They say every dark night has a delightful bright dawn of new hope and aspirations. Every day seemed like ages to pass but she never gave up. She didn't thought of her love as weakness on the contrary, she saw her love as her biggest strength. Every day she opened her eyes only to meet Arjun or come across him accidently but that never happened. Still she kept her promise of never trying to pressurize or pester him. She could have known his whereabouts from Avantika as she knew, they talked every single day but No, she didn't! What is the point of holding onto him and begging him for him to accept her, when he does not want the same. Love comes from heart, from soul, It cannot be forced! But one thing drastically changed, Radhika wasn't chirpy, talkative and lively anymore on the otherhand, she had become dead quiet, she only responded in yes and no when asked questions. The celestial light that shone in her almond shaped ethereal eyes faded away.

The mirror which she couldn't stop looking at, now she hardly spared a glance at it. Her heavenly beauty was a faithful companion because it pertained even though she didn't care much about it. In two months her hair grew upto her hips as she even forgot to trim them. With Arjun it was always impossible to overlook them for he always played with them curling them around his long and slender fingers. He would say,'Radhika, the shade of your beautiful hair is heaven on earth for me. Never ever deprive me of that shade!"

Avantika knew something was fishy because whenever the talks directed in Arjun's direction, Radhika would run away as fast as her legs could take her. She tried to squeeze truth out of both of them but no one spill the beans. Arjun called her everyday and without fail asked about Radhika. He might not be around her but he knew every minor part of major details, nothing was missed by his eyes.

On weekends Radhika would spend hours and hours staring at his wall size portraits all over the mansion. She would hope holding her breath that he would answer the questions, she asked. But all her hopes were short-lived and treacherous as they deserted her, the very next moment. She wondered if he smiled at her agony, the way he did in those pictures. Veer tried a lot to make her smile with her heart not those fake ones, she passed at him. But all in vain, she was so soulful but now she functioned like a machine. They say getting adapt to your surroundings is  both secret and strategy of survival but Radhika was pushing herself to accept the situation the way it is making no attempts to lessen or get rid of her pain. She didn't even realize that she had stopped living for herself. She didn't ask anything for herself but she prayed for Arjun daily. She asked God to give him piece of mind and always grant all his wishes. He had gone into a shell hard to break. It looked like he disappeared in thin air using some magical powers.

It was the first day of festival of lights i.e Diwali. On the auspicious day, the whole mehra mansion shone bright and vibrant. Every year, the Mehras threw a lavishes party to celebrate Diwali with their close friends and families. Avantika was over the moon because this time it wasn't just about Diwali. What could give her more joy than her son's marriage. She briefed Radhika about all the traditions and rituals of their lineage. She requested no pleaded with Arjun to celebrate diwali with his family but he neither agreed nor denied, So she had her hopes high about his arrival. She hoped they resolved their differences today and start afresh if not then she was going to pull his ear and make him say sorry to her beloved daughter in law.

She strolled through the house to inspect the preparations which were in full swing. Only thing remained was that the one, she wanted to show off to the world wasn't ready yet. She wanted everyone to envy her for finding such a priceless gem like Radhika. She was simply proud of her daughter in law, for she knew, Radhika had a pure character. She didn't wish ill of anyone and, was an altruistic woman with a heart of gold. She climbed the stairs to reach Arjun's room upstairs. She was about to knock but dropped that thought as she knew Radhika would not mind or consider it intrusion of her privacy. She entered inside and closed the door behind her. Her heart grieved seeing Radhika's pitiful condition. She was lying flat on her back and her hands clasped around a photo frame that she had hugged close to her heart. It didn't take Einstein's brain to guess it was her son's photoframe. As she got aware of someone's presence around her, she swiftly sat upright and placed the photo frame back in its original place. She smiled dimly and shifted to make place for her mother in law to sit beside her. Without exchanging any words, Avantika embraced her with open arms. She comforted her and let her cry without halting her in mid. After some time Radhika wiped her own tears and said in a deceptively low tone,"I am fine, Maa."

Avantika shook her head and said in an enraged tone,"Do I look like a fool to you?! Anyone can see, you are anything but fine. Let that Arjun come home, I'll beat him black blue with a broom."

Radhika eyes and mouth opened wide as she froze in her place.  After a string of seconds, she burst out laughing,"That isn't his fault."

Avantika said in a gentler tone,"It is his fault. I know my son more than anyone in this world. He keeps things to himself and never let's anyone get a glimpse of his pain. He thinks real men shouldn't cry and spill their guts out." She took her hands in hers and pleaded,"He is not bad just don't give up on him. If he finds it in himself to love you, trust me no man can love and worship you the way he will. I know its you who will have to do everything to strengthen and nourish your relationship because he does not want to open up. I know you guys have a long way to go but please don't leave him. He has some deep, dark secrets buried in his heart which haunt him, torture him, kill him reminding him that they aren't going to go away till his last breath."

