Dev was stunned.

Suraj was SYLVESTER!

His competitor in becoming the SHAH E INDIA!

"You are Sylvester?" Dev asked still not able to believe his ears.

"Yes. Now my part of the deal is done. I have revealed my identity. You fulfill your part. Let us go," Suraj said.

"Sonakshi knew about you?" Dev asked.

"Well, yes. She is my sister. She knew it," Suraj said.

Dev was now getting on his nerves. The last thing Suraj wanted now was the discovery of Sonakshi as SONGBIRD.

"You may leave," Dev said and signaled his men to make way. His men made an opening and Suraj's men left the area. The three of them started walking out.

"Remember one thing Mia Bella, I AM DEVIL. ONCE YOU WALK INTO DEVIL'S HELL, you can never LEAVE," Dev warned.

"I am telling it to you for your own good stay away from me. You will burn to ashes," Sonakshi said.

"I WILL FIGHT FIRE WITH FIRE!" Dev said smirking. Sonakshi just kept mum. Now, if Dev did not want to follow her advice what could she do,

You can take the horse to the pond but you cannot make the horse drink the water from the lake.

The three of them left. Arjun moved towards Dev.

"I never imagined Suraj could be Sylvester. It never came up in Sonakshi's background check that she was related to any underground dealings," Dev said in disbelief, still holding the promise ring that he had gifted Sonakshi.

She had used it as a weapon against him. In return, he was going to put a wedding ring on her sleek fingers. 

"Even I did not imagine this. I will search about this. By the way, have you checked that girl Kriti's and Songbird's files yet?" Arjun asked.

It had already been two weeks since Arjun had given him the files. But, ever since his breakup with Sonakshi, Dev was not himself. He was always trying to find out whether Sonakshi was okay. He was trying to meet her but always the security did not allow him in. During that time, he did not pay attention to any work.

Now, that he had seen Sonakshi and gotten a few shocks, he was back to business tycoon Devrath Dixit.

"I will check them today. You make a file about Sylvester and find out how Sona fits into this underworld equation. Something does not feel right about this." Dev said to Arjun.

"What do you mean Dev?" Arjun questioned.

"The way Sonakshi acted to save Suraj. That was," Dev said

"Awesome," Arjun butted in.

"Shut up. Don't praise my girlfriend. She is mine," Dev said giving a glare to Arjun.

"She is my FRIEND," Arjun said giving him an evil grin while emphasizing the word friend. Arjun was not going to let go of any opportunity to tease Dev.

"Whatever," Dev said, "The way she acted, was something impeccable. She used her brain so well as though she was trained to do so. I think there is something big that we are missing out on."

"I have Sonakshi's, Kriti's, and Songbird's files right here," Arjun informed Dev.

"Get them, we need to compare them," Dev said.

DEV'S POV

SONAKSHI SHARMA'S BACKGROUND CHECK

Name: Sonakshi Sharma

To be Dixit. I have not given up on you yet Mia Bella.

Father's Name: Shekhar Sharma

I wish I could teach you a wonderful lesson for troubling my Sona. You wait and watch Shrewd Sharma; Devil will surely visit you soon.

Mother's Name: Madhuri Sharma (nee Dixit)

Aunt! I am sorry but I can't help but be angry at you for trying to keep Sona away from me.

Siblings: Suraj Sharma

Well, brother-in-law, we have a lot of talking to do. SYLVESTER! Was a shock! I just hope your sister does not give me a big shock.

Home Address: Sharma Nivas called Vishwaas, Vasant Vihar

Vishwaas, I too stay in Vasant Vihar but our house does not have an ironic name.

Educational Qualifications:

Vasant Valley School (Till Class 12)

My School!

B.Tech from Delhi University

MBA from National Delhi Institute of Management

Relationships/ Affairs:

Had a heartbreak in freshman year of college. Was tortured by her ex-boyfriend later to such an extent that she was mute for a month.

Marital Contract with Anurag Basu for 3 years; broken a week ago.

How I feel like killing those with whom you had a relationship before Sona! I will make you mine!

Career:

Interned in Sharma Industries for a year.

Currently interning at Dixit Industries since the last week.

Now a big change. On medical leave since Shrewd Sharma took advantage of the injury and never returned to Dixit Industries. Just kidding. Mia Bella, you will be back close to me. I will make you come back to me.

