The sun had just begun its ascent, casting a warm golden hue over the bustling city of Mumbai. In the dixit household, Navya was already awake, her day starting long before dawn. She moved with the practiced grace of someone who had long since mastered the art of domesticity. The clatter of utensils, the soft hum of boiling water, and the sizzle of oil in a pan filled the air, creating a symphony of morning sounds.Navya carefully prepared Dev's favorite breakfast, a plate of steaming hot parathas and a bowl of fresh yogurt, just as he liked it. She set the table meticulously, placing everything in its precise spot.
She moved to their bedroom, where Dev was still in bed, the remnants of sleep clinging to him. She approached him with a tender smile, gently placing a hand on his shoulder.
Navya: "Dev, it's time to wake up. You have a meeting at 9."
Dev stirred, his brow furrowing in irritation.
Dev: "Why do you always have to wake me up? I can set my own alarm."
Navya stepped back, her smile faltering but not disappearing.
Navya: "I just wanted to make sure you had a good start to the day."
Dev: "Well, I don't need your help. Stop acting like you're in charge of me. You're not my wife; you're just someone I had to marry."
Navya's heart clenched at his words, but she forced herself to remain calm.
Navya: "I made your breakfast. It's on the table."
Dev stood up, his irritation not subsiding.
Dev: "You don't have to do that every day. I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself."
Navya nodded, her voice gentle but firm.
Navya: "I know you are, Dev. But I want to do this for you."
He scoffed, running a hand through his disheveled hair.
Dev: "Well, stop. It feels like you're trying to assert some kind of authority over me, and I don't appreciate it."
Without another word, he brushed past her and headed to the bathroom, leaving Navya standing alone in the room. She took a deep breath, willing herself to remain composed. This was how it had been for seven years, a marriage in name only, with Dev's heart still belonging to Hina.
Downstairs, she heard the soft patter of tiny feet. Ayaan, their four-year-old son, appeared in the doorway, rubbing his eyes and clutching his favorite stuffed toy.
Ayaan: "Mama, I'm hungry."
Navya's face lit up with a genuine smile as she knelt down to his level.
Navya: "Good morning, my little prince. Let's get you some breakfast."
She led Ayaan to the kitchen, her mood lifting as she attended to her son's needs. He was the light of her life, the one thing that made all the sacrifices worthwhile. As she watched him eat, she couldn't help but think about how different things might have been if Dev could see the love she had for him and their family.After making sure Ayaan was settled, Navya turned her attention back to Dev. She prepared his lunch and packed it neatly, adding a small note inside, a habit she had kept since the early days of their marriage. She placed it on the counter, knowing that he would take it without acknowledging her effort.
Dev finally emerged from the bedroom, dressed in his office attire, looking every bit the successful corporate executive. He glanced at the breakfast on the table, his expression unreadable. Without a word, he sat down and began to eat, his eyes fixed on his phone, scrolling through emails and messages.
Navya busied herself with cleaning up the kitchen, stealing glances at him, hoping for a flicker of appreciation or even a nod of acknowledgment. But Dev remained absorbed in his own world, oblivious to her silent pleas for connection.When he finished, he stood up abruptly, grabbing his briefcase and the lunch she had packed
Dev: "I'll be late tonight."
Navya nodded, her voice tinged with a hope she couldn't quite suppress.
Navya: "Okay, Dev. Have a good day."
He paused for a moment, as if considering whether to say something more, but then turned and walked out the door. Navya watched him go, a familiar ache settling in her chest.With a sigh, she turned back to Ayaan, who was now engrossed in his toys. She knew that her life would continue this way, day after day, until something changed.
But she also knew that she couldn't give up. Not for herself, but for Ayaan, and for the slim chance that one day, Dev might see her as more than just an obligation.
The verma Industries office was a hive of activity as employees busily worked on their various tasks. Dev Dixit , the epitome of efficiency, sat at his desk, his fingers flying over his keyboard as he reviewed reports and sent out emails. His focus was unwavering, and his dedication to his work was evident to anyone who glanced in his direction.As the morning progressed, the office buzzed with excitement when Mr. Verma, the CEO, walked into the main workspace. He was known for his jovial demeanor and his penchant for grand announcements. The employees fell silent, their attention shifting to their boss.
Mr. Verma: "Good morning, everyone! I have some exciting news. To celebrate our latest successful quarter, we're hosting a party tonight at the Blue Orchid Hotel. I expect all of you to be there, and please bring your spouses along. Let's make it a night to remember!"
The room erupted in murmurs of excitement and anticipation. Parties thrown by Kapoor Industries were always extravagant and highly anticipated. Dev, however, felt a pang of discomfort. He knew what was coming next.As the announcement concluded, Angad, Dev's best friend and confidant, approached him with a knowing look.
Angad: "Hey, Dev. You heard the boss. You should bring Navya to the party tonight."
Dev's expression hardened, and he shook his head.
Dev: "I’ll be coming, Angad, but I can never bring Navya. I can never consider her as my wife... In my mind, Hina is my wife till death."
Angad sighed, his face reflecting a mix of frustration and sympathy.
Angad: "Dev, this isn't fair to Navya. She's been nothing but supportive and loving towards you, despite everything. You're doing an injustice to her. Please, stop it before it's too late. One day, you’ll regret this, and by then, it might be very late."
Dev looked away, his jaw tightening. He knew Angad was right, but the mere thought of moving on from Hina was unbearable. He remained silent, his mind churning with conflicting emotions.
Dev: "You don't understand, Angad. Hina was...is everything to me. I can’t just pretend like Navya is my wife when my heart is still with Hina."
Angad placed a hand on Dev's shoulder, his voice softening.
