Aarohi And Dev

CHAPTER 43

Dev POV

Eager to uncover the cause of her distress, I dialled her number. She answered after a few rings, and I immediately asked, my voice laced with concern, "Rose, is everything alright?"

Standing on the lawn with the bouquet in my hands, the world seemed to blur as I awaited her response.

"Yes, everything is fine," she replied, though her voice was raspy and croaky, betraying her true state. Glancing up at the balcony, I saw her standing there, meeting my gaze. My heart ached to know what had happened.

"Did your father say something?" I pressed gently, desperate to understand the reason behind her tears. The sound of her voice was a clear indication that she had been crying.

At that moment, I felt a fierce protective anger. If anyone had caused her pain, I wanted to confront them. She shook her head in denial, but as she turned away, I noticed light red marks on her cheeks. Had her father slapped her? What has conspired?

"I have an assignment to work on, that's why I'm a little busy. Can we meet tomorrow? Please?" Her slight pleading wasn’t because she was truly occupied, but because she didn’t want to break down in front of me.

Though every instinct screamed to demand answers, I respected her need for space.

I nodded, looking up at her, my heart heavy with worry and love. "Alright, tomorrow then," I said softly, hoping to convey my unwavering support even from a distance.

I placed the bouquet on a chair on the lawn and said, "This is for you. Always remember, I'm here for you." As she nodded, I took my leave and stepped out into the night.

As I walked away, I found a shadowed alley from where I could still see her. I lingered there, waiting for her to descend and take the bouquet. Moments later, she emerged, her hands trembling as she picked up the flowers. A single tear fell, shimmering in the moonlight.

Leaning against the wall, I looked up at the heavens, a storm of emotions raging within. I couldn't harm her father, she would never forgive me. Yet, seeing her suffer was unbearable. How dare he lay a hand on her?

With clenched fists, I vowed to find a way to protect her without causing her more pain. She deserved joy and serenity, and I would move mountains to ensure she had both.

Guarding her isn't merely my will, it's the heartbeat of my existence.

Stealing one last glance at her, I turned and made my way back, my mind a whirlwind of thoughts on how to banish all sorrows from her life.

The next morning, resolute and determined, I contacted Ajay Malhotra to arrange a meeting. With the day's agenda set, I sent Rose a message:

Me: Good morning, Rose. A small gift awaits you outside.

As I arrived at the office, I called Aman into my cabin. "What's the latest on Khurana? Any breakthroughs with Zar Pharmaceuticals?"

Aman took a seat and began his report. "Gabriel hit a dead end. Their security is airtight, and no one gets in without proper clearance."

I sighed in frustration, questioning the approach. "Aman, it’s no surprise they’re not letting in someone openly investigating them. We need someone to infiltrate quietly, gather intel without raising suspicion."

Aman's eyes widened with understanding, and he nodded.

"Let's handle this ourselves," I declared, standing and signalling Aman to follow me. Trusting others was a luxury we couldn't afford—I needed to scrutinize things firsthand.