Hola Everyone,

It's Thursday and I am here with the next update. Thank you for your votes and comments. Means a lot.🙂🙂🙂. An early update as I found some free time during my travel 🙂🙂🙂.

Without further ado, here is the next part of this story. Hope you like it :-

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"Kya main jaan sakta hoon ki ye sab kya hai Sonakshi?" he asked showing her the papers which he held in his hand while Sonakshi didn't need to look at them as she herself had sent it to him after signing them, it was their DIVORCE PAPERS.

Sonakshi looked at the papers and then turned away from Dev as she closed her eyes trying to control her tears, she knew that if she looked at Dev and more so in his eyes her resolve will break, and she did not want that. She had to do this for what she thought would give everyone the happiness they deserved, little did she know that if she was unhappy then no one around her would be happy as well.

"Main kuch pooch raha hoon Sonakshi, jawab do. Inn papers ka matlab kya hai?" he said seeing her quiet as she coldly replied without looking at him "Mr. Dixit, Aap itney bhi anpad nahi hai ki Aapko ye samajh naa aaye ki ye papers kya hai. Main ney already inn pey sign kar diye hai, aacha ye hoga ki aap bhi inn pey kar dijiye " she said, her heart crying out every moment as she said those words as Dev was left stunned, he could not believe this was the same Sonakshi that henloved, trying to control his increasing anger he spoke.

"Meri taraf dekhkey baat karo Sonakshi" he said but she did not as he threw the papers aside and moved forward, forcefully holding her shoulders he turned her to face him as he spoke "Abhi jo tumney kaha wo meri aankhon main Dekhkey kaho Sonakshi" he said sonorously looking into her eyes only to find pain and sadness in them while on the other hand Sonakshi was savouring his physical proximity after so many days, she just wanted to hide herself into the cocoon of his protective hold saving herself from the harsh realities yet she knew she could not do that, she looked into his eyes only to find the same pain and sadness in his eyes, the difference was he was hiding it under his anger while she was hiding it under her rudeness.

"Bolo Sonakshi" he told her once again looking into her eyes as she struggled to get out of his hold "Dev Choddo mujhey, you are hurting me" she said trying to wriggle out, but he was too strong for her "Aur uss dard ka kya jo tum mujhey de rahi ho Sonakshi?" he said pulling her more closer to him as he continued "Jab tak mujhey mere sawalon ke jawab nahi mill jaatey main tumhey nahi chodunga Sonakshi, tumhey mere sawalon ka jawab dena hi hoga" he said with a finality in his voice as she continued her struggle to come out of his hold "Chodo mujhey Dev...Chodo" she kept saying but he would have none of it, she started banging her tiny fists on his chest in an effort to free herself.

"Sonakshi meri baat suno...meri baat suno Sonakshi" he said but she continued her struggle as she screamed "Chodo mujhey Dev...chodo" but he would have none of it "Sonakshi..." he said but was cut off "Leave me Dev...Go away..." Sonakshi continued her rant, it seemed like she had lost the sense of the surroundings as seeing no other option Dev screamed "SONAKSHI..." as he slapped her while she stumbled back, tears flowing from both their eyes, Dev quickly pulled her into a bone crushing hug as she let go of all her defences "Hosh main aao Sonakshi, hosh main aao" said Dev as she kept mumbling against his chest "Leave me Dev...go away...go away from me" as slowly she closed her eyes.

Hearing no sound from her he looked at her only to find her eyes closed "Sonakshi...Sonakshi..." he patted her cheeks but there was no response from her "Sonakshi...Sonakshi..." he called her again but still there was no response, he quickly took some water and sprinkled on her face, yet it did not have any affect on her. Panic set in Dev's heart as he quickly picked her up and rushed down. As soon as the Bose family members saw Dev with an unconscious Sonakshi in his arms they panicked as well "Dev...Kya hua Sonakshi ko?" it was Bijoy who was first to react as he hurriedly said "Baba, Sonakhsi behosh ho gayi hai, main usey hospital leke jaa raha hoon" said Dev as Asha added "Dev, main bhi aati hoon tumharey saath" as Dev nodded in agreement while Saurabh and Bijoy rushed out with them as well asking Elena to take care of Dadi in their absence.

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Half an hour had passed since Sonakshi was taken inside the ward, Dev was pacing up and down the corridor near the ward where Sonakshi was taken, mentally scolding himself every moment for putting her through this, neither he would have slapped, nor would she have fainted. Bijoy was panicking every moment and would try to ask about the situation to the ward boys or nurses every 5 minutes while Asha was sitting on the bench shedding silent tears praying for her daughter's well being as Saurabh tried to give her the strength.