Angad: "I get it, Dev. I do. But think about Navya. She’s living in this limbo, hoping you'll one day see her as more than just an obligation. She deserves better. And so do you. Holding on to the past like this... it’s not healthy. For either of you."
Dev's eyes flickered with a mixture of guilt and stubbornness. He knew Angad’s words were true, but he wasn’t ready to face them.
Dev: stop it, Angad. tonight... I’m going alone and that is final."
Angad nodded, though it was clear he was not satisfied with Dev’s response.
Angad: "Alright, Dev. Just remember what I said. Don’t wait until it’s too late."
The Blue Orchid Hotel was now almost deserted, the echoes of laughter and music lingering faintly in the air. Dev sat at the bar, a nearly empty bottle of whiskey in front of him. His eyes were glassy, his movements sluggish as he poured another drink. The bartender watched him warily but didn't intervene, knowing better than to get involved in a customer's personal issues.
Dev: (murmuring) "Hina... Hina... why did you leave me?"
Angad, who had been keeping an eye on Dev throughout the night, approached him, his expression a mix of concern and frustration.
Angad: "Dev, it's time to go home. You've had enough."
Dev looked at Angad, his vision blurred, and tried to focus.
Dev: "Home? What's the point, Angad? She's not there. Hina's not there..."
Angad sighed, gently taking the glass from Dev's hand and setting it aside.
Angad: "Come on, Dev. Let's get you home."
With some effort, Angad managed to get Dev on his feet and guided him out of the hotel. The drive back to the dixit household was quiet, Dev's drunken murmurs filling the silence.
Dev: (mumbling) "I love you, Hina... always..."
At home, Navya paced the living room, anxiety gnawing at her as she glanced at the clock. It was well past midnight, and there was no sign of Dev. She had tried calling him multiple times, but there was no response. Just as she was about to call again, there was a knock on the door. Her heart leapt in her chest as she hurried to open it.There stood Angad, supporting a heavily intoxicated Dev. Navya's eyes widened in shock and concern
.Navya: "Angad, what happened?"
Angad: "He drank too much at the party. Let's get him to bed."
Navya nodded, stepping aside to let them in. Together, they managed to get Dev to the bedroom and laid him on the bed. Angad straightened up, ready to leave, when he heard Dev's slurred murmurs
.Dev: (whispering) "I love you, Hina... I miss you..."
Angad glanced at Navya, his heart aching for her. Navya tried to smile, but the effort was in vain as tears welled up in her eyes and began to fall.
Navya: "Thank you, Angad. I'll take it from here."
Angad placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.
Angad: "Navya, you don't deserve this. He needs to realize what he has before it's too late."
Navya nodded, her tears flowing freely now.
Navya: "I know, Angad. But I can't force him to see it. All I can do is hope and wait."
Angad sighed deeply, feeling helpless.
Angad: "If you ever need anything, don't hesitate to call me."
Navya gave him a grateful look.
Navya: "Thank you. I appreciate it."
With a final nod, Angad left the room, leaving Navya alone with her thoughts and a sleeping, murmuring Dev. She sat beside him, gently brushing a strand of hair from his forehead. The pain of his words cut deep, but she couldn't bring herself to leave his side.
Navya: (whispering) "I love you, Dev. I wish you could see that."
As Navya sat beside the sleeping Dev, her thoughts drifted back to a night five years ago, a night that had etched itself deeply into her memory.
It had been late when Dev stumbled through the door, his steps unsteady and his eyes glazed over with the effects of too much alcohol. Navya had been waiting for him, worried and anxious, but as soon as she saw him, relief turned to fear. He was drunk, more drunk than she had ever seen him.
"Dev, let me help you to bed," she had said gently, reaching out to steady him.
But he had pulled her into a rough embrace, his breath hot and reeking of whiskey. "Hina," he mumbled, his words slurred.
"Hina, I've missed you."
"Dev, it's me, Navya," she had tried to correct him, but he was too far gone to listen.
In his intoxicated he had mistaken her for Hina, an old flame from his past had kissed her with a fervor that took her breath away, his hands roaming over her body with a desperate urgency. Despite her confusion and fear, she had found herself caught up in the intensity of the moment, unable to pull away.
"Dev, stop. You're drunk," she had whispered, but her words were lost in the haze of his desire.
The night had ended with them tangled together in a mess of sheets and emotions. When she woke the next morning, she found Dev staring at her, his eyes wide with shock and disbelief.
"Navya?" he had said, his voice hoarse. "What happened? Did we...?"
She had nodded, how heart heavy with dread. "Yes, Dev we did."
His reaction was swift and brutal. He had jumped out of bed, his face contorted with anger and betrayal.
"You used me,"
he spat, his voice laced with venom. "You knew I was drunk, and you took advantage of me. You're nothing but a slut."
"Dev, no," she had pleaded, tears streaming down her face.
"I didn't mean for any of this to happen. You thought I was Hina. You wouldn't listen to me."
He had turned away from her, his anger radiating from him in waves.
"Don't lie to me, Navya. You knew exactly what you were doing."
The words had cut her to the core, leaving her speechless al watched him wal broken. She had his accusations ringing in her ears, and she had known that nothing would ever be the same between them.
As Navya sat by his side now, her heart ached with the memory of that night. She wiped away a tear, her resolve hardening. She had endured so much, had loved Dev despite his flaws and his refusal to see her for who she truly was.
Navya: (whispering) "I forgive you, Dev. Even if you can't forgive me."
As she looked at him, lying there vulnerable and broken, Navya knew that her love for him would never waver. She would continue to hope, to wait for the day when Dev might finally see her, not as a substitute for Hina, but as the woman who loved him with all her heart. And until that day came, she would be there for him, no matter how much it hurt.
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