DevAkshi SS: Hidden
Chapter 8:
"Well, I f*cking don't care!"
Dev banged his fist on the metal table as he got up from his office chair, furious and frustrated. The more he investigates into the matter, the more hopeless he gets. It's been two weeks of his arrival in India and there is absolutely no progression on Sonakshi's case. With the insufficient information provided by Dev, the staff and CBI officers are not able to proceed further, outraging the already boiled Dev all the more.
"I'm not paying you guys triple the amount just to sit here and massage your asses!", he spit through gritted teeth.
Gulping, Adi fixed his spectacles. It's been five years in this company, working under Dev, bearing his rage and he still fears and dreads his outburst. He doesn't know who this Sonakshi Bose is, or what relationship his Boss has with this lady who practically occupies Dev Dixit's mind 24/7. But one thing he is sure of that she possesses a very special place in his Boss's heart and he needs no special skill to interpret that. Dev Dixit who is a workaholic, who literally works like a maniac, forgetting his sleep and personal life, winning deal after deal, signing contract after contract, caring about earning every possible and impossible penny is now giving not even two heeds to his meetings with Mr. Abhijeet Roy who he was supposed to meet today at Park View Restaurant to finalize a deal. And the moment he asked him to cancel such a crucial meeting due to the overlapped schedule of Mr. Abhijeet roy and CBI officers, set by Adi this morning on a short notice from the CBI officers saying they need to talk to Dev urgently, he, without any hesitation, concluded that a huge part of this very independent and fearless business tycoon depends on this woman named Sonakshi Bose. He has never seen his boss be this sullen, frustrated or outrageous over any deal, contract or office related work. Yes, he had been upset, yes he had taunted them and yes he had pushed his staff to the edge to extract their best at work. But the side he is witnessing right now, more so for the past two weeks, is of some other level. He had this torment in his eyes every time Sonakshi's case was discussed, that he couldn't fathom. Not just torment, but guilt as well. As if... as if he was trying to run away from a sin committed by him. Or As if he was trying to fix his mistakes he made in his life but is failing terribly. He didn't know...
Although never uttered, he knew the little framed photo of the chirpy chubby girl in pink floral dress on his desk was her. He didn't fail to notice across his desk through the glass door, how he stares at the same photo everyday, with the same agonized eyes he put in view while directing or filling them up on information regarding the case. And he needed no Einstein's brain to understand how much she means to him..probably more than anyone else in his life. I mean, who would put a little girl's photo on his office desk instead of his beloved mother, or the three beautiful sisters he was blessed with? That too, such a successful and the top business tycoon of India who refrains from showing any kind of emotion in front of media or anyone in the office?
Despite the level of strictness Dev treats his staff with, inspite of the countless taunts and rebukes thrown at him for not being able to give his best at work, he knew what a kind and soft hearted man his boss was. Fair and just as well! One of a kind- in Adi's exact words. When he first came for the job interview for this company, at a very young age, younger than company's requirement, he knew he was here fighting the lost battle. He was a bright student but the financial condition of his family was too poor to afford the last three years of his university fees, leading him to look for jobs. However, to his surprise, he was hired right after his interview.
"Although you're lacking in many ways according to my company's requirements and expectations, I see potential in you! I am going to train you on my own to make you what you need to be, to be fit for my company. Always remember, there's nothing in this world that we can't achieve. If you really want it, you work hard for it and win it! It's as simple and as complicated as that! " were his exact words he still hasn't forgotten even after five years. Keeping his wise words in mind, he gave his very best to achieve the position he is at right now. Throughout the five years, to the extent he was provided financial support for himself and his family is something he would forever be grateful for to his boss. And deep down, he knew, his financial condition of his family was one of the reasons dev gave him this job. And he had developed immense respect for the incredulously amazing human being that Dev was for not only believing in him at his lowest point of life, but also for giving him the necessary push to give his very best in every task he was assigned. He has taught him not to lose courage and hope no matter what is going on in life. He has taught him the basic rules of life and success that will forever be etched in his mind and heart. He has taught him how to deal!
