not Dev....nor Sona.

"Not even one photo?" Dev asked in disappointment. Tara sighed and took the album from him.

"Let me put this album back." Tara said and slowly left the place, not being able to look at Sonakshi's face.

"I think Arjun might have some photos taken during....um...our haldi and.... mehendi?" she looked at Arjun and Arjun's face quickly glimmered.

"Ouhh.... Yes yes. I do..." he quickly checked his phone and Dev tried hiding his disappointment.

He wanted to see an actual wedding photo. Not pre wedding ones. But when Arjun showed those photos, they looked even grander than the actual wedding. The entire house was decorated and the clothes they wore were really exquisite. Dev's lips stretched in a amused smile as he gawked at those pictures.

They looked so unreal and dreamy. Much to his disappointment, he looked really happy in those pictures. Getting exhausted, Dev gave back the phone and mumbled a small thanks to Arjun. After a few small talks, Arjun decided to leave to the room, letting Dev and Sona have some privacy.

But after Arjun left....all that was left there was awkwardness. Sona didn't know how to start a conversation. She was so paranoid and jittery around him. She didn't know what other questions he still had in store for her.

"Um.... I am going to make some tea for myself." Sona smiled and stood up from the sofa. Dev squinted his eyes at her.

"Do you mind if I follow you to the kitchen?" he asked and Sona's heart thudded rapidly.

"Y-yeah sure...." She smiled, but internally she was having a war within. She knew that Dev was following her only because he wanted answers.

As she lead the way in front, she felt Dev's shadow following behind her silently. Walking to the kitchen, she filled a pan with water and placed it on the stove. Dev who came there, cleaned the kitchen counter and sat on top with a slight jump.

Sona gasped as she saw him hopping like a rabbit.

"Excuse me, mister. How many times am I supposed to say? Your wrist is bandaged and you are putting so much pressure on your pelvis and wrist when you jump like this! Do you even care about your own body?" her doctor instincts immediately sprung and she chided him like a discipline master.

Dev looked at her and blinked multiple times. "Sorry..... I was just...." He swallowed, feeling at loss of words.

Sona sighed and shook her head tiredly. "You know.... I will be in deep trouble if something happens to you. You don't even understand the seriousness." She said sadly, making Dev's eyes enlarge.

"What? What will happen to you??" he asked.

"If I tell you, will you stop jumping?" she raised her brows challengingly. Dev pressed his lips in a thin line. Now that's a question he had to think.

"Okay sorry, I will try my best to not be clumsy." He pinched his throat like a small child and Sona smiled.

"By the way.... You didn't ask me if I want any tea?" he questioned.

"I know you don't like tea or coffee...." She shrugged, making Dev amazed.

"Not bad.... You knew..." he smiled, seeing her brush back her hair.

Dev kept gazing her. When she didn't speak anything, he decided to break the ice.

"Well, I am sorry." He started, making Sona stunned.

"Why?"

"Umm.... For asking you to get out of my room last night. And also.... I spoke about Sasha just now, and I didn't even consider your feelings there. I apologise if it hurts you. My intention is never to hurt others. The thing is that-"

"You don't have to explain, Dev." Sona whispered in a daze. Her eyes looked at Dev and she smiled wearily. This time, she wasn't pretending or faking her feelings. She was just being honest and herself.

"What?"

"Yes, I understand Dev. I don't blame you even if you go out with Sasha.... I mean, what can I do for something that's not in your control, right?" she said, making Dev's eyes widen.

"You mean...... you won't get upset if I go out with other girls?" he asked cautiously.

"I can't lie and say that I won't get upset......." She wetted her lips and Dev's eyes instantly diverted when she bit her lips hard. He inhaled a deep breath and dragged his eyes back to her face.

"I will try and accept the reality. If you fall in love with another person.... I can't forcefully separate you, right? Plus, you can't force your love on someone. It has to come deeply from the heart. No one can make a person fall in love with another through force..... Moreover, I don't want to do something that I would despise someone doing to me." She completed, taking the tea powder from the cupboard.

