Radhika's House

Neil had come to drop Sam home, he waved at Radhika who stood in the portico  ; ''Sammy we have a meeting tomorrow at 8:00 Am. If we are able to convince this person, we can grab a big account. Talk to him and call me back'' Sam nodded with her attention on her phone, she smiled when it started ringing; ''Bye, I will call you'' Neil had seen Arjun's name flashing on the screen, he felt bad that he was so absent of her even being present every time.

Sam took the stairs and then banged her head; ''Chashni give this file to Neil. Please'' With that Sam ran off talking over the phone, Radhika took quick steps to Neil. He was continuously kicking hard to start his bike; ''Neil relax''

Neil stretched his lips into a smile hiding his pain; ''I am fine Chashni , you worry a lot'' He playfully pulled her nose. Radhika asked him to shift and leaned on the bike next to him; ''We all have some people in our life who love us more than we love them. There must be someone for you too, who loves you more than his or her existence '' Neil's mind went to his mother, he smiled and nodded lowering his head, an unknown guilt punched his gut . Radhika lifted his chin up; ''Don't you think , we all should do a little for that one person who makes us their  priority without thinking about their feelings'' Radhika's words went straight to Neil's heart, he smiled wide; ''you talk like a grandma''

''Bless you child'' Radhika spoke in a gruff voice making Neil laugh; ''So do you promise not to kick your bike , it loves you a lot'' Neil gaped at Radhika; ''you were talking about bike?''

Radhika nodded; ''What were you thinking'' Neil just rolled his eyes, he gave her a bear hug; ''You are a magician. I promise never to hurt my bike again.'' Radhika gave him a thumbs up . 

Sam didn't find Radhika around after finishing her call, she walked out on the portico and saw Neil giving Radhika a hug. He was laughing with all his heart, Sam actually had never seen Neil laughing this way with any one not even with her. She felt a little jealous , but then brushed her thoughts aside. 

Sam asked Arjun to accompany her to a meeting , they had to meet  the head honcho of a prestigious company. The man was leaving for Delhi around 11:00 Am and had asked Sam  to meet directly at the hotel early morning. 

Arjun wanted Sam to trust him completely. His plan was to break Sam from all her precious relationships ,he wanted her secluded alone at his mercy . He wanted her alone, lonely begging for attention and love. But for that he needed her to leave all behind and come with him anywhere  blindly. Arjun smirked , he parked his vehicle and made his way to Sam's door

Sam answered in a single knock ; ''give me 2 min'' Sam quickly barged in the room to get ready. Sam was smiling, blushing. She was living a dream every girl desired , Arjun was like a dream man and his attention made her feel beautiful. Sam picked up her dress and ran to the changing room. Just when she walked out her phone started ringing, Sam smiled it was Neil. She moved out as she couldn't hear him due to ; ''Arjun I will come in min; there is a connectivity issue. Please stay here as Chashni is still sleeping'' Arjun nodded smiling

The thought of being alone with Radhika under one roof shot a wave of excitement through his nerves. Arjun watched Sam running up to the terrace, he locked the door without making any sound. Taking slow excited steps he pushed the door of her room slightly, there she was curled under a comforter, sleeping on her left. Arjun stepped into the room with beating heart, his eyes never leaving her sleeping form. He took a deep breath inhaling her scent running in the air of the room, moving to her he took a good look at her from head to toe. One of her lean beautiful foot peeped under the comforter, the silver anklet dazzled more with aura of her beautiful skin. Arjun leaned and pecked the anklet , Radhika made no movement. Moving closer to her head he leaned near her, softly he removed the dark curtain of hair that covered her soft face. There was so much calmness on her face, he felt his chest tighten with the feeling of possessiveness. Her He had been the fan of her innocence and liveliness right from the day he met her , but the way she stood up and faced him with courage , made him feel proud of her. Arjun wanted to give her all she desired, he wanted the one to full fill her dreams, he thought; 'even when  you keep going against all my wishes  and act rude to me , still I love you. One day Radhika , these lips of yours will just have one name Arjun and there will be only one place you will stay. My arms' Arjun eyes turned to her vibrating mobile, he grabbed it and growled in heart looking at Saral's name on the screen. 'I have to remove you from my way and soon' He switched it off and threw it in far corner. His eyes turned to Radhika again ,he smiled tenderly watching her face. She stirred and he stepped back. Radhika scratched her nose and went back to sleep again.

 He knew , a minute more and he would kiss her senseless blowing of his cover. In a swift movement Arjun leaned and brushed his lips on her cheeks. Getting on to his feet he walked out next instant, Sam was still on the terrace. Arjun decided to step out on the portico and wait. Staying with Radhika under one roof meant playing with fire, an uncontrollable fire which could burn everything, his motives, plans and his remaining respect in eyes of Radhika

When Sam came back she was little surprised to see Arjun in a grim expression, she thought he was irked by Neil's call ; ''Arjun sorry, that took more than 2 min''

''Yes it did. Now if you don't mind shall we leave? Or let go the client'' He sounded annoyed , Sam quickly picked her bag and followed him to his car. 