A few moments later the Doctor came out of the ward as everyone rushed towards her "Don't worry, Sonakshi is fine now. She fainted because of weakness, we have kept her under observation and if everything is fine we will discharge her tomorrow morning" said the Doctor as everyone heaved a sigh of relief, just as the Doctor was leaving she turned back as she said "Mr. Dixit, Can you please come to my cabin. I need to speak to you" she said as nodded in agreement while the others wondered why the doctor had called Dev, he went behind the doctor while everyone waited for him to finish his discussion with her.

"Mr. Dixit, Sonakshi is weak. Physically as well as emotionally" said the doctor as Dev looked at her stunned into silence as the doctor continued "She is holding something inside her which is stressing her out by the day and if this continues then she might very quickly slip into depression Mr. Dixit" she said as Dev looked at her gobsmacked, regaining his composure he asked.

"Doctor, please tell me what should I do? How do I get her out of this? I have been trying to get her to speak but she is not ready to tell anything, in fact ever since knowing the truth about her pregnancy she has not been speaking to anyone properly and has been ignoring everyone. What do I do doctor?" he said in a panicky voice as the doctor replied "I understand your situation Mr. Dixit but right now you are the only one who can get her out of this situation and you need to do that quickly lest it might be late" she said as Dev looked at her morosely, wondering how to get Sonakshi out of her misery.

"Mr. Dixit, try to understand what she is feeling? Why is she behaving like that with everyone? What is she holding with in her? Give her the love and strength and more importantly do not leave her alone, maybe, maybe she will tell you what's bothering her" said the doctor as Dev nodded his head, thanking the doctor he came out of her cabin as he headed towards the ward where Sonakshi was.

As soon as he came near the ward Bijoy got up as he spoke "Dev, kya kaha doctor ne? Kya hua Sonakshi ko? Koi chinta ki baat toh nahi? Sonakshi aisey achanak behosh kyun ho gayi?" he rattled off as Dev replied "Baba...Baba...Shaant ho jaaiye. Koi chinta ki baat nahi, bass weakness ki wajah se wo behosh ho gayi thi, doctor ne kaha hai ki humey uskey khaaney ka bohot khayal rakhna padega aur usey humesha khush rakhna hai" said Dev, he did not want her parents to be more worried than they already where, he asked Bijoy and Saurabh to leave for the night as he would stay with Asha, though Bijoy was adamant on staying on Dev's and Asha's insistence he left. Dev then called up Ishwari and appraised her about the situation, Ishwari was shocked to know about Sonakshi's health as she asked Dev to take care of her and get her home soon. After cutting the call she went to the temple of the house to pray for Sonakshi's well-being as well as for the happiness to return in her son's and daughter-in-law's life.

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Dev's heart wrenched in agony as he entered the ward to see Sonakshi, dressed in a blue hospital uniform with a glucose connected to her body she looked absolutely pail, the light impressions of his slap still visible on her cheeks as he chided himself mentally, the dosage of the medicines had made her go into a deep slumber. He moved towards her and settled on the stool besides her as he caressed her hair, getting up he made space for himself as she settled besides her on the bed with his back resting on the wall as Sonakshi shifted in her sleep while Dev kept caressing her head, she looked like an innocent child as tears made way through his eyes "Why do you this Sonakshi? You have no idea how each moment I am dying seeing you like this. Please get up jaan, please get up for your Obodhro" he whispered holding her right palm with his left and as if on cue Sonakshi curled up her fingers against his into a hold. Dev rested his head on the wall as he thought back to the time when they were in a similar situation a month and half back......

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"DR. BOSE HAS SUFFERED A MISCARRIAGE, SHE WAS INTO THE THIRD WEEK OF HER PREGNANCY"

To say that Dev's world shattered at that moment would have been an understatement at that moment. He took a moment to understand what the doctor had said, when he regained his composure he slowly asked the doctor "SONAKSHI WAS PREGNANT?" as the doctor nodded in affirmation and that broke the dam of tears that Dev was holding back, their child had died before even they came to know his/her existence. Tears were flowing out of his eyes unabashed as Dr.Iyer got up and moving towards him kept a hand on his shoulder as she consoled him "Mr.Dixit, please control yourself. I know it's very difficult for you, but you have to be strong for Sonakshi" she said, she was a good friend of her and it absolutely gutting for her to see her friend and her husband go through such tough times.

