Sonakshi wore a puzzled expression as Jatin was driving for the past twenty minutes. She constantly kept asking him where they were going but he kept ignoring her questions and drove silently. She didn't have her phone with her as she remembered her leaving it behind in the office. She desperately wanted to call Dev and talk to him. Jatin's behaviour was just scaring her more.

She chuckled sarcastically thinking about what worse could actually happen to her after all that she had gone through. When she came out from her thoughts, she realised that Jatin was parking his car in the carpark of a hospital. Her eyes widened as she gripped Jatin's arms and looked at him for answers.

But as usual, Jatin kept his face straight and refused to tell her anything. Her heart declined to leave the car but she had no choice. He gently pulled her, letting her know that it was urgent.

"It's going to be okay..." Jatin mumbled softly, but she heard it.

"Who is admitted?" she asked directly without beating around the bush.

Jatin looked at her with shock before just shaking his head and gently holding her hands inside. She wasn't worried about her back pain anymore. She had too many questions running on her mind. Did Nisha play any sick trick this time again? Or something happened to Dev?

Nothing in her face portrayed her fear. It was a mask of defiance and surety, that's why she was always considered a strong woman. As they walked past the wards, she spotted Pooja and Dev's family members. Almost everyone were there. Her heart almost stopped. What happened?

Then she saw her mum coming towards her with tears as she broke down right in front of her.

"Sonakshi!!! Baba met with an accident..." she sobbed as Sona felt brick by brick, her walls came tumbling down.

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

Sona's POV

Someone once told me I am strong. Sometimes, I really think that am I strong? On days like today, when my feelings overwhelms me, the word strong becomes insignificant to the varying waves of emotion that engulfs me.

It has been two hours since my mum broke the news to me and I did nothing. I didn't cry. I just went and sat down in front of the door like a traumatised kid. Everyone tried talking to me but I just didn't feel like responding. I didn't even hear what everyone were saying. It felt like a dream to me. I wanted to wake up from this nightmare and go back to my life. A normal life.

I felt a weight of sorrow press me into the dirt in which I knelt. My mind clouded with pain, my heart grew cold and numb with pent up emotion. I felt clogged with pain, anger, hurt, and fear. I felt Pooja trying her best to console me from the side followed by the worried faces of Dev, Jatin and Elena.

My eyes were brimming with tears. My walls, the walls that held me up, make me strong were slowly collapsing. Don't cry...don't cry...my mind kept on repeating. Moment by moment, the tear fall. Salty drops fall from my chin, drenching my shirt. My father was everything to me. How could he meet with an accident like this suddenly? He was already a heart patient. The doctors are already saying that his condition is critical.

What if it was something serious? I cannot imagine a life without him. He was my pillar. My everything... Whatever I was today is because of him.

Suddenly, I felt myself being engulfed in a warm hug. I didn't have to look up to know who it was. I hugged him back with all my will. He was the first person my body responded automatically. I didn't know why but I desperately wanted to feel safe. His hugs made me feel safe and calm. His embrace was warm, and his big, strong arms seemed very protective when they were wrapped around my frail body. The world around me melted away as I squeezed him back, not wanting the moment to end.

"Everything is going to be okay..." Dev whispered as I nodded.

The operation went for almost four hours and it was getting late. I just stayed outside the operation theatre, consoling my mum and a crying Elena. Most of them had already left but Dev was still there. I didn't have a proper conversation with Dev yet. I didn't know why, but I was at loss of words. I just felt so lost. I walked towards the reception area where I was informed about the fee for my father's operation.

When I saw the fee, I felt like my world was going to collapse. I mean, it's not like I have not expected it. But at this point of time, it was impossible for us to gather that much of money. My parents have already spent most of their savings on my marriage and nothing was left in our bank balances. Loans were all taken beyond our limits and now this was a no other way. I was walking in deep thoughts when I heard familiar voices echoing in the lobby area.

"How Dev??? This is not right..." I heard Ishwari aunty's voice and quickly hid behind the pillar to not interrupt their conversation.

"Maa... what's wrong with you? She is soon going to be a part of our family! Do you even know what you are talking about?" Dev yelled as I internally flinched at his voice.

