Aarohi And Dev

CHAPTER 20

Dev POV

I left my house, dialling Aman to help me track down the person responsible for Devika's kidnapping.

I headed straight to the warehouse where they had kept Devika captive, hoping to uncover some clues.

Upon arrival, as expected, there was no one to be found. I meticulously scrutinized the entire area, but aside from a table, a few dirty blue drums, and some ropes, there was nothing else of note.

As I was revisiting the area, my attention was drawn to a container labelled "Nitrogen Gas."

Now that I've identified the nitrogen gas container, I'm considering how the low temperature inside the warehouse might have been maintained specifically to support the gas's storage or use.

I couldn't help but wonder if the nitrogen gas was intended for something more sinister, like harming Devika.

When I left the warehouse, Aman pulled up in his car. I approached him and asked that he investigate recent purchases of nitrogen gas.

I returned home to find Devika alone in her room, lost in her thoughts.

She might be traumatized by what happened. I can't change the past, but I can make sure the person responsible faces consequences for their actions.

I went over to her, sat beside her on the bed, and said, "I'm sorry I couldn't prevent it, but I promise I'll make sure it never happens again."

"Bhai, I'm okay, don't worry," she said, reassuring me with a blink.

"By the way, while you were there in the warehouse, did you overhear them talking about anything?" I asked, to which she shook her head.

"By the way, bhai, what's going on with you and that girl, what was her name, umm, Aarohi, right?" she said mischievously, raising her brows.

"Wh-What? Nothing," I replied, my faltering speech betraying my emotions.

"Good, sochna bhi nahi bhai," Devika said, visibly relaxing.
[Do not even think about it]

"Vaise bhi aapke beti ki umar ki hai," Devika joked, laughing mischievously.
[ Besides, she's around your daughter's age ]

"Come on, now you're teasing me! I don't look that old, do I?" I added with a touch of concern in my tone.

"You said nothing was going on, so why are you stressed now?" she asked, crossing her arms over her chest and narrowing her eyes.

"I completely forgot about something I need to take care of. I'll catch up with you later, Dee," I added, excusing myself from the conversation and heading out of the room.

I haven't known love, not because I doubted its existence, but because our paths never intertwined.

She embodies love for me. She epitomizes beauty to me. She personifies peace for me.

After that nonexistent conversation between us, I find myself missing her intensely as if I am yearning for her presence. She has become a necessity to me.

My need. My love. My peace.

On my way to the office, Devika's words weighed heavily on my mind, leading me to question: "Am I too old for her? Will she not see me as a partner?"

After a long day's work, the moment arrives, the highlight of my day, when I catch sight of 'Her'.

After a careful drive to her home, I quietly ascended to her balcony and found her peacefully sleeping in her room.

As I tucked her in under the comforter, my gaze landed on a fresh scar on her hand. Had it been there yesterday? It wasn't visible during our conversation earlier. My mind raced with questions.