"Sona......." He paused, taking a deep breath in.

"Meet my one and only sister, Neha. Neha was born mute and has been like this all her life." he said calmly as I froze.

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

Sona's POV

I stood there feeling numb. Grief.... It felt like an emptiness in my heart. A shear of nothingness that somehow took over and held my soul, threatening to kill me entirely. It gave me the heavy feeling, as though the weight of the world was resting on my shoulders and there was nothing I could do to get rid of it.

She wasn't the Neha I spoke to, in college. It was a complete different person. I knew there was no point proving myself to Dev anymore as he already lost all his trust on me. I mean who wouldn't?

I understood why Dev slapped me in the temple. He slapped me because I accused his innocent sister who wasn't even able to speak. I accused her of lying.... and speaking cruel words whereas in real, she couldn't even utter anything.

Realisation of what happened caused my words to become stuck inside my throat. I looked up and realised that Dev was staring at me with pain. I felt the tears flowing to my cheeks and prayed it wasn't noticeable. I coughed and then pushed my hair back behind my ear, even though it wasn't really there.

Neha was there infront me smiling widely. She looked so sweet and innocent. When she saw my tears, she instantly panicked and moved forward to me. Her hands reached mine and gave me a tight squeeze as if assuring that everything was going to be ok. Her small gesture made my heart squeeze with guilt. How could someone use her name to do such an act?

And worse was, I complained about her to Dev. Any brother would have gotten angry like him.

Once again, he was right and I became wrong. I became the victim again. It became my fault all over again. I felt like history was repeating. I felt cheated on a bigger level. I could feel Dev eyes boring into me as I thought of many names to call myself. Dishonest, gold-digger, two-faced, unfaithful and many more.

I immediately pulled Neha into a warm hug and she was more than eager to return the gesture. I couldn't even bring myself to meet Dev's eyes. I disappointed him. Now the hurt he was suffering would be worse than what he felt days ago. I regretted my decision of telling him the truth soon. I should have met his sister before exposing everything. Now everything was broken. He wouldn't believe anything that comes from my mouth ever again.

And he doesn't even know the truth of his mother yet....

I invited Neha and Dev inside but they said they needed to be at home before their parents started to get worried. Dev went to send off Neha with his driver before he came back to my house again.

"I trusted you so badly but..... You have failed me again Sonakshi....you broke your promise" he said with a heavy tone as my mind drifted away.

Abused...That was what I felt at that moment.

(Flashback)

4 years ago...

"You are a bad liar Sonakshi!!" Dev chuckled as he tucked her hair behind her ears.

"Dev! Err... How did you even find out?" Sona grunted angrily.

"Come on Sonakshi.. You know na? I never had a doubt about whatever you say. Whether it's a joke or not, I will trust you! But when you lie...it takes only a minute to find out" he whispered before kneeling down towards her.

"Dev what are yo-"

"I trust you with all my heart Sonakshi...... I can't promise to buy the stars for you, I am not that rich. But I can promise that together we will have two little stars of our own who'll make our life beautiful. I can't promise to be the best cook ever, but I can promise that together we will burn the food we make together. I can't promise that I will look stunning in every photograph you will take, but I can promise that I will always be beside you in each of them. I can't promise that we won't fight at all, but I can promise that you will wake up to my words every morning for the rest of your life. So, Ms Beautiful... Will you marry me?" He said blinking his eyes dramatically.

"Awww Dev, yes!! That's soooooo sweet..." she blinked dreamily and pulled him up.

"Damn I at least expected a kiss in return!" he huffed while Sonakshi giggled.

"In your dreams... I know that you mean what you say. However, every guy expects something in return. So tell me, what do you expect from me?"

"Sonakshi, all I want in return would be your honesty and unconditional love. There are so many people who have lied to me behind my back Sonakshi. It's really painful to know that the people you love can betray you.... Please promise me that you would never lie to me.. I never want to lose my trust on you Sona. Never." Dev spoke and Sona looked at him intently.

