Neil's absence showed its effect immediately, his team was is utter chaos facing Piyali ire . Sam paced her cabin wondering about Neil's sudden decision . They shared everything since childhood . All dreams, aspirations and discussed about their decisions too , then what made Neil take a sudden step. Sam decided to confront him and dialled his no. Her call went unanswered , so she tried again. Even after trying multiple times, he didn't answer her calls. Sam decided to try once more but this time the number was switched off.

Neil went through the files , realizing how hard his mother worked to handle things after his father's demise. He recalled how a very homely Prerna changed into a strict business woman. Neil leaned against the headrest closing his eyes, he never acknowledged how alone his mother was. HE should have been there with her, standing by her side , helping her with all the issues. But he was so drowned in Sam that he forgot his mom needed him too. Neil went through the marketing and advertising plans of his company. He started working on the new plans and just then his phone started ringing , it was from Sam. He stared at the screen recalling the times she neglected him for Arjun. The times she didn't stood for him when Arjun insulted him. The call stopped and started again. Neil smirked and turned the phone on mute, throwing in the corner. The phone kept on ringing till the battery died. Neil left his cabin to walk into Prerna's to share his new idea.

Arjun rotated his chair smiling at his victory, he had made sure to irk the client . He had been at his snobbish best, making the man feel minuscule and poor Sam, she took all he said to be the right thing to do; ''This is just the beginning Samira, there is lot more to come'' He grinned wide, stretching his arms over his head. He knew his move had caused a big loss to already weaken BS. He felt like celebrating, Arjun pulled out a framed picture of his late parents. He turned his chair around caressing the picture; ''I will avenge you Mom and Dad. She will pay for all my and di's tears. for your pain'' His eyes watered. ''I am in pain Ma, don't know how to ease it. There is no one with whom I can share my heart with'' A drop fell on the glass frame. Arjun kept staring at the picture recalling all his moments with his adoptive parents. A reflection on the frame brought him back to present, he stared at Radhika's reflection. She was blinking little confused, whether to speak or not to speak. Arjun smiled, he thought 'I got my answer mom, she is the one. Now all I have to do is convince her. ' Arjun wiped his tears and turned the chair around to face her. Her eyes widen as his eyes fell on her; ''You should knock you know''

''I did Sir, 3 times . But you didn't reply , I thought you might have slept on your chair. So decided to check on you'' She whispered the last part in a low voice. Pressing her lips she lowered her eyes trying to hide the mischievous grin from Arjun. But he didn't miss that, he wanted to walk to her and hold her in his arms and caress her face. His mood instantly improved; ''Sorry , I didn't hear you knock Ms Radhika. Tell me how may I help you''

''Sir , you asked for me. Its you who has to tell me the reason for calling me here '' She replied innocently . Arjun smiled watching her; ''We have a new client and I want you to prepare presentation ''

Radhika thought; ''Fine Sir, I will start on it immediately with my team'' Arjun's eyes snapped up; ''I said you will work on it and not the so called team''

''But Sir, we are a part of same team and we work together'' Arjun got up pushing his chair back. Moving his hands into his pocket he took steps to Radhika. She gulped nervously but didn't leave her place. Arjun leaned on the table near her; ''Think about you first and others later''

''They are my team and my friends. I don't count them in others'' She replied politely. Her voice came firm, he knew she wouldn't change her decision for anyone. He smiled; ''I am giving you a chance to outshine others and you are leaving the opportunity for some stupid principle of yours ''

''What's the fun in running the race alone? A success without competition is as good as participating alone. Sorry to disappoint you Sir, but I believe in playing fair'' Radhika's reply turned Arjun speechless

''Playing Fair!!! It's the win that matters, neither the rules or the conduct. Think again'' He tried reasoning with her. ''Sir, I don't care to whom it matters and to whom it doesn't, but it matters to me. I don't like shying away from my own reflection'' He was left stunned.

Arjun wanted to lure Radhika on to his side, he wanted to be a part of her success. His plan was to oblige her with favours and bring her under his wing, but the more he tried the worst it got. She wasn't falling for any of his tricks. Yet, he loved her courage , her determination to stand by her beliefs. He smiled; ''Fine then. Let me send the mail to the TEAM of yours and Radhika, if this fails its you who will be responsible'' . Arjun walked back to his chair and got busy in drafting the mail, Radhika stared at him confused, she couldn't understand if it was a warning or a threat . But she knew, she had to make it a success for her dreams and for BS future.

''I won't fail you Sir. You can trust me'' His eyes met hers, she was challenging him and he accepted that. She turned and left his cabin swiftly. Arjun kept staring the door she walked past, he smiled; 'today I will try to get you on my side for one last time, if you agree good and if you don't. You will leave Mumbai and stay in Hrishikesh till I come for you'

Sam turned mad when Neil refused to answer her calls completely, she couldn't concentrate on anything but Neil. She felt lonely in his absence, Sam paced around and then punched in message; 'Call me '

Even after hours there was no response , her patience gave up. Sam decided to call the board no of Melhotra group, the receptionist connected her to Neil; ''Why are you not answering Neil''

''I am busy'' his reply came curt. ''Busy doing what??'' Sam was aggressive . He stayed quite for a moment; ''Work . for my own organisation''

''How could you just walk over BS that way, you never informed us on your plans . This is unprofessional'' She was angry. Neil leaned on his chair; ''Unprofessional !! Really?? Let me remind you few things, first BS never hired me on permanent level , second I am not your salaried but commissioned employee means, I can chose my working hours and I did the same, I chose to work for 3 days on alternate basis . I joined BS for you and for Samrat Uncle and last it was unprofessional on your part to deal with my client in my absence. ''

