Writers pov

Rathore villa

" Why should I give this cafe to you  when I bought it with my hard earned money. ? " Mr Rathore looked at his sides where Parvathy and Dev were standing.

" What are you going to do with a cafe at this age ? " Parvathy spat back.

" At this age ? Parvathy you feel like I am old ? " Mr Rathore gave an unbelievable look at Parvathy.

" Of course not dad .... You are still young and handsome. But right now you have a huge business to handle then why to bother about this mere cafe. I got some other plans with it " Dev gets hold of that and tries to convince his dad

" His plans are nothing but crap. He just wants to make that girl suffer. Shiva do you want this cafe ? Which has a girl's tears on it ? Your son will make her cry more with this cafe. Let that girl Lekshmi live her life somehow, please " Parvathy said more like requesting also it had some logic.

" Dev ... " Shiva called him in a deep voice.

" It's not like what she is saying dad. Lekshmi is my wife.... "

" You already divorced her , aren't you ?" Mr Rathore interrupted him and asked

" No .. I didn't. I mean...... I withdrew that case " Dev replied.

" Like a father like a son .... When needed pull closer and when get bored just kick out " Parvathy mumbled rolling her eyes.

" Enough...... I am not going to give that cafe to anyone. When I am done with it I will give that to some charity " saying this Mr Rathore walked towards his room.

"Everything happened because of you " Parvathy shouted at Dev and followed Mr Rathore.

Dev was seeing dead end in front of him. It is not easy to convince dad since Parvathy is standing in middle with all his negatives. But he can't  give up on Lechu  like that. He needs her , he wants to give all his love and care for her. She needs to know that he is bothered about her. He wants to start afresh for that he wanted to borrow some time. This café was a good help for all his plans but now it is gone.

Next morning Mr Rathore was already engaged in his daily routine. His day starts with jogging. During that time only his trainer will be there to accompany him. But unexpectedly Mr Rathore sensed someone else joined him and he looked at his side to check on. Surprisingly it was none other than Dev. His dad stopped running and looked at his son from head to toe.

" What ? " He asked

" Good morning dad " Dev replied with a smile.

Mr Rathore gave an unbelievable look at Dev and continued jogging.

" Dad... Wait..." Dev ran behind him.

" I know what is the meaning of all these and sudden love for your dad " Mr Rathore sat on a public bench and talked to Dev.

" Then why can't you give that cafe to me ? " Dev made a pity face and asked his dad.

" No.... Don't make that face. It is not gonna work with me. " Mr Rathore spat back and drank some water.

" Alright. .... Now I understand  why you want to keep this cafe with you. You are taking revenge on me and your wife... Isn't it ? " Dev asked annoyingly.

" Your wife ? Who is that " wife " for you Dev ? " Mr Rathore asked annoyingly more like a father scolding his son .

" Parvathy mom " Dev mumbled and put  his head down

" Huh ? " Mr Rathore asked again

" Mom " Dev corrected and replied again

" I don't know what all things your aunt fed into your head about Parvathy but I am sure none were right. But remember one thing....she isn't your enemy. If anything happens to me tomorrow...  there will be only one person whom you can rely on ... That's her. My dear son should remember that" Mr Rathore shouted at Dev but those words had  concern  for his son.

" I know that dad. Even though I was a bit late to understand things, now I know things " Dev took a deep breath and sat beside his dad.

" Dev.... " Mr Rathore called his son gently..

" Give me a better reason why I should give that cafe to you ? Right now I can only find Parvathy is right. She wants to support that girl. It's motherly care. But when I look at you I could only see an urge in your eyes. Urge for conquering something.  " Mr Rathore said.

" I need Lekshmi..." Dev replied suddenly.

" See... Lekshmi isn't a thing that I could get you from a shop with my money. " Mr Rathore scoffed at his son hearing Dev's demand

" Dev.... Have you ever been in love with someone so blindly ? "

When Mr Rathore Asked that question to Dev he was a little confused. His dad knows Dev's history then why such a question, that's what Dev was thinking.

" Of course..... I ... "

" You might have liked many girls but I am asking whether you loved someone? The one for which you are even ready to give your life. Without that person you feel like you are living in hell "  Mr Rathore made his question a bit more clear for Dev.

" No .... " Dev's answer was simple. Shiva gave Dev a mockery smile and started to talk with him.

"I had one .... Actually I still have one ....  My love" Dev looked at his dad when he said that with a smile on his face.

" Parvathy " Shiva said. Dev looked down and smiled gently.

