"What happened Sonakshi?" my mother looked at me curiously.

"Nothing mum.....I know what to do" I said as I quickly rushed inside my room. A small blush crept in my cheeks as I thought of why my lawyer didn't call me back.... Now I was clear of what I needed to do.

Dev can't leave.......

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

Dev was getting ready to leave the house when he how empty his house looked like. He hated the aura that was lingering in that house. Nisha was arrested again as court trial was nearing. Dev left no room for Nisha to leave peacefully. He tortured her way worse than what anybody could have imagined.

Nisha almost broke her legs when she slipped and fell in the kitchen. Due to her lack of experience in doing housework, she couldn't even do a single work properly. She was tortured to the maximum till she almost gave up in her life.

Her love and obsession for Dev turned into hatred. She despised him to the core. The urge to take revenge on him was growing every day. But before she could do anything, she was brought back to the police station again. No matter how much she begged for forgiveness, Dev wasn't willing to give her any mercy. She tried hard to get him to withdraw the case, but all her efforts went in vain.

A part of him actually grieved over Nisha's state. But the moment Sonakshi's tear-stricken face flashed his mind, all the soft corner for Nisha was gone. She only reminded him of her betrayal and lies. The friendly and caring friend that he saw inside her was gone. She was just a heartless betrayer.

He quickly packed his bags and asked Kichu to set everything in his car. He couldn't be bothered about anything at that moment. All he wanted was a break. He believed that this was the only way to clear his mind. Just when he was almost done, his father came in after knocking the door.

"Dev are you sure you want to go? I think you should wait for some time since the divorce pro-"

"No dad.... This is important. I have to go..... just take care of our company here for the time."

"But Dev-"

"Please dad" Dev sighed as jay gave up the idea of convincing him.

"Ok fine........just take care." Jay said and left the room while Ishwari still stood at the doorway with tears.

Once the luggages were taken to the car, Dev heard the doorbell ringing. He didn't bother who it was since he wasn't expecting any visitors. But the subsequent times it rang, it irritated him. He quickly dashed down to see who it was.

But halfway through the steps, he froze.

He couldn't believe what he was seeing. Sonakshi at his doorstep. She had an annoyed and angry expression plastered on her face. The minute her eyes landed on Dev, she went rigid. Dev could understand from her body language that she was feeling uneasy to start the conversation. So, without any delay he moved forward and broke the silence.

"So, what brings you here?" he asked in a polite tone. Jay and Ishwari were there too. Even they were shocked with Sonakshi's presence in that house after so many days. However, ignoring all of them, Sonakshi walked towards Dev and glared at him.

"What is this Dev? Where do you think you are going?" Sonakshi tried to be calm. But her voice came out harsher than expected.

"Sonakshi....listen to me first-"

"No Dev.....you can't go. Everytime there is a problem, all you do is escape! Now, you are still doing the same thing. Why are you doing this? Is this your solution? I never expected this from you..." she said holding his shirt as Dev stood rooted in his spot.

He couldn't understand what was happening. He looked at her with confused expressions while Jay dragged Ishwari out of the living area, giving the couple their privacy. He tried stopping her but she was just blabbering senseless words until he lost his patience.

"SONA! THAT'S ENOUGH!" he yelled, making her stunned.

Sona's POV

The minute he raised his voice my mind went completely blank. I couldn't form any words to speak as he looked firm in his decision.

"I am leaving Sonakshi...... Anything please speak to your lawyer! I have had enough of this. Please... I am getting late" he spoke and quickly jogged up the stairs. I didn't care if I looked stupid or not but I just decided to run behind him.

"Dev...... Why are you doing this? You know this can be the stupidest decision in your life?" I panted as I ran behind him.

"Nope. I have taken a stupider decision in my life before. So just let this add on to it." he spoke casually as my heartbeat increased. Seriously? When will he learn to take things seriously?

"Dev! Please don't leave..... How long will you do this to yourself? Have you already given up on me? So, is everything a lie? Love....relationship....marriage" I spoke as he halted in his steps. Now we were just outside his bedroom as he gave me an annoyed look.

Even I was annoyed at myself. Shit.... I should have rehearsed a proper speech at home! Damn.... What am I blabbering?

"CAN YOU JUST STOP ALL THIS SONA? DIVORCE WAS YOUR DECISION NOT MINE!" he yelled as my eyes widened in fear. Probably because it still reminded me of that night at his house. The same fiery look in his eyes. The madness and insanity. Unconsciously my eyes started tearing and his look softened upon seeing my pale look.

"Please don't leave Dev...." My voice softened as he walked closer to me.

"And why not?" he whispered and crossed his arms against his chest.

"Because......." I dragged. Oh god, just say it Sona!

