WAJHA TUM HO

20. || The Walls Between Us ||

In the midst of a crowd steeped in pretense, I erected walls around me—impenetrable fortifications devoid of windows or doors.
These walls shield me from the superficiality that surrounds, offering passage only to those who bear authenticity.

The following morning found Ananya arriving at the office, greeted by the presence of Dev already seated at his desk. A fleeting smile crossed her face as she caught his eye, but it was met with a distant gaze. Ananya's heart sank momentarily, yet she forged ahead, burying herself in the demands of her work. Meanwhile, Dev's eyes lingered on her, betraying a tumultuous mix of pain and disappointment.

Approaching Dev with a stack of papers requiring his signature, Ananya's voice cut through his reverie. "Mr. Vyas," she called out, snapping him back to the present.

"Yes?" Dev responded, his mind still lingering on the emotional whirlwind of thoughts.

Ananya extended the papers towards him, saying with a soft smile, "These papers need your signature."

Dev nodded silently, his eyes scanning the documents with a furrowed brow before signing them meticulously. Handing them back to her, he managed a faint smile that did little to mask the turmoil beneath the surface. Ananya accepted the papers with gratitude and left, feeling an unspoken comfort in their brief exchange.

As the day wore on, Dev retreated to his office, visibly troubled. His thoughts raced back to their shared moments, now marred by the ache of betrayal. Tears welled up in his eyes as he whispered to himself, "Why did you have to do all this? We could have been so happy today... But you chose to destroy everything. I understand it was all done in the name of love, but you never truly saw my love..."

His frustration boiled over, and in a fit of anger, he struck out at the mirror, shattering it into a thousand shards. Breathing heavily, he stormed towards Ananya's room with a master key in hand. Finding her asleep, conflicting emotions churned within him. He leaned in close, whispering in a voice choked with raw emotion, "If I can't live, neither can you."

Raising his hand to carry out the unthinkable, Dev froze midway. His hand trembled, unable to inflict harm upon her slumbering form. Tears streamed down his cheeks as he clenched his fists in torment. A single tear fell onto Ananya's hand, where she lay unaware.

Overcome with anguish, Dev abruptly retreated from her room. Ananya awoke with a start, catching a glimpse of a figure hurrying away. She noticed the tear on her hand, a silent testament to the turmoil that gripped Dev's soul.

Returning to his own room, Dev collapsed against the door, his body wracked with sobs. Gripping his hair in frustration, he lamented, "I can't do it. I can't hurt you. Despite everything, you were my world... How do I bring this to an end?"

With tears staining his cheeks, Dev whispered into the silence, "You'll never understand the pain I endure. You couldn't comprehend my love... If only I had perished that day. At least then, I wouldn't have to endure this torment."

Exhausted from the emotional storm, he eventually succumbed to sleep on the cold floor, his back against the door.

Days passed, and amidst the turmoil, Ananya found a semblance of security in Dev's presence. Unbeknownst to her, Dev seethed with unresolved anger and heartache.

One day, seated alone in his cabin, Dev's mind raced with a plan. Rising abruptly, he muttered to himself, "Enough is enough. It's time for the final step that will put an end to your existence, Ananya. Just wait until tomorrow."

Summoning Ananya to his office the next day, Dev's demeanor was somber as he handed her a folder. "Mrs. Joshi, we need to return to Mumbai tomorrow to finalize an important deal," he informed her quietly.

Ananya nodded, sensing the gravity in his tone. She left, pondering his cryptic words. Dev watched her depart, thoughts swirling. "This will bring everything full circle," he thought bitterly.

The next morning, they boarded a flight to Mumbai together. Throughout the journey, Dev remained silent, consumed by his inner turmoil. Ananya, though troubled, found an odd comfort in his presence.

Her eyes brimmed with tears as they landed in Mumbai, returning to the place where she had lost everything.

Upon disembarking, they parted ways outside the airport. Dev took a moment, then instructed quietly, "I'll send you an address. Meet me there to finalize the deal."

Ananya nodded, her heart heavy with unspoken emotions. They parted, each retreating to their separate lives. Dev returned home, where his mother welcomed him with open arms. Their reunion was filled with unspoken understanding, a silent bond shared between mother and son.

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