Arjun sipped the glass of glistering champagne grinning wide. He recalled her proud demure when she accepted his challenge. She looked so cute with that red nose and flaming cheeks. His Radhika. He wasn't worried even a bit about her knowing his true colours. He knew she must be rejoicing after learning the truth about him, but her had disclosed his feelings intentionally. He was master is exploiting emotions. Now, he had the liberty to show her what he felt and all she could do was squirm in nervousness, till she had all against him to prove him wrong to Sam.

Now, he had do something to shoo that Saral away. Arjun had done all to hold Saral back in US, yet he managed to come back. Now, he had do something to make him leave Mumbai and soon. There should be some way of keep the guy tangled in some problem. Moving to his electronic locker, he pulled out the file. It had every detail about Radhika and people dear to her. He smiled, Saral had a small business of camping for tourist. ''What if few of the tents burn Saral? It would be a huge loss for your family and you will have to go back immediately like a good son. Well, so be it. Anything for my Radhika.''

***

Saral had leave before the dawn could break. A frantic call from his father about camp side catching fire jolted him bad. It was his hard work, his reputation that he had build after years of hard work assisting his brother and father. He new, his family must be under shock. Without wasting a minute he packed his things to leave. Radhika was worried, ''I will join you.''

He cupped her face, ''Not now, if required I will call you. You are still recovering. Plus, your dream. I am not going to let you sacrifice that.''

Her eyes watered at his selflessness, ''But you need me.'' He smiled and kept her palm over his chest, ''And I have you with me all the time, right here, as my strength. I will keep in touch.'' He left after giving her an affectionate hug. Mala too decided to join him. Riddhima was expecting and this could have had adverse effect on her. She felt it was necessary. Radhika kept thinking about the incident for rest of the night. She hoped that the losses were minimal, and his family could resume the work soon.

She woke up with the continues ringing of the door bell. With lazy steps she answered the door to be shocked. Arjun stood at the door smiling at her. ''Sam is not here, she stayed back to be with her brother.''

''And I am here because she isn't here.'' Radhika stared at him trying to figure out the reason for his visit. He stepped in and she took one back. He closed the door and kept walking to her as she kept walking backwards till her back hit the wall. He caged her between his arms, ''In her presence, I can't watch you the way I am watching now.''

''I think, you should move back.''

''And why?''

''because I don't approve of it and if you are man enough, you would respect my choice.'' Her voice was dripped hatred.

He smiled. Removing a hand, he brushed his knuckles on her cheek. She turned her face away. Arjun gripped her chin and turned it to face him, ''Honey, you will know how much of a man I am but slowly. About your choice, I promise you something I will be your choice and soon.''

She smirked, "Keep dreaming. I would rather choose a beggar than you.''

Arjun leaned a little more coming to her face level, ''I promise you one thing Miss Radhika Mishra, one day you will yourself walk in my life willingly. By yours or my choice. This will happen for sure.''

Radhika smiled, ''Then wait for that day and for now get out of my house.'' With that she pushed him hard , moving out of his caging arms. He gripped her wrist and pulled her back hard, making her fall on his chest, ''Did Sam tell you that this my property. I bought her here to destroy her , but you poked your nose. But now I feel it was good that your came, I have the opportunity to stay close and trust me I am going to use it to the max.''

She squirmed, '' You are a degree one pervert, you just lust after every girl that crosses your path.'' That flared his anger, gripping her waist hard he pulled her up, leaving her standing on her toes, ''Had it been lust, Sam would have lost her honour long back and you, you wouldn't have been standing here lecturing me. I had or should say enough time to have you and no one will come for your rescue.''

''One day, your over confidence will be reason for your downfall.'' She pushed him stumbling a little. She walked to the door and pulled it open, asking him to leave. He smiled and took small steps to the door, ''I will see you again.''

''Oh you will! And trust me you will hate the fact you met me.'' Arjun chuckled and walked off.

***

''I think I should leave now.'' Shruti informed the Khannas. The patient she had been taking care off for so long and now got his family and her job was done. She moved where Jai was seated, squatting down she smiled, ''You will be fine Jai. Your family will help you in gaining your strength.'' He said nothing, but kept staring at her without batting a lid. His burned skin pained when he tried to bring emotions on to it. Shruti came to her height, ready to leave. But her steps halted when she felt his grip on his wrist. She turned and her gaze met his . His eyes were glassy and pleading. He wanted her stay. His lips quivered, with those hurt vocal chords he pushed the words out with great effort, ''Please, stay.'' Shruti felt her heart getting constricted at his pleading eyes. For months she cared for him , he had become her world. Shrti shook her head, how could she call him her world. She was committed to Ankush and for years. She smiled softly at him. Rubbing her palm over his, she assured, ''You will have better doctors and even your family is here. You don't need me.''