"Because our divorce case hearing is next week! You simple can't disappear like that...." I said in a soft voice as I saw his palms clenching into fists.

Dev sighed and immediately walked inside his room. His eyes displayed pure pain and agony. It hurts to know that I was the reason was his pain. I wanted to make everything right, but it was difficult. Everything was difficult. I tried to compose myself and give him a proper explanation. But at the end, I was just scared that my words might hurt him again. Everything I said was harsh and stupid. Ever since I came from the hospital, Pooja told me that all I did was, blabbering nonsense.

When he walked inside the room, I walked behind him like a lost kid and looked around the room. Everything was at place. I mean..... Is he not taking anything with him? Did he not want anything to remind him of me? Is he purposely avoiding the memories of us?

It didn't feel so horrible when Jatin informed me. But now it feels like death. There is nothing greater than the sadness in leaving a place of strong love and a place where fond memories grew as fast as the clovers in the grass. I know I will savour each memory so strongly that it will almost live once more.

"Dev..........you are leaving everything behind. This is so unfair. Won't you miss me? Will you be able to move on? Please don't leave me alone! Please Dev. I am sorry.... I really am for saying those nasty words to you. I am really trying Dev..... Trying to accept the reality infront of me. But I can't. Please show some mercy on your pathetic wife...." I mumbled sadly.

"Ex-wife" he corrected and the moment he said that tears flowed through my cheeks uncontrollably.

God, I don't know why am I even crying. This should have been the proper reaction when he left me during the college time. But the only difference was... back then, I couldn't show it directly to him. Now I couldn't stop from showing it to him.

"Don't say that." I paused as he walked closer and wiped my tears away. For a moment he looked concerned but he immediately composed himself and took his briefcase. His face held an amused expression as he held my hands to prevent me from dropping down.

"Now....." he sighed,

"What do you want? Why are you over-reacting for such a small matter Sona?" he asked and I gasped.

"Over reacting? Do you seriously think that settling down in Australia is a fucking joke?" I blasted as his eyes widened. I guessed that's because, he hadn't seen me cursing before. Oh well, there's always a first time dude!

"And who told you that?" he asked as his face was sterner this time. I tried to move away from him but suddenly, he pinned my arms to the wall and glared at me.

"Who told you that I am settling down in Australia?" he repeated again.

"Jatin......and maa...." I fumbled as his lips curved inwardly.

"And you believed them?" he asked.

I felt like a bucket of cold water had been splashed against me. It was as if the impact had knocked every wisp of air from my lungs while I lay there struggling to inhale or exhale. I mean why would he ask that?

Did that mean..... Jatin and mum were lying to me?

"You aren't going, right? I mean those luggages...... wait....where are you going" I hiccupped and asked between my sobs as his eyes bored into me.

"I am going to Japan for a week for some official meeting. I knew that I made a mistake of staying away from you for three years.........and I am not planning to do that ever again. But how does that matter to you now? I mean..... you have already submitted the divorce papers right? We will be living separately anyways....." he answered as I looked into his eyes and felt him searching deep into my soul.

He lifted his hands and brushed away the hairs that rested on my cheeks and tucked them behind my ears. He sighed and continued...

"Whatever you do........ I will still love you Sonakshi. I will love you every single day..... I know that whatever I say now, wouldn't change your mind... But trust me. I won't blame you because the person whom you are right now, is due to me and my family. Forgiving me would be hard for you. If I was in your situation, probably I would have hated myself as much as you are hating me right now. I know..... But the divorce still hurts. The fact that our pure, selfless, sacred and divine marriage is now going to end just by signatures, hurts me so bad Sonakshi. Probably this is the best punishment you could have ever given me" he said as I clenched my eyes shut.

"I am sorry..." I whispered while he smiled and walked away.

This time I had no choice but to sit down and drown on my own sorrows. Dev deserved way better than what he has. He deserved a good family, good wife, someone who understands him, supports him and gave him all the little happiness which he had lost in his life. I was worth nothing. I realized that I was never a supportive partner when it came to him.

I always tried doing everything by myself and ended up hurting everyone around me. My intention wasn't to hurt anyone. But that's what I thought sacrifice was. Hiding the painful moments and only displaying the happiness around. How wrong could I have been?

"It's getting late... Your mother would be worried. You should get home." He said curtly before walking away.

Oh........

Okay I get it. My questions were answered. Fighting back another set of tears, I quickly got up and walked out of his room. I couldn't even read Dev's expressions nowadays. Had I suffered partial amnesia that I had completely forgotten about reading his face or has he really learnt on how control his emotions?

