Dev finally arrived home, his mind burdened with worry and anticipation. The weight of recent events was evident in his weary expression. As he approached the front door, he pressed the doorbell, the sound echoing through the silent house. Inside, Karuna, who had been pacing anxiously from one side of the room to the other, rushed to open the door. Siddharth, trying his best to console her, followed closely behind.

"Everything will be fine, Maa. Don't worry," Siddharth reassured her, though Karuna's fear for her son's safety was unmistakable, exacerbated by the looming threat posed by Ananya's presence in their lives.

As Dev stepped inside, both Siddharth and Karuna enveloped him in a tight embrace, their relief palpable. Dev managed a weary smile and reciprocated their hug, though the tension in his shoulders was still evident.

Karuna, her hands trembling, stroked his hair and asked, her voice filled with concern, "Tell me, my son, are you alright? Thank God, Baal Gopal protected you."

Dev's smile faded, replaced by a determined expression. He stepped back slightly, took a deep breath, and said, "Yes, Maa, but enough is enough. It's time to end everything that once began with a hopeful heart. I will erase every memory that was ever cherished with such longing."

The day passed in a tense blur, filled with anxious conversations and quiet contemplation. As evening descended, Ananya sat on her balcony, haunted by painful memories of Dev. The sky was painted in hues of orange and pink, but the beauty of the sunset did little to lift her spirits.

She was abruptly pulled from her reverie by the sound of a notification on her phone. She picked it up and saw a message from Debu, containing the location of a café—the very place where Dev had once proposed to her.

As she recalled those bittersweet moments, tears welled up in her eyes. She hastily wiped them away and began to get ready, her mind a whirlwind of emotions.

Meanwhile, Dev was at the café, meticulously decorating the same floor where he had once proposed to Ananya. The room was filled with the scent of fresh roses, and fairy lights twinkled like stars. He arranged the flowers with care, but as he was fitting a rose into the décor, a thorn pricked his finger, drawing a small trickle of blood.

Wincing in pain, he looked at his finger and murmured to himself, "One heart, two promises, whom should I choose? One path, two crossroads, which should I follow? Time is fragile and there are many troubles. Whatever decision I make, this heart will ache deeply."

Once again, he had reserved the entire floor for her, wanting the setting to be perfect. Soon, Ananya arrived at the café, and the manager greeted her warmly, asking for her name. Her heart pounded loudly as she provided it, much like it had the first time she had visited this place with Dev.

The manager smiled and requested her to proceed to the second floor, where she would find Dev. She nodded, her anxiety mounting with each step she took up the stairs.

The hall was shrouded in darkness, amplifying Ananya's apprehension. Nervously, she called out, "De... Debu, where are you?"

As her words echoed in the empty space, the lights flickered on, casting a soft, warm glow. Rose petals showered down on her, creating a magical atmosphere. She smiled, but her expression quickly turned to one of horror as she recognized the decorations.

The room was beautifully adorned with fairy lights, lit candles, flowers, and cute balloons, yet there was no sign of Debu. Suddenly, she felt a gentle tap on her shoulder. She turned to find Dev standing there, holding a bouquet of red roses, his eyes reflecting a mixture of emotions.

With a smirk, Dev said, "Don't be so scared. Take these."

She accepted the roses with trembling hands, fear evident in her eyes. They both sat down at a table adorned with candles and flowers, creating an intimate setting.

Dev, his smile not reaching his eyes, asked, "What's wrong? Why do you seem so nervous?"

Ananya, still nervous and glancing around the room, replied, "What is all this? Looking at this place, it doesn't seem like there's going to be any business deal here."

Dev smirked, his gaze intense and unwavering, and said, "There will be a deal, and all accounts will be settled. But looking at you, it seems you have many memories tied to this place."

Ananya hesitantly said, "Yes... my Dev proposed to me here."

Dev looked away, trying to hide the pain that flickered in his eyes. After a moment, he asked, "If you don't mind, can I ask you something?"

She nodded, and he continued, his face emotionless, "Did you love your husband?"