Medical Record:

Fractured her right leg thrice; was hospitalized.

Poisoned at the age of 12.

Pushed down the stairs by an enemy at the age of 13 resulting in a broken arm.

Shot by Oberois in the Oberoinvasion against the Sharmas at the age of 16.

Tortured at the age of 18. All news and medical records are kept confidential.

Quick addition, shot by Raven at my parents' anniversary banquet. I still have to go after him and teach him a lesson not even come close to your shadow, Mia Bella.

Criminal Record:

None until now.

I doubt it now knowing that you might have underworld links. I just hope it is not that bad.

Dream Job: A Hacker

Dream Destination: Paris

Languages Known: English, Hindi, Sanskrit, French, Italian, and German.

Hobbies: Sword fighting, Writing, Reading, Singing, Dancing

Now I understand why Sword fighting comes to use. Using its technique to injure your boyfriend with the promise ring he gifted you. I swear my hand still hurts Mia Bella.

Favourite Color: Black

Favourite Cuisine: Indian and Italian Cuisine

Favourite Sport: Swimming

Oh right! How did I forget this? I LOOOOVEE WATER!

Favourite Actor: Hrithik Roshan in Bollywood, Robert Pattinson in Hollywood

Favourite Car: Porsche

It was not that I had not read Sona's file but reading it again gave me a few insights into what I might have missed. Sonakshi's Background check has many more secrets hidden than I know.

KRITI GUPTA'S BACKGROUND CHECK

Name: Kriti Gupta

Father's Name: Anant Gupta

Mother's Name: Anisha Gupta

Siblings: None

Home Address: 5, Gupta Vinay, Vasant Vihar

So both Sona and Kriti stay in Vasant Vihar, Even if I stay there but this is a point to be pondered on.

Educational Qualifications:

St Anne's School (Till Class 12)

B.Tech from Delhi University

M.Tech from Delhi University with a specialization in Hacking

Hacking! Strikes a chord. So, Songbird's hacking is something that still cannot be beaten. Is there a chance that both Sona and Kriti hack systems for Songbird?

Relationships/ Affairs: None

Career:

Works at Sharma Industries for two years and is currently working as systems head.

Looks like this girl is a technical genius.

Medical Record:

Mostly Clean.

Was recently shot in a scuffle but was released as it was said to be a mistake by a police inspector.

What! How could they call it a mistake? She was there. She is related to the underworld and the police just left her! How is this possible? Now I will have to do the hard work of sending my men after her to get her interrogated about her underworld secrets.

Criminal Record:

None until now.

Wow! This girl has no criminal record! It seems as though it has been hidden.

Dream Job: A Hacker

No wonder she hacks for Songbird.

Dream Destination: Rome

Why do girls love places abroad? Isn't India good enough? Sona also loves Paris.

Languages Known: English, Hindi, Italian.

Not much.

Hobbies: Writing, Reading, Dancing

Favourite Color: Blue

Favourite Cuisine: Italian Cuisine

Favourite Sport: Swimming

Here we go! Another water lover! Sona! You and your friends love water!

Favourite Actor: Tiger Shroff in Bollywood, Robert Downey Jr. in Hollywood

Favourite Car: Range Rover

"Arjun," I called out after completing reading Kriti Gupta's background check.

"Yes Dev," Arjun said.

"I want you to interrogate Kriti Gupta. I have a hunch that she is Songbird's secretary, Krystle," I said to him.

"What grade interrogation? Third grade?" He asked me.

"Are you serious? You want to give third-grade interrogation to a woman. Where are your manners?" I asked him

"What about your behaviour with Sonakshi? That was not third grade? The way you tied her up? You knew she was panicking but you were not ready to untie her," He accused me.

I felt guilt pool up in my chest. As though someone had put a whole bucket of ice water on my head. Arjun was right. I had not behaved well with Sona at all. I will have to beg for her forgiveness for this incident.

"Second-grade maximum," I said.

His shoulders drooped hearing that. I wonder what is up with him.

"Ok," He said.

Now, I picked up the third file, SONGBIRD.

SONGBIRD'S BACKGROUND CHECK

Name: Songbird (Fake)

Even I know that it is fake!

Father's Name: Unknown

Mother's Name: Unknown

Siblings: One. Name not known.