" See love doesn't have age..... It happens. There should be love in everyone's life. I don't want my son's life to end up without love. But what you are showing for Lekshmi isn't love. It's your stubbornness. With that you will never be happy. I was the same as you. When I realised that I am actually in love with Parvathy,  I had lost her. Later on I became adamant and stubborn to get her love somehow.  That's what I am enduring now " Mr Rathore sighed heavily and then continued

" When Parvathy loved me I felt like it will always be there and I couldn't find its value. I took her love and care for granted. But when she stopped loving me I felt it at that instant and until this time I am craving that same love from her. Like you when I was young ... I also tried to get her love forcefully but .... only her body remained with me as Mrs Rathore. Her heart, her soul ... Everything she left behind or closed it down for........"  Mr Rathore was really sad while saying each and every word.

" I want to start afresh with Lekshmi and this cafe is my last hope. She despises me for many things. If I am able to give back a good life for her, for her sister then there is a chance for me. I want to show the real Dev to her, I want Lakshmi to see the good side of mine. " Dev said desperately. At last he had convinced his dad.

" Come to my office today at noon We will sit and have lunch together. " His dad said before leaving.

Dev began to jump happily in the middle of the road.

" And one more thing...... Don't think that your dad is being a little harsh here. Soon I will be going for a long vacation along with Parvathy.  So I want your presence in Rathore groups also. " Dev's smile dropped down soon after hearing that.

" Do you want your son to bloom his love in your office ? Dad....... " Dev screamed at his dad.

" Sorry ..... I need to spend some time with my love so ...... You know when it comes to love,  people are a bit selfish. Sorry son " Mr Rathore ran from there putting Dev in a situation.

" I don't want one more headache " Dev stomped his feet and made a crying face. He knows the conflict between family members. C City itself is very hard for him to handle along with Cosmos. Now he needs to see Rathore groups in place of his father.... Dev could calculate what all things are coming in his way and he doesn't know how he will handle Lechu without losing his mind and temper.

.....................................

Dev's room.

" Things are changing from here onwards. "

"Yes, I was acting like a bas*trd for the past few weeks. I know .....  I was acting out of my mind. After all life is always like that. You will keep on making mistakes and then learn from them. I learnt from my mistakes. Now it's time to  correct my mistakes and  make new stories in my life. Some of my pasts have to be left behind and some have to be renewed. I  Devdutta Prathap Singh Rathore has come back to my real life. "

Dev forwarded his hand in attitude towards the maid standing there to hand over his watches for him . He wore his favourite Rolex Daytona on his left wrist which added a bit more his luxurious outlook.

He corrected his suit perfectly without leaving a fold. Everything was so perfect about Dev. From his hair to his polished leather shoes. He put his favourite cologne which enhances his masculinity. Dev looked sharp, determined and focused.

He walked out from his room like a perfect piece of art. His looks say who is Devdutta Prathap Singh Rathore and his power. Dev saw Parvathi staring at him outside her room. She was totally pissed off with both father and son duo after getting to know about the cafe is handover to Dev.

Dev put a smirk on his face looking at Parvathy and walked down the stairs.

" Dev "  suddenly he was stopped by his aunt. Dev looked at her to know why she called him.

" Your dad is calling you to have breakfast with him. Go and at least meet him before leaving" aunt said. Dev agreed and walked towards the dining area.

Dev grabbed a seat right to his dad who was sitting at the head position of the dining table. His aunt sat beside Dev. Surprisingly Parvathy also joined them for breakfast which never happens.  Mr Rathore couldn't hide his smile when he saw Parvathy joining him for breakfast. Then Dadi also joined them because such occasions happen rarely in the Rathore family. Everyone is sitting together to have something. It's a scene to watch.

" Wind is blowing from a different side today ? What happened with my son and grandson ? " Dadi asked sarcastically.

" I don't know maa.... I think everyone got their brain back" Mr Rathore replied looking at Parvathy. She threw the fork which she was holding towards the table while grinding her teeth.

" But I like this atmosphere. I never thought that in this age I would ever get to watch my whole family together. Some are missing..... Still. " Dadi sighed heavily at the end when she remembered her family was still incomplete.

Dev's aunt looked at the table and turned to shout at maids for not serving the breakfast yet.

" Such an irresponsible girl. Lakshmi....... " She shouted for Lakshmi.

" Why are you shouting ? Let her bring " Parvathy said annoyingly.

" Can't you see the time ? They both need to leave " Varada spat back.

" Where is that girl by the way ? It's already late for my medicines " dadi mumbled.

" Sorry..... Sorry ...  I was changing these to serving bowls" Lechu came running from kitchen with breakfast. She became nervous watching almost everyone present at dining room. The least she expected was Dev. Her hands were trembling while keeping the dishes on table. She took a glance at Dev with a weird smile but he was into his phone texting someone.

