"I will never accept you as my daughter in law...never!"

Those words kept ringing in Sona's ears. She couldn't even think about anything else other than bringing out the truth in front of Dev.

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

The next day, Sona reached office and searched for Dev. He wasn't found at his desk, so she went to the pantry thinking he might be there. But instead of Dev, she met Jatin who was grinning widely at her.

"So, Ms Sonakshi Bose... How was your wedding shopping?" he asked with a mischievous smile. His expressions all were making him look like a clown at that moment.

"Good..."

"Oh, come on Sonakshi! You could at least say that with a smile" he whined, making her frown.

"Oops sorry... I don't want to become a Jatin part two!" she said and he gawked at her.

"Oh really?" he stepped forward and the next minute, he started tickling her. She burst into fits of laughter and begged him to stop.

It was a laughter that Sona could feel inside her lungs. So hard that it took her breath away and eyes tear. The lack of oxygen didn't matter as all the anguish of the past few days melted like snowballs in a microwave. This laughter created a escape, like a blessed of relief from all the distress that shoved into her brain. She kept laughing until she noticed someone standing at the doorstep with a serious look.

Both Jatin and Sonakshi froze on their spot when they spotted the person there. The atmosphere changed from playful to a serious one. Oh no...

Dev's POV

I was late for work today. First thing, when I entered office, I didn't find Sonakshi there. Where was she? Did she plan on coming late? But her bag was lying on her desk, meaning she was definitely somewhere around. Most of my employees were not around yet, so the office was extremely quiet. I walked towards the pantry area, when I suddenly heard some giggling sounds.

I slowly walked towards the pantry to see the most surprising sight ever.

Jatin poked Sonakshi and she was laughing non-stop like a child. Her laughter was sweet and soft, like the sound of tinkling bells. It made my heart warm and happy. Her delightful laughter sliced through the tension that filled this room and eventually made me smile. It has been a long time I had seen a smile on her face like that.

Nisha still thought that I hated Sonakshi, but how could I explain to her that it's not hatred but unconditional love? Will she think that I have gone mad? Maybe I am...a little. Even if I had wanted revenge from Sona initially, I couldn't find the will in me to do anything that could hurt her emotionally. I still knew that there were many things hidden between us and if Sonakshi is not willing to tell me that, I will find out on my own.

Ever since I returned from Australia, her face had been gloomy and moody all the time. She looked depressed and sad. I even made her cry a few times, but never have I seen a genuine smile from her lips till date. Jatin was true. She had quietened a lot. She wasn't the chirpy girl whom I had found amusing once. She had lost her spark. But I was determined to bring her back. Bring back my Sona. The woman I have always loved.

Seeing me, both of them froze in their place. I plastered a serious expression when I saw Sonakshi still breathless from her laughter and Jatin standing there with a grin, as usual.

"Dev.. I tried looking for you early in the morning. You weren't in.. uhm...your desk...so-" before she could complete, I cut it.

"So, Mr Jatin! May I know why were you disturbing my PA aka fiancée early in the morning?" I asked in a serious tone while Sonakshi gaped at me.

"Oh, I am sorry Mr CEO. I was just teaching your PA how to laugh a bit.." he giggled while Sona glared at him.

I narrowed my eyes towards her and slowly walked up to Sonakshi. I slowly ran my arms on her sides and said,

"So...... how about we find who's more ticklish....." I trailed and poked her from her ribs while Jatin instantly joined in.

"No no no.. please stop..." she squealed and started laughing again.

We showed no mercy and with giggles, she hit her back on the wall in an attempt of protecting herself from our tickling attack.

"Ok ok stop..... I can't breathe " she gasped as I immediately stopped.

Sona couldn't stop laughing. It's a sound I haven't heard in years and it's a sound which I would wait another thousand years to hear. She quickly ran towards me and hugged me which took me back by surprise.

I leant close and kissed her while her grip tightened on me.