Interesting! If we are able to find out who that sibling is, we might be able to outsmart Songbird into revealing herself.

Home Address: Delhi

Educational Qualifications:

B.Tech from Delhi University

Now I know how Songbird must have reached close to that Kriti. Delhi University is that link.

Relationships/ Affairs:

Had a heartbreak in freshman year of college. After which, she turned into Songbird.

Ah! A heartbreak! Looks like this woman has become Songbird to punish her wrongdoers.

Career: Not Known

Medical Record: None

Criminal Record:

Links with Underworld.

Mafia leader.

Illegal Diamond trading.

Many murders! How was this not included?

Dream Job: Not known

Dream Destination: Not known

Languages Known: English, Hindi, Sanskrit, French, Italian, and German.

Sonakshi also knows these many languages. Is she Songbird? No. My Sona is a wildcat but I don't think she can be Songbird. 

Hobbies: Sword fighting, Writing, Reading, Singing, Dancing

Sword fighting? Sona too knows sword fighting. But my Sona can't be Songbird. She had a panic attack on the day of the scuffle at the hotel. She is not Songbird. She can't be.

Favourite Color: Black

Something is widely known about her.

Favourite Cuisine: Italian Cuisine

Favourite Sport: Swimming

Why do these women love swimming? Why can't they like something on land? Do all of them like become mermaids or something?

Favourite Actor: Hrithik Roshan in Bollywood

Not interested in Hollywood it seems.

Favourite Car: Porsche

I closed the file. This did not help much except for the fact that I think Sonakshi knows who Songbird is. Also, that Songbird has a sibling whom we can use as bait. I just hope Sonakshi will help me out.

Time to get my MIA BELLA!

Suraj stopped the car near the doors of Vishwaas, their house. Jatin had left for his house in his own car. Suraj brought Sonakshi back. Sonakshi did not want to face anyone right now. Especially not their FATHER.

"Get down Sona," Suraj said, "I will park the car and come."

"Bhai, please, I can't face anyone. I want you to be with me," Sonakshi pleaded.

Suraj sighed. Sonakshi was always his weak point. She knew he loved her a lot and sometimes she took due advantage of it. But nevertheless, he loved her.

"Fine," He agreed and drove the car and parked it. Both of them got out of the car and entered the house together.

As soon as Sonakshi stepped in, she was engulfed in a tight hug by Madhuri. Stroking Sonakshi's hair, Madhuri was still sobbing. Suraj gave a nod to Shekhar who was standing in the room. Aahana smiled at Suraj, but Suraj did not return it.

"Where were you, my child?" Madhuri asked Sonakshi.

"She was kidnapped," Suraj said.

"By whom?" Shekhar questioned.

Sonakshi gave a pleading look to Suraj gesturing for him to not reveal that Dev was behind this.

"One of our enemies," Suraj said.

"Dixits?" Shekhar questioned jumping to the conclusion.

"No," Suraj said.

Sonakshi's jaw hit the floor. Her bhai had heard her plea to save Dev. Sonakshi was doing a happy dance in her mind. 

"Who was it then?" Shekhar questioned.

"Devil," Suraj said.

Sonakshi had a small mini heart attack hearing that her brother revealed that but then recovered understanding that her father would not know who was part of the current mafia circle.

"Devil? The mafia?" Aahana butted in.

"Yes," Suraj gritted. Aahana had been annoying him lately and he was showing his irritation in every possible way.

"Why did he kidnap Sona?" Shekhar asked worriedly.

Shekhar was now genuinely worried. He knew Suraj was in the underworld just like he had been. His son was Sylvester. A competitor for the SHAH E INDIA. But his daughter was not related to the underworld. He did want his daughter to pay for any of the rivalries that Suraj had with anyone.

"No idea," Suraj lied and gestured to his father that he would speak later.

"How did you reach that place where he kept Sonakshi?" Aahana asked, getting into inspector mode.

"With the tracker on Sonakshi's earrings," Suraj said pointing to her earrings.

"Oh," Aahana said, "Did you see Devil?"

"No," Suraj replied.

"How is that possible Suraj? If you have rescued Sonakshi and you came to know that it was Devil who kidnapped her, how is it possible that you did not see him?" Aahana questioned oblivious to the fact that Suraj was on the edge of blasting out his anger on her.