Dev looked at her and he went into deep thoughts. He recalled whatever Arjun and Asha spoke to him about Sonakshi. From the description they said, he imagined her to be a timid young lady. But she looked way different from the illustrations they made.

He knew that it was really unfair for him to be treating her like this. But from the way she reacted to his approaches towards other woman, she acted as if it was a normal thing. She reacted professionally and her speech was way matured that what he had expected. He expected tears and breakdown. However, what he received was the complete opposite.

She didn't even show any grief to him. He couldn't predict whether she was acting or she was just being a professional doctor to not pressurise him.

Sonakshi looked at his contorted expression and sighed. He looked rather confused and baffled. She wanted to see him happy, at least for a while. So, she finally decided to walk out from her comfort zone and try to make an effort.

"Okay see... We can play a game if you are bored?" this time, she gained his attention.

"What game?"

"Hmm....I can try telling you some of our memories from the past, and if you guess any of it correctly, then you will get a reward." She cheered him up.

Dev eyes glowed and his body loosened with relief. He was really buying into this game now!

"What kind of a reward?" he smirked.

"Well.... I will stop your orange vitamin juice from tomorrow. Deal?" she asked and he rolled his eyes.

"That's not a huge reward. I expect something big..." he whined, making Sona smile unbelievably. He will never change.

"How about....... Maybe for every memory you guess correctly...... I will reveal an intimate encounter of ours?" she walked near him and caged him between her hands in the counter.

This time, she totally had his attention. His eyes drank in every feature of hers'. She could see his adam's apple bobbing up and down.

She had a very playful tone this time and he was totally onboard. Everyone around him left his mind as all he could see, was her at the moment. Her playfully wiggling eyebrows and challenging smile had him falling weakly. Lucky he wasn't standing, or his knees would have given away with such a seduction.

"Fine then...." He breathed and Sona saw his lips quirking upwards. He was enjoying this.

"Okay....." she left his side and took her hot tea cup to her lips. Dev was slowly feeling the disappointment that she left his side. But it was short-lived, as she quickly jumped a little and sat next to him on the kitchen counter.

"Now.... Our heights match." She chuckled, making Dev laugh as well.

"Okay start." Dev braced himself.

"Okay....So apparently, on our third meeting, you had invited me and my friends over to your house for a party. On that day, in your house....you forcefully kissed me in your balcony. What do you think, might have happened next?" she asked and Dev's face paled.

"I....What? Forcefully kissed? Woah.... Wait wait. I am not a womaniser Sonakshi..."

"I didn't say you were" Sona smiled lopsidedly. But Dev was offended with that statement itself.

"I.... but.... How's that possible? I don't kiss woman without their permission." He crossed his arms and Sona giggled to herself. Not receiving an answer, he carefully slide down the kitchen counter and faced her with a glare.

"I think you're pranking me, because it can't be true." He argued, but Sona just smiled and fiddled with her tea cup.

"Well, I am sorry to say that it was actually your second forceful kiss that night. Nevermind, forget about that. Back to the question, what do you think my reaction must have been?" she continued sipping the tea calmly and saw Dev gaping at her unbelievably.

"Hmmm....." he tried making a wild guess. She said it was their second kiss, right? Most likely she must have reciprocated....

"I think you kissed me back." He said confidently and Sona shook her head with a pout.

"Nope. I slapped you." She said and Dev's eyes widened even larger. How dare she?

"You what?" he gasped and felt his face growing hotter.

"Okay next question," Sona ignored his accusatory stares and continued, "You brought me out for our first coffee date. Do you remember the exact restaurant?" she asked hopefully and Dev started thinking.

He only had a few favourite restaurants in London. He had been to some really good restaurants with many of his girlfriends. But if it was a special place, then it had to be his own hotel... He seldom brought anyone to his own restaurants. He tried taking the risk this time.....

"Chandelier hotel?" he asked hopefully. But Sona shook her head.

"Nope... It was some Icetown coffee place." She shrugged and Dev felt as if her answer had knocked every wisp of air from his lungs.