"Oh my!! Can I join the group hug too?" Jatin said spreading his hands widely.

"No!!!" both of us answered as he chuckled and raised his hands in surrender.

"From now on, stop disturbing my shy fiancée, Mr Jatin! Or else be ready for your punishment!" I said as he rolled his eyes playfully and left the place.

Sonakshi broke the hug and smiled at me. Something that warmed my heart. We resumed back to our cabin. But once the door was closed, Sonakshi immediately stopped me and held my wrists caringly.

"We need to talk, Dev..." she said hesitantly and I was more than ready to listen to her. I did not have any kind grudges towards her anymore. All I wanted now was her to smile and be happy. No matter what, the kind of trust I had on her was more than what I had on myself. But I just didn't want her to know that yet.

She walked towards me and dragged the chair beside me.

"Dev.... If you don't mind can we talk about some non-work related stuff for some time?" she asked while I nodded.

"Dev, I wanted to ask you whether is it okay if I worked after marriage..." she asked as she kept her eyes on her lap.

"Do you want to work after marriage?" I questioned back and saw her nodding nervously.

"Look Sonakshi, I want to marry you. Not cage you somewhere, where you are not allowed to meet your parents, work or continue your dreams. You can do whatever you want. I want you to be happy and I will try my best to support you in whatever you do. In the end all I want is, for you to be open to me." I told her as she stared at me with a confused look.

I couldn't understand her expressions. It just felt like she was having difficulties expressing herself. She was having an inner turmoil and she had a hard time handling these emotions.

"But...Dev, what if your parents don't like me working?" she asked and this time, it was my turn to be shocked.

"They are not like that Sonakshi. They support all the decisions I take and I have talked to them about you. All my cousins in my family are working, including girls. They are all open minded. I promise, if you are facing any problems after marriage, I will help you. Ok?" I asked her as she sighed in relief.

She looked so adorable when she thinks too hard. The kind of expressions she makes, made her look so cute. I couldn't stop myself from adoring her even at that moment.

The next moment she came near me, held my hand, intertwined our fingers and looked in my eyes softly. She sighed as she spoke.

"Dev..... My parents only have me to rely on. Even after marriage, I will need to look after their needs and all the money I work......may have to....." she trailed and I immediately understood her dilemma.

I instantly pulled her and made her sit on my lap.

"Ms Bose, the minute you marry me, I am part of your family. Your family becomes mine and your parents and mine too. You don't have to ask permission when it comes to giving anything to my family, okay?"

She didn't say anything. She cupped my face and gave me a kiss on my cheek. I pulled her against my chest, making my chin rest on her head while she tightly wrapped her arms around me. She didn't have to say anything. Her feelings were conveyed through her actions.

"Thank you" she whispered too softly that I almost didn't hear her.

"For what?" I asked her holding her arms.

Her eyes were glassy with unshed tears.

"For loving me............. still" she said and my heart clenched. Her emotions in her voice caused my throat to constrict tightly.

"Oh baby....you deserved to be loved.." I said caressing her cheeks while she looked at me with pain. "You deserve every bit of love and even more..." I repeated as I lowered my mouth to hers slowly. Her lips were so close to mine. I was just about to close the distance when the phone call broke the moment.

I cursed the phone and took it while Sona immediately woke up from my lap and walked away to resume her job.

At Ishwari's Mansion

Ishwari was walking back and forth nervously while Radharani, Nisha's mum was venting her frustrations to her.

"Ishwari!!! How could you easily agree to whatever Dev says? Did you forget the promise you made to me and my husband?" Radharani spat as she was fuming with anger.

"I know Radha! I know! But how do you think I can go against my son and husband at the same time? I thought after 3 years, Dev would have forgotten that stupid girl! But even now, he is adamant on marrying her... Wonder how she even landed up in the same company as him. Even his father is supporting him blindly. I have tried talking to Jay about it, but all he wants is his son's happiness. I also want my son's happiness but at the cost of what? Marrying him to a middle-class girl? Gosh can't even think about it!" Ishwari fumed while Radharani rolled her eyes.

