Chapter 23:
"Was that Ritwick?" Dev's voice was eerily soft.
Sonakshi was so surprised to see him there that no words came out of her mouth.
"Sona??"
She nodded.
"Did he just call you sweetheart?" He asked patiently.
Sona looked at him. Dev looked shocked initially but now his face gave away nothing. Blank...
How much did he hear' She wondered.
"Few people have a habit of talking in such a casual way Dev" She croaked.
Dev just stared at her. Sonakshi looked scared...it was so very obvious.
What are you hiding Sona' Dev wanted to ask her.
"You guys have hardly even talked ...and he jumped from Miss Bose to Sweetheart" He remarked disapprovingly.
Sona felt a surge of relief passing through her. Maybe Dev didn't really see much.
"Choro na.. how does it matter. I am feeling cold. Let's go inside."She inched towards the entrance before he again bombard her with the series of questions.
"What exactly did he mean by bringing his best game on ...Sonakshi?" Dev always left the best one for the last!!
Sona felt as if the ground just snagged from her feet.
"Wo...kaam... ko lekar kuch... baatein ho rahi ..thi" She stammered and hurriedly left the place.
A scary thought came to his mind...' Was he threatening her? But why will he do that? And she will definitely tell me if that is the case. But...' He didn't knew what to think.
The party was over and the entire family was sitting in the living room discussing today's function when Sona joined them. The Dixit sisters were busy opening the gifts. Ishwari was happily watching her kids enjoy and Neha was talking to Adi on phone.
"Neha...ye meri taraf se" Sonakshi finally presented her with the gift.
"Arey iski kya zaroorat thi? Now you are doing formality Sona" Neha protested.
"Zaroorat hai...and no more arguments.." Sona shut her up.
"Auntyji...ek request hai aapse" Sona addressed Ishwari now.
"Bolo Beta"
"Yahan kaafi din ho gaye hain mujhe rehte hue..and ab meri tabiyat bhi theek hai. Can I go back to my house? I feel like I am troubling you guys a lot".
By this time Dev joined them all.
"Ye kaisi baatein kar rahi ho? Sonakshi you were never a trouble for us...and suddenly why you are saying this? Kisine kuch bola kya? Did Dev...?" Ishwari was worried.
"Nahi nahi...he never said anything." Sona replied quickly.
"You are like my own daughter Sona. Please don't think yourself as a guest here." Hearing these words from Ishwari, Sonakshi didn't had the heart to argue with her ..so she dropped this topic altogather. Meanwhile Dev was studying her thoroughly. Now she wants to leave?' Suddenly his mobile beeped.
"Why are you staring at me like that openly?" Sona's text.
"You should wear saree more often" he texted back
"Really?!! In New York?" She was amused.
"Haan to?"He questioned.
She smiled and shook her head. Men..'
"Sonakshi...come to my room. Kuch discuss karna hai" Suddenly Dev interrupted everyone. Enough of texting' He thought.
Everyone looked at Sona...and she got up and followed him quietly. Now what?' She thought.
"I am joining office tomorrow. What is so urgent?" She enquired when they reached his room.
Dev ignored her and locked the door.
"And why are you locking the door?" She was aghast.
"Jo main karne wala hoon wo sabko dikhana hai kya?" Dev smiled cunningly.
"Kya karne wale ho?" Sona asked cautiously.
"You ask too many questions" He dismissed her question.
"Accha...as if you don't ask any questions" She was sarcastic this time.
"Shut up and let me love you now" Dev answered taking her in arms.
"Oh god Dev..sab bahar kya sochenge if they realize the door is locked from inside" She squirmed in his hold.
"Nobody is going to leave the living room for hours" He replied casually opening her hair. She looked exquisite. Everything about her was fascinating. Her eye lids which opened a fraction of an inch higher from her big black eyes. With perfectly applied mascara those eyes were just hypnotic and radioactive. Her high cheek bones had a tint of pink in them as though she was blushing from his remarks. From her soft pillow type lips to the dark black hair that cascaded down her curved slim back. And the blue saree which was draped elegantly across her figure. Add the fact that they both were alone in the room. Dev was powerless to resist her allure now.
"I am not taking that kind of risk. Do you realize..." Rest of her words died since her mouth was already captured by his. The warmth of his mouth sent a current running through her body. Sona threw her arms around Dev's neck as she lost herself in his peppermint breath and soft lips.
