WAJHA TUM HO

21. || Heartstrings Unraveled ||

Dev finally arrived home, his mind burdened with worry and anticipation. The weight of recent events was evident in his weary expression. As he approached the front door, he pressed the doorbell, the sound echoing through the silent house. Inside, Karuna, who had been pacing anxiously from one side of the room to the other, rushed to open the door. Siddharth, trying his best to console her, followed closely behind.

"Everything will be fine, Maa. Don't worry," Siddharth reassured her, though Karuna's fear for her son's safety was unmistakable, exacerbated by the looming threat posed by Ananya's presence in their lives.

As Dev stepped inside, both Siddharth and Karuna enveloped him in a tight embrace, their relief palpable. Dev managed a weary smile and reciprocated their hug, though the tension in his shoulders was still evident.

Karuna, her hands trembling, stroked his hair and asked, her voice filled with concern, "Tell me, my son, are you alright? Thank God, Baal Gopal protected you."

Dev's smile faded, replaced by a determined expression. He stepped back slightly, took a deep breath, and said, "Yes, Maa, but enough is enough. It's time to end everything that once began with a hopeful heart. I will erase every memory that was ever cherished with such longing."

The day passed in a tense blur, filled with anxious conversations and quiet contemplation. As evening descended, Ananya sat on her balcony, haunted by painful memories of Dev. The sky was painted in hues of orange and pink, but the beauty of the sunset did little to lift her spirits.

She was abruptly pulled from her reverie by the sound of a notification on her phone. She picked it up and saw a message from Debu, containing the location of a café—the very place where Dev had once proposed to her.

As she recalled those bittersweet moments, tears welled up in her eyes. She hastily wiped them away and began to get ready, her mind a whirlwind of emotions.

Meanwhile, Dev was at the café, meticulously decorating the same floor where he had once proposed to Ananya. The room was filled with the scent of fresh roses, and fairy lights twinkled like stars. He arranged the flowers with care, but as he was fitting a rose into the décor, a thorn pricked his finger, drawing a small trickle of blood.

Wincing in pain, he looked at his finger and murmured to himself, "One heart, two promises, whom should I choose? One path, two crossroads, which should I follow? Time is fragile and there are many troubles. Whatever decision I make, this heart will ache deeply."

Once again, he had reserved the entire floor for her, wanting the setting to be perfect. Soon, Ananya arrived at the café, and the manager greeted her warmly, asking for her name. Her heart pounded loudly as she provided it, much like it had the first time she had visited this place with Dev.

The manager smiled and requested her to proceed to the second floor, where she would find Dev. She nodded, her anxiety mounting with each step she took up the stairs.

The hall was shrouded in darkness, amplifying Ananya's apprehension. Nervously, she called out, "De... Debu, where are you?"

As her words echoed in the empty space, the lights flickered on, casting a soft, warm glow. Rose petals showered down on her, creating a magical atmosphere. She smiled, but her expression quickly turned to one of horror as she recognized the decorations.

The room was beautifully adorned with fairy lights, lit candles, flowers, and cute balloons, yet there was no sign of Debu. Suddenly, she felt a gentle tap on her shoulder. She turned to find Dev standing there, holding a bouquet of red roses, his eyes reflecting a mixture of emotions.

With a smirk, Dev said, "Don't be so scared. Take these."

She accepted the roses with trembling hands, fear evident in her eyes. They both sat down at a table adorned with candles and flowers, creating an intimate setting.