But she got a return smile from Parvathy and the only person Lechu was confirmed is Parvathy is sitting there. Dev seemed to be very different towards Lechu. She was invisible for him that's how he was behaving. Even Lakshmi noticed that. She wondered what happened to him all of sudden. Few days back he was head over heels for her, begging for her, confessing his love for her then today he is like " who the hell are you ? "

Dadi was noticing everything silently but she doesn't wanted to say anything infront of Dev or Parvathy.

" Dev like I told you.... Come to my office afternoon and be on time. Also bring the proposal I asked you for. " Mr Rathore reminded Dev before he stood from his place after having breakfast.

" Sure dad " Dev agreed and left to office. He passed by Lakshmi not even taking a glance at her. Somewhere it hurted her. Last night flashed through her mind. How he carried her towards his room and slept beside her  peacefully. But her smile vanished to thin air when Lechu remember what she had done behind his back. If Dev finds out she opened his secret room then he is gonna kill her especially now.

Parvathy also stood from there and left. Lechu silently followed her to leave for cafe. Otherwise Dev's aunt won't let her leave on time by giving all works one after another.

Once they both left the dining room there remained with Mr Rathore , dadi and Varada.

" We can't let this continue." Mr Rathore and Varada looked at dadi when she said something.

" What is it maa ? " Mr Rathore asked doubtfully

" That girl Lakshmi..... I am not getting a good feelings when she is around Dev. My mind is saying he might get hurt badly because of that girl. " Dadi replied.

" Exactly dadi.. this is what I was trying to say. That girl is nothing but a parasite in our Dev's life. You didn't see ? How Dev was lacking and inconsistent with office matters. What all kinds of news came out about our family just because of that one girl ? Oh my head is spinning just by thinking about it " Varada made it more dramatic and rolled her eyes.

" Shiva..... Why you are silent ? " Dadi looked at her son and asked.

" Maa.... This is his life. He is not a kid anymore. He knows everything and he knows how to handle everything " Mr Rathore supported Dev.

" No he don't. I am saying this not just as your mother or Dev's grandmother. I have other kids too and my other grandkids. It is true that I always sided with Dev but that's because I got a belief in him and he breaking it one by one. Right now his attitude is not up to the mark where I could decide that the next heir of Rathore groups is Dev. He is moving away from his focus "  Dadi said with so much disappointment.

"Maa ji don't say like that. I will make him understand everything. Afterall he is your own blood. More than anyone else Dev knows things better. I will make sure ..... "

" Varada how long you are going to backup for him " dadi interrupted Dev's aunt and asked.

" I trust my son maa. He won't do anything bad. Isn't that enough " Mr Rathore said.

" That's not enough. Our family name and reputation everything matters to me. For that at very first that girl Lakshmi...... Make her leave from this house. After her father's death out of bit humanity I let her live here but she is becoming a distraction for Dev. " Dadi added

" People will start to talk bad behind our backs.  Even after divorce letting her live in this family...... her sister also. Do you think that it's a good thing? Her younger sister isn't a small school kid. She is a grown up girl and if people find out that sister in law is staying at her sister's in laws ...... Can you imagine what people might say ? " Dadi said

" Maa ... Please control your thoughts. That child is just studying in 12 th standard. Dev sees her as his own sister. Also they are not living alone but in this house. Parvathi is there, Varada, Lakshmi, you and all these maids are here....  Still? " Shiva gave an unbelievable look at his mom for giving such thoughts about Aadya and Dev.

"  The least I wanted Dev to select was that girl as his partner. He could have chosen anyone else from that family but Dev only liked this girl.... " Dadi seemed really annoyed while talking about Dev choosing Lakshmi as his partner.

" Maa it's Dev's choice. We don't have any voice to tell anything about his personal life and his interests. He likes her that's all matters" Mr Rathore defended his son. Then he stood from there and left annoyingly.

" Parvathy won't understand all these. She might have some feelings for  Lakshmi. So Varada ... " Dadi turned and looked at Dev's aunty.

" Somehow..... Get rid of that headache from Dev's life. Look for an eligible girl for him. " Dadi said to Dev's aunt and rubbed her forehead like she is getting a headache because of all these.

" Family curse..... " Varada looked at Dadi doubtfully.

" He already married one from a royal blood right ? I don't care anymore..... I need a lineage for this family. I need the next heir from Dev and that should be from an eligible smart girl. "

" Your sister isn't a royal blood still I accepted Dev. Shiva accepted his life as his fate and Parvathy accepted everything as her fate. Like that Dev will also move on with his life. Don't forget.... you are also going to benefit many things from this. Keep that in mind and do like I said " Dadi stood from there and left to her room.

