"Seriously.....I have to admit. You really love my hair more than me" he chuckled as she smiled at his words.

"I do love your hair..................but not more than you."

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

Next morning was one of the best mornings for Dev as he woke up tangled in the grip of his lady love. Her legs were caged under her while her hands clutched his shirt in a death grip. He knew that Sonakshi had serious cuddling issues when she went to sleep. But that was something he missed during the past four months. He felt lifeless during those days. But the kiss yesterday gave him the hope that everything was going to get better.

He loved everything about her. Yesterday she indirectly confessed that she loved him and that was enough for him to lose his senses. He slowly caressed her hairs while she cocooned more into his chest. He left a small chuckle looking at her. She really was a kitten. A tiny one. His kitten.

She was all about simplicity, making things easier and helping to those around her. Perhaps that is why her skin glowed. It was her inner beauty that lit her eyes and softened her features. When she smiled and laughed he couldn't help but smile along too, even if it was just on the inside.

Dev slowly nuzzled his face inside her neck and kissed her there. That's when he saw her stir in her sleep. He moved away. Slowly and reluctantly, she uncovered her face and blinked a few times before opening her eyes fully. She looked at him and smiled. But her eyes immediately widened when she realised that she was sleeping next to him in a compromising state.

"Gosh....I....I am sorry!" her voice croaked as Dev sighed. He knew this would be coming.

"Do you regret whatever happened yesterday?" he asked her as she blinked continuously.

She swallowed hard as her breath caught in her throat while she pondered on what to reply him.

"I usually don't regret anything I do." She breathed as her eyes were locked with his. "But.... When I first got to know you during college, I thought you had already been kissed numerous times." she admitted.

A tiny smile tugged at the corners of his mouth as he ran a hand through his hair. "I think that's a bit too exaggerated." his voice was all whispery and sexy again as she moved backwards in the bed.

"So, what else did you think?" he asked as he met her eyes.

"About what?"

"What else did you think about me?..............During college days....apart from me being a handsome jerk?" he asked as she gasped.

"What? I didn't-"

"Just tell me what did you think?"

"Um..." his question caught her off guard. "What do you mean?"

He started crawling towards her while she kept moving backwards.

"Be careful.... Don't fall off from the bed" he said pointing behind her. But she kept going as he took another step closer.

"You walk backwards a lot." he teased and a small smile appeared on his face.

"Well...I can't help it. Because you walk forward a lot." she replied, pouting.

"Hmm... What did you feel when you first saw me Sona?" he asked as he stopped moving closer.

"Honestly?" she asked.

"Yeap..."

"Okay.... I thought you were a bit.. arrogant!" she said and he nodded like he was already expecting that.

"Yea... I have heard that before."

"And cocky..."

He nodded again.

"And.....Extremely flirty. You had all the women in the college whipped-" before she could continue, he cut her off.

"Do I have you whipped?" he asked as her eyes widened.

"N....no" she stammered. She facepalmed herself for stammering too much. But that was the effect he had on her. Unknowingly she was falling for him hard and she was just finding it difficult to express it to him. For the first time she regretted.

Regretted for staying away from him all these days...

She slowly got down from her bed and moved towards the door when Dev's voice stopped her.

"Your clothes are all in my cupboard. You can actually take them and....... maybe shower here? I don't want you to walk all the way down." He said as Sonakshi stared at the door. She knew that he was right and she was too tired to limp all the way down to Neha's room. Moreover, she was curious to take a look at his cupboard.

So, she slowly turned back and walked towards his wardrobe. When she opened it, she gasped as she saw all her clothes neatly arranged at the right side of the cupboards. Her cosmetics, jewels and wallet were all neatly arranged with his tie and other accessories. She looked through all the clothes and there were only a few which she could recognise. The rest of the dresses were all new to her.

There were so many beautiful clothes lying inside the cupboard that even she was doubtful, whether they were all hers'. She took her time to slowly examine her dresses when she felt a pair of arms wrap around her waist.

She gasped when she felt Dev's face rest on her shoulders. The moment she turned to meet his eyes, she regretted it. Before she could turn away with shyness a genuine grin spread across his face, turning him from handsome into divine. In that moment she felt her body flush warm. This was a person she wanted to know more than she had ever felt before. This was a guy whom she could love forever.

"So, have you decided on what to wear?" he asked still staying in the same position.

"Um...no. Can you choose something for me?" she asked as he smiled and moved forward.

He slowly scanned the cupboard and took a beautiful long floral dress. After being satisfied with his selection, he passed it to Sonakshi and left her from his clutches.

