WAJHA TUM HO

13. || The Sinister Game ||

Ananya had never fully acknowledged Dev's profound love for her. Now, all that remained were memories and tears, her heart burdened with self-blame. How could she seek forgiveness now, when only pain echoed in her wake?

In her anguish, Ananya struck herself repeatedly, collapsing onto the bustling street that led to her home. Each blow echoed her inner torment, each fall a desperate cry for redemption. Amidst tears that mingled with raindrops, she whispered Dev's name like a plea for solace. "Dev... It's said we reap what we sow, and I've reaped the end of my own happiness, the destruction of my marriage."

Looking up at the sky, rain cascading around her, she hoped in vain that its cleansing touch could absolve her sins. Murmuring softly to the rain, she lamented, "In this very rain, we once found each other, embraced love. And today, in this rain, I've brought an end to you. I despise this weather, this rain, for what it once symbolized—love."

Ananya walked along the road with a shattered heart, her tears blending seamlessly with the relentless downpour until she finally reached Sharma Mansion. She pressed the doorbell, and with a worried expression, Devki Ji opened the door, startled by Ananya's pallid face and soaked clothes.

"Ananya, dear, what's happened? Are you alright? Your condition..." Devki Ji's concern was palpable as she tried to make sense of the sight before her.

Struggling with her thoughts, Ananya pondered, "How do I explain to you, Mom, that I've shattered myself?"

In a tearful excuse, Ananya managed to say, "Just got caught in the rain and... little upset as he left, Dev."

Devki Ji smiled softly, wiping away Ananya's tears with a comforting hand. "It's alright. He had already told us. He will come back soon. He said you would come. Come inside now, let's go freshness up."

Ananya nodded silently, refraining from correcting her mother this time, consumed by her own overwhelming guilt. Retreating to her room, she locked herself in, where her tears flowed freely—not because Ray had left, but because of the relentless guilt that consumed her, for snuffing out her own happiness and true love, which wasn't Ray.

Standing by the window, her eyes swollen and red from incessant crying, Ananya rested her hand against the cold glass, watching the rain with a mix of sorrow and remorse. "Even a season isn't as treacherous as I have become," she whispered softly, tears tracing down her cheeks.

Later, as she sat on her bed, Ananya opened the door at Devki Ji's knock, wiping her tears as she welcomed her in.

"Ananya, dear, I have to go to Mumbai for a business deal. Will you be alright staying alone?" Devki Ji informed her gently.

Ananya's voice trembled with pain as she replied, "Now I must stay alone, Mom. I'll manage, just as I did before."

Devki Ji looked puzzled. "Alone, meaning?"

Ananya clarified with a heavy heart, "I mean, I'll manage alone. We were alone before, weren't we?"

Devki Ji nodded understandingly and departed for Mumbai. Ananya couldn't bring herself to eat; she went straight to bed, turned off the lights, and lay amid a flood of memories. She closed her eyes but jerked awake when she heard her name softly whispered, "Ananya."

Thinking bleakly to herself, "Now even Dabbu's voice seems to haunt me."

Closing her eyes again, she heard a whisper, "After burying me ruthlessly, you're sleeping so greatly."

Ananya gasped, sitting up placing a hand on her racing heart.

Another whisper followed, "You've forgotten me so quickly."

Ananya trembled, fumbling to switch on the lights when a hand suddenly gripped hers. Her heart raced; sweat dripped from her brow as she stammered, "Who... who's there?"

She shut her eyes and heard a door slam shut; her hand was released. Trying to switch on the lights, they flickered on suddenly, revealing no one. She breathed heavily, shaking, lips quivering, eyes brimming with tears.

Summoning courage through her fear, she whispered softly, "There's no one here now... Then... who was it?"

Returning to bed, she switched off the lights, lay down, and closed her eyes. Suddenly, she heard "Ananya," and she woke up screaming, her heart racing, struggling to breathe, crying in fear, refusing to turn off the lights.

---

A figure emerged stealthily from Ananya's house, dressed in a dark hoodie. With a swift motion, the person removed the hood, revealing the unmistakable face of Dev Joshi. He approached with an eerie smile, his voice dripping with malice, "Tonight, dwell on what happened to you. Sleep won't come easy tonight. Consider this a warning. If you dare to do more, you might not live to see another day, and I won't make your death easy."

---

Several hours earlier :

Ray drove cheerfully towards the airport, bound for the US after informing Devki Ji. Suddenly, another car cut him off, infuriating him. He stormed out of his car and approached the driver's window. As the glass slid down, Ray froze in fear—it was Dev.

Stepping out calmly, Dev dusted off his clothes before speaking coldly, "Even the winds can't deceive Dev Joshi. How did you think you could win this game you were playing? I let you play it."

Ray managed to stammer, "You... you..."

Dev gripped Ray's collar firmly, his gaze unwavering. "You thought you could outwit me? Foolish. But I admire your audacity."

Ray's eyes widened in realization, fear gripping his heart as Dev's words sank in.

---

Flashback :

Karuna Ji had forgotten her tickets and returned home to retrieve them from Ananya, inadvertently overhearing their chilling plan to poison Dev's wine. The ground seemed to vanish beneath her feet as she rushed to call Dev, only to collapse in front of him upon reaching their doorstep.

"Mom, you're here. Didn't you leave?" Dev asked calmly, though concern flickered in his eyes.

In a panic, Karuna Ji blurted out, "Debu..you..you won't eat anything Ananya gives you... She... they want to poison you."

Dev's expression softened momentarily, a hint of sadness crossing his face before he composed himself. "I know."

Karuna Ji was taken aback, her voice trembling with disbelief. "You know? How?"

With a calm demeanor, Dev explained, "I suspected Ray was plotting to take over my business. I've had my eye on him before, and when he and an—ananya were scheming at the cafe, Sid and Avu, they were at one of our friends birthday treats. They overheard everything while celebrating Heer's birthday there. They informed me. Don't worry, Mom. I replaced the poison with water."

"Why are you handling this alone? Let's confront her, I nurture her as my own daughter, and she..."

Interrupting her with a chilling tone, Dev interjected, "Let them play their game. Until Dev Joshi initiates his move, let them get entangled in theirs. Go to your room quietly, rest, and don't interfere."

Karuna Ji nodded reluctantly, her heart heavy with concern and fear for her family's safety in the escalating tensions.

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