Arjun couldn't stop smiling thinking about Radhika accepting his friendship. He entered his house humming and evergreen romantic melody , leaving the staff in shock. They had never seen their arrogant master smiling let alone signing. They watched as Arjun ascended the stairs 2 at a time and then jumped back on the previous one . No one had ever seen him this happy in years.

Moving to his room, Arjun freshened up whistling. He smiled a couple of times recalling Radhika's face. Her face was mirror of her heart. Pure true and brave is what described her the best, he should have been offended when she refused his offer to take a head start on a project without her team. Instead , he felt proud of her. He scrolled the planner on his phone, it had been a month for her in Mumbai. He had 11 more months left before she would go back to marry her fiancé. Arjun smirked at his thought, if he would let her marry him.

He had got all details on Radhika and Saral's family. They were middle class people with Saral's family being financially stronger that Radhika's. They were friends and neighbours for years. Even her elder sister was married to her brother. He had thoroughly investigated Saral's past but couldn't find a single flaw with the guy. Now he had to create the flaws, he had started planning for it. But before all he wanted Radhika to trust him blindly.

Radhika walked into her room after having a long conversation with her family, she was smiling ear to ear recalling all the advices Mala had to give. It had been a routine since she landed in Mumbai, Mala would time and again call her to teach her on do's and don'ts. At times she was alos being warned on her food habits. But Radhika didn't care , she went by her instincts as taught my dadaji. If her heart said yes, it was a yes for her

She was about to call out for Sam when she found latter staring at the laptop screen with dead eyes. Radhika took a place next to her and followed the gaze to the screen, there was slide show of pictures of her family. But Radhika couldn't recognize the guy in early 20s; ''Who is he?''

''My late brother Jai'' Sam answered with her eyes on Jai's picture. She caressed it gently before running off to the balcony to hide her sobs. Radhika followed her; ''Please don't ask me anything'' Sam spoke as soon as she sensed Radhika. ''I am not going to, I am just here to share the silence'' she replied calm, extending her unbiased support. Sam turned and looked at Radhika , without a minute she hugged Radhika and broke down; ''I feel so alone...he left me , all of us. Its all because of me'' Radhika rubbed her back maintaining the silence, she wanted Sam to open her heart without any probing or force and she did. Sam narrated Radhika on about the fateful day when she lost control on her car and her brother died on the spot. Sam narrated how the incident bought a void between her and Piyali and since then their relationship has been detoriating . Piyali held her responsible for Jai's death and with that all misfortunes too were thrown on her head.

Radhika gave her full attention as Sam poured her heart out, they went to bed late in the night but Radhika couldn't sleep, she stared at the ceiling above her thinking of some way to help Sam. Twisting on her left she shut her eyes for once to channel her thoughts, her eyes snapped open as an idea struck her. She smiled and left her bed moving to the hall, switching on her laptop she started executing her plan.

It was the Bird Song day for Neil, quickly getting ready he briefed Prerna about the the meeting. She smiled; ''I will handle , now go'' Neil picked his bike keys and drove off to Sam's place. He had promised Radhika about picking her up , he smiled thinking the way she had been eating his head regarding taking her around Mumbai. He had received 3 messages from her since morning , reminding him of his promise. Neil lips stretched into a big smile behind his helmet. She was a welcome change from his broken emotions, her small lessons with punches had help him take one of the best decision of his life. Prerna looked happy, after so many years they had enjoyed dinner like a mother and son. His mansion looked like a house again, he couldn't forget the smile he had seen on the faces of the house staff. They had asked him what he would prefer for dinner. They were expecting him just like his mother was, Neil had decided he would never let his mother down again.

Applying the brakes he dialled Radhika; ''Come down Chashni , your chariot awaits'' Sam who had walked out to take a call saw Neil and smiled; ''So finally you decided to pay your friend a visit''

Neil looked up smiling; ''You are saying as if I have been missing for days. Well to be frank, now you will not have to bear me every day. You should be happy'' Sam felt a tinge of pain. ''I am ready to go, Sammy see you in office'' Radhika gave Sam a quick hug and ran down the stairs, Sam didn't miss the smile that Neil wore looking at Radhika. She hopped on behind him and Neil accelerated his bike away from the house. Sam stood there with her palm raised , waving at Neil, but he didn't even give her a glance. Sam felt losing something precious , something important . She felt as if someone snatched a part of her. Sam tried figuring out the feeling but just then she heard Arjun honking asking her to come down. Sam pushed aside all thoughts, she wanted to be with him, he loved her , made her feel important . Smiling at him she quickly descended the stairs to join him in the car.

Arjun's mood had turned sour, he had seen Radhika leaving with Neil . She was so chirpy, her hands were on Neil's shoulders and she had leaned forward to speak to him. He hated their closeness, a day before he was elated about Neil's decision of maintaining distance from BS and Sam . he wanted that, he had planned that. Everything was falling in place, Sam was distanced from Neil he had planned to distance her from the family and then take her along . but then he was hit by a bolt of lightning so hard that for moment he felt on the wrong path. He just wanted to be with her,around her, to hear her melodious voice which made his world stand sitll. Around her he smiled, he forgot all about his pain, motives , revenge. Her deep brown orbs reflected her pure flawless heart. He wanted her, needed her just the way a dying man breaths. Arjun never had thought that distancing Neil from Sam would bring him fear of losing Radhika. A day before, when she accepted his friendship he had given up his plan of send her back to Hrishikesh . But now looking her with Neil , his fears of losing her triggered again. He had made up his mind to make her leave and he had a perfect plan for that.

Radhika Neil entered the elevator giggling about something, just when they were about to de-board, Radhika pressed all the buttons; ''Why Chashni?'' Radhika smiled; ''I saw that Khadoo's car behind us, wanted to rile him up. Let him wait or take the stairs.'' Neil couldn't help but smile.

