Arjun entered inside the party with Radhika by his side. She had held his hand tightly in nervousness and shyness. The newness of the high profile life was driving her crazy. She had donned a reby red dress which covered up to her thighs. She felt butterflies flutter in her stomach the moment they came in to sight of others. But soon a scornful feeling replaced it when she caught notice of women eyeraping her man.

"Hi Arjun."

A voice startled both of them. He turned to the oblivous person who called out his name. Even she turned thinking it might be someone he knew beforehand.

"Hi Sharon. How are you?!" He asked friendily.

She hugged him first and to Radhika's horror kissed him on his cheek.

Sharon said in a flirtatious tone,"Good now even better after seeing you. So what's up with you?!"

He grinned evil seeing the blank look on his dear wife's face but decided to not prolong her misery.

He replied,"I am doing good." He wrapped his arm around Radhika. She looked so beautiful today that he couldn't take his eyes off her. Also he had to watch if someone else was drooling over what is his. It was a massive boost to his ego that his wife was so angelically beautiful. He stared directly into her eyes and said in a hoarse thick tone,"Sharon meet Radhika, my wife."

She smiled polietly,"Hello."

But alas her chasteness was not returned as expected. Sharon smiled but anyone could tell it was just a formality. If not for Arjun she would have never smiled at someone like Radhika. Sharon had a face of an angel but she was a sly fox. She was one of the businesswomen who topped the global world of business. She knew Arjun for a long time for they had worked together for many ventures. She was a lot like Arjun. Both of them were outgoing, vivacious and cunning to limited extent. She looked like she was in her early twenties but in reality was of Arjun's age.

She scrutinized Radhika in her pheriperal vision. She wondered how on earth someone like Arjun could be with someone so young and inexperienced.

She had dated Arjun twice when they teamed up for business reasons. Their relationship didn't last long as both of them had similar policies and egos that clashed together resulting into a feud so they decided to shake hands as friends only. She had flings before Arjun and after him too but that didn't stop her from being more than friends with him. Before Aisha showed up in his life, Arjun had jump Sharon's bones. With her there was no room for hopes and heartbreak. She didn't believe in words like forever and eternity. Other than that she was a generous person but had a tactful and calculating mind just like Arjun.

"So you are the woman who robbed him off his bachelor status."

"Shar...."Arjun reprimanded. He knew where this was heading to and he didn't wanted anyone mind it anyone to upset Radhika.

"Oh common Arjun don't be a pussy. Let me get acquainted with her."Sharon said too sweetly.

She turned to Radhika,"So where were we, Radhika?!"She pretended remembering what she was saying before Arjun interrupted," I was telling you about him. You know his norms about marriages were like, A person can't eat the same dish for every single day of his life and similarly a man like me can't be with one woman for my whole life. I wonder how you got in him in a wedlock with yourself. There must be something special about you."

Radhika said politely,"No I am nothing its just our destiny call."

"Sorry sweetheart but I don't buy your words as I don't believe in destiny. I think no one but the person himself is responsible for his past, present and future." Sharon replied, standing her ground. She looked every bit of the strong independent woman that she was.

"But I do. I think it was my destiny to marry Arjun and have what others cannot."Radhika averted her gaze to Arjun and said, smiling ear to ear.

"You know I thought if someday Arjun gets married it would always be for Avantika aunty. She was obsessed with pairing him up with every single young woman in his league. So you are his or her choice?!"Sharon asked.

Arjun answered,"We both are her fan. She is the first girl whose all flaws if there are any, are flawless to my mom. Mom likes no loves her."

Radhika shook her head,"It is just their big heart otherwise there is nothing extraordinary about me." Her tone, humble and firm.

Sharon replied,"I like you in fact you are the first girl who he introduced didn't behave meanly with me. Mind you he broke up with two who were blunt with me. He was like if you don't approve then I don't approve.

"Oh."Radhika uttered in a dim voice. Should she be so important to Arjun that he broke up with those girls because she didn't approve of them?!

"Sharon her case is different. She is my wife not a fling so your opinion about her does not count."Arjun stated in a hard voice. He meant what he said with no shadow of doubt in his mind.

Sharon lifted her hands up in a manner that said I mean no harm. She said,"Arjun rest your chagrin. I just said I like her. She is both pretty and polite."

He nodded and calmed down for he knew when Sharon was being a bitch and when not. Now she was not! Still he didn't approve of her initial arrogance while talking to Radhika. No one has the right to belittle his wife not even he, himself.

He asked casually,"So you and harry hah?! I read about you both the other day."

"Oh please stop with that digging information out of me. You know I don't do love just like you."Sharon smirked.

Arjun thought for a second and then replied,"Harry is good but he won't stay for long. He is using you as a ladder to make his career hope you know that."

Sharon smiled seeing her friend's concern for her,"Of course I do Arjun but even I don't want monogamy."

Arjun smiled of joyful elation. His eyes meet Radhika's and his lips curled up in to a smile,"It isn't that bad in fact it is very good."

"Arjun, you look truly happy for the first time and I am happy for you."

"Thanks Sharon."

"Radhika, he only acts stone hearted but in real has a heart made out of gold. Just stick around with him if he messes up." Sharon smiled warmly at Radhika probably for the first time.

Radhika returned her smile with one of her own and said,"I will."

"So I will see you around. It was nice meeting you Radhika. You are sweet just like your name."

"Bye Arjun. Catch you later."

She took on her heels and bid adieu.

"She seems like a female version of Arjun Mehra."Radhika said staring at her retreating figure.

