"What happened Sonakshi? Did he hurt you?" Dev's voice was scary and dangerously serious.

"Actually uhm...nothing. Nothing happened..."

Yet....another lie....Why Sonakshi?

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Sona's POV

I couldn't sleep the whole night. It was truly a nightmare for me to meet Neil again. But the worst part was, I couldn't bring myself to tell Dev the truth. Was it because I was a coward? Dev looked like he would murder Neil at that moment. If I had told him, he would have gotten angrier and his anger would only lead him to take the worst decisions at times.

Days passed and things at home were getting better. Ishwari was behaving normally. Although there was not much conversation between us, she would just smile and nod at me when I talked to her or give me a more polite replies.

It was another Sunday morning...

I decided to take a warm shower and wear a saree. I didn't know why, I just felt like pampering myself today. It was a simple saree with a traditional look. I wanted to make a visit to my parent's place so i thought that was the best to wear.

I walked to the kitchen and made hot coffee for everyone. I could see that Jay uncle was already awake. After serving him the coffee and having a small chat, I took another mug and poured the drinks for me and Dev.

Taking the mugs, I moved towards our room. As I entered inside, I realised that Dev was already awake. He was sitting on the bed and looking at me weirdly.

"Good morning!" I told him but there was no reply. He just frowned at me and turned his face away. He had been moody ever since he came back from office the day before. Okay, what is his problem now?

"Bad Morning!" he replied in a groggy tone.

"Why?" I asked as I sat beside him after placing the mugs on the table.

"Where were you? You know I panicked when I didn't find you beside me...." He trailed as I quickly cut him and pecked him on his cheeks abruptly.

"Excuse me! What was that?" he huffed.

"That was me.... Telling my husband not to worry." I winked as he gave me an unbelievable look.

After that, there was complete silence. He took his time to scan me from head to toe. Ignoring him, I sat to drink my coffee when I heard his voice.

"Did I tell you that you look extremely delicious in sarees?" he asked as he nuzzled his face in the crook of my neck, inhaling my fragrance.

"Nope... You can tell me now" I breathed as I felt him smiling.

"Hmm...I have better practical skills than theory Mrs Dixit. How about I show you instead of just telling?" he asked as I felt his hands travelling on my bare waist.

"Uhmmm......Your wife is dressed up to go out Mr Dixit. Why don't you show her your practical skills once she is back?" I said as he peppered kisses on my collar bone.

Before he could remove my saree, I stopped his hands and pulled myself away from him.

"Come on Dev.... I am all dressed up to go out. You can't ruin my saree like this!"

"Sona... This is fucking not fair! You can't dress up so sexily and go out!" he pouted as I looked at him with horror!

"DEV! For god's sake, I am going to my parent's house! Oh and trust me, sarees can look sexy only for you." I said, pulling his ears.

"Aaah Devil.." he winced and I giggled heartily.

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

After taking my in-law's permission, I left to my parent's house in Dev's car. Due to workload, Dev couldn't follow me which I thought was a good idea indeed. Because I had lots of personal things to share with my mum.

As I walked in, Elena squealed and hugged me with full force. It felt so heavenly to be back home. That's when I realized how much I missed my house. My mum cooked for me all the dishes and I also learned a few recipes from her to try back at Dev's place. I missed my dad. I talked to him for hours that I didn't know how the time flew so fast.

After lunch, my dad took his afternoon nap while I was engaged in conversation with my mum.

"Maa....How's baba's hospital appointment going? What are the doctors saying?" I asked as my forehead creased.

"Sona.....Why are you worrying about-"

"Maa just answer me! What did the doctors suggest?" I asked firmly. I knew my mum was hiding a lot from me ever since I was married but why do they always forget that I was still their daughter?

"Sona....Doctors have recommended baba to undergo surgery. They have also suggested him to take treatment from overseas as the cost here might be too much. I have tried talking to our family doctor. Even he suggested that they have those treatments available in Australia or Thailand since they have better medical facilities and it's also cheaper..." she trailed as I nodded.

"Maa....then why are you waiting for? Why didn't you tell me this before?"

"Sona! You know about your father, right? He is very stubborn. He doesn't want to get treated. He says that he wants to get his second daughter married first and then think about treatment! What do I tell him?"

At the back of my mind, even I felt what my mother was going through. My father should get treated as soon as possible. His heart problem comes with lots of complications and it will get difficult for him if he decides to stay ignorant about it. I knew he was an adamant person when it came to treatment. But I couldn't let him be like that.

"Maa...I will arrange for the necessary money. Please convince baba and make the arrangements. We can't delay his operation even further... You have to let him know. Once he wakes up, tell him that it's my order." I said as my mum sighed and nodded.

"Fine......I will try again."

After a great time at my house, I took an auto and travelled back to the Dixit's mansion. It was incredibly quiet when I entered. Only Neha was there. She gave me a bright smile when I entered inside.