"I promise you Dev... I will never do anything that makes you feel bad.. but what about you?" she winked.

"Hmm...even if the whole world is against you, I will still believe you jaan... If you want honesty, then look into my eyes. Trust your feelings and stay by my side, for then I may stay by yours. Always....."

(Flashback ends)

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

"I trusted you so badly but..... You have failed me again Sonakshi.... you broke your promise " Dev told her in a painful voice.

It was true that he was disappointed with her but what scared him the most was the look on her face after he said that.

She looked helpless and traumatised. She stared at the blank space beside him for a long time. He went near her but the next minute she moved away as if his closeness burnt her. She looked at him and gulped. Dev took long strides towards her and steadied her by holding her shoulders. He shook her slightly to bring her back from zoning out.

She looked so weak and fragile. Dev could see that she was trying hard not to breakdown. She looked at him and blinked.

"Can you hug me.... Please?" she begged. Her voice was choked and she looked so vulnerable. He didn't know why but he just hugged her like his life depended on it.

He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her close and gently rubbing her arm. Despite the heaviness in her stomach, her heart fluttered at the feeling of her body pressed against his. How was he still so lovable towards her?

"God!! I am so stupid..... All I do, just ends up hurting you..." she said in between her breathless sobs.

"Shhh... Everything is going to be okay sweetheart." he said while gently rubbing her back.

"No... Dev I am sorry.... It was never my intention to hurt you..... to talk bad about your sister...."

"It's okay Sonakshi.... Please can we just forget this as a bad dream and move on?"

"But Dev -"

"No Sonakshi, please.... Please don't...."

She sunk into the warmth of his side, appreciative of the simple gesture. His touch made the room warmer somehow but after a few minutes, Dev felt his shirt getting wetter with her tears.

Sonakshi's mind was at peace. How could it be that she hadn't seen Dev's love for what it was before? Pure. Unselfish. Undemanding. Free. He was a person who deserved the whole world's love.

She felt her body press to his, feeling soft and warm. This was the love she had waited and prayed for. She inwardly thanked God and hugged him tightly. A love like this was to be cherished for life. Finally, she felt like she was home.

Within seconds he pulled away and looked at her. She blinked briny tears from bloodshot eyes, her thick lashes stuck together in clumps as if she'd been swimming. The tears made wet tracks down her face and dripped from her cheeks to the chin. Clear watery snot streaked from her flaring nostrils down her pale skin to her open quivering lips.

"I am sorry.....Please don't hate me" she whispered, breaking his heart into pieces.

"Shhhh....I will never hate you Sonakshi......I will never be able to even if I tried..... But trusting you back will take lots of time Sonakshi." he said agonizingly. He knew he needed to console her but he couldn't lie to her just because she was weak at that moment.

"I know I lost your trust Dev. I know you should be hating me now for accusing your sister... But trust me, Dev..." she paused before wiping her tears and looking at me with a painful smile.

"There will one day when you will come to know the truth Dev... That day, it would be too late for you to regret or ask for forgiveness......Maybe it would be too late for you to trust me again."

Sona's POV

I slept soundly that day not because I was at peace. Because I was tired. Too tired of fighting for my rights, fighting for the truth and fighting for my love. I can never buy back the trust that Dev once had on me. Dev would never love me like he did in the past. I have been cheated and I accepted it. I have now lost everything.

I was the example for an absolute failure....

Dev's POV

I didn't know why but I felt the need to prove Sonakshi how foolish she had been to think that I would believe her. I wanted to introduce Neha to her but never like this. I didn't want to insult Sona. Hurting her wasn't my motive. But too bad, life has never been fair for us.

Sona was a good person. No doubt. She was an extraordinary person who loves everyone without expecting anything in return. A gem. That's how I knew her. But why did she do this to me?