He refused with the shake of his head. Shruti felt pain to swallow the emotions she felt. But she had to and it was good for all. She gently removed her hand from his. Greeting the Khannas she left with a heavy confused heart.

***

Sam was shocked to know about the accident that happened in Hrishikesh. She felt responsible for Radhika all the way more. She knew, Jai would be cared in presence of her parents. But for now her friend also needed her. Sam drove swiftly to her apartment, using her pair of keys she quickly moved it. Sound of falling utensils got her worried. Throwing her bag in one corner she dashed in the kitchen to find Radhika laughing at a white ghost. ''Chashni are you fine and who the hell is he. Okay must be a thief. Let me teach him a lesson.'' Sam picked a broom , prowling towards the flour covered man she was ready to strike when came a known voice. ''That's Neil's voice. But where is he.''

Neil shook his head violently releasing a storm of flour that took in Sam too. She coughed gasped and then froze when Neil wiped his face off. Radhika still was laughing her heart out. Sam looked at Neil for a second and then joined Radhika, ''What were you thinking.''

''he came here as you were not there. Then he decided to prepare breakfast as I am not allowed to step in for few days. I tired warning him against touching that container but he kept on warning me against stepping in the kitchen and rest.''

Sm picked up an apple of the basket. She looped an arm around Radhika, ''Chashni, I brought you breakfast and tea and Neil, clean the mess up.''

''I am glad he came and I am sorry I should have been there with you.'' Sam apologised.

''Hey Sam, you should be there with your brother and who knew Ma and Saral would have to leave this way.

They were talking when Neil came in, ''And this is why, I want you to shift at my place till Sam returns here.'' Radhika smiled, but Sam felt a burning sensation in her chest.

''I am back now and Chasini doesn't have to shift .'' Sam said with a small smile.

Radhika thought of something, she held Sam's hand, ''Sam, Neil is right you should stay with your brother for now as he needs you more. Moreover, you have postponed your engagement and will have compromise on your time with Arjun Sir. So, why not utilise it. For sometime, I will shift at Neil's place and you will be free from being worried about me. And since you have postpone your engagement, spend some more time with Arjun Sir, it will help you in knowing him more.''

Sam smiled. She liked Radhika's suggestion, but somewhere hated the idea of her best friend shifting with her other best friend. Radhika excused herself to change, she smiled, ''Arjun Mehra, you will yourself pull the mask off your face.''

''I could have taken care of her. There is no need for her to shift.'' Sam said.

''There is, her stiches are still raw. When I came the door for left ajar. I think we should be thankful nothing happened. She must have forgotten to lock when Saral and aunty left.'' Neil concluded. Sam read concern for Radhika in his voice. She felt strange, though she knew he was known to go over board for his friends , strangely his concern for Radhika was hurting her. A yelp from the room drew their attention and both ran to the room. Radhika sat holding her stomach. Neil jumped next to her, ''Is it paining. What did you do?''

''I was just trying to pick my stole from the top shelf.'' She replied between deep breaths

''Radhika, you are not suppose to stretch till you heal. Now sit quietly.'' Neil went to her shelf, he pulled out one stole after the other asking her it that what she wanted. After few she nodded. He wrapped it around her neck in a stylish way, extending his hand. ''lets go.''

Sam watched as Radhika joined her palm with his. She twisted her neck to push the thoughts out. Neil wrapped the other arm around Radhika's shoulder walking her out, ignoring Sam's presence. She followed them quietly and she heard him instructing her about being careful of her wounds.

It pained that he forgot her. Sam thought, maybe it was a god send sign. She should concentrate on her brother and making her bond strong with Arjun. She suddenly felt alone. Alone in presence her tow best friends. ''Sam, come.''

Sam smiled. She suddenly felt alive. Radhika stood near the car smiling at her, asking her to join them. She quickly moved towards them , but Neil words again shook her to the core, ''But I guess you bought your car. Why don't you follow mine as I take Radhika home.'' She just nodded. Her eyes had started brimming with tears, she quickly walked away in order to hide them. From the distance she watched Neil helping Radhika in the vehicle, tied her seatbelt and then driving off.

''That was my place Neil. Next to you. I didn't knew you would fill it this soon. It hurts.'' She stood there all alone sobbing her heart out. She always felt lonely after Jai left and Neil stood by come what may. Today, she had love , her brother and friends. Yes Neil was still her friend but his priority seemed to have changed.

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Unedited, Do Drop in your views and comments. love you all