The morning rays fell on Arjun's ,making him turn his face away. He inhaled deep and smiled as his body got welcomed the sweet female odour. He opened his eyes to find her sleeping soundly , her face buried in the crook of his neck. She rubbed her nose as it itched, yawned and then settled again into the slumber. Arjun smiled, he could sit there whole life, allowing her to sleep in his arms. He twisted his neck as it felt stiff and she opened her eyes with a small protesting moan. Their eyes met and everything ceased to exit. He found himself lost in her deep brown orbs. Radhika broke the eye lock and looked around as if teleported to some world and then her eyes landed on the door, ''Sir, you slept all night and did nothing to get that door unlocked.'' She shook her head in disappointment making Arjun gape at her . He opened his mouth to say something but couldn't . Shaking his head he stood up, ''You have solutions to all the problems in the world. Why don't you try it'' She rolled her eyes at him making him chuckle.

Radhika heard someone knocking the door and started screaming. Arjun was suddenly thrown off guard by her sudden move. Huffing, he plugged his ears to prevent the damage to the ear drums. The room-service guy panicked hearing a female scream. He quickly unlocked the door and rushed to the balcony door, as he unlocked it he blinked when Radhika gave him a sweet smile thanking him sweetly. She looked at Arjun proudly and walked in with her chin up, smiling at the room service guy. The man kept smiling like an idiot watching her walk into the bathroom. Arjun cleared his throat glaring at the man, ''guess you forgot, I am still here.'' The man gulped and scurried out of the room. Arjun took a deep breath to calm his nerves, he hated when she smiled at everyone. He wanted to shake her mad for being so loving and kind.

He heard her singing inside the bathroom and smile. He could actually imagine her dancing around the mirror. Smiling he settled on the bed waiting for her to come out. His eyes landed on her bag and his motive came back to him with a lightning speed. Arjun pulled her phone out and message Sam.

'Hope you are safe where you are. I am keeping Arjun Sir busy.'

'Yes ,I am in Village Hill resort. Better than before. We will see you in Mumbai. Love you chashni'

Arjun smiled staring at the reply. He quickly deleted the messages pushing her phone back into the bag. Radhika walked out looking all fresh and he gave her a big smile, she frowned and walked to him slowly, ''Are you having temperature. '' She touched his forehead slightly with her fingers, he smiled removing her hand but didn't let go, ''Why do you feel that''

''Because you just smiled. People do unusual things when taken ill.'' Her answer mad him laugh. He pulled her nose and snatched the towel from her walking away to freshen up. Hearing the door bell she walked to answer it. Her lips stretched into a smile finding her friends at the door. Teji Zubin and Kritika walked in all tried throwing their bodies on the bed, ''Where is that monster? He left us on the road and happily drove with you to the hotel. '' Zubin cursed

''The monster was freshening up'' The 3 head snapped up hearing Arjun's voice walking out of the bathroom. They gulped as he glared at them intimidatly . ''I will pay for your stay and cab, you guys can rest and join me later at this location. Radhika you too can stay with them. ''

Radhika already had checked her phone. The message from Sam got delivered twice and Arjun had just deleted the first one ,. She smiled at him sweetly. ''I am coming with you. If I stay here, none of them will be able to rest. '' All of them vigorously nodded . Arjun just shook his head and left the room. Waving to her friends, Radhika followed. She jumped into his vehicle before he could drive off. He was about to ask her to leave when she inturptted, ''I know you used my phone to get Sam's whereabouts. You deleted the messages but Sam replied to the text twice. I have already told her that it was you'' Arjun's grip on wheel turned hard

''Why are you coming between us? What's in for you''

''Why would I ? I am just keeping my friend safe'', She replied without a hitch

''Or you are interested in me and you want Sam out. '' Those words shocked her, she stared at him and then sliced his heart, ''Why would I be after a guy ,who loves to give pain. I have a wonderful one in my life. ''

Arjun's jaw clenched, he pulled over on a service road, ''Are you planning to throw me out like last time. Do it, because even then you won't reach Sam. '' Now she was getting onto his head, pushing the accelerator he drover rashly. Sam's hotel was not far and he knew she wouldn't check out before 12:00. He halted once to buy a bouquet, which made her smirk. Parking his vehicle he quickly moved out not waiting for Radhika to follow. He hated she could through him so easily. He hated he couldn't have his way with her. He hated that he cared so much. She made him vulnerable. Enquiring the room no., he dashed towards the elevators not waiting for Radhika to join. She took the stairs 2 at once to reach the floor. When the doors slid open she smiled at him taking the lead. They found the room door unlocked and moved in. Arjun checked around and found no one, just then a room service person walked out of the bathroom giving him a questioning look. He informed that the guests just left. Arjun decided to catch her before she leaves but found his way blocked by Radhika, ''I told you'' he grabbed her by arms pulling her up harsh. He kept glaring at her before pushing her off his way.