I am not angry because of her lie, but I am angry as for why she couldn't just forget about the break-up and move on? I myself had insisted her to forget it... Then why was she stubborn about proving herself right? The more she tried to prove, the more everything went wrong. I didn't want to see her getting hurt again. I didn't want to break or condemn her. But there she was, hurting herself all over again.

The minute I introduced Neha to Sona, I saw her face paling. Her only answer was the creaking of the door moving lazily in the breeze. She staggered backward, and her eyes reflected denial and pain. She looked so defeated. She projected a look I never wanted to see in my whole life. As much as she tried to hold it in, the pain came out like an uproar from her throat in the form of a silent scream. The beads of water started falling down one after another, without a sign of stopping. She looked so broken.

I saw her and Neha having an emotional hug. But still, disappointment washed through me thinking about her lie. Suddenly something struck my mind.

What if she was not lying? Maybe someone really came and talked to her? Am I missing something?

Before I left, I wanted to speak to Sonakshi but her vulnerable state just broke me to another level.

However, somewhere in my heart........I still believed that my Sonakshi wasn't lying.

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

Next day Sonakshi came to the office and started doing her daily job. She had never complained about work load despite how difficult her task was.

What bothered me was, her silence. Not just to me, but to everyone in the office as well. She even ignored Jatin who came to speak to her during lunch. Everyone noticed how lifeless she had become over a day. She was becoming like a zombie with every passing minute. Somehow, I felt that whatever she has became today, was because of me.

Eventually, during lunch I decided to call her back to my cabin.

"Do you want to go out for lunch?" I asked, after a long silence.

"Uhmm no...." she replied. I was now getting used to her one-word replies.

"Please?" I insisted and she looked at me with confusion.

"..... Okay" she finally spoke.

I knew the moment she spokem, the sparkle of her usual tone was extinguished. Her eyes moved slower and always more down-cast, skimming the floor, rarely raising to eye level. It was in her voice too. There was a quietness with meekness that wasn't usually part of her speech patter. She was unhappy in a way I hadn't seen before. It was like a small slice of bereavement.

I immediately wasted no time and brought her out of the office. All the employees gave us a suspicious look but I didn't give a damn. After all, this was going to be our first date outside office. We entered her favourite Italian restaurant and made ourselves comfortable. However, Sonakshi was still quiet. She was becoming nervous and shy around me.

After a while the food came was served and we started eating quietly. This is not done! I felt like I was being ignored tremendously. Why was she doing this? What should I do to get her smile again? If she is planning to do this, then I have no choice but to deal her in my way...

*End of POV*

The silence was eerily unnatural, like a dawn devoid of birdsong. After they finished their lunch, Dev decided to make the first move.

"Sonakshi... What's wrong?" Dev asked breaking the silence.

"Are you still mad at me?" she replied softly as his face remained emotionless.

"Hmm nope" he replied as she lowered her head again.

"Stop this marriage!" she suddenly said with her eyes still on her lap.

"Excuse me??"

"I said...stop this marriage." She said even more firmly, making Dev extremely pissed.

"And what if I don't?"

She looked at Dev with shocked expressions, which later turned into anger.

"When the both of us don't have any love or trust between each other, then why bother marrying? What's the point, Dev? I don't get it! Leave me alone! Please..." Sonakshi pleaded as Dev looked at her, as though he was unaffected.

"Hmm...who told you that there's no love between us? I am sure my love is true.....And also, you are mine Sonakshi. I have promised that I would never leave you alone anymore... So this is me, keeping my promise! Get that?" he snapped and she gawked at him.

She did not reply him. Instead she started walking away from the restaurant. She was hurt. She was too pissed at her own self. She felt like she was being controlled by everyone around her now. All she wanted now, was to be left alone but no one was giving her a chance! Dev who was walking behind her, managed to catch up with her long strides. Walking quickly, he pulled yanked her by grabbing her wrists.

"Ouch...Dev! What the hell??" Sonakshi yelled as she crashed against Dev. He held her by her waist and looked at her with a smirk.