And just like that the kiss was over.
Her eyes were still close when he leaned towards her and whispered.." Will you promise me something today."
She nodded..hypnotized.
"Then promise me that you will not leave me...ever. At the worst of times..when I am not myself. And even if I just don't understand..you will not leave me."
She finally opened her eyes. He was looking at her with eyes full of passion, concern and emotion.
"I promise"
Monday is the most hated day of the week for the office goers. Sonakshi felt like her head will explode. Work had piled up and even if she worked round the clock she would be nowhere near the end. By the evening she had forgotten about the entire world and engrossed herself into the job. Dev waited for few minutes but when she still didn't seem anywhere around he called her up.
"Kahan ho?? Aaj hum sath dinner karne wale the ..remember?" He complained like a school kid.
"Dev please...aaj nahi...bahut kaam hai" Sona explained.
"Sonakshi...I am your boss...so listen to me...drop whatever you are doing and mere sath chalo"
Sona took some time to reply.
"Dev ..you are my boss..so act like one. I never needed special treatment from anyone so far and this will continue in future as well. Else I will be uncomfortable working with you in a professional setting"
Dev had no reply to it. Whatever she said did make sense.
"Okay mam..i am sorry. To fir aapka appointment kab milega?" He asked softly.
"Kal chalte hain...infact today you go home..main sab kuch finish karke aati hu" Sona said after thinking.
"Fine!!!"
Dev left the office alone. He didn't feel like going home, so he just roamed around the city. Be it any day of the week New York is always colorful during the night. Soon he got bored. He missed Sonakshi already. Since he was now super hungry he finally ended up in an Italian place. The place was posh, dimly lit and had a very romantic feel to it. This was his favouriate place. He smiled thinking of Sona.
Get a grip on yourself Mr. Dixit...you are behaving like a teenager. The girl has not confessed her love for you yet' He scolded himself.
He looked around. Other tables were occupied by couples. His smile faded once he saw Sonakshi there with..Ritwick!
Where are you' He texted her.
Office..will be home in half an hour' came her reply.
There is one thing about Dev which very few people knew. The guy has a temper. And rarely when this infamous temper of his shoots up...he can be the most difficult person to be with.
"Why have you called me here? I am busy Ritwick" Sona was having hard time controlling her anger.
"Oh come on...don't be a spoil sport now for old time's sake" Ritwick was at his casual best.
"I need to reach home on time. Just say what you have got to say and I am out of here" Sona checked her watch.
"Okay , I need some inside information about Ishwari Enterprises..and since the CEO trusts you ..you can get me all I want" Ritwick laid all his cards on the table.
"You have got to be kidding me!" Sona was shocked at this outrageous request.
"I am serious" His voice was cold.
"In that case the answer is No. I can never do that to Dev" She spoke with a fury.
"Sonakshi you know very well you are not in the position to deny me anything."
There is one thing about Sonakshi which everyone knew. She has tremendous amount of patience. But when pushed to the limit..the girl fights back like a lioness.
"I think I just did." Sona had gotten the grip on herself by now.
"Firse soch lo..."
"Mr. Ritwick Sen ...you have blackmailed me enough for this lifetime. But now you are targeting Dev and I will not allow this. No seriously...go and do whatever you want to. I am freaking tired of this already and will not allow you to control my life " She left.
By the time Sonakshi reached Dixit's house it was raining heavily and she was almost drenched. Worried that she might get sick again she rushed to her room to change. The house was quiet so she assumed everyone must be asleep by now. It was late anyway. So she was surprised to see Dev awake and waiting for her in her room.
"You scared me...why are you sitting here like a ghost" She laughed nervously.
Dev didn't reply..but he looked highly disturbed.
"Finished the work?" He asked.
"Almost" She replied studying him carefully. whats wrong' she thought.
"Itni der tak kaam karne ke baad bhi your work is not over yet?" he tried his best to appear normal now.
"I underestimated it. Kal tak pakka ho jaega. Dev ..kya hua?" now she was concerned because he didn't look all right.
There was few minutes of silence.
"Sonakshi do you even like me?" he blurted.
"What kind of question is that Dev?"
"It's a very simple question with even simpler answer. Yes or No"He shrugged.