Thus, he has always seen him as an elder brother first, before a boss. A role model first, before a leader. And that's why, he never took any of his rebukes to his heart, for he knew more than what his boss expressed through the bitter words. And now that his very own idol is in such anguished state, he left no stone unturned in fulfilling the tasks he is assigned, while silently praying to god to leave at least one hint of this missing girl named Sonakshi.
"Sir, d-do you remember anything else regarding Ms Sonakshi? Anything! May be her unique personality, birth mark, or something she has through which we could be hinted. Perhaps It could help the officers?", Adi asked politely, keeping his fingers crossed that he remembers something that could help the CBI officers in proceeding further.
He held his temple in deep thought when his eyes widened at the memory of their farewell. The pendant!
"Y-Yes! YES! The pendant. I gave her a pendant the day I left for Canada and it was only one piece because it was customized. I had got it made for her specially, keeping her likes and preference in mind! And She mentioned to me once on skype that...that she will never take it off because it makes her feel like I'm with her!"
And Adi, for once, felt he had witnessed the real Dev for the first time in his life. For a moment, the hard mask he puts up infront of his staff was gone. And he, for the first time, got a taste of this side of his Boss.
The sudden hopefulness in his eyes, and the extreme joy he spoke with made him feel like he just won a lost battle! And that was the time he understood that the only person who could bring back the real Dev for good is this Sonakshi Bose!
That she will never take it off because it makes her feel like I'm with her!- he couldn't but smile at the realization of what he was missing out on all this while. His boss is madly and irrevocably in love with this woman named Sonakshi!
Twitching his lips, he spoke with equal enthusiasm, "Excellent, boss! I will let the officers know right away. As per the instructions, a sketch might be needed to be made of the pendant. So if you don't mind sir-"
"Call the draft person. It will be done right now. I want absolutely no delay on the procedure"
~~
"Aaj kaal bade pankh nikal aye hai tere? What black magic have you done on our Dev, hm?"
Radha's voice almost startled Sonakshi out of her wits.
Taking long strides into the kitchen, she took no time to forcefully clutch her cheeks.
Shutting her eyes close, she dreaded what is to follow now.
Faking a smile, Radha spoke with utter sweetness, "Arreh nahi nahi! Aaj tujhe mein marungi nahi. Pyaar se samjhawoongi"
Forcing his thumb on her right cheek while the rest of the fingers dag their way into her left one, she stared at her with poisonous gaze, totally opposite to overly-sweet smile she put her few second ago.
"what did you tell Dev? Bol! Why is he getting so protective over you? What hint did you give him? Did you reveal you real identity? Huh? SPEAK UP!"
Her grip getting unbearably tight on her cheeks, with her jaw paining uncontrollably as tears streamed down her cheeks. Sonakshi could only open her mouth but was unable to form any word or voice out an assurance that she did nothing against her will.
Shaking her head vigorously, she tried unclasping her hand in vein.
"Look lady, this is the last warning I'm giving you. Stay away from Dev. After this, there won't be any exchange of words. You will only suffer the consequence and you very well know what I am capable of, don't you?"
Her eyes widened as the past incidents of her hands being burnt were flashed infront of her eyes. Nodding her head quickly, she assured her that she understands and will do as being told.
"Good girl!"
Letting go of her, she blew her nails, "Now go and clean the store room. It's a mess."
She knew how dusty the storeroom was and how it could affect her Asthma problem.
Gulping, she tried to speak up, "but...b-but mami, I-"
"kya? Nahi jayegi?"
"Woh I-"
"Why are you so hell bent in suffering, my darling? Fine! If that's what you want!"
Taking slow steps, Radha turned on the stove with an empty pan on it.
Realizing her intention from her past experience when her hands were forcefully held over the steaming hot pan, her eyes went wide in horror.
"M-m-mein jati hoon mami!", with that she quickly escape from the kitchen.