"And who told you, you could leave like that?" Dev asked.

"I don't need anyone's permission to leave..." she gritted.

"Oh really? Let me remind you whose permission you need!" he said as he held her tightly and gave a full-blown kiss on her lips.

Sonakshi didn't see that coming. She gasped as he left her immediately. She couldn't form out what just happened. Did he just kiss her in the middle of the restaurant? That too a forced one. She was flustered and couldn't form any words to argue with him.

"Before I carry you outside...better reach my car obediently!" Dev said as he walked out, leaving behind a speechless Sonakshi.

Her shoulders were slumped and her eyes cast down in a mournful gaze. She ignored the lump forming in her throat. Her mouth was set in a semi-pout. She kicked a stone along the sidewalk and reluctantly reached his car. She knew that she couldn't argue with him anymore. He would always get what he wants.

Sona's POV

The car ride was silent as usual and I was thankful about it. I didn't want to hear his voice again. He finally admitted that he still loved me. But was I happy? No...

While my thoughts were all messed up, I felt his hand crawling on my lap. Oh god.... these men!

"Dev...stop touching me" I said while he gripped my thighs harder. Thank god, I wore a jeans that day instead of a dress. I immediately slapped his hands away.

"Come on... It's time you should get used to all this" he said as I rolled my eyes.

"I don't think I can ever get used to your bipolar nature!" I gritted.

"Oh, then let me tell you... There are a lot of things you need to get used to after marriage, Sona" he trailed.

"Like???" I asked as the car stopped in front of my house.

He immediately jumped from his seat and hovered above me, making sure he doesn't exert his full body weight on me. My heartbeat quickened as his lips merely stayed inches away from mine. His hands pinned mine above my head and making me smell his intoxicating scent. God how does he smell this good?

"You need to get used to my unlimited kisses, me making love to you senselessly on the bed......... the couch......against the wall.....in the car...on the kitchen counter.....in the living room...fucking you roughly...so hard.... that you would end up screaming just my name over and over again..." he whispered and my eyes widened like saucers.

I should be angry at him for saying such dirty things to me but I didn't. Instead my cheeks started burning as I lowered my gaze not being able to meet his anymore. All my anger and sadness just disappeared in a second.

God.... What was that?

I started squirming and he let a low growl.

"D..Devv..leave me..."

"No" he said as his eyes never left mine. I started feeling nervous and uncomfortable.

"What do you want?" I asked

"You.... Just you Sonakshi....." he breathed.

His eyes bored into mine. It was so erotic. The things he said. Things he does. I can't say I didn't like it. I would be lying if I said so.

"D-Devvv.... We are just outside mm-my hh...house.." my voice stuttered.

"Now...tell me...do you want this marriage?" he asked as his lips traced the back of my neck.

How was I ever going to stay angry with this guy? God give me some strength please, I prayed silently. Suddenly his hands traced down my hips to my legs and finally lingering with the button of my pants.

"Oh god....no... I mean yes" I replied breathless.

"Yes what?" he asked still torturing me.

"Fine...urggh... I want this marriage..."

He immediately stopped and got back in his seat. He smirked when he was finally satisfied with my flustered face. He knew that I was embarrassed. But he was internally enjoying it. Such a prick!

Without giving a second glance, I stepped out from the car and rushed off when he immediately called my name again.

I stopped, but I still didn't face him.

"Ouh...and one more thing Sonakshi. Our marriage is in four weeks time! I expect you to be mentally prepared for everything.......every single thingggg" he trailed as he left the rest to my imagination.

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

Precap : Sonakshi mentally depressed. Sona's heart to heart conversation with Pooja and Jatin.

*Updates might get delayed but I will try my best! For those who repeatedly ask me what I work as, I am a medical trainee. I started writing when I was in my holidays but now since I am back to work its very difficult to write. I will try my best! Give me your full support guys...Love you all*