"STOP!" Suraj yelled, "Enough Aahana. I am so done with your questions. Always, you are in your inspector mode of questioning me. I don't seem to find the bubbly supportive Cherry that I love in you."

Aahana pursed her lips.

"I am sorry," She managed to say and walked out of the house.

"Suraj. Go to your room. You need to calm down. You need rest," Madhuri said to him.

"Wait, Suraj. Tell me the actual reason Devil kidnapped Sona," Shekhar said.

"Let him go take a rest," Madhuri said, giving a glare to Shekhar.

"Devil wants to marry Sona," Suraj dropped the bomb.

There were two audible gasps. Both of them gasped in horror. A wonder for once. Sonakshi rolled her eyes. Her bhai was doing such a wonderful job and here her parents were giving reactions like the people in daily soaps do.

"I will not get my daughter married to a mafia," Shekhar said.

"You are right Shekhar. I do not want my Sona to live in threat all her life," Madhuri said.

"I would not mind getting her married to that Devrath Dixit. At least he is not a mafia. My daughter might get some happiness at least," Shekhar said.

Sonakshi stood there looking amused at what her father had said. Two weeks ago, he had been blackmailing her to leave Dev Dixit, and now, he was claiming that he had no problem if she would be with Dev.

If only her father knew who Devil was.
He planned to make her Devil's Songbird now.
Dev's Sonakshi!

Sounded so wonderful.

"You mean you are fine with me marrying Dev?" Sonakshi asked.

She would now, at this instant, make her father destroy all the proofs gathered against Dev. They were the root cause of the problem.

"Yes," Shekhar said.

"Destroy my locket this instant Dad," Sonakshi said deadpan.

She always believed in fair dealings. Until her father would not destroy those proofs, Dev would not be safe from being exposed. She could not trust him to destroy those proofs later as he might change his mind and use the information for his benefit.

Shekhar took out the locket from his pocket and gave it to her. Sonakshi's eyes widened seeing that the locket had been with her father. He had not hidden it somewhere, which would have been impossible for her to find.

Sonakshi went to the centre table and picked up a lighter. She took the lighter and then realized what she was doing. Electronics should not be burnt. One use of listening to those physics lectures at least.

Sonakshi brought a glass full of water. She then removed the USB camera that she had in her locket and put it in the water. Putting electronic devices in water destroys all data in it.

"Sona, you love Dev, right?" Madhuri asked Sonakshi.

Sonakshi nodded and gave a glance to her brother. He gave her a knowing smirk. After all, he came up with this brilliant plan of uniting Romeo and Juliet. Today, it was because of her brother's efforts that she would be getting close to Dev. She mentally vowed to sort out the problems between Suraj and Aahana.

Sonakshi had not forgotten how Dev had treated her. Yes, she loved him but Dev would have to be punished for treating her that way. She was going to make sure of that.

There was a sudden knock on the door. All four of the Sharmas turned to look who it was.

"Well, Hello. Won't you welcome me, father-in-law?"

Shekhar stood there without letting out a noise. He was immediately regretting his decision now.

It was DEVRATH DIXIT!

Dev walked in as if he owned the place. He gave a smile to Suraj but instead got a glare in return.

"What are you doing here?" Sonakshi asked with gritted teeth.

This man is so stupid. Does he love walking into the lion's den? I wish there would be a way to get rid of this handsome man's stupidity. Shh Sona! Not handsome now. You have to punish him too. Don't forget.

"I am paying a visit to my to-be-wife," Dev said and smirked.

"Were you spying on us?" Shekhar asked him, regaining his voice.

"I think overhearing a conversation is the more apt usage of terms," Dev countered.

"From when did you overhear our talks?" Suraj asked, still glaring at Dev.

Dev gulped in fear. He had always been a slight bit afraid of Suraj. And now, after knowing who he was, he was even more afraid. It was not that Dev felt inferior to him, but the fact that Suraj had the ability to keep his precious Sona away from him was the reason for his fright.

Dev knew that given a choice to choose between himself and Suraj, Sonakshi would without any hesitation choose Suraj. That is what Dev did not like.

"From when Sonakshi was permitted to marry me," Dev answered.

Sonakshi just shook her head in annoyance.