Varada was so happy with the decision of Dev's dadi. She was urging to hear something from her for all these time. Now the situation is easy for her. She already planned many things in her mind. That happiness was well evident on her face to.

.........................

C City

" Situation is very serious Dev. Technical team nearly escaped from the attack..... "

Dev was rushing towards his cyber security team after getting informed that their network firewall again tried to hack by someone. Team head and department head were following Dev while explaining the matter.

Dev barged into the department and looked at the leading hacking employees  to get an explanation.

" He found the malware " department head pointed at a young employee and said.

" Explain " Dev stood behind his chair with crossed arms and commanded. The guy started explaining the matter in detail.

" Even after tightening the security this happened  ...  " Dev was silently listening to explanation from his security team. He seemed tensed and concerned about what was happening with company.

" Whoever it is, the person seems so adamant about getting our database. If he dares to implement this malware then he isn't a normal one " Dev looked at Mohit and said.

" What should we do ? " Mohit asked

" Need to find this person no matter what. Things are going out of our control. " Dev replied

" Sir, I got something " suddenly one employee stood from his place and called for Dev. He went to his side and enquire about the matter.

" Seems like a mistake from hackers side , for the very first time we got an IP address near to our C-City. " He showed the screen to Dev.

Dev sat there and checked the details.

" 2 seconds " Dev mumbled

" What is it ? " Mohit asked doubtfully

" It was a mistake from the perfectionist. No one could do a crime without leaving a single trace " Dev replied with a smirk.

" He is watching us Mohit or his whole team. " Dev commented

"Sir,  I tried to look into this IP address but unfortunately they might have understood their mistake and cleaned their path already through which we could reach them" Dev's employee said to Dev

" As expected. " Dev mumbled without taking his eyes from the screen.

" Still, this is enough. I think for few days there won't be an attack. But we should be prepared all the time. Inform me when they attack for next time. I need to catch him no matter what" Dev informed his security team and left from there like he has some plans in his mind and he got some hints about who is trying to get their database.

Café Mystére

Varun smacked on Ishaan and Ria's head behind their back in a rage. He seemed to be very annoyed at them.

" Several times I told you don't leave a chance to get caught. It's a cyber security company you morons. This isn't child play. Moreover it's Dev who is leading them. Do you guys want me to recite his history of hacking again ?   " Varun screamed at them. Ishaan and Ria sat in front of their blank system screen with their heads down.

" Our lives are at stake you idiots. If we were late for even a second they would have caught us. Do you think that Dev is stupid ? "  Varun roared again.

" Sorry sir" Ishaan and Ria said in unison with so much regret in their voice.

" Nina" Varun looked at Nina who was standing there silently watching the scene. She was still in that shock when they were about to get caught.

" Anyways our team is screwed from the beginning itself. You two .... Listen to me carefully" Nina snapped her fingers at Ishaan and Ria and continued conversation.

" How old are you two ? " She asked

" 21 " Ria replied

" 22 " Ishaan replied

" Exactly, you both just started your career. Both have good calibre and brain. Do you want to end it before starting ? You guys know how serious case is this isn't it ? " Nina pulled a chair and sat in front of them to make them understand about the serious situation in which they got caught.

" NIA is not Just going to terminate us. They will destroy us, including our family. It's not their fault but they are forced to do it under pressure of our nation. This case is very sensitive, public is going mad over this and if officers couldn't protect our nation then what security we are giving them ? "  Nina said in a disappointment

" We don't have much time guys " Varun added and sat there getting mad about the situation.

Lechu came running towards the store room which was actually a secret room for Varun, Nina, Ishaan and Ria.

" Dev is coming towards this cafe. Is everything fine? " Lechu asked all panicked.

Everyone looked at the screens set-up on the wall to watch the cctv camera. Dev was coming along with Mohit, Zahir and Gaurav. While sitting there they could actually watch who is opening the cafe door because of reflective glass which is used for partition.

Reflective glass got a metallic coating on one side of the glass to give it a mirror-like appearance. This kind of glass restricts the glare and blocks views inwards from outside but allows light and view.

No one could even think that behind that glass wall what is happening actually.

All five came out from their secret room. But for outsiders it looks like cafe store room. Dev was looking at the condition of the cafe and then looked at all five who stood there in a line. His gaze narrowed and stuck at Varun who was standing next to Lakshmi and so close to her like his hand was touching hers. Dev clenched his jaw getting annoyed but didn't create a scene to make Lechu more annoyed at him. He should be very careful about things from now on in front of Lechu. If he hurts anyone who is dear to Lechu then Dev will be left with no chances in front of her.

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