Avantike didn't even realise when she starts, tearing up. All she wanted was assurance from Radhika that she won't leave Arjun's hand.

Radhika gave a gentle squeeze to her hand and said,"Maa, Arjun is good actually no he is amazing. It is so hard to give a fake smile to the world but he pulls it off like a pro. I love him for who he is, not what he pretends to be. If not his wife I'll be his best friend to who he won't hesitate to talk, share things, let his guards off in front of her. I promise he will never have to face anything alone. I love him too much to let him go."

Avantika smiled and kissed her forehead affectionately,"That's all I wanted to hear. Arjun is a lucky man to have you. You are such a beautiful person both inside out."

After many days blush painted her chubby, soft cheeks. She was rosy in a minute at the very mention of his name. God, she loved him ardently, passionately, loyally and madly.

Avantika tilted her chin up with her finger placed under her chin,"Honey I'll make you ready for today's party. You have to look your best and don't let anyone make you feel inferior. This is one of the main thing you should learn from my boy. He gives a damn about the world."

Radhika stared at her with hopeful eyes,"Maa, Will he come to the party?!"

Avantika felt a pinch of hurt to break her hopes but she didn't wanted to lie and give her false hope.

"Honey he said he'll think. He gave me excuse of work but I know he was lying. Let's hope for the best."

Her face fell and color drained from her cheeks. She buried her face in her small hands and sobbed woefully,"Maa, this is all because of me."

Avantika wrapped her arms around her and rubbed her back up and down. She carressed her temples and slide her hair backwards as they fell all over her face. She said in a loving tone,"No, my dear. You are not to be blamed in fact you are the best thing that ever happened to him. Mark my words he'll say this to you soon."

Radhika dimly whispered,"I just want to see him that's all I need. I don't expect him to say anything."

Avantika gave a nod to her letting her know that she understands her inner turmoil.

Avantika says in an exclamating tone,"Oh my goodness! Honey, its almost ten past six. You should get ready now. The guest will start pouring in by seven."

Radhika stares at her, disoriented and least interested,"Maa, Do I really have to be there?!"

Avantika says in a fake stern tone,"Oh yes!! You lazy girl! Come let's get you ready."

After a bit more protesting and buttering up, finally Radhika was pushed inside the wash room to don a beautiful dress, that Avantika had selected for her.

Radhika looked at her beautiful reflection in the huge mirror. Indeed she was carved with perfection by God and there was no shadow of doubt about that. Her hip length hair were darker than the darkest night sky. Her brown dove eyes had smoky make up to make them look more heart stirring that they already were.
Avantika had purposely chosen a red free flowing gown that covered her slender legs so that she does not become meat for the eyes of lusty sleazeballs.

Avantika stared her up and down, from head to toe and complemented,"You are sure to break many hearts today as they know, they can only dream about having you but can never make a pass at you, in real. You are taken!"

Radhika smiled a shy smile but in reality she wanted to curl up in a ball and cry instead of being a part of a party, which wasn't her priority at all.
She just wanted to hid herself from the scrutiny of the world.

Avantika wrapped her arm around her and they both descended downstairs. She whispered in a hushed tone,"Sweetheart, If someone asks you about Arjun then say he is out of station, ok?!"

Radhika gave an affirmative nod.

Radhika felt her heart will jump out of her chest as fear coursed through her body. She was never surrounded by so many people at a time. How she wished she had stayed back in the room! People stuck to her like the bees stick to beehive. She tried her best to keep away from the over excited people but alas failed miserably. She was the envy of every young lady in the party. What they wouldn't give to be at her place!

"She is very beautiful." A lady who looked like she was in her 20s, said smiling kindly."

"Of course she is, little sister. That is why she is Mrs Arjun Mehra." A haughty woman standing beside her grumbled.

"No, di I think he loves her personality. She does not look like a bitch." the younger one corrected.

"Oh stupid Lara, what kind of world are you living in?! Love and Arjun are like east and west. I dated him when he spotted me in the final round of a beauty pageant. God!! He is so good in bed. We only fucked once but its still fresh in my memory. None of the men I dated could match upto the level he has set." The sly one said dreamily.

"Shshhhh....Di he is married now. You shouldn't be talking such indiscreet  things about him now."Lara reprimanded.

"F**k you! I am not afraid of his wife. She might be beautiful but it  doesn't look like she can satisfy his d**k. She is like you, boring and outdated. I am telling you it will only take him two years to lose interest in her. He is a lot like me. People like us can't stick to one for a long time. We eventually get bored."

Radhika couldn't hear more of her bitchy attitude. She felt someone pour burning hot oil in her ears. Which wife on earth will like to hear about her husband's skills in bed from his exes?! She quietly walked away with her head hung low and fist clenched in anger on sides.