Ananya was stunned into silence, memories of betrayal flooding her mind. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she tried to compose herself. After a deep breath, she said, "Let's not talk about me. Tell me about yourself."

Dev, with a sad smile, replied, "A story of love that is filled with nothing but pain. There is so much anguish in my heart; you wouldn't be able to bear hearing it."

Ananya insisted, "I want to hear it. Please, tell me."

Dev stood up, his smile tinged with sorrow, and said, "My story, my love, is one filled with such deep sorrow that it would shake the soul of anyone who has ever loved."

He took her hand gently and led her into a dance, the soft strains of a familiar song filling the air. As they moved together, he said, "You know, I love songs from the 90s."

Ananya managed a small smile, reminded Dev, and began to say, "I love them too..."

But he interrupted, saying, "I know you do." And the music began to play softly in the background, its nostalgic melody wrapping around them like a warm embrace.

---

Ek haseena thi, ek deewana thaa
Kya umar, kyaa sama, kya zamana thaa

The air was heavy with tension as Dev began to sing, his voice carrying a haunting melody that resonated deeply within the room.

His voice, though melodious, had an edge of coldness to it. "Come," he said, his tone chilling, "let me tell you a tale of love." With a dramatic flair, he clapped twice, and the bright lights went out. Dim lights flickered on, casting long, eerie shadows. Ananya's heart raced, and she felt a shiver run down her spine.

Ek din vo mele roz milne lage
Phir mohabbat hui, bus qayamat hui

Both Ananya and Dev were transported back to their first meeting. Dev remembered the moment he saw her, soaked in the rain, her face radiant with happiness. Ananya recalled seeing him for the first time on stage, his eyes locking onto hers with an intensity that took her breath away.

Sunke yehh dasstan, kho gayee tum kaha
Log hairaan ha kyunki anjaan haii
Ishq kii woh gali, baat jiske chali

Their subsequent meetings had only deepened their connection, leading to the day he proposed to her at this very place. Tears welled up in Ananya's eyes, filled with regret and longing, while Dev's face showed a complex mix of emotions—anger, sadness, and fleeting joy.

Us hasin ne kaha, suno jane wafa
Yeh falak ye zameen tere bin kuchh nahin

As the lyrics echoed through the room, both were pulled back into their memories. Dev released her hand, stepping into the shadows, leaving Ananya alone and filled with dread. Suddenly, she felt his hand clasp hers from behind, and he pulled her into a dance.

Tujhpe marti hun main, pyar karti hun main
Tere bin jindagi kuchh nahin, kuchh nahin

Ananya's tears flowed freely as she remembered how she used to declare her love for Dev. She recalled the countless times she had professed her love without truly understanding the depth of his feelings. Now, the very love she had taken for granted was the one she yearned for the most.

Dev's voice, piercing through her reverie, brought her back to the present. "There was a girl whom I loved more than myself. So deeply did I love her that if she had asked me to give up my life, I would have done so without a moment's hesitation."

He paused, his voice filled with pain. "She claimed to love me too. Every moment we spent together was filled with love and joy. I wanted to turn every bit of her suffering into happiness."

With a sudden, forceful movement, Dev pulled her dangerously close. Ananya was stunned, her body rigid with fear. She tried to step back, but his grip tightened, holding her in place.

He whispered in her ear, "The world was beautiful, but then... do you know what happened?"

Us bewafa yaar ne apne mehboob se
Aiesa dhokha kiya, zehar usko diya
Mar gaya vo jawan. Ab suno dastannn

He twirled her around, and she found herself in his arms, trembling with fear. The haunting melody of the song drove her to madness, her eyes filling with tears as the lyrics revealed the depth of his agony. Dev's eyes, too, were brimming with unshed tears, but he continued to dance with her, their movements a painful blend of elegance and torment.

Samna jab huha firse wahi sab huha
Uspe yeh karz tha, karz to farz apna chukana tha

Suddenly, he pinned her against the wall, his body pressing close to hers. Ananya shivered, tears streaming down her cheeks. He rested his forehead against hers and whispered, "Tum woh haseena thi, aur mein woh deewana tha."

Barely able to speak, Ananya whispered, "Dev..."