"You can wear this.... This was your recent birthday gift from your dad!" he said and passed it to her with a smile.

She blinked and held the dress. She tried to recall any memories, but she couldn't. Her face fell and she exhaled loudly. She was losing hope for her recovery regardless of how much she tried to stay strong. Suddenly her eyes lit up and she turned to Dev.

"What did you get me for my birthday?" she asked and eyed him curiously.

Dev's eyes widened at the question as he immediately averted his gaze, looking everywhere except her. He didn't know whether he should be truthful or not.

"I think it's time for you to shower.... I need to go now "

"You didn't answer my question!" she narrowed her eyes.

"Not now...."

"But please tell me I want to knowwww" she whined.

"Nope! Another day...." he said as he rushed out as fast as he could, leaving Sonakshi confused.

Dev's POV

Every minute with her was becoming a torture for me. She was falling in love and I knew it. Just that feeling brought a warmth inside me. I felt like I was back in college days. Re-living those beautiful moments with my only love.

Every move of hers' was making me crazy. Her smile, the way she blushed when she was near me, the way her face twisted when she was thinking certain questions and the way she shivered when I touched her. I walked out from my room when I remembered that I left my phone on my bed. Sighing, I walked back inside only to find Sonakshi standing outside the washroom.

"What's wrong? Do you need anything?" I asked her as she looked at me with a worried face.

"Dev.....Um.....actually I need help....to....um change" She said as she stared at her feet. At first, I didn't get what she was saying until it suddenly hit me.

Gosh! She needed help to change. Why didn't I think of that? I stared at her and tried to think of a solution. But my brain was just stuck at one possibility. I could easily help her. But given her state, I knew that she would definitely not be comfortable with me helping her with her clothes. It's not like I have not seen anything. Urghh.

"Um.... Actually, I can help you if you don't mind?" I asked softly as she slowly looked up and shook her head in denial.

Sighing, I nodded. "Okay, then. I will send Neha for help!"

"NO" came her reply immediately as she looked at me and gulped. By the look at her face, I could tell that there was something more she wanted to say but she was hiding it due to some reason.

"Why? What's wrong?" I asked as she bit her lips and looked at me nervously. The pained look on her face was just making me worried. I walked closer to her and cupped her cheeks while she looked at me.

"Can you...just help me unzip my blouse? But wait... You can't see, okay?" she pouted and my eyes widened. Seriously?

I resisted my urge to chuckle and controlled my emotions. I nodded slightly while she looked at me doubtfully. She slowly brought her clothes inside the washroom and I followed her behind. I made sure to keep a decent distance between us as I didn't want to scare her away. Once we were in the washroom she turned towards me and walked closer.

She stood infront me and her palms slowly reached up to covered my eyes. How was it possible to keep myself in control when my heart was somersaulting, by standing dangerously close to her? I felt her fingers shivering when my hands held her shoulders and slowly slid to her back to find the zip. I moved her hairs aside when I caught the zip. Taking a deep breath, I slowly pulled it downwards.

I felt her fingers tightening around my eyes and frowned. One of her arms gripped my shoulders and I could feel how uncomfortable she was getting.

"Don't worry.....I won't see!" I assured her but there was no difference. She pulled away her hands and quickly covered herself with a towel. I slowly opened my eyes and saw her fully covered like a freaking nun. She looked extremely cute with her antics, but her face was dull and upset. I didn't know what made her upset suddenly. Maybe some mood swing again?

"Come on sweetheart.....It's only me. Let me help you get out of these clothes. I don't want you to strain yourself."

She closed her eyes and heaved out a sharp breath. Her hands were clenched in fists and she looked away from me. She definitely needed more help. But how could I help if she didn't want me there? Deciding to end her worries, I started to move out from the washroom when I heard her voice again.

"The scars are too ugly, Dev....." her voice came out softly. She thought I wouldn't hear her but gladly, I did.

My heat constricted in my chest. Once again, my emotions turn jagged and my insides tight. Did she think that I would hate her? Did she think that I would judge her? Did she think that her scars would disgust me? For the first time, her words truly hurt me.

So, that was the reason that she didn't want to call Neha for help too.

I felt so much of pain. The emotional pain isn't felt in a way a cut or bruise would feel. This is different and only you can tell it is there. Sometimes the pain is at the back of your mind like a pulse. Other times it pushes itself forward, demanding for attention. The pain would cut my heart and mind, stinging every breath I took. Only I knew that every scar of hers' was because of me.

"Did you think I would judge you?" I asked her with wide eyes while she still kept her gaze down.