~~
Putting his car at a screeching halt, he parked the car on the driveway of his mansion. Getting out of the car with his coat on his hand, he entered the mansion, slightly content at the fact that the case is going somewhere and they are not just beating around the bush. Though pleased with the hint he was able to extract, he couldn't help but get this sagging feeling in the gut that something is terribly wrong. Loosening his tie, he was about to enter his room when something unusual attracted the corner of his eyes.
Halting his feet, he turned around to find the store room door open. Weird!
Closing the door, he shook his head and entered his room only to stop dead in his tracks and sprint back to the storeroom with his breath hitched.
To make sure what he thought he saw was just his hallucination, he reopened the door. And as he did, air gushed out of his lungs. Dev felt his entre axis tilting away, spiraling to never finding its equilibrium. His mind went numb for a moment and his hands and feet turned ice cold.
There she laid on the floor, withering uncontrollably, gasping for air, her hands trying to reach out for something, her legs flying in all directions, her head and temple drenched in sweat!
He felt like he was seeping into the darkness, yet once again. The darkness of losing her! His body slumped as guilt swept through him. Guilt of leaving her alone... yet once again! For a moment, he felt like he was living those moments of losing Sonakshi once again, the moment when the news of Sonakshi leaving the mansion for good was broke to him. The moment his protective instinct hit his entire being, as his heart told him that she's not safe, yet not being able to do anything. He felt like someone just ted his limbs to refrain any movement to reach out to her.
Whispering an anguished Sonakshi, he blinked back his blurry eyes as he ran into the dusty room, coughing as few of the dust particles went inside his lungs as well, he wrapped her in his arms, rubbing her back and hands, calling out to him. Carrying her in a swift movement, he rushed down the stairs, out of the mansion, into his car as he laid her on the back seat. Driving like a maniac, breaking every possible signal on the road, he arrived at the hospital.
~~
"It's good that you brought her to the hospital right away. A few minutes delay and we would have-"
"What happened to her?", dev asked, interrupting the on purpose, not wanting to hear the obvious and torture himself further, the past incident still hasn't sunk in him properly.
"she has Asthma. And reports tell me that she has gotten minor breathing attacks couple of times in the past. What shocked me is that she never got a treatment for it which led to such disastrous situation. Few dust particles went into her lungs and clogged the sensitive pipeline for which she couldn't breath properly. It wouldn't have been as serious due to such slight cause had she took inhaler and required medication properly."
Fisting his cold fingers as guilt after guilt hit her very being with a powerful force that kept shaking his entire being, he composed himself.
"c-can I see her?", he asked, his voice barely audible. He still couldn't fathom what would have happened if he was a few minutes late.
"Of course! I will give you the prescription and the necessary cautions she needs to follow for the next few weeks, later."
~~
Opening her eyes, her view still blurry, she tried blinking a couple of times before it focused. Finding the man she would always want to wake up to, right infront of her, standing and looking down at her with a serious yet concerned gaze, she curled her lips.
"Hey!", she greeted him, her voice barely audible due to weakness.
Dev didn't know if he should be thankful to god for having her safe and sound, infront of him, and be grateful that she's able to talk, or bang his head on the wall for her ridiculous timing of greeting him! I mean, really?! That's the first thing she has to do after withering on the floor, gasping for air and killing him thousand times in that few seconds?! Unbelievable!
Taking small steps, not breaking his serious gaze, he stood few inches away from her. Crossing his arms, he asked, "How long has it been that you knew of it?"
"O-of what?", she asked innocently.
"you exactly know what I am talking about. Don't you dare kid with me, woman!", he spoke, his voice little louder that before. He was losing patience.
"F-five y-years", she spoke with a downcast face.
"F...FIVE YEARS?! FIVE BLOODY YEARS?! AND YOU DIDN'T FEEL THE NEED OF GETTING ANY TREATMENT FOR IT?"