"Oh my god... That's such a posh place. Did I really bring you there?" He exclaimed, making Sona nod in affirmation.

"Okay... third and last question." Sona breathed in, seeing Dev's face tensing. His muscles tightened and she could see his face twisting in stress.

"You..... had a nickname for me. More like an endearment.... I hated it in the past...but now, I really wish you would remember that. Do you recall what it is?" she asked with a tiny hope in her eyes. Her stomach twisted sickly as she didn't want him to answer wrongly this time.

She saw his eyes flicking with conflict. "Endearment?" he bit his lips and looked at her face.

Dev was highly stressed. Hmm..... cookie? No... bunny? Wait.... Could it be darling? But it's so common. Honey..... Or Sonu? Nah... god knows what he was thinking back then... He looked up at Sona's face and saw her expectant look.

"Can I have a clue?" he asked and she nodded with a smile. "Is it a food name?" he asked without cringing.

"No, it isn't...."

Dev started thinking again. He felt his brain juices being squeezed inside. Love? Hearty? Wifey? Must be wifey..... what else could he have named her? He looked up at her eyes and saw a twinkle in them. His eyes widened. Twinkle? Or sparkle? Starlight?.... Urgggh...something to do with fire or light....

He looked at her with an apologetic stare.

"Will I get a slap if I answer this wrongly?" he asked and a low chuckle left Sona's lips. That really cracked her up. His sorry-looking face and sense of humour was making her giggle after a long time.

Dev looked at her amusedly. Her laughter was probably one of the most beautiful things he had ever seen. When she smiled, she felt like a whole new person. He felt like he was looking at a complete stranger. She reflected the same person whom he saw in the photo that Tara showed him few minutes ago.

"Well, I don't think I will ever slap you again in my life." She held her chest and breathed in between her laughter. The tea glass in her palms shook and she tried controlling her giggles.

"Hmmm.....How sure are you?" Dev narrowed his eyes at her and Sona sighed in glee.

"Very sure!" she answered boldly.

"Even if I kiss you now?" Dev asked her challengingly. Sona's pupils dilated and she looked at the mischief that glittered in his brown orbs. He slowly walked near her and placed his strong muscular arms on the counter, caging her in between.

Sona inhaled a deep breath and saw how close he was to her.

"If you kiss me now.....then I would not slap you. I would probably kiss you back." She answered honestly, making Dev's heart flip wildly. He kept looking at her and saw her lips lifting in a lopsided grin again.

Her smile felt like it was growing on him too. The stretch of her lips made his heart blossom and shine so brightly. He saw how it came from deep inside her heart to light up her eyes. Her black orbs shined so hard that it spread throughout every part of him too. He felt some kind of energy glowing inside him and his lips uttered on their own.

"Sunshine..." he mouthed in a daze and Sona dropped her tea glass which shattered into pieces just like her heart did.

Her smile was completely wiped off as she looked at him with shock. Did he just say sunshine?

Dev looked at the fallen glass pieces next to his leg and flinched a little. The shocked look on her face made him anxious. What went wrong?

"Did you just say something?" she alleged, still looking at him like he was her hallucination.

"Huh?"

"You just....said something?" she pointed at his chest while he stayed close to her in the same state.

"Oh that..." he recalled what he just blurted out in the moment. "Well.... I just...thought t-that your smile is as bright as a sunshine." He remarked with a small smile, making her heart somersault inside her chest.

Sona didn't really know what she was feeling. It was a mixture of joy and grief. She could neither cry or laugh as her jaw muscles tightened up. At that moment, all she knew was... that she fell in love with him all over again.

Because this time, she truly knew that his words came from his heart and not his mind.

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

I hope you guys aren't getting bored?

Btw, I am getting busier this week. Please be understanding😍😘

Awwww Dev called her sunshine from his heart! He didn't even realise that he actually answered her question! It gave me feels❤❤❤

Ps, exclusive spoilers and content only available for my instagram followers. I am sure they have received the chapter 22 lines!😘