Neil's Mansion

Neil was upset , he had been accompanying Sam to  clients to all meetings for 3 years and today she opted for Arjun and didn't even care to inform him. It was Zubin who had a slip of tongue and let the word out that Sam and Arjun were about to meet a prestigious client. Neil was upset that she kept it from him. If not for his feelings, she ignored their childhood friendship too. Neil felt cheated betrayed. His heart was seething with anger. Neil decided, never ever he would expect anything from Sam hereafter. He had made up his mind about leaving her alone now; ''No more Sam, I won't allow you to play with emotions. You have taken me granted for so long . Leave about my love you damn cared about my friendship . There never had been a day, when I wasn't there for you , yet you never realized my worth. Hence forth I will value people who value me.

With a new determination Neil threw his back on the bed , switching on the television he tuned into his favourite music channel .Relaxing his mind he tuned television on full volume blocking all thoughts of Sam. Prerna woke up disoriented as her ear drums rattled with loud music. With an irritated expression she walked towards the source.

When she peeped into her only son's room, he was enjoying television dancing like a kid on some ear bursting music. Prerna laughed, Neil turned and grabbed her arm. Pulling his mother close he did quick steps with Prerna in his arms. Both f them kept laughing and giggling at their own steps. After a while Prerna raised her palms in tiredness ; ''No more , I am old Neil''

''Old? You. No way Mom , you can give competition to a 16 yr old '' Prerna shook her head giving up . Neil sat next to her and gave her an arm hug; ''I love you Mom'' Neil emotionally said pecking Prerna's temple . She smiled leaning on his shoulder; ''I missed you Neil, too much and for too long''

Neil pulled his mother into a warm hug; ''you will never miss me again Mom. I promise'' Prerna wiped her tears; ''When are  you bringing Radhika home again''

''Mom, she made me sing , next she will make me dance. Let me write something new or else she will punish me like a elementary school teacher'' Prerna got up; ''Get ready , you have office''

''What if I come with you today, help you with our  business.'' Prerna watched him quietly . Neil smiled, coming on to his feet he cupped Prerna's face; ''Yes Mom! from now 3 days in a week  I will be working with you''

Prerna blinked; ''What about BS? Will they allow'' Neil smirked, his eyes had turned glassy; ''I never needed them, they need me. Now things will go as I want them. They don't run my home Mom, you do'' 

''Neil, don't give me hopes which you aren't going to keep. One call from Sam and you will forget all '' Prerna came clean wit her doubt. Neil realised how neglected his mother felt. Taking her hand in his he kissed her knuckles; ''I won't mom, this time I won't'' Prerna hugged Neil, he smiled recalling about Radhika's words. Since she had visited, her song had been echoing in his ears. He was exactly going to do what she taught him. He will live and love who loved him . 

Radhika's house

Radhika  stretched on her left and then on her right , falling of the bed in the process. She checked time it already 8:30 and she had to be in office in one hour.  She pulled out a dress , dropping her clothes on the floor. Groaning Radhika picked all and stuffed it back in the cupboard . She Shut it using all her strength to save the clothes from falling again. She got dressed in red Kurti and indigo legging . She pulled her hair up in a ponytail. Locking the door Radhika ran towards the bus stop to catch the first one to her office.  Once in bus she messaged Sam; 'On my way to office . How was the meeting?'

Sam replied quickly; 'Good , they are ready to sign us up' Radhika replied with a smiley . Just then her cell pinged with a new message; ''Chashni, from now I will working at BS on alternate days, going to help MOM!'

Radhika smiled; 'Good Decision' Radhika took a deep breath, she recalled the day Neil had taken her for dinner to his house. She could sense the friction between mother and son, she knew Neil was hurting . She had seen the pain in his eyes when Sam didn't stand for him when Arjun insulted him, that made Radhika react. 

Arjun-Sam, she thought. He was taking too much interest in Sam , they way he changed colours around Sam . Radhika recalled how he always tried to be friendly and caring towards her and bad mouthed her behind her back; 'You are upto something Mr. Mehra, I should watch my back'

Bird Song

Sam didn't know the reason for Arjun being so detached , he had suddenly turned so quite and brooding. Sam dialled Neil, she wanted to share her heart but her call went unanswered. She tried a multiple times but it again went unanswered; ''Neil had decided to work for alternate days , what the hell did you tell him?'' Sam stood bewildered hearing  Piyali's acquisition 

''What did I do" Piyali shrugged her hand in air dismissing Sam; ''It was Neil's hard work, he got this client . He gave it to you so that you can  gain some respect in my eyes. But you are such an ungrateful girl, you took a decision without informing him or any of us''

''I took Arjun, he would be a better choice'' Sam explained. ''Really? Guess what the client is no more interested in BS because he was expecting Neil. You and your decisions'' Piyali walked off giving Sam an angry glare

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Next ; 'Radhika give me a chance , as Arjun and not Ashish . Please !' Arjun pleaded . Radhika frowned; 'Why are you so persistent about bein my friend' 

Arjun smiled sadly; 'I am jealous of all who have friends and I never had one. Give me a chance'

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