Dev exasperated on top of his voice, startling sonakshi. He couldn't for the love of his life understand how she has lived and survived for these past five years. Does she not realize how precious her life is? Does she not give even two heeds to her existence?! He couldn't even get himself to imagine what would have happened if he wasn't here today, fear and anger gripping his entire heart at her carelessness.
"Do you f*cking realize what could have happened to you if I hadn't come on time? DO YOU?!", his eyes blurred uncontrollably as he gulped the lump that formed in his throat.
"I...it-it wasn't that s-serious and-"
"For god's sake, use your goddamned brain sometimes as well! Regardless of how small the matter is, you're entitled to report to the doctor! You..."
He couldn't speak any further; exhausted of everything that's been going on in his life. slumping his shoulder, he ran his fingers through his hair, frustrated. But the very next moment, he widened his eyes in horror as he heard the sound of sniffing. Turning around, he saw the last thing he wanted to see- tears in the eyes of his loved ones. More so, tears on their eyes because of him!
Taking long strides, his heart pinching unbearably tight, he reached out to her. Taking her small soft hands on his large one, he wiped her tears with his thumbs.
As she hiccupped, sniffing back with her red nose, she tried to speak, "Y...y-you...never...s-spoke...t-to me like t-this. I...i..k-know it was m-my fault b-but-"
Not being able to control anymore, he pulled her shivering form to his chest, wrapping his arms around her protectively as he rubbed her back, closing his eyes.
"Sshhh! Shh...I'm sorry"
Closing her eyes, Sonakshi sniffed as her hands bunched on his chest, while she snuggled deeper, breathing his scent as if finding solace for the first time in life. It was then she realized how badly she needed it, as peace at once descended upon her heart.
It was not just a hug. It not a hug of lust, neither was it a simple hug exchanged between friends. It contained much deeper meaning than what it looked like. It was an embrace of solace, a cocoon of peace that they both needed at that moment. While dev calmed himself down holding her petite form close to his heart, assuring himself that she's just fit and fine, there was this unknown serenity in his arms that sonakshi found after ten years of her painful life. And she did not wish to let go of it anytime soon.
"I..I-I'm sorry. But p-please don't be mad at me. I-I can bear everyone's sulking but you...I-I"
"Shh I'm sorry. I didn't want to shout like that...I got scared...What...w-what if I lost you?"
Tightening her hold, she mumbled, "I-I will be careful from now on. I-"
Pulling her closer to his chest, kissing her hair, he murmured with a determined voice, "I will not let anything even close to today's incident happen to you ever again".
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
PHEW! Done...It was the most difficult chapter for me to write so far. The last scene required my full focus as a lot of things needed to take into account. Being it their first hug (☺️), I had to make sure I keep it in the limits, as well as throw in the little details that would alleviate their bond to a new level. Literally spent three hours on that one scene. Really hope I succeeded.😳 I had also attempted giving a run through of Dev's traits through Adi's point of view, if you guys were patient enough to read the first part 😆 Please, if you skipped it, do go back and read it as it might clear a lot of your confusion, if there is any, regarding Dev's character.
PLUS, this was an extra long chapter. Been infront of my laptop for 7 hours at a stretch, finishing up this chapter with the guilt of making you guys wait more than I intended. And I am extremely sorry for that!
Lastly, I literally turned into a diabetic patient after reading your overly sweet comments for the last chapter. I honestly am at a loss for words. I wanted to dedicate this chapter to someone, but after going through all of your comments, I couldn't decide exactly who I dedicate this to😆 Ekdaam confuse kar diya aap logo ne to every single comment overwhelmed me one way or the other and I'm just so happy you guys are reading and loving my work. Therefore, to express my gratitude, I dedicate this chapter to all my beautiful readers 🤗
Again, please don't forget to press the like button and throw a comment below. Will be eagerly waiting to read your feedback. 😳
Note:
if you wish to receive PMs for this SS or for any of my future DevAkshi work, please send a buddy request to my other account called Devakshi_PM
Love,
Mushfika
Chapter 9: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/136487848
Edited by Mushfika - 9 years ago
Ufff Yeh Love Hai Mushkil
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