"So now, what about my daughter, Nisha? You promised me that you would get them married when they were in Australia itself! What happened now... You know what's our biggest mistake? Waiting for the past 3 years! We should have tied the knot after their graduation itself. We delayed it!" Radha sighed.

"Don't talk nonsense, Radha... Three years back, things were worse. Dev was not even in the state to talk to us properly. If we had talked about marriage then, he would have hated us for life!" Ishwari said, pulling her hair in frustration.

"Now what? We have only a few weeks ahead Ishwari! You should at least have talked to me before!" she yelled.

"Radharaniii... Wait let me think..."

"No... Now that I am here, let's see how this marriage is going to happen." Radharani said with an evil smile and stood up.

Sona's POV

It's been an exhausting week between work and spending time with friends. Pooja and Elena were my life-savers. They accompanied me everywhere to help me with my wedding shopping. Moreover, it's always a benefit to have a married friend to rely on for important tips. Pooja had been a great help to me. She took time from her busy schedule to help me do the last-minute shopping.

"What's wrong Sona?" Pooja asked one day when she came over to have lunch with me in the office.

"Everything is wrong Pooja! The stage background colours, the jewels, makeup, cake, dresses, arrangements are all horrible! This is why I wanted more time but Dev is just rushing everything. He doesn't have to worry about anything as whatever he wants will always be there in a second. But for me, I have to arrange every single thing manually. Gosh.. benefits of being a millionaire" I said rolling my eyes while Pooja looked at me with horror.

"Sona! Relax... I told you na? I will help you with all the arrangements. Can you chill a bit first? I just received a call from Jatin saying that he and your fiancé would be reaching here any moment to join us..." she giggled when she saw my glares.

"Oh god Pooja... I don't want to meet Dev now. He is going to torture me with his stupid questions again..." I sighed.

"Okay shut up now. By the way.. I wanted to ask you. Why is Dev rushing for this marriage? I mean... what's the rush? You could have slowly delayed it after a year..."

"I really don't know what is going on in his mind Pooja. In fact, I am really curious at times. One moment, he behaves like he really forgave me and moved on. But sometimes, some of his actions shows that he is still holding some grudges on me... I am fed up thinking about this all day. And Ishwari aunty, she is always giving me cold stares and silent warnings. I really don't know what to do Pooja..." I said as my face fell in defeat. I felt like the most pathetic person for a moment.

"Sona...... please... don't give up now. Everything will be fine after marriage. Just hold on a little more. You know how these guys are na? They will not be the same after marriage. Trust me... once you find their weakness, you can keep them under your fingers. It's just another form of black magic! Just remember to hold them in your clutches after marriage " she winked as I gawked at her shameless talks.

"Godddd Pooja!!!"

"What?? Come one! I am just helping you out... Just remember all the tips I gave you just now at the night dress shop!!!" she said as I shook my head tiredly.

Just as we were talking, Jatin and Dev joined us and our conversation. Dev and Jatin were fighting over choosing the groom's sherwani (traditional attire)! They had a weird type of banter whereby, not only the crude insults taken as hard warming compliments, but the unthinkable topics they talked would seem too weird for outsiders who weren't inside their precious circle of nonsensical world.

Suddenly Jatin turned towards us and asked.

"Ouhh ya! I always wanted to ask you guys this question. Remember years ago, when we were in college....... Sona and Dev had a bet?" he asked as me and Dev quickly looked up from whatever he was doing.

"Ouhh yaa... what was the bet about?" Pooja joined. I cursed my luck as I saw Dev staring at me for answers.

Jatin immediately turned towards me and asked with a grin.

"So... what happened in the library??"

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

Precap : Dev and Sonakshi's Engagement!!!❤❤❤