"Is your brother back?" I asked her and she nodded me with a mischievous wink!

Like brother...like sister! Both mischievous to the core!

As I walked inside the room, I felt the room in pitch darkness. Slowly I saw Dev entering from the balcony with a candle and he lighted up the scented candles placed around the whole room. I blinked my eyes several times to confirm that I wasn't dreaming. It was indeed beautiful...

"Dev..." I called him but he didn't answer back. He was busy lighting up the candles ignoring my words.

I felt like ignoring him too but now he's all I see in there. The rest is a meaningless back-drop. I used to love the sugary aroma of the candles, but now all I wanted was to be close to him. Close enough to breathe his musky scent that makes my brains swim with a heady intoxication. He looks my way, almost controlling the grin from his face.

He slowly walks towards me and stood facing me. He leisurely leaned forward, closer, so that his breath was now fanning my face. My eyes wandered around from his eyes to his nose, then his perfectly sculpted jaw and lastly on his juicy lips.

My body reacted on its own as my face moved closer to his to feel his lips on mine. But immediately Dev moved away causing me to return back to reality!

"Patience Love...."he whispered and his voice itself was enough to make me breathless. I moved away and frowned at him, pushing him away. How dare he make fun of me like that? Idiot!

He burst out laughing at my breathless state and jumped in the bed, still giggling. No matter how much I urged to hit him, he looked so good in black and I stood there adoring his smile. After I was done with his teasing, I walked to the washroom to get change to my normal nightwear. That's when he decided to speak.

"Sona, don't change please. You really look beautiful in that saree" he pouted as I sighed at walked towards the bed.

"I will stay in this only for ten minutes, okay?" I told and he nodded eagerly.

I walked closer and sat on the bed beside him. But Dev being Dev, immediately scooped me up and placed me on his lap.

"So, tell me how's everyone at home? Maa, baba.... Is everyone fine?" he asked as he played with my fingers.

"Hmm... Everyone's fine" I answered as I was thinking whether I should share about my father's surgery to Dev.

"What's wrong Sona? Everything ok?"

"Yeah... Just thinking about baba." I spoke softly as he became alert. He stopped fiddling and looked at me with questions.

That's when I decided to tell him everything about father's treatment and overseas trip. I knew what his answer would be but still, I had to make it clear that I can't take all help from him.

"Sonakshi.... The medical expenses are really costly. I know it's affordable compared to other countries but still, how are you going to manage this all alone? I don't think it's a good idea. At least listen to me this once. I will pay for your father's medical expenses. Please..." he pleaded.

"No Dev! Your mother won't be happy with your decision. Please don't compel me. If I need help, I will definitely ask you. But I think this time we would be able to manage ourselves. I have saved a lot for my father's surgery. I am sure we can manage with that savings." I spoke as Dev's face clearly displayed anger.

His calmness was fading away and anger was dominating his features. He clenched his eyes shut and breathed in trying to dissolve his anger but this time, clearly that didn't work.

"How the hell are you going to manage? You are clearly planning to do something as stupid like selling your bike or jewels like last time, right? Are you trying to make me feel horrible or make yourself feel like a saint?" he gritted as Sonakshi was blown away by his anger.

She knew that he would get angry if she went against him, but what else could she do? She still haven't forgotten Ishwari's cruel words that day at the hospital. She had made it pretty clear that she didn't want her son to spend for his in laws. Now that things were getting better, she didn't want to ask for his help again.

"Dev...." She sighed.

"Do you think I don't notice? I have noticed Sonakshi. You never ask any help from me and always try to do things on your own. Is this what we promised? We promised that we would be together during joy and sorrows. We would walk through every hurdle TOGETHER! But with you, I don't sense the togetherness at all. I know you are insecure when it comes to money but trust me! Every time you refuse my help, it hurts like hell!" he spat harshly and walked away from the room.

Ouh god no!

It was never my intention to hurt him. Guess my insecurity costs too much now. Maybe if I was in his position, I would have gotten angry like this too. Obviously I would have wanted to help him. I agree this wasn't the first time I refused his help. After marriage I kept refusing his money for every help that he offered. But today his anger reached beyond his limits!

I was guilty...totally. All I do is mistakes, and I can't even correct them even if I want to. I just didn't know how to do it. My choice of leaving Dev, believing Nisha, hiding about his mother, lying about Neil.... I realized I was a total mess.

That's when realization hits me. Dev was right. I was breaking his promise. I realized that he had never hidden anything from me even when it came to his past relationships to his current life-happenings. No matter how hard it has been, he had always confessed to me. But it hadn't been that easy for me. Why?

I tried talking to him during dinner. But he ignored me completely in the dining table. Instead, he talked to his mother and Nisha most of the time. I am sure they guessed something wasn't right. He didn't come back to the room after that too. The scented candles were all melted away and room was filled with fresh fragrance. But now, my heart was just shattered.

