Dev was sitting on the balcony of his room smoking a cigarette. He had Jatin and Sonakshi's engagement wedding invite in his hand.

SONAKSHI SHARMA WEDS JATIN ROY

He was tracing the picture of Sonakshi with his hands. It was a picture of Sonakshi and Jatin smiling. Dev could see that Sonakshi was giving a fake smile.

He knew her!
The real Her!
A wildcat, always ready to pounce!

He had not seen her since the day she broke up with him. Shrewd Sharma had not allowed her to move out of the house once she had returned from the hospital.

An Illegal House Arrest!

She was on medical leave that he had stupidly approved not knowing that it could be used by Shrewd Sharma in a manner that was profitable to him.

Dev chuckled humourlessly, "No matter how hard you try Shrewd Sharma, Sonakshi will be mine."

He kissed her photo on the invite.

"This world has seen many people becoming Devdas but the world has not seen a man like Dev Dixit."

He laughed looking up at the darkening sky.

"Itihaas ne to Devdas bahut dekhe hai... Par Dev Nahi. Dev Dixit Nahi!"

Sounds so better in Hindi!

"I promise Sona, I will not do anything wrong. I will only take what is mine," Dev murmured stroking her face in the picture.

Dev walked downstairs to seek Ishwari's permission to go and crash Sonakshi's Engagement.

Dev called out, "Maa!"

Ishwari walked out of her room, "What is the matter Dev?"

"Sona has sent an engagement invitation addressed to me. Can I attend it?" Dev replied.

"Sonakshi's family must have sent it just like they invited all the business partners, so you should not go as the Sharmas had insulted us in the hospital the other day," Ishwari said.

Dev goes back to his room and looking at the invitation says, "Sonakshi, you will always be mine and only mine."

Dev picked up his phone that stayed abandoned on his bed. He opened the contacts list and stopped at Arjun's name. He called Arjun.

"Hello Dev," Arjun greeted him.

"Get ready Mr. Rawat. We have an engagement to crash," Dev said.

"I am already ready for the engagement," Arjun replied.

Dev's eyes popped.

"You got an invitation?" Dev asked.

"Well yes. I am the son of Jagat Rawat after all. My father was invited along with his family. I know you have got one too," Arjun said.

"Yes, we too have got one," Dev said, " Maa does not want to attend so Dad will be coming later after coaxing her. I will be there early."

"What's the plan boss?" Arjun asked.

He knew Dev's mind already had a fool-proof plan in place. Dev would never be on a mission without a solid plan.

"Well, the plan is... We meet my Mia Bella."

Sonakshi cries on her bed reminiscing Dev. She looks at the promise ring that Dev had given her.

"I am so sorry. I do not deserve you," She cried.

His voice still rang in her ears.

"I LOVE YOU AS A MAN LOVES A WOMAN!"

Aahana tries to soothe her, "You should cheer up Sona. It is your big day today and only good will happen here on."

Aahana takes her for evening tea so that Sonakshi would have some food inside her before the engagement.

Shekhar, while having coffee saw Suraj running around taking care of engagement arrangements and praised him saying,

"See my son. My heir. The apple of my eye. He is how a brother should be. I am sure my son will make me proud. He has fallen in love with the right person too. A reputed inspector who is the daughter of my business partner and is from a well-reputed family. Inspector Aahana Khurana. This is how a choice should be made. The choice should not be falling in love with the enemy."

Shekhar glared at Sonakshi who looked away from him. Now, he did not hold even an ounce of respect in her life. Suraj was disgusted by Shekhar's words.

How low can this man fall?

"You need not praise me, Dad. I do not want your fake praise because you are nothing but a fake man. Am I right?

Love is Blind. Something even you know. I am doing this only for my sister. Be it her wish or not, her engagement should be extravagant. I know you have done something or she would have never agreed to marry Jatin as he is just her friend. She never had any feelings except friendship for him.

Last time you had pushed her into a matrimonial agreement and this time you have some plan too. I can just feel it. I swear Dad, once I come to know how you have blackmailed Sona, I am not going to spare you," Suraj said not trying to hide his anger.

"Is that the way you talk to your father young man?" Shekhar asked Suraj.

Suraj chuckled at that, "Father? I have no father. I have only a shrewd businessman for whom his happiness is most precious. He does not understand F in FAMILY."

"Suraj!" Shekhar raised his voice.

"Shekhar! Keep your voice down!" A loud voice of Madhuri came into the dining area.

"Madhuri, did you not see how he was back answering me?" Shekhar asked his wife.