"Yes I like you", She acknowledged the fact.
"Okay..do you love me?"
"What has happened to you..suddenly?"
"Answer the question Sonakshi"
She was startled by his hard tone.
"Dev you are cornering me. I told you I need time."
"The problem is..I don't want to give you any time." Dev's tone was borderline cruel now.
"Are you angry because I didn't accompany you for the date"
"Yes or No?" it looked like he didn't even hear her.
"I was working Dev" Sona explained earnestly.
"Yes or No Sonakshi?" He was losing his patience now.
"Dev..why are you doing this"
"Sona..YES OR NO?" he snapped now.
"First tell me what happened suddenly? Kuch der pehle tak to sab theek tha"
"The problem is Sonakshi that I am an idiot to confess when clearly you and me are not on the same page yet." He was getting more and more bitter.
"I never said that I don't love you." Sona answered meekly. She felt guilty now.
"Oh you did...seven years ago. Problem is even now I believe that there must be some other explanation to it because my Sona can never do this to me. "
"Dev ...listen"
"No Sonakshi you listen...all these years I tried to hate you... trust me..but I just couldn't . When I met you after all these years I tried my best to remain unconcerned..but I failed ..again. Now I feel like a fool that I am in love with a girl who perhaps has no feelings for me whatsoever." He vented.
"No feelings?!! So you think I let someone kiss or touch me just like that?" She was appalled.
Dev didn't reply. He was out of breath by now. Sonakshi felt like her heart is breaking slowly.
"If you have made certain opinion about me then I think I should go back to my house tomorrow." She said resignedly.
"Yes...run away...that's what you are best at " He replied sarcastically.." but I won't let you go anywhere!". He completed stubbornly.
"Mr. Dev...I am not running away but why should I stay here when you clearly think that I am..." Sona couldn't speak further. Angry tears sprung from her eyes which she wiped off roughly from the back of her hand.
Dev felt like killing himself. He again managed to make her cry. All he wanted was to confront her clearly about Ritwick but somehow he completely missed that point and jumped into the old stuff. Not knowing what to do he tried to hug her while she angrily pushed him away. But he was persistent and she finally had to give in.
"Itni larai karte ho tum mujhse and you say that you love me" She complained tiredly after her tears were dry.
"Tumse nahi karunga to aur kisse karunga?"
"Kya hua tumhe aaj" She needed to know .
"I don't know. I have a bad feeling that we will be separated again.
Sona took a deep breath.
"Dev...I hid something from you. I know Ritwick since Delhi."
"Sona...will you forgive me? I saw you and Ritwick in the hotel. Guess that made me angry. I should not have reacted like this ..Sorry. You are free to have your own friend circle and not tag along with me all the time. But don't lie to me from now on."
Sona couldn't say anything else. She didn't had the courage left to say anything more. Some other day she thought. Right now she just wanted to live the moment.
"Sona...can I ask you something?" Her train of thought was interrupted.
"Haan" She murmured.
"Why did you lie about getting married all those years ago?"
"Because I knew you will not leave me just like that" She replied sighing deeply.
"Do you know that literally killed me" He said with voice full of emotion.
"I am sorry"
"Tumhare uss letter se mujhe itna hurt nahi feel hua tha jitna tumhari shadi ki news se hua"
Sonakshi held him tightly and kissed his chest.
The atmosphere was too serious by now. So to lighten it up Dev casually said..
"Although I am thankful to that letter. Had you not written all that I would have never been so driven for the success" He joked.
"What are you talking about." She was confused now.
"Wo letter than naa..which I got after you left for Kolkata. You had written naa ki you cannot be with me because my financial background is much lower than your family's." Dev explained.
"Wait ..WHAT?"
"Oh leave it. Again I am bringing up the old stories. We were kids back then and I understand ..."
"Dev wait...do you have that letter" She interrupted him breaking the hug.
"Yes"
"Show me" Sonakshi demanded.
She went through the entire letter thrice while Dev looked on. Something was shaking inside her.
"What happened?" Dev nudged her.
"Dev...I have not written this letter"
"Matlab?" He was confused.
"In my letter I had just asked for your forgiveness." Sona replied...lost.
"Then whose handwriting is it?" He asked flabbergasted glancing at that piece of paper.
"Elina's" Sona answered looking out of the window. The moon was shining brightly now.
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
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