With lightning speed he entered the elevator and Radhika slipped in just before it was about to close. ''You won't be able to reach her, I won't let you'' with that she pressed all the buttons delaying the car from reaching ground floor. Arjun rubbed his forehead and attacked Radhika trying to throttle her. When she tried removing his hands from her neck, he locked them with his above her head, pressing her soft body with his hard one. Radhika felt a jolt of electricity pass through her body, something she failed to understand herself. Arjun who wanted to threaten her , found himself drowning in her never ending eyes. They didn't realise the halting and moving of the elevator as it went down. As if in a dream, Arjun found himself leaning on her lips. With his heart pounding in his chest he felt losing all his senses. Just when his lips were about to touch hers , she turned her face away calling him out, ''Sir!!'

Arjun's lips landed on her soft cheek and he stayed there, keeping her pinned to the corner. Radhika shivered as his warm breath fanned her cheek. ''You are playing with fire Radhika. In the end it will you left with the scars. Stop , before its late . '' He intentionally brushed his lips on her cheeks before letting her go. He moved out of the elevator leaving her crumbled in the corner.

She stood up taking the support and followed him with shaking steps. Radhika watched Sam-Neil leaving and Arjun on the way to them. Without thinking a minute she ran and pushed him into the pool. She smiled when she found Sam, Neil out of the his reach. Arjun stood glaring at her, she failed him again. He hopped out of the pool and prowled towards her like a wild animal. She lifted her palms to calm him. Before she could utter a word, he scooped her up throwing her into the water walking away . Radhika gasped for breath, she wasn't a swimmer. She called for help, but her voice started dying down as water entered her mouth and nose. It was then someone screamed about a girl drowning which made Arjun halt his steps , with a swift turn he walked back and saw her hands sinking down in water. Arjun leaped into the pull. Swimming underwater he collected her limp form in his arms moving out. Arjun laid her on the floor and started rubbing her limbs. He called her out a couple of times trying to wake her up. Arjun pressed her tummy to let the water out, she didn't respond. He decided to CPR , he was reluctant. He knew it was a dangerous territory . taking a deep breath he leaned on her lips . His lips touched hers and she opened her eyes, startled Radhika pushed him back slapping him hard. Arjun glared at her for a minute before walking off. The people around reprimanded her for slapping the one who saved her life. She took a deep breath, 'It was him who had threw me in the danger at the first place. ' Sahiking her thoughts aside, she decided to apologise. She was oblivious to the venom he was about to spat on her.

***

Neil drove humming an old melody . Sam watched him a faint smile, ''You love music'' He nodded smiling

''Why haven't you thought of making a career in it? I am sure you would have gone heights. '' neil shook his head smiling, ''I had I would do that, but then you happened and all my world started revolving around you''

''Are you blaming me? '' She asked irritated

''No. Myself, for falling in love with a girl who isn't even attentive about my presence. '' Sam didn't know what to say. She felt being accused yet not. ''You are lucky. I was upfront. I didn't lead you along. It hurts when you expect something and the one means all to you breaks your heart in a second.''

''Sam, expectations does not arise just on confessions. They are there in hopes to.'' He wanted to add more but then just avoided, ''lets not go there, you won't like it''

She nodded, ''What kind of girl do you want''

He smiled, ''Someone as crazy as I am. Someone, who laughs on my jokes even when they aren't funny. Someone, who would throw the umbrella and dance in the rain. Someone, who would find the light in darkest pit. Someone ,who would see the pain through my silly tactics and not call me an idiot. '' Neil knew his words would bring a piercing silence. But he was done feeling all the pain alone. The Neil who loved and tailed Sam was slowly retreating, the one with her was just her best friend.

''So where is chashni? '' Radhika's mention fuelled Sam's doubt on Neil's someone. But she decided not to probe, ''She will meet us in Mumbai. She did a good job in keeping Arjun away. '' Neil laughed leaving Sam shocked, ''What was so funny?''

''What is the point her keeping him away? You will all be swooning in his arms once he apologies to you and there she is suffering his temper for no reason''

''No, I won't. I am done with him '', she retorted

''You will, I am sure. He holds that power on you. His words and presence matters more than anyone to you'', he replied calm

"Are you irritated that we might be together or you are worried about Radhika''. Sam was agitated. The man who was patient with her all her life has suddenly turned critical. He was cutting all her words, doubting her strength to stick to her words.

''I know you Sam , for years. I know, one apology and you will be running back into his arms. ''His reply felt like a slap. She gritted her teeth, ''You changed Neil. You are no more the one I loved to hang out with''

''Yes, for my own good. But why are you complaining? I never did when you changed. The girl I befriended , would keep me first and you miss me only when Arjun hurts you. '' Sam felt like exploding, ''You are wrong''

''Yes may be because its about you and not me. After all , I am just an idiot. A pole or a shoulder people seek to cry on. But no one wants to hug. '' Sam watched his face , she didn't know what to say. She hated the way their dynamics change. She decided to rest the conversation for now as it was leading on to a different path. Turning away she kept her eyes on the passing road, lost in Neil's words.

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Next- his hate. Accident and pure unconditional friendship

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