"Well, he is behaving perfectly. I see no fault in my son. Even I am not in favor of this engagement. I am here only because it is my duty to be present there. I know you have done something Shekhar. Sona has not said a word about it. But when I come to know about what you did, I will bring hell on this earth for you," Madhuri said, glaring at Shekhar.

A house help of the house walked in.

"Sir, the cars are ready," He informed Shekhar.

"Sona, let's get you ready," Aahana said to Sonakshi.

Sonakshi did not speak a word and walked away with Aahana.

Sonakshi and Jatin's engagement ceremony started in a five-star hotel. The attendees were all people from the elite class and business society. Sonakshi looked at the door most of the time, hoping Dev would make an entry. It had been days since she had seen him.

Days since she had broken his heart.

Was he OK? Did he do something to himself? No, that Devil is not a person to wallow in self-pity. He would have made some plan.

Dev reached the five-star hotel and saw Sonakshi and Jatin's names on board near the entrance to the banquet hall. He smiled sadly looking at it. He traced SONAKSHI with his right hand.

"YOU WILL ALWAYS BE MINE," Dev murmured.

Sonakshi was waiting eagerly for Dev. She wanted to see him once. Just once.

Jatin introduced his friends to Sonakshi, but she continued looking at the door. Jatin noticed that she lost somewhere and her eyes were glued to the entry.

At that moment, Dev entered the banquet hall. Sonakshi's eyes glimmered with happiness seeing her Casanova. Sonakshi's family noticed Dev's entry.

Shekhar angrily walked to stop him, but Madhuri stopped him and said, "Sonakshi has invited him and he will watch engagement and go. Do not create a scene. We need to maintain our dignity in front of our society."

Shekhar did not listen and stopped Dev and asked him, "Why did you come here after trying to kill Sona?"

He replied with a smirk, "I have come to see Sona for the last time."

"Now that you have come here, you should watch and see that it is so easy for Sona to forget you. Some love you had for her," Shekhar mocked him.

Shekhar taunted Dev and chuckled to himself. Dev's jaw clenched in anger. Madhuri was getting furious seeing Shekhar's behavior. She pulled him away with her to meet other guests.

Sona saw Dev. He still looked the same charming Devil she had fallen for. He had not ruined himself due to her rejection.

The man she still loved!

Jatin looked at Sona and said, "Today we become one, I am very lucky, You are looking very beautiful. I never ever imagined marrying you, Sona."

Sonakshi just gave him a fake smile. Jatin was so lost in his happiness that he did not figure out that his best friend did not want this. His best friend was hurting. Jatin continued chatting with a blissful smile on his face.

Dev fumed in jealousy looking at Jatin. He looked at Sonakshi. He was mesmerized by her, as usual. The kohl in her eyes was highlighting those doe-shaped eyes so wonderfully. Her lips looked so tempting.

A waiter walked up to Dev.

The waiter asks him, "What would you like to have sir?"

Dev says, "Scotch."

The waiter replied to him, "We don't serve liquor here sir, You can take your drinks from that counter there."

The waiter pointed to the mini-bar in the banquet hall.

Dev walked to the counter and started gulping scotch glasses his eyes never leaving Sona.

7 Glasses. Sonakshi had counted.

Sonakshi sees him and gets sad as she is the reason for his sadness and Devdas mode. Jatin was introducing his friends to Sona. But Sonakshi's eyes, heart, mind soul were only concentrated on Dev.

Dev became heavily drunk seeing Sona with Jatin. Jatin continued introducing his friends to Sona and Sona continued looking at Dev. She moved away from Jatin. Dev walked towards her with limping gait and congratulated Sonakshi for her engagement.

Sona whispered to him, " I am worried for you."

"I know," He said, giving her a cocky smile.

"Why did you drink so much?" she asked him.

Before Dev could reply, Jatin came and stood next to Sonakshi. Jatin asks "Dev. Good to see you. Do you need anything?"

Dev looked at Sonakshi with an intense gaze, "I need Sona's happiness and I have come to wish you and Sona a brighter future."

Jatin asked him with a narrow gaze, "You sure you are comfortable?"

Aahana noticed them and dragged Sonakshi and Jatin for a dance. Dev got more jealous seeing Sona and Jatin's dance. He clenched his fist and turned his face away slightly. It was getting difficult for him to watch Sona with Jatin.

He remembered himself and Sona dancing at the party. Sona continued looking at Dev while dancing with Jatin and then suddenly excuses herself.

"Please take care of Dev as he is heavily drunk. It is all my fault Aahana Bhabhi," Sonakshi requested. Aahana nodded in understanding.

Sonakshi then spotted Arjun. He was standing with his father. Sonakshi walked towards Arjun. Arjun noticed her arrival and excused himself from the people he was speaking to.

"Hi," He greeted her.

