Chapter 18
Arjun watched Radhika like a hawk as she went about speaking to females of different ages across the mall. She wanted to know their thoughts on cosmetics , like why they used it, did it make them feel better or confident. He smiled watching her little movements. Her small smile, the way her eyes expressed the interest and involvement was amazing. She thanked every person with a smile as they answered her questions. He watched her as she pulled her lower lip between her teeth scribbling some points on her note pad. He couldn't help but smile, she was a dedicated soul. She just didn't dream but worked hard for them to. But sadly he was going to crush her dreams for now. His eyes met with that of Bonnie's and he nodded. ''Spare me my love , for I will shatter your dreams. Bear this pain for a while honey. I promise, I will help you achieve all you want. we will do it together. Soon!!''
Radhika didn't realize that Chirag dashing against her was a plan, she didn't notice when he slipped a packet in her bag. ''Apologise!!! I wasn't watching where I was going'' he frowned; ''Radhika!!! Hi!'' His voice drawled as his eyes moved all over her again. She flinched ; ''Its ok'' She quickly walked away without giving him a chance to say another word. Chirag kept walking backwards , his eyes on Radhika's retreating form. He smirked watching her swaying hips , her lean waist her dark hair. His minds was filled with lust, he was imagining her with him. Suddenly he got pulled in a corner; ''Keep your eyes in check, or I will scoop them out''
''What's with you and her? You want her out of BS and Mumbai, yet you burn when someone looks at her'' Chirag was curious. Arjun pulled him closer; ''What I want is my concern just as she is. Keep your mind and hands off her or I won't think a minute before ripping them off''
Chirag lifted his hands in surrender, he didn't want ant scuffle with Arjun Mehra. He was a dangerous man. He had the ability to destroy him both personally and professionally. Moreover, BS's loss was his gain and Arjun was helping him in it. For now he should lie low. He thought, he could get more like Radhika any day but this was his only chance to getting Samdura on the top without doing much. He was fine on everything till he was getting benefitted.
Radhika kept walking while scribbling and tripped. She closed her eyes to feel the impact but she seemed to have frozen in air. Opening her eyes one at a time she looked at the smiling face of Neil, he pulled her straight with her arms ; ''One work at a time. Now come I need company as I am hungry''
''She still has work to do. Why don't you go and have lunch with your best friend. Who knows you might never get a chance again'' Somehow Arjun couldn't tolerate male attention Radhika attracted and Neil topped the hit list. He hated him because whenever he would be around Sam she would only talk of him and here he was moving closer to Radhika way more quickly than he had imagined. "Work can wait food can't. Let's move Chashni'' He walked pulling Radhika along by her arm, as he passed Arjun his feet halted. Neil turned and found Arjun holding Radhika's other arm; ''She is my reportee, she stays'' Neil moved forward, freeing her arm off his grip; ''Wrong!! She is my mentee and officially she reports to me and this project is headed by me. You just came because you wanted us troubled''
Both me stared at each other with clenched jaw , ready to rip each other off. Radhika watched from one to other and decided to intervene. She held Neil's arm; ''I am done with my work Sir.'' Turning to Neil she smiled; ''Let's go or else there will be a riot in my stomach'' He smiled softly and walked off. Arjun watched her leave, he stood there watching her back. She always chose him, she smiled only with him. Neil had the right to hold her hand and she rejected all his polite and small requests. ''One day I will bring you to a situation where you would only have me. All your moments wants and desires will depend on me Radhika. I promise''
Sam smiled at approaching Neil and Radhika, before she could say something Radhika squealed snatching the plate of pastry from Sam. The two stared at her dumb found as Radhika took a chair lifting her legs up. They took chair opposite to her watching her gorging on it; ''What are you two looking at. Don't cast an evil eye on my food or my stomach will be upset'' Sam rolled her eyes; ''By the way that was my food you are eating''
Radhika looked at pastry and then at Sam, she made an innocent face; ''You can't even share a pastry with your sweet, cute, lovable and hungry friend'' Sam counted the adjectives and the stared at the curled lip. She had given an impressive speech to melt the hearts but didn't let go her pastry. Sam pushed her chair and walked to the counter , walking back she placed a cup with double scoop of ice-creme topped with chocolate syrup; ''I love my Sweet, cute lovable , hungry and over dramatic friend. Whom I love with all my heart. Radhika licked the spoon , slwoly pulling the ice-cream to her . That made Neil-Sam break into endless giggles. ''Chashni, I can't give you for the wealth of this world. You are just precious'' Radhika watched an emotional Sam, she understood her need for company attention and love. Radhika wanted her to to all of it, but above all she wanted to give Sam lots of love . Digging the spoon in the ice-cream she spoke; ''Sam, these words won't get you any share'' with that she got busy finishing it up. Sam kept watching her as Radhika spoke non-stop filling their minds with smiles, but she wasn't aware what Arjun had planned for her. Something which would put her into a tight spot.
***
All eyes turned to Radhika as Samudhra made a presentation very similar to that of BS. She couldn't understand what just happened. Her hard work of 4 nights just went into the drain. ''Aren't you guys doing the presentation?'' The executive asked, Arjun. He was rejoicing . He had hit two birds in one go . All will be doubting Radhika and BS will lose another project. Sam will have no way but to marry him and he will have his revenge. ''We would be needing another day'' Arjun made that statement to appear in favour of BS. The executive being his friend agreed but warned that it would be their last chance.
