DEV(i)

18. please?~

Srinika's silent nod spoke volumes as she absorbed the weight of Dev's revelation. Without another word. The evening was settling in, the once-brilliant sunlight now giving way to a soft, dusky twilight that mirrored her troubled thoughts.

The balcony offered a change of scenery, its open space and the gentle evening breeze offering a fleeting sense of freedom. Dev stood beside her, the cool air rustling their hair and carrying with it the faint, distant hum of street vendors and the occasional laughter from below. Silence settled between them like a dense fog.

Dev finally broke the silence, his hands trembling slightly as he reached behind him and produced a thin file. The file was worn at the edges, a testament to its frequent handling. He extended it towards Srinika, his expression a mix of vulnerability and apprehension.

"Here," he said softly, his voice barely rising above the whisper of the wind. "I wanted you to see this."

Srinika took the file from him, her fingers brushing his as she opened it. Her eyes widened in astonishment as she unfolded the pages inside. The detailed blueprints of a condo lay before her, each line and measurement reflecting Dev's painstaking effort and dedication. The designs were elegant, showcasing a blend of modern aesthetics and functional practicality.

"Wow," she murmured, her voice catching with awe as she turned the pages. "This is incredible."

Dev huffed softly, the sound carrying a mix of pride and bitterness. "That's what I've been doing, Srinika," he said, his tone heavy with regret. "I've been working on this project because... well, because it was either this or my career."

Srinika's gaze softened as she looked up at him, her eyes reflecting a tinge of guilt. "But you never told me," she said, her voice faltering. "You never said a word about any of this."

A frustrated sigh escaped Dev's lips as he raked a hand through his hair. "When do you even let me speak, Srinika?" His voice was edged with frustration. "Every time I try to open up, you're always busy with something else. You shut me out."

Srinika's heart ached at his words, the weight of their shared past pressing down on her like a suffocating shroud. "What about the marriage, Dev?" she asked softly, her voice barely a whisper. "How long were you planning to keep this from me?"

Dev met her gaze with a mix of sorrow and resignation. "I might have kept it to myself forever," he confessed, his voice tinged with a deep, regretful sadness. "I've known all along that you have feelings for someone else, and that I was... well, just a fallback."

Srinika took a deep breath, her voice trembling as she began to recount the events of the previous night. "I met Aakash at the café," she started, her words slow and deliberate. "We were supposed to catch up, like we used to."

Her gaze drifted to the horizon, lost in the painful memory. "But when I arrived... I saw him with someone else." Srinika's voice quivered as she took a shaky breath. "I saw him... kissing another girl," she confessed, her words laced with hurt and betrayal. "His arms were wrapped around her, and... and it felt like my entire world was shattering."

Tears welled up in Srinika's eyes , the raw pain of the memory evident in her voice. "I thought I knew him, Dev," she continued, her voice breaking. "I thought he cared about me. But seeing him like that made me realize that I never really knew him at all."

Dev's heart ached, his own anger and sadness mirroring her feelings. "I'm so sorry, Srinika," he murmured, his voice thick with emotion as he reached out to gently brush away her tears. "You didn't deserve this. No one does."

Srinika leaned into his touch.

Dev sighed, his heart heavy as he faced her, his expression mirroring her turmoil. "Srinika," he began, his voice tinged with uncertainty, "how do we say no to this marriage?"