"That doesn't mean you get to spend all our family's wealth on strangers! They are our hard-earned money, Dev! Know how to value money before donating it to worthless people!" his mami Radharani spoke as I gulped painfully, understanding the depths of her words.

"I can't believe you can talk like that mami... I really can't..."

"Your mum is right Dev... You should think twice before paying all their expenses because in future, she may keep on depending on you for more. Also, you know that she already left you once due to...." I heard Nisha's voice suddenly trailing. Wait how did she suddenly appear?

"Stop it Nisha! This is my money and I can spend in whichever way I want. I earnt it and I will spend it on my loved ones. I can't believe you guys are so selfish! She is going to become my wife and a part of this family. Yet-"

"Yes! I know she is going to be a part of our family. But only if the marriage is going to take place right? Her father's condition is serious and I don't think he might be surviving anytime soon. What if the wedding has to be cancelled due to that" Ishwari spat such cruel words as I dropped the papers on my hands and gasped, loud enough for them to hear.

All of them immediately turned towards me and froze on their spot. Anger boiled deep in my system as hot as lava. It churned within, so badly as I knew that if I stayed there, I would definitely make a wrong move. I immediately turned around and walked away angrily. I just wish I could go somewhere where no one would find me. I wanted to disappear somewhere and not return for years. Why was life so cruel towards me?

I marched my way immediately out of the hospital. I heard Dev calling behind me but I was not in a mood to face him. I just needed to be alone. I have never experienced anything good that happened in my life for the past three years. So, this was nothing new. I have learnt to stay and deal with trouble.

Dev's POV

Five hours ago,

I was at the office when Asha maa called me and informed that Sona's father met with an accident. I was shocked. I came out to look for Sona but Nisha came there and told me that she went out somewhere to make a call. I didn't know what to do so I immediately rushed after telling Nisha to inform Sonakshi to call me once she was back.

When I reached the hospital, things went worse. The doctors informed me that the operation would only start if the advance amount was paid. I wasted no time and paid for the hospital fee. Once Mr Bose was admitted in the ICU, I saw Nisha rushing towards me. Behind her, I noticed my whole family following her. I was shocked as I didn't know how they were informed about my presence here.

My thoughts quickly went to Sonakshi. Where was she? I quickly grabbed my phone and called Jatin. Within a few rings, he answered. I told him to bring Sonakshi immediately to the hospital and told him about the seriousness of the accident. I knew that he would be the only one who would be able to manage to situation well.

When Sona came over, just her looks itself killed me. How was she so strong all the time? She tried staying strong in front of her mum and sister but after all she was a human too. She was so broken inside and I could feel it. She sat in front the operation theatre quietly not responding to anyone's questions. Just her traumatized state made me nervous. She stoned without any emotions. Her state made me even more scared.

I went closely towards her. She sat there without realizing her surrounding for the past two hours. I waited and that's when I saw tears making their way down her chin. Her silent tears... I took her into a bone crushing hug and within a few seconds she responded to me. I didn't know why, I couldn't help myself from feeling overwhelmed that she trusted me and turned towards me, seeking the warmth, care and protection. I will forever keep you safe, sweetheart.

When I came over to the reception to enquire about the fees, my mum instantly dragged me out from there and narrated to me about something which just made me so furious.

I was so angry on Nisha! How could she reveal all these to my mum? Unfortunately, Nisha had revealed all the bitter incidences that had happened between me and Sona three years ago. Didn't Nisha make a promise that she wouldn't reveal anything? Why did she do this?

Now I knew that my mum would not have a good impression on Sona anymore. God! Now, even she would think of Sona as a gold-digger. Is there any way I could make my mum understand?

My mum was constantly trying to make me realise that I should not help Sonakshi and unfortunately, my mami and Nisha joined her as well. When the conversation was getting heated up, my mum suddenly said something very mean that almost caught me off-guard.

"Yes! I know she is going to be a part of our family. But only if the marriage is going to take place right? Her father's condition is serious and I don't think he might be surviving anytime soon. What if the wedding has to be cancelled due to that?" she asked as we heard a loud gasp from the pillar behind us.

Shit! Shit! Shit!

