23. || Love's Reckoning ||

                                    

                                          
Dev stood precariously on the edge of the building roof, a gun clutched tightly in his trembling hand. It was the same building where their love story had blossomed, and where the most heart-wrenching betrayal had taken place. The weight of the memories pressed down on him, making the abyss below seem like a release. He was just one step away from ending everything.
Ananya cried out his name, "Dev!" Her voice was filled with desperation. He took another step back, the gun slipping from his grasp and clattering to the ground. "I will love you forever, Ananya," he whispered, and with that, he plunged from the rooftop.
Ananya placed her hands over her ears and screamed, "Devvv!" She collapsed to her knees, eyes shut tight, her heart shattered into a million pieces.
As Dev fell, he closed his eyes and began to reminisce about the moments he had shared with Ananya. His mind was filled with their happiest memories, but he was jolted back to reality by a sudden, tight grip on his hand. He opened his eyes and found Ray there, holding his hand with a wicked smile on his face.
Dev's mind went blank for a moment. Ray, with a smirk, pulled him up. Once on solid ground, Ray dragged him towards Ananya, who was still kneeling, her face wet with tears.
Ray spoke dramatically, "Oh bro, committing suicide after killing the uncool ones? That's not very heroic."
Ananya opened her eyes with a start, recognizing Ray's voice. She looked at him in shock, then noticed Dev. She jumped to her feet and hugged him tightly, tears streaming down her face.
"Dabbu, have you lost your mind? Is your life so cheap that you’d throw it away for someone like me?" Ananya's voice broke with emotion.
Dev remained silent, still in shock at seeing Ray. Ray, however, continued to smirk.
A whisper escaped Dev's lips, "So you saved him. Then what do you want with me?"
Ananya broke the hug, shaking her head in disbelief. Ray smiled and said, "Unfortunately for you, bro, I have my sources. That Ananya wasn't the one; she was probably crying in a corner of her room, devastated because I dumped her."
Dev clenched his fists and jaw, his anger building. Ray smirked and pulled Ananya closer to him.
Ray traced his fingers along her cheek, "It's okay, Ananya. Now I understand. You're a gem, after all. You're the co-owner of half of Dev Joshi's property. So, you love me, right? Let's just fly away together."
Dev's rage exploded, "Ray, leave her now! If you think you can cheat death a second time, you're mistaken. Let her go, or I'll kill you twice over."
Ray smirked and pressed the gun to Ananya's temple, "How will you kill me, boy? Where's your gun?"
Dev glanced back, searching for his gun, but it was nowhere to be found. Ray held it in a handkerchief, smiling triumphantly.
"Tsk, tsk, you wimp..." Ray began, but before he could finish his sentence, he cried out in pain. Ananya had stomped on his foot and elbowed him hard in the stomach. The gun flew from his hand, and Ananya kicked it far away.
"You bloody bitch," Ray growled, raising his hand to slap her. Before he could, the sickening sound of a bone breaking filled the air. Dev had grabbed Ray's arm, his eyes burning with fury.