Back at BS, Radhika faced the accusing eyes and questions from everyone. She insisted she didn't do it . But she was the new one and other were trusted more than her; ''Radhika till this is sought you will not be coming for work'' Piyali walked off passing the judgement. ''See what I found in her bag. A bundle of currency'' Bonnie flashed the bundle infront of all
''I didn't do it. I didn't even know of its presence in my bag'' She tried to justify herself. ''Who gave you the right to snoop into her bag'' Neil questioned Bonnie sternly. She blinked relalizing her stupidty ; ''I actually called Chirag , he said it was her who sold it to him. I didn't believe first but then at the mall Arjun had asked me to shoot the survey we did and unknowingly I recorded this'' Bonnie passed on the video to everyone. Neil pushed it aside; ''I don't need fake proofs to know what she is . With all your story I feel its you who did the dirty job and set her up'' Bonnie refused and started her emotional ranting being about one of the oldest employee of the organisation . Amid all this Sam stood quietly watching Radhika. Arjun smirked and walked out , Radhika followed him; ''Sir, I didn't do it.''
He smiled and turned; ''I know. But where is the proof ? People believe on what they see. Your goodness and Kindness has no value now, none of your so called friends stood up for you'' She watched him shocked, realization had stuck her hard. He did it, to make her leave. He had some motive behind all this . Arjun took a small pack of peanuts; ''You take these , they will keep you company on your way to Hrishikesh. Now leave before you are pushed out'' With a broken hope and heart Radhika made her way out of BS. Her tear laden eyes were tired carrying the burden of her broken dreams. She couldn't understand what wrong did she do to deserve this. Her phone kept on ringing as she walked back to her house. She didn't had the courage to tell her family about what happened, it would break their hearts and may be they might not trust her to. Her dreams had met their end.
***
''Its crystal clear, she did it Sam. I never imagined she would sell herself for some money'' Piyali concluded agitated about losing the big project. Sam still stayed quite; ''Sam, she comes from a middle class family. I am not saying she is bad but there is a possibility that she could have been in a dire need of money''
Sam stared at Arjun and then turned her eyes away; ''Neil drop me home. Mom dad I will see you tomorrow morning'' She walked pass Arjun without giving him a glance. He felt his plan worked , Sam was hurt and now she might throw Radhika out of her house. Then he would lend his shoulders and arms to her, making a heroic entry in her life. He smiled , wishing everyone he left for his home.
***
When Neil Sam entered the apartment they found Radhika sitting in the the balcony. ''Chashni'' She jumped hearing the voice; ''Sam I didn't do it. God Promise!! please trust me. if your won't then I have no where to go'' Neil took a step to console her but Sam stopped him
Sam threw her bag in a corner; ''What did you think?'' Radhika blinked at Sam's stern voice. Sam cupped her face; ''So this is your trust on my friendship? You really thought I won't trust you. The girl who broke the ice between me and my mother risking her job and dream, how can that girl sell a presentation for few notes. Only a fool can believe that'' Radhika let out a breath, she didn't realize she had been holding one. Lowering her head she sobbed, Sam wiped her tears; ''Keep those tears for after success celebration . For now we have just one night to make a new presentation and knock them off their senses'' Neil caressed her head ; ''I will make coffee for you guys''
Neil watched as the two girls pour their thoughts on paper. Tired both slept on the couch and Neil covered them pecking Sam's forehead and caressing Radhika's. Morning Radhika did her regular Pooja and pushed a spoon of sweet curd into the mouth of Neil and Sam. Radhika stared at the pack of peanuts; 'Here on I will give back every time you challenge me'
***
Arjun smirked looking at his watch , in few minutes BS will lose the big account falling into its doom. Al his plans fell flat when Radhika made and entry with her friends . She glared at Arjun and then turned to Neil, he nodded once she turned her eyes to the marketing head. 'My belief in me is my beauty'
BS waited with a baited breath for the final decision. each minute seemed to be like hours and then the phone rang. Piyali answered, she heard each and every word with baited breath. After disconnecting she turned to the anxious people; ''We got the project'' There were squeals and cheers all around. Sam hugged Radhika tightly . Sam hugged Neil, but he didn't respond. Picking his bag he walked off, she knew he was still mad at her .
''Thank you Radhika, you saved us'' Samrat thanked her. ''No need to thank me Sir, I was doing my job''
''No, Radhika you deserve it. We doubted you. But you proved yourself'' Radhika smiled and looked at Arjun; ''Then you should be thanking Arjun Sir, he made me realize what my capabilities are'' The last part was meant to challenge him. Radhika stood infront of him and pushed the peanut packet into his hands. Arjun had never been defeated and thsi girl kept on defeating him on every step. He grabbed her wrist and she fought getting it free, locking her eyes with his. ''Okay people, party at my house for BS' hero and heroine'' Radhika freed her arm and smiled at everyone. Before leaving she gave him a challenging look; ''you begged for one chance of friendship. Somehow I couldn't trust you and guess I was right. You actually aren't worth my friendship'' Arjun glared at her all angry , she denied him her friendship again. This was it, he wanted a permanent solution to her now.
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The party- a small competition 2 groups One wins and other burns in jealousy . Neil's version of manmarziyan song
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