''Oh! So this just about the client. You are angry because I chose Arjun over you right. That's so childish Neil'' Her voice went high. Neil stayed calm; ''Is it?? Then why are you calling me when you already made a choice. You took a decision about 6 months of my hard work in 6 mins , then why can't I take a decision regarding my career in a day. Anyways, my Mom is more important than BS.'' Neil disconnected throwing the phone in the corner, his eyes met with his mother's who was smiling at him emotionally. He walked to her and pulled her in a warm embrace; ''I won't repeat any of my mistakes mom ''

''You love her don't you. It would be painful to see her in trouble '' Prerna asked. Neil smiled , he wrapped an arm around her shoulder and walked her to the couch. ''Yes it is, whatever she does I will always love her. But that doesn't mean I don't love you. Mom your happiness matters. Plus, I am done hurting myself. She has made her choice and I don't want to be a bone''

''You won't fight for your love?'' She didn't miss the pain lines on his face. Neil held her hands; ''Love!! Which she never noticed or acknowledged, I am just a shoulder in need. I will never be something more than that and now it hurts , it hurts bad Mom. I want to be free of this pain. I want to be happy ''

Prerna hugged Neil tight, she had always known that Neil's unconditional love will drive him towards pain but she couldn't do a thing. She knew he was still hurting , but his decision to be happy gave her some relief . His mobile pinged and Neil tapped the screen to check the message, it was from Radhika she had send him a sticker of a boxer , stating 'Arrogant boss got punched by sweet Radhika'

Neil laughed and replied 'who said you are sweet' there was a grumpy smiley in response and Neil responded with a chocolate bar sticker and message; 'I will pick you in morning, don't leave without me. Its BS day tomorrow'. Neil got a dancing sticker in response. He smiled; ''Mad girl''

''This mad girl knows how to bring smile to you face'' Prerna interrupted, Neil nodded; ''yes and that's because she is very clear about what she wants and what she doesn't. She doesn't believe in riding the 2 boats even if it promises her world's wealth. She is what she is without any doubt . I like her company mom. '' Prerna smiled; ''I know, so anything special for tomorrow''

''I am planning to take chashni on Mumbai darshan, she has been giving me an ear bleed about that'' They shared a good conversation over the evening before leaving for home together.

Arjun saw a miffed broken Sam walking to the terrace, he was aware about the little tussle between Piyali and Sam. Arjun smirked and followed to lend his shoulder to broken Sam. Sam ran to the farthest corner of the terrace and broke down sobbing vigorously, her mother didn't care for her and the one person she trusted blindly suddenly left her alone. Sam screamed her brother's name; ''Why did you leave me alone? Whom should I look for? I have no one, no one cares how I feel. I feel like a trash bhai, please come back'' She wailed her lungs out. Arjun watched her drowned in tears, yet he felt no remorse. 'This how I felt when I lost my parents. I can never have them back and won't let you leave in peace with yours'

Changing his expressions he moved to Sam and placed his hand on her shoulder. She turned and hugged him tight as if he was her only support. Arjun rubbed her back; ''I can't see you in pain, leave everything and come with me. I will protect you from everything and everyone''

Sam kept sobbing hiding her face in his chest; ''I will prove myself to my mom for once and then I will leave everything behind.'' Arjun smirked thinking; 'Oh I will gladly help you with that' Radhika stood there on the door of the staircase wondering why Arjun was asking Sam to leave everything behind, it was him who screwed the client due to which Neil distanced himself from Sam, he even tried breaking her friendship with Sam and then he acted good to her. Giving them one glance she walked back, it was time to leave so she messaged Sam, who asked her to carry on as she had planned a dinner with Samrat.

Radhika saw Arjun walking back to his cabin with a winning smile, her doubts were getting stronger. She picked her bag and walked to the elevator, just when the doors were about to get closed Arjun slid in smoothly ; ''Hi radhika'' She just smiled in response. Arjun pulled his mobile punching a message 'now' and the lift turned dark coming to abrupt halt. Radhika gripped her bag, it was already late and now she was stuck with Arjun , whom she despised like a disease .

''So what have you thought about giving our friendship a chance'' Arjun popped the question ending the silence between them. ''There is nothing to think Sir, you are my boss and out of my league''

''What is your league'' He shot. ''Someone not like you'' She replied cleverly . Arjun smiled and walked closer, he held her chin softly between his fingers; 'give me a chance , as Arjun and not Ashish . Please !' Arjun pleaded . Radhika blinked, his touch felt different kind of intimate. His eyes seemed to be drinking her, she moved aside; ''Why are you so persistent about being my friend''

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

''May be you were never honest with your intentions'' She was blunt . ''No one wishes to be bad radhika, sometimes you are not left with a choice'' Radhika smiled looking straight into his eyes; ''This is why we cannot be friends, you believe in making the easy choice and I prefer making the right one even if it gives pain'' Their conversation was broken by the elevator coming to life, as the doors slid open Radhika stopped; ''I will give you a chance , but not in BS outside BS. Here we remain as we are'' Arjun smiled and watched her walking away, he missed the spark in her smile, she was planning to learn his real motives.

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After 2 weeks , finally. Do drop in your vote and comments.

Next- Arjun spoils Neil-Radhika's outing plan , taking Radhika with him