I knew the situation was so screwed and I had to fix it before it got worse. I knew she must have been heartbroken by my mother's words. But I was helpless there too. What was my fault in it? I gave a death glare to my mum and shook my head in distress. How could she utter those cruel words?

I didn't even feel the need to answer any of my mother's questions as I ran behind Sonakshi. When I exited the hospital, I realised that she had already left the place without telling anyone.

I quickly took my car and drove to her house. But to my horror, she wasn't there. Fear started to creep through me. I tried calling her handphone but there was no answer. After thinking about all the possibilities, I quickly went to Jatin's house. Pooja opened the door and she was surprised to see me. She didn't say anything and just opened the door for me to come in.

"Sonakshi is in the balcony. Second floor to the left!" she said as she walked off without waiting for my reply. Seriously? Why was she treating me like a murderer?

When I rushed towards the balcony, I saw a lifeless Sona sitting down there in the balcony. Her eyes were staring at the sky above while she hugged her knees close to her chest, leaning against the wall behind her. Her face held no emotions. My poor baby...

I slowly made my way towards her and sat behind her.

"Why did you come here?" I heard her speaking first. Her eyes were still glued to the sky as she asked the question. I couldn't help but cringe at my own helplessness. What am I going to say?

"I should be asking you that, Sona. Come let's go back... Your mother is waiting for you and...your dad's operation-" before I finished she cut in.

"Please take your money back!" she said and I blinked at her confusedly.

"What money?"

"Whatever advance that you have paid....I will give it back to you." she said as she finally moved her gaze from the sky and looked at me.

"What? But why..." I asked her although I knew what her answer would be.

She held my hands gently before pouring out her heart.

"I don't want your money to save my father, Dev. I have saved enough over these years for my father's heart operation. I have arranged for the remaining money as well. It will be here tomorrow. Just take it please." She spoke with no emotions.

"Sonakshi... I know why you are doing this. I am really sorry for my mother's words. I am sure she didn't mean anything she said. Please don't worry about the money for now. Please...I am really sorry! Look at me. Just forget all these for my sake, Sonakshi..." I said as I touched her back and she quickly winced in pain.

I looked at her in horror as she clenched her eyes shut in pain. What happened to her? Did she hurt herself somewhere?

"What happened Sona....." I asked as I began to panic when she didn't say anything. Her hands held her back in pain as she looked at me and with pained expressions.

"Just back pain... Nothing much" she said in a weak voice and avoided my eye contact.

"How? I mean morning you were fine this morning, right?"

"I fell down!" she said cutting me as I looked at her suspiciously.

"What? How? ....Where? Let's go see the doctor...."

"No! Just leave Dev! Please....." she pleaded still looking down.

"No Sonakshi... Please don't shut me away... I apologize behalf of my mum. I know you are hurt... Please let me fix this. Don't ignore me. Let me help you, please" I pleaded. I knew she was hurt and the reason was me. How would I be able to forgive myself if I left her alone at this time.

She looked at me and sighed before turning away from me. When I touched her back, she flinched again.

I gently placed my hands on her lower back and heard her sucking in her breath. I couldn't believe that she was bearing that much of pain inside her and not telling anyone about it. I knew she wouldn't agree to go to the doctor so I decided to help her ease her pain. That was the least I could do...

I pulled her back against my chest and slowly ran my hands on her side. I let my hand slide inside her blouse and gently ran my fingers through her soft skin. When I pressed her lower back, her breathing fastened and she clenched her fists tightly. I increased the pressure slowly as a small shriek left her lips.

"Dev... Slowly. Please...." She said, clutching my hands tightly as I decreased the pressure and slowly rubbed my thumbs on her lower back. Her head were rested on my shoulders with her eyes shut in pain as she tried to breathe normally.

Without causing much discomfort, I slowly tried to massage her. As I slowly pressed my thumb on her skin, I saw her eyes clenching tightly in agony.

"Is it too painful..." I asked as she relaxed in my hold and exhaled.

"Not more than your mother's words....."

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

I am sure not many of yall expected Sonakshi's father to have met with an accident! But yea, now the story is gonna spice up! Get ready!!!