"No.... But it's really horrible Dev!" she said as I could see the tears pooling at the corner of her eyes.

Without giving her any time, I moved closer and yanked the towel away from her body. She gasped as her face fell in horror. I quickly pulled her closer and hugged her with passion. I could feel her heavy breaths and tight hold on my biceps. Her hands were folded around my back, drawing me in closer. I pulled her head back and wiped the tears with a calloused finger.

"Never say that again! I have seen every scar of yours when you were in the hospital. I helped the nurses every time, when they did your dressing. I love every part of you. I don't care how bad your scars look...... But I love them. They remind me of how strong my Sona is. Those scars remind me how you survived such a brutal accident. It reminds me how close I was, in losing you..." I choked while I spoke those words. I didn't realise that I had tears when I was saying that. I quickly composed myself when I saw her gawking at me.

"Dev..." she whispered as all my self-control left.

I leaned in and took connected my lips with hers. When she kissed me back, my brain lit on fire and the warmth spread throughout my entire body. After that I was addicted, I couldn't bear not to be with her. I could barely breathe when she was around. Those kisses were my salvation and my torment. I lived for them and I would die with the memory of them on my lips. I dedicated my life to being with her from the moment, for I knew that if I lost her I would lose myself. She was the other half that made me a whole.

My hands slowly made their way towards her zip at her back and pulled it down fully. I felt her hands clutching my shirt tightly while she bit my lips in nervousness.

"Ouch..." I hissed and pulled apart while she looked at me like a lost puppy. She breathlessly released my name as I slowly slide down her sleeves. Her arms quickly covered herself in an instant reaction, but I held her sleeves firmly and assured her that she was fine.

"That was my second kiss..." she panted.

"As a football captain, I only score hattrick Mrs Dixit!" I said as took her lips in mine again.

Three kisses. Way to go, Dev.

After being satisfied, I turned her around. Now her back was facing towards me as I tried to gently remove her blouse.

When her arms didn't move, I slowly kissed her neck, causing a pathetic moan to leave her lips while my rhythm started working on her skin like magic. Her head fell back on my shoulders and her arms fell down in defeat. I pulled down her blouse fully and threw it at the side. I slowly dipped my head below her shoulders and kissed her bruises one by one. She hissed when my lips touched her scars which were still healing.

I felt her shivering at every kiss. Her back arched while she brushed her cheeks with mine in a sensual manner, creating various sparks of electricity to appear in my body. I gripped her hips and kissed roughly along the length of her throat while she held my head and guided me along making it difficult for me to stop.

"I love you...." I whispered kissing her below her ears as she turned around and threw her arms around my neck.

"I don't know whether I love you or not..... But if the desire of staying with you forever is called love, then yes. I am in love with you too" she spoke and I couldn't stop myself from grinning.

If anyone asked me to describe my happiest moment, then this would definitely be one.

I pulled away while Sonakshi took a robe and covered herself before parting away fully. She quickly wore the robe and looked away.

"So, you haven't applied the lotions on your bruises?" I asked as she stood stunned and shook her head nervously.

"Fine.... From now on, I will help you apply the lotions. Now you can't escape from me anymore Mrs Dixit." I said and suppressed my smile. I could tell from her blush that she really liked whatever just happened between us. Her usual skin tone had a rosiness to it and it was freaking cute. Before I could leave the bathroom, I looked at her and spoke,

"And.........yea............ My birthday gifts to you are all mature-18 stuff, Sona. I don't want to make things more awkward than what it already is."

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

Just when I was walking my way down to the living area, I heard my phone ringing. The moment I picked it up, I regretted.

"Hello! Dev....Nisha here! My mum managed to bail me out......but I have nowhere to go. Please don't put down the phone.... Can we talk? I don't have any other place except for your house, Dev. I agree whatever I have done is wrong. I am ready to ask for forgiveness. Please just accept me inside your house....Please..... I am ready to even fall at Sonakshi's feet.......... just listen to me" she begged and my blood boiled.

Every minute I heard her voice, all I saw was red. Every word stung, only fuelling the fire that burned inside of me. Every meaningless phrase was like a gasoline to it. My fists began to clench and my jaw rooted. Before I could reply, I heard her crying in the phone. Immediately an idea popped in my mind as I smiled one sided.

Now it's time for karma my dear!

"Come home!"

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

Precap : Nisha in Dixit's house..........Sona and Ishwari's conversation

Spoilers:

When a couple fights to much, it means that they are madly in love😍

Dev's angry avatar is back! 😉

Anger is a mask!
Anger is our natural defense against pain. So when I say 'I Hate You' it's means you really hurt me...