The mention of Sonakshi seemed to have brought Dev out of his agony, he got up to face Dr. Iyer as he spoke "Doctor, Does Sonakshi know about it?" he asked wondering whether she knew about it or not? If she did then how would he handle her after she gained consciousness, and if she doesn't then how would he break the news to her.

Dr. Iyer slowly nodded her head in affirmation to gesture that Sonakshi did know about their dead child as Dev gasped in horror, he stumbled as he held the chair to stop himself from falling, Sonakshi knew about it. How was she coping with it? Was it the reason for her unconsciousness?

Dr. Iyer went towards Dev and handed him the glass of water as he drank it while she spoke "Before the operation we had informed Dr. Bose about it Mr. Dixit" she said as once again Dev was left completely stunned, she was going through the pain all alone and here he was crying over their cruel destiny while Sonakshi had been living with it for the past two hours.

"Why did it happen Doctor?" he asked finally regaining his composure as Dr. Iyer spoke "Sonakshi has a weak uterus Mr. Dixit and that's why the foetus was unable to grow" she said as he kept quiet unable to understand the medical implications as the doctor continued "I have conducted a few tests Mr.Dixit, I will be able to tell you in more detail once I receive the results of those reports tomorrow morning" she said as Dev nodded, just then a nurse came into the cabin.

"Dr. Iyer, Dr. Bose has regained consciousness" she said and the next moment Dev ran towards her cabin while Dr. Iyer hurried behind him. As soon as Dev entered her ward his eyes met with hers as he was taken aback, her eyes looked dark and distant as Dev moved towards her.

Cupping her cheeks with her hands he said "Sonakshi, How are you now?", the next moment Sonakshi broke down into violent sobs as Dev held her "Dev, Humara baccha....humara baccha Dev" she mumbled against his chest as tears started running down his cheeks as well as he held her tighty "Humarey saath hi aisa kyun hua Dev, humney kisi ka kuch nahi bigada, phir humarey saath hi aisa kyun hua Dev" she kept asking as Dev kept quiet, not having any answer to her questions as he held tightly trying to reduce her pain. Dr. Iyer as well as the nurse in the ward had slight tears in their eyes as well, Dr. Iyer gestured the nurse to leave them alone for few moments as they went out.

"Humara baccha Dev...iss duniya main aaney se pehle hi bhagwaan ne usey humsey cheen liya Dev...Humarey sapney toot gaye Dev" she blabbered through her tears as Dev clenched his fists in anger hearing god's name. His contempt for the almighty increasing by the minute for putting his love through this.

"Sonakshi...ssh... Sonakshi shaant ho jaao Sonakshi...please shaant ho jao" he said caressing her hairs as she kept sobbing "hum ghar main kya bolenge Dev? Maa..unkey kitney sapney they...Baba, unkey sapney humarey bachon ke liye...sab bikhar gaya Dev sab bikhar gaya..." she sobbed.

"Sonakshi, rona band karo please, tumhari tabiyat aur kharab ho jayegi. Dekho Maa- Baba bhi nahi chahenge ki tumhari tabiyat kharab ho...please rona band karo Sonakshi" he said as she slowly calmed down while Dev continued "Aur Waisey bhi Sonakshi, it's just a bad time and it shall pass. Aur dekhna humarey itney bachey hongey ki tum bhi unhey sambhaltey sambhaltey pareshan ho jaogi" he said trying to console her as well as give her positive hopes while she kept snivelling lightly, LITTLE DID HE KNOW THAT FATE WAS GOING TO PLAY A CRUEL GAME WITH THEM.

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Dev was brought out his thoughts as he felt a movement on his hand as he looked towards Sonakshi "Pani...pani..." whispered Sonakshi as he quickly got up and made her drink water as he sat down beside her and caressed her hair as she went back into her slumber due to the affect of the medicines and weakness while only one thought was going on in Dev's mind, I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU SONAKSHI, EVEN IF YOU WANT I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU.

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Done.

Please ignore the grammatical mistakes and see you in the next update.

I cannot believe that I have reached the 25th & the silver jubilee update of this story. And to be honest I had never expected it, but this has been possible only due to the love and support that all of you have showered on this story through your reads, votes & comments. So, Thank you everyone 🙏🙏🙏 for your love and support, I hope I am able to fulfill your expectations with respect to this story.🙂🙂🙂

PRECAP - A BITTER TRUTH 😢😢😢