This man is so stupid. He actually is revealing when he reached here. Seems eager to get himself killed. Thank God bhai did not do anything wrong yet seeing Dev here.

Sonakshi walked out of the living room and went to her bedroom. Dev was quick in following her. As soon as she entered the room, he too entered it before she could lock the door. She tried pushing him out, but he did not budge.

He moved forward taking her along with him and quickly turned, ran, and locked the door of the room from the inside.

"Why are you in my room?" Sonakshi said her anger right on her nose.

"I am ..." Dev tried to apologize but Sorry did not leave his mouth.

"You are?" Sonakshi asked with a raised eyebrow.

"I am so..." Dev again tried but could not say it.

"You are so?" Sonakshi asked him.

"I am so sorry for treating you badly Mia Bella," Dev said in one go.

Sonakshi stood there and kept mum.

Did he think she was a joke? Was she not human? Could he just behave with her the way he wants and whenever he wants?

"I am really sorry Sona. I was just angry that you were marrying someone and that someone was not me," Dev said softly.

Sonakshi started clapping and she had a mocking smile on her face.

"Wow! Dev, just Wow! Just because you were angry you tortured me like that," Sonakshi said menacingly. She was angry and she was not going to conceal her rage. Sonakshi was not going to spare him. He had broken her heart bit by bit when he had captured her.

"Sona...I..." Dev tried to say.

"No Dev. You will keep quiet and I will speak. You kept me blindfolded. I was screaming at you saying that I am afraid. Did you listen?" She shouted clutching his collars. Dev shook his head in a negative.

"Do you know that I hate it when my eyes are blindfolded? I had a panic attack. Do you want to know why?" Sonakshi asked him. Dev just nodded. Sonakshi let go of his collars.

"When I was in college, I had been tortured. Tortured for a span of two weeks locked in a room with no windows and I was tied up and my eyes were blindfolded," Sonakshi said to him, "I won't go into the details of what I faced."

Dev was stunned. He had never expected this. This was pure inhumane torture. He could feel the rage building up in his body.

"Shocked right? Dev, should I tell you something? I knew you were Devil," Sonakshi said dropping a bomb.

Dev was shocked.

She knew. She knew what she was getting herself into.

"You knew that I was a mafia leader?" Dev asked softly

"Yes," she affirmed.

"Why?" Dev asked conveying that he wanted to know the reason why she put herself so dangerously close to a mafia.

"Because I wanted to show my dad that I could do anything for him. I thought he would be a bit more affectionate towards me but I was wrong. All he cared about was your destruction," Sonakshi said choking.

Dev could not see her break down. He moved forward but she put a hand in front gesturing him to stand where he was.

"You do not know what you have done today, Dev. You have reopened the wounds that were given to me 7 years ago," Sonakshi said

"Sona. I am sorry. Please tell me what happened 7 years ago," Dev said his voice laced with guilt.

"Not today Dev," Sonakshi said.

Dev knelt in front of her and bent his head down. Sonakshi was shocked. Dev had been stubborn many times. Today he had surrendered himself. To date, DEVIL had never bowed down before anyone.

"Please forgive me, Sona," Dev said.

"Forgiveness is not easy when you are still hurting, Dev," Sonakshi said

"I am genuinely repenting my actions Sonakshi," Dev pleaded.

"No words are enough to express the pain of a soul," Sonakshi said gravely.

Dev's eyes widened. He remembered Dr Sinha's words,

Dev! Sonakshi has gone through a lot in her life. She is a really strong fighter. Yes, she has Agoraphobia and has not completely recovered from it. But it is not because Sonakshi is weak. It is because the events that had led her to such a state were so brutal that we can't even imagine how she bore it.

SONAKSHI IS A DIAMOND! Remember one thing Dev

DIAMONDS ARE FORMED UNDER PRESSURE. BUT NEVER FORGET THEY ARE NOT FORMED OVERNIGHT!

Sonakshi was still living with the pain of the brutality that she had gone through. Today she exposed a glimpse of her shattered self to Dev.

A shattered soul!

A scarred Sonakshi!

"A hurting soul can heal too," Dev said

"I can't forgive you, Dev," Sonakshi said.

The two words that Dev said next shocked Sonakshi,

"PUNISH ME!"

WORD COUNT: 3740 WORDS.

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