"Why are you not with Dev?" She shot, directly at him.

"Dev reached here?" Arjun asked.

His father was taking him to introduce him to his business partners. He thought Dev would at least call him when he reached.

"Yes. He is drinking scotch in the minibar. He has finished seven glasses. He started the eighth one," Sonakshi said to him.

"Why did you do this to him?" Arjun asked.

The hidden reason being him wanting to know how she was blackmailed.

"I had my reasons," Sonakshi replied.

"You consider me a friend right? You can share it with me," Arjun coaxed her.

"So that you go and vomit what you heard to Dev?" Sonakshi replied with sass.

Arjun stood stumped.

"I am not as dumb as you think Arjun. I know where your loyalties lie and I am proud that you are such a loyal person," Sonakshi said.

"You know, I am always there if you need my help. We both are friends IF YOU REMEMBER," Arjun said to her.

"I know. Thank you. I have hardly got any friends in my life. I am so happy that you are my friend, but I think Dev needs you," Sonakshi said.

"Yes, let me go and meet that Devdas. Remember one thing Sonakshi. He loves your soul," Arjun said and walked away.

Raghunath comes to Ishwari's room and sees her sitting in dark.

"Ishwari, do not sit in dark, we need to attend the engagement," He said to her.

"Dev went to Sonakshi's engagement even after I denied permission to attend that event," she gritted in anger.

"Dev always obeys you, and what is a big deal if he went to Sona's engagement, he will return and you need not worry. The main worry at this point is that Mrs. Dixit is not ready yet," Raghunath said.

Ishwari sat worried for Dev. Raghunath came and sat next to her and asked his wife, "Why are you not ready yet?"

"Dev has not returned yet," Ishwari replied.

"Dev has gone to attend Sona's engagement and will return late, so you should go and get ready so that we can go to be with Dev at the engagement," Raghunath reasoned.

"But, I do not want to go," Ishwari said, "They insulted you."

"Well, Madhuri is my sister," Raghunath said to her.

"But she is not related by blood is she?" Ishwari said impulsively and then suddenly realized what she had just blurted out.

Raghunath was shaking in anger. Gone was the patience and peace he had a few moments ago.

"Never repeat that statement again in your life. Now go and get ready," Raghunath said in a scary voice.

Ishwari just nodded and rushed to her cupboard and removed a sari to wear. Raghunath walked out of the room. After a few minutes, Ishwari was ready and came towards Raghunath.

"I am sorry, Raghu," She apologized.

"I do not forgive you," Raghunath replied.

"I am really ashamed of what I said," Ishwari said.

"You should be," He said, "Come on, let's leave."

Ishwari nodded not saying a word more.

Jatin and Sonakshi were now standing on the dais. Mr Roy and Shekhar asked Sonakshi and Jatin to exchange engagement rings. Dev was not able to tolerate this. He could not see Sonakshi getting engaged to anyone.

He broke the alcohol glass he was holding in his hand and lost his balance and fell down. Sonakshi saw him fall. She dropped the engagement ring, runs towards Dev, and shakes him to wake up.

"Dev. Open your eyes. Please," She cried. He opened his eyes and then closed them again.

"Children these days," Shekhar chuckled nervously, "My daughter is a good friend of Devrath so she is just a bit agitated."

The guests in the hall just nodded. Obviously, no one could believe what Shekhar said. The rivalry between the Dixits and the Sharmas was no secret. Sonakshi called Suraj to help. Suraj worriedly looked at Shekhar. Shekhar did not say anything.

"Damn it," Suraj cursed and rushed towards Dev, giving a disappointed look to his father.

Sonakshi asked him to call the hospital. Arjun rushed to Dev.

"Dev," Arjun tried to get him to open his eyes.

"Arjun. Can you take him to the door with me?" Suraj asked Arjun, lifting drunk Dev from one side.

"Yes," Arjun said.

Arjun looked at his father for permission to leave. His father nodded giving his assent.

Suraj and Arjun took Dev to the entrance and then Arjun said, "I will take him from here. You go. It is your sister's engagement. Go attend it."

"I don't like him a bit but I can't help but feel a bit sad that our family is responsible for a person to become heartbroken," Suraj said.

Arjun took Dev and puts him in his car. Arjun saw that Suraj was still watching them. He started the car and drove away.

Suraj walked back into the banquet hall. Sonakshi and Jatin were still on the stage. Apparently, Shrewd Sharma had handled the situation. Raghunath and Ishwari entered the banquet hall. Madhuri went to greet them.

Suddenly, the lights switched off. After a few seconds, when the lights came back, everyone was shocked,

SONAKSHI WAS MISSING!

WORD COUNT: 2836 Words

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