Blood stained love

5

Later That Evening

Dev stood in front of a mirror, adjusting the cuffs of his tailored suit. His eyes were dark, determined. Reyansh entered, his voice hesitant. “Dev, are you sure about this? What if she digs too deep? What if—”

Dev turned sharply, his voice cutting through the air like a blade. “You’re afraid, Reyansh. That’s your problem. I’m not.”

“But—”

“No buts,” Dev said, his tone final. “She wants to play hero. Let’s see how long she lasts when the villain steps onto the stage.”

Reyansh nodded reluctantly. “What’s the plan?”

Dev smirked. “We go to Delhi. First, we meet this Advocate Sharma. I want to see the face of the woman causing so much chaos.”

As Reyansh left to make arrangements, Dev poured himself another drink, his mind clouded with a strange mix of frustration and curiosity. Five years ago, he had buried everything—his past, his emotions, and her.

But now, without even knowing her name, Advocate Sharma had forced her way into his carefully constructed world.

“Interesting,” he muttered, downing the drink in one gulp.

For the first time in years, Dev felt something he hadn’t allowed himself to feel—anticipation.

The evening air in Delhi had a faint chill, the kind that reminded you winter was around the corner. Kaya had just wrapped up the hearing preparations for the big day tomorrow. The temporary apartment she had rented felt oddly quiet, but her heart was brimming with excitement. The judge’s stern warning hadn’t fazed her; if anything, it had fueled her determination.

Her phone buzzed. A message from Arjun.

“Ready for your big celebration? Step out. I’m downstairs.”

Kaya frowned, typing back, “What celebration?”

“You’ll see. Just come. And wear something nice!”

Kaya rolled her eyes but couldn’t help smiling. She changed into a simple maroon kurta with gold detailing, something her mother had bought for her months ago. Fixing her hair into a loose braid, she grabbed her bag and stepped out.

Arjun was leaning against a bike, a broad grin on his face. He was wearing a crisp white shirt and jeans, his usual boy-next-door charm on full display.

“What’s this about?” she asked, crossing her arms.

“Miss Sharma, you’ve made it to the big leagues! You’re in Delhi, fighting one of the country’s most high-profile cases. That calls for a celebration,” he said, his eyes twinkling.

Before she could protest, he handed her a helmet. “Hop on. No arguments.”

Arjun took her to an open-air café by the lake, its twinkling fairy lights reflecting on the water. A small band was playing in the background, the soft strumming of the guitar blending perfectly with the chatter of the crowd.

Kaya looked around, her brow furrowed. “What is this, Arjun? This place is too fancy for me.”

“Stop with the modesty, Miss Lawyer. You deserve this,” he said, pulling out a chair for her.

As they sat, the waiter brought a platter of her favorite dishes—chole kulche, dim sums, and even a small slice of chocolate truffle cake.

Kaya looked at him, raising an eyebrow. “How did you—”

“Know your favorites? I’ve been paying attention,” he said with a playful shrug.

They ate, laughed, and argued over which dish was better, the evening passing in a blur of lighthearted moments.

As the band started playing a slow, romantic tune, Arjun stood abruptly. “Dance with me.”

Kaya blinked. “What?”

“Come on, just one dance. For your success,” he said, extending his hand.

Hesitantly, she took his hand, and he led her to the small wooden dance floor. They swayed awkwardly at first, but then Kaya relaxed, letting herself enjoy the moment.

“Kaya,” Arjun said suddenly, his voice serious.

She looked up, meeting his eyes.

“I’ve been meaning to say this for a while. You’re... incredible. The way you fight, the way you care, the way you never back down. It’s inspiring. And somewhere along the way, I realized it’s not just inspiring—it’s everything I want in my life.”

Kaya stopped swaying, her eyes wide. “Arjun…”

“Wait, let me finish,” he said, pulling out a small box from his pocket. He opened it to reveal a simple silver ring with a tiny diamond. “I know you’re busy with the case, with your dreams, and I don’t want to get in the way. But I want to be there for you. Always. So... will you marry me?”

Kaya’s breath hitched. She wasn’t expecting this—especially not now, not like this. Her mind raced, memories of her struggles, her past, and even Dev’s face flashing before her eyes.

“Arjun,” she began, her voice trembling. “I... I don’t know. This is all too sudden.”

Arjun smiled, his eyes soft. “I’m not asking for an answer now. Take your time. But just know—I’ll be here. Always.”

As they drove back, the silence between them was heavy, yet not uncomfortable. Kaya stared at the twinkling city lights, her mind replaying Arjun’s words.

When they reached her place, Arjun parked the bike and turned to her. “Kaya, no matter what you decide, just know I’m proud of you. You’re going to win this case, and nothing—not Reyansh, not anyone—can stop you.”

Kaya nodded, her throat tight. “Thank you, Arjun. For everything.”

As she climbed the stairs to her apartment, she glanced back. Arjun was still there, watching her with a faint smile.

For the first time in a long while, she felt a strange mix of fear and hope. Could she really let someone like Arjun into her life? Or was she destined to fight her battles alone?

And somewhere, deep in her heart, another face lingered—one she hadn’t seen in five years but couldn’t forget.

The clock struck midnight. The faint hum of the Delhi traffic outside was barely audible in Kaya’s quiet apartment. Vasundhara sat cross-legged on the sofa, her prayer beads clutched in her hands. Her calm demeanor was deceptive—her motherly instincts told her something was brewing in Kaya’s heart.

Kaya walked in, her face pale, her eyes avoiding her mother’s. She placed her bag on the table and sat down across from Vasundhara, fiddling with the edge of her kurta.

“Maa, I need to tell you something,” she said, her voice low.

Vasundhara placed the beads on the table, her expression soft but alert. “what happened, beta? You look troubled.”

Kaya hesitated, the weight of her emotions pressing against her chest. She looked away, trying to find the words, but her mother spoke before she could.

“It’s about Arjun, isn’t it?” Vasundhara’s voice was calm, but her words hit like a thunderbolt.

Kaya’s head snapped up. “You... you knew?”

Vasundhara smiled faintly, her eyes glistening with understanding. “Beta, I’m your mother. I’ve seen the way he looks at you, the way he’s always there, and the way you’re unsure around him. But most of all, I’ve seen the conflict in your eyes.”

Kaya leaned back, her arms crossed defensively. “Maa, I don’t know if I can do this. Arjun is... he’s good, but marriage? Right now? I’m not ready for that. Not after everything.”

Vasundhara reached out, taking Kaya’s hand in hers. “Beta, I understand. But let me tell you something. Life doesn’t always wait for us to be ready. Sometimes, the right things come at the wrong time, and it’s up to us to recognize them.”

Kaya shook her head, tears brimming in her eyes. “Maa, you don’t get it. It’s not just about the timing. It’s about me. I’ve fought so hard to stand on my own, to prove myself. I can’t let anyone—no matter how good they are—make me feel like I owe them.”

Vasundhara’s grip tightened. “Kaya, Arjun isn’t asking you to owe him anything. He’s just offering to stand beside you. Don’t mistake love for weakness.”

Kaya pulled her hand away, her voice rising. “Maa, it’s not that simple! You think I don’t want to be happy? But every time I even think about moving forward, it feels like I’m betraying myself—my struggles, my past. And...” She hesitated, her voice dropping to a whisper, “...and Dev.”

The name hung in the air like a ghost, heavy and unspoken for so long.