Arjun looked at his watch and then the display as the elevator was taking more than usual time. It seemed to stop at every floor and he realised with that speed it might take him 15 more min. ''I am taking stairs'' he informed Sam

''But its 13 floors'' Sam called behind him but by then he was already out of sight. Arjun Sam reached the floor at the same time; ''you should have waited for 5 min, guess someone wanted to play a prank'' Arjun's mood turned worse as his eyes landed to Neil leaning on Radhika. His fingers got curled turning his knuckles white; ''Ms Mishra , come to my cabin and now''

Radhika jolted with sudden rudeness in his office, she looked at Neil. He patted her head; ''You can handle anything, but call me if you need help'' She nodded and left to face Arjun like a brave soldier .Sam who had been noticing Neil for long, came and stood next to him; ''You care for her, don't you?

Neil tilted his head to meet her gaze; ''I do, don't you?'' his changed demure surprised her. ''Um..I do , but as a friend '' Neil frowned and turned to face her completely; ''Sam be frank with me , I hate riddles''

Sam took a step forward; ''You two have grown too close in short time, I mean...'' Neil raised his palm to cut her off; ''Yes, because her smile in infectious. She is an amazing person and next time please don't bother to explain me the meaning'' He left a shocked Sam back, she couldn't understand what made him so angry. Her presence or her question about his bond with Radhika , she just wanted to know his feelings towards her. Sam knew Radhika's aura attracted people towards her ,She was concerned as she didn't wanted him to get hurt developing feelings for an engaged girl.

The day went in blur and office started vacating. Neil walked to Radhika's place who was busy with Sam; ''Chashni 15 min we are leaving'' Sam eyes moved from Radhika to Neil; ''I can take her with me, I am going home''

''We are going on Mumbai darshan'' Radhika chirped happily, Sam's face fell. She wanted to speak to Neil , but something in him had changed . Arjun stood behind the pillar hearing the conversation; 'you will go with me'

''Radhika I want you to accompany Arjun to a client meeting'' Radhika froze hearing Piyali's voice; ''Is it tomorrow''.''No, its today. They want someone really creative and I think you are the best'' Piyali concluded

''But office hours are over, plus it should be Sam with Arjun and not Radhika'' Sam just stared at Neil, she thought if he was bothered about Radhika or was trying to punish her. Was he getting possessive over her. ''I know Neil, Radhika you can take a half day off for putting extra ones today. But please so attend it, it's a big brand and a good chance for you'' Radhika saw hope in Piyali's eyes, she nodded . Once Piyali left Radhika walked to Neil; ''Its ok, next time we will make a plan secretly so that one casts and evil eye on that'' He smiled; ''Listen to me, if get free early let me know. We can still roam'' Radhika nodded and he left ruffling her hair.

Arjun smirked as he noticed Neil walking away with Sam tailing him, he wasn't worried about her as she loved him too much or rather she believed to be in love with him and not Neil. Right now, he had his eyes only for the one who had his heart and mind wrapped around her little finger. Walkinto her he smiled at her sullen face; ''Shall we go'' she gave him a fake smile before poking her tongue at his back.

Arjun drove off to Maybelline office and asked radhika to be seated at the reception. After good 15 min they were called in for the discussion. As the discussion processed, Radhika realised she wasn't needed at all. She took deep breaths to calm her burning head, she kept on listening to the stupid discussion happening between two big shots. They seemed to have known each other for very long time. Once done, they parted like friends; ''I wasn't needed'' Radhika shot as soon as they were out of the premises.

Arjun raised a brow; ''Yes you were, we were expecting their marketing head. He couldn't join us . We will meet him some other day''

''Can we do that during office hours'' Radhika made a request, he nodded; ''Thanks, I will leave'' Arjun caught her hand; ''I will drop you'' she pulled her hand out of his grip; ''No I can go on my own''

''you called me your friend , then why this formality'' Arjun 's voice had desperation . Radhika gave him one glance and turned eyes away. ''Sir every relationship needs sometime, so does our friendship''

Arjun smiled; ''Okay! dinner and then you can go'' Radhika had no option, reluctantly she said yes but, being Radhika she knew how to turn things in her favour; ''But at the place of my choice'' Arjun nodded, she had a rough idea of his kind and she chose the right place for him. ''Stop Sir'' Arjun pulled in a roadside food joint. Radhika ordered 2 plates of pav bhaji. He made a face; ''Its unhygienic,  look at the oil and stuff he is using'' she pressed her lips to subdue the laughter; ''Sir, I can bet that you wouldn't find such delicious food'' Arjun smiled a little, he hesitantly picked it up, she watched him smirking. Arjun took a bite and flinched, it was too spicy . But he didn't knew that she had asked the food vendor put a chilli inside it deliberately. She had sensed the way he was breaking Sam from Neil and this was her little way of punishing him. Arjun, gulped the water kept on the table , she gave him a piece of chocolate. He took it immediately ; ''Sir, people don't look for brands and label in time of dire  needs. What if I would have refused you the piece of chocolate or that man would have snatched water from your hands ''

Arjun took a deep breath; ''what do you mean'' Radhika took a step forward; ''Sam is broken, she runs to people for support and trust. She believes in your care, don't break her heart because she might get a shoulder but you might not find someone to offer another piece of chocolate'' Arjun stared at her , he smiled,  she was   more intelligent than he had thought; ''Let me drop you home'' without a word she took the passenger seat. Arjun drove in silence and dropped her home. He watched her go in; 'You are made for me, when no one could see through my motives you did. You will have to leave Radhika , so that I have my revenge and also so that we can have a beautiful life in future.'  with that he drove off.

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Radhika ends the mother daughter distance , winning hearts.  Arjun plans against her