Dev's POV

I was walking out recalling what I had spoken to Sonakshi back at home. I really felt restless. I regretted speaking to her like that. But what could I do? Deep inside, I still knew that Sonakshi would never bear the pain of another separation. But the fact that she was strong about that divorce killed me. I could have fought this case skilfully by my wealth and power. But that was the last thing I wanted to do.

If she wanted the divorce, then I was going to grant her that! I mean....why do I need to make her suffer? She has already been through a lot. I don't want her to keep on hurting her by fighting the case more. However, when she came to my house today, there was a slight hope which bloomed in my heart for a moment. But the moment she said that she came to stop me because of the divorce hearing, I became furious.

I mean, how much can I control? Of course, I love her and she has the rights to punish me. But divorce was not a joke. It simply meant that there was no gate for future reunion.

Just when I was in the car, my phone rang, waking me out from my thoughts. Without seeing the caller-id, I answered the person on the line.

"Hi, am I speaking to Mr Dixit?"

"Yes.... Sorry may I know who is this?" I asked.

"Um... Hi sir. I am your personal lawyer, Mr Singh. Actually, you asked me to handle your divorce case right....... There's a small problem in it" He said as my eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

Whenever I heard the word divorce, my heart jolted ten times faster in my chest.

"What problem Mr Singh? Do I need to finish any formalities before I go? I mean.... I have already told you about my trip and you said there is no complications right? Now wh-"

"Wait wait... Mr Dixit relax. Actually, the matter is, your divorce papers have been rejected." he said making me shocked.

"What.........come again." I asked not believing what I heard.

"Sorry Mr Dixit..........your divorce has been rejected. I think Sonakshi's mam lawyer did not check the papers properly before submitting because...."

"Because?" I asked impatiently as my anticipation grew higher.

"Because she wrote 'I love you Dev' in the signature column. Even the judge was confused for a moment. Do you want me to contact Ms Bose's lawyer and-" my lawyer kept talking in the phone but my mind was frozen.

"No......" I answered as I gulped in my saliva.

It was so hard to process the information I was listening to. All the mundane worries of my life had been muted and all that I needed to know, was about this moment. No worrying about the past and no anxieties about the future. I felt giddy with excitement. I wanted to run, shout and tell everyone what just happened...but that had to wait.

"Thank you so much Mr Singh.....I.........I just would like to end this case. Please call my PA for your fees. I have to end this call right now. Thank you. Thank you so much" I said and quickly cut the line.

It almost felt like a dream.

I love you Dev....

It almost felt like I could hear her words. It was Sona who created this warmth in my soul, she who filled me full of love and kept the fire burning in my eyes. If this isn't happiness, then I don't know what is. So, I'll let it be my own definition, the one I kept with me.......always.

*End of POV*

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

Sonakshi was laying down on her bed facing the ceiling. Her insides shrunk when she realized what she had actually lost. A good life..... She tried to return back to her old self again. Being strong and forgiving. But she couldn't forgive nor forget. She loathed herself for turning into a heartless person. She knew Dev wasn't completely wrong but still found it hard to forgive him.

Silent tears left her eyes. She wanted to forget and move on. But every time she saw Dev, something inside her broke. It always reminded her of something unpleasant. She was truly scared to suffer from another emotional trauma again. Her fear brought her away from him.... She felt hopeless and powerless for the first time.

Why? Why can't I forgive him..... It's not even his mistake! In fact, he suffered a lot more than you while you were completely in another world! He is still suffering and you are still hurting him Sonakshi?

She inhaled sharply, trying to focus on counting the fake stars which were pasted on her ceiling. But her subconscious mind was just taunting her every minute. Once she saw Dev's signatures on the divorce papers, her sadness flowed through her veins like a slow poison. She couldn't even sign it. So she just wrote something very stupid in it and passed it to her lawyer.

And your dumb lawyer didn't even check!

For the first time, her subconscious mind managed to make a small smile on Sonakshi's face.

She was too lost in her thoughts that she didn't even notice the sound near her window grills. She jolted from her place when she heard a loud sound near her balcony. The only person who used to climb her window was Dev. Does that mean he is here?

She slowly gathered her courage and sat up on the bed when she saw a person sneaking inside the room. Her room was too dark to figure out who it was. From the huge jacket and hoody, she couldn't decide whether she should shout for help or wait for the intruder to reveal himself.

Sonakshi stood while her breathing suspended as she saw the shadow of the mystery person moving through the darkness in her room.

She didn't even have time to reach for the lights as the intruder ran towards her and quickly covered her mouth. The next minute, she felt a sharp blade on her neck and her eyes widened.

"Hi.... Sooooonakshi. Missed me?" the intruder spoke as Sonakshi gasped.

Nisha?

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

LOL so did everyone think that was Dev?

Thank you

Precap : *Mature content- Extreme Violence*