Tears flowed through my eyes. Damn! I cry a lot nowadays. I chuckled at my own humour. I quickly called Pooja, hoping that she would quickly pick up and thankfully, she did pick up within the first two rings.

"Hello!! After so long, you remembered your friend, huh?" she asked as I smiled at her.

"Pooja.... I need to tell you something..." I muttered softly.

"Is it about Dev?" she asked stifling her laughter.

"What the hell? You know it's about him and yet you are laughing?" I frowned.

"Come on Sona.... Whenever you have a problem or doubt, it has always been about Dev! What else would you call me for, huh?" she asked making me gasp.

"OK fine...I am putting down the phone then!" I said frustrated.

"OKOK fine meri maa! Now tell me what have you done?" she asked as I furrowed my eyebrows.

"What? How do you know that I have done something? It could have been him, right?" I argued as I heard her sigh!

"Don't get mad but I received a message from Dev stating that 'your friend has gone mental!'. And trust me, it really looked so cute! " she chimed as I fumed in anger!

"Ouh really? Did you reply that idiot anything?"

"Yes.........I replied 'I know'." Pooja replied proudly.

"WHAT? Pooja you are so mean. How can you support him? Are you my friend or his?" I asked.

"Look Sonakshi, tell me what is wrong first. If you guys keep on venting your anger on me, how will I be able to help?" she asked.

"Pooja...." I sighed and continued. "Actually, baba's health is getting worse and Dev is hell bent on sponsoring for his medical expenses. When I refused him, he became mad. I am not sure what to do. You know how his mum is, right? I don't want him to help me knowing that his mum won't be happy. And it's not even a small amount. I swear his mother would taunt him for his whole lifetime if she knows about this. Now he is not even talking to me properly. How the hell do I make him understand?" I spoke without break as Pooja listened to me quietly.

"Sonakshi...... Maybe you could accept at least half of the money?" she suggested.

"No Pooja... I can't. It's really difficult for me. Do you remember how I was called the gold-digger once?" my voice broke.

"Sona...listen.."

"No Pooja...I don't want to prove to everyone that I am a gold-digger! If I keep on relying on him, then it would just make the rumours true. I am scared Pooja. I am so lost, and I feel like I have no one to guide me. Am I wrong?" my voice broke as I felt my hands trembling, making it difficult for me to hold the phone.

"Sona! Stop it and listen! Now tell me, who is the one still stuck in the past? Dev is clearly trying to move on. But you are still thinking about the past and spoiling your life unnecessarily." she huffed, taking me by shock.

"How can I not think about the past? Dev still doesn't know the full truth and now this money.... I am scared Pooja! " I told her as she sighed

"Look Sonakshi. I understand that your fear is stopping you from asking Dev the money. But just look at it in this way..........You are not taking help from your boyfriend anymore. He is your husband. You have all rights on him and his money. Just forget about what others say, especially your mother in-law. No one has the rights to question you on that! If you feel uncomfortable, give him back the money when you've saved up enough. Simple as that!" she spoke.

"But Pooja.... Why is Dev so stubborn? If I am uncomfortable, he can leave me alone, right? I can even apply for loan in the bank. This is such a small matter, and he is getting angry for this." I told her.

"God Sona...Now tell me. For example, if you are a doctor and your husband is struggling to get medically treatment from other hospitals, how would you feel? Won't you feel helpless?" she gritted.

"This isn't the same!"

"It is Sonakshi. Dev has money and this cost means nothing to him! But the fact that you are not letting him help you, is hurting him. He might think that you're not trusting him. He loves you a lot and you need to show him that you love him too. He had been trying his best to make you comfortable in that house. But what have you done? Are you taking any steps to overcome your insecurities? " she asked.

She was right. This time I had nothing to reply back. I just kept quiet when she spoke again.

"Look Sona. Guys are like that! Even Jatin used to get angry when I refused to sit behind him in the bike. He thought I didn't trust him! Can you believe it?" she spoke as I started laughing in between my sadness.

"What about Ishwari aunty?" I asked after.

"Oh, trust me... My mother in-law was way worse. She wanted to follow us to our honeymoon! Yours is better okay? And I know Dev will be always there for you. So you don't need to worry babe." she mumbled as I laughed.

"Hmm... Now what should I do?" I asked. I knew I screwed up but now, I couldn't think of anything to fix this situation.

"Show him that you trust him." she spoke in a playful tone.

"How?"

"Excuse me... I can't give you lectures in these departments. You know Dev the best and I need to put Ayaan to bed. So, good luck and I love you. Call me after everything is successful." she giggled before cutting the call.

It was truly a blessing to have Pooja as a friend. She really knows when to knock in some senses in my head. She can be stern and loving at the same time. She made me realize that every marriage has its own weird problems. What I love about her the most was, she doesn't lie to make me feel good. She speaks what she feels, and her advice works the best!

Now here comes the difficult part!

Mission Convincing-Dev!

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Precap : Diwali celebration in Dixit's house!