"She is But people call her a bitch."Arjun said.

"I am not one of those. She seems like good friend of yours."Radhika replied.

He looks down at his feet as if his gaze held a secret which he feared could tear them apart, take away what they have between them.

She reached up to him and held his hands in hers. She said softly staring into his eyes,"Tell me Arjun."

He avoids eye contact with her and says,"Radhika, she isn't just a friend. I and her have a past I regret now. I mean we had a number of flings."

Her face falls in despair and disappointment. Tears filled in her eyes and her lips quivered. Her voice trembled,"Arjun, I...don't...kno...know...what....to...say."

He cupped her face and lifts her head up so their eyes meet,"I am sorry."

She knew he had a scandalous past but still when she met his past fling then it opened her raw wound. She nodded staring at him with sadness in her eyes.

"Radhika, I said I am sorry." He repeated staring into her captivating brown orbs.

"I heard it Arjun."She said in a plain tone.

"Radhika please give me a hint that you are alright."

"Arjun, I am its just...."

"Arjun, hey buddy." An unfamiliar voice cuts her off. God! Can't they have a bit privacy?!

A young lad tapped on Arjun's back and said in a flamboyant tone. Arjun turned to him and greeted,"Hey Sahil."

Arjun did approach him with a smile but it didn't last long when he caught his friend's eyes boring holes in Radhika's body. His looked at Sahil with an infuriated stare.

"Oh my, oh my! Are you some fairy who lost her way on earth?!" He jested.

Radhika didn't got angry instead replied in a strong voice,"I am a human as much as you are."

He smiled at her answer,"You seem to have a smart mouth."

She raised her eyebrow and said,"And you seem to have one track mind."

"Well you should not blame me. You are one of the most beautiful women I have seen till today."

"Thank you."

"What is your good name?!"He asked.

"Radhika."She answered.

"Beautiful name for a beautiful girl."He replied flirtatiously.

"So you are his date?!"He queried.

Arjun eyes, stony and cold and voice firm,"She is my wife so Sahil back the fuck off."

"Oh forbidden but enticing fruit. No wonder you are with him. He has eyes only for beautiful women." Sahil grinned.

Arjun corrected staring at his beautiful wife,"Now I have eyes only for her."

Sahil questioned,"Kaha mila ye koh-i-noor, Arjun?!"

Arjun jested,"Raaste mein meri gadi ke samne agai."

Sahil joked,"I wish I was the one sitting in that car."

Arjun smirked,"Well you can only wish. She is mine. All mine!"

"You have never said that about any girl." Sahil countered.

Arjun smiled at Radhika who blushed crimson to his comment,"She is not just any girl. She is my wife."

He hugged Arjun and said,"Congratulations buddy I wish you a happy married life. You too, Radhika."

"Thanks Sahil. So who are you with now?!"

Sahil answered a bit hesitantly,"Arjun, I don't think you will like my answer. I went on few dates with Aisha."

Arjun asked curiously, "You mean Aisha Diwan?!"

Sahil said,"Yes. I wanted to tell you but could not own up. I know you guys were with each other for a long time and I didn't wanted to lose a friend like you so I didn't tell you."

Arjun shook his head,"Sahil, you are a big fool. I have absolutely no problem with Aisha being with you or anyone. I hurt her a lot and I wish her to be happy with whoever who can make her happy which I couldn't. We broke up for good but she is one of the close friends I really care about. Don't hurt her."

Sahil stared at him, wideyed,"Are you for real? You won't send your men to hunt me?!"

Arjun cleared his doubt,"Of course not. If there was no Radhika in my life and you would have told me this I would have beat the shit out of you but maybe not even then, I care for Ishu a lot to ruin her happiness."

"Who is Ishu?!"Radhika jumped inside the conversation. The answer to her question was like some bitter juice forced down her throat.

"Aisha. Its her nickname given by Arjun."Sahil answered.

Arjun asked,"So is she here?! I never tried to contact her in my ego but secretly wished I could."

You wished you could contact her?! You lied to me Arjun. Radhika thought to herself.

Sahil stated"She must be here somewhere."He looked out for Aisha rotating his gaze all around the place,"There she is. Probably discussing new fashion brands with Mrs Mittal. I will get her."

Arjun showed him his hand lifted up in air to stop him,"No you wait I will get her. We have a lot to catch up. Hope you don't have a problem with that Sahil."

Pretend that I don't even exist for you to at least tell me that you are meeting up with your ex.

Sahil advised,"No I don't but you should ask Radhika too."

Radhika said in a small voice,"I trust Arjun."

"See my wife is so sweet."Arjun pulled her cheeks and praised.

I trust you, I trust you....I trust...She kept repeating the three words in her mind to relax herself but all in vain. She wanted to say no please don't go to her but couldn't.

He sprinted towards Aisha who was talking to a fashion tycoon standing in one corner. Radhika tried to see her face but couldn't as there were a lot of people blocking her view. She excused herself from Sahil and headed towards her oblivious destination. Like a nightmare came to life so did her fury when she saw Aisha hugging Arjun very closely. A few ha ha ha's and a kissed pressed on her forehead did the work of fueling the fire that burned inside her heart. How could you, Arjun?! Her heart ached to see both of them together. Tears brim in her eyes as she walked out of the party with her head bowed down. First Sharon and now her husband wanting a closure with his ex girlfriend. Could this night be more worst?! It was not as such that she had not accepted him with his scandalous past but every other person they met would rub it in her face that she wasn't his first.