Prerna welcome Radhika with a huge smile plastered on her face. She was happy that her house won't echo with silence. Though, things have been better since she last visited. Yet, somehow Prerna felt Neil forgot Sam around Radhika and she desperately wanted her son to move on. She had seen him staring the space over many sleepless nights. He had even stopped pursuing his passion and that when she started worrying about him. When she confronted, he distanced himself from her. It was after Radhika in her playful way confronted Neil and he started warming up with his mother. Prerna asked her staff to take care of Radhika like family.

''Neil, we should leave . Its late.'' Radhika spoke mouthful looking at the watch . Neil pushed one more piece of bread into her mouth. ''You are not going. You will rest till you heal.'' Prerna nodded and Radhika made a comical expression to lay the foundation of her drama. ''Oh no Neil, I am all fine and you are there to watch me. Please, take me to work with you.'' She pouted like a child , yet he refuse. ''You want me to fall sick.'' She accused him.

''And how am I doing that.''

''By locking me in the house. I will be all alone with you and aunty gone, then I will over think which will cause me headache and that might result into fever or me fainting.'' Neil just gaped at Radhika who made a hill out of mole so easily. Prerna smiled, ''take her, she might get bored. But bring her back with you.'' Radhika squealed giving Prerna a hug.

***

Arjun kept staring at Radhika's empty place through his glass door. She wasn't in yet. He wanted to know what was going in her head after their stint a day before. He smiled recalling how she flinched at his touch. He enjoyed teasing her, it seemed to take him to all together a new world. He felt free with her.

Impatient, he decided to take a break. As he moved out he saw Sam walking in alone. He wondered if Radhika was fine. He knew he couldn't question Sam directly about Radhika, he took the different route. ''Sam, you could have told me you are coming alone. I would have picked you.''

''No worries. Is Radhika in?'' She questioned back without divulging any details he was looking for. He shook his head, ''Neither your room mate nor your best friend is in. Such un professional behaviour.''

Sam jumped to her friends' rescue, ''Oh no, Radhika felt slight pain in her stiches yesterday, and since I am not there, Neil decided to take her to his place. She will be staying there for sometime.''

Arjun was irritated and marvelled at the same time. He couldn't help but admire her idea of escaping his uninvited visits. On the other hand, he was irritated to know that she was staying with Neil. Their closeness was unbearable to him.

''We have a new client coming in, I will commence the meeting without them.'' He spoke hiding the irritation in his voice.

''Arjun, its just 9. Office stats at 9:30 and client meeting is at 11:00. So just chill a bit, and I am sure they will be in by then. Also, I want Radhika to work on the project. She will have views different from all.'' Arjun didn't miss the trust that Sam had for Radhika. He knew, he had to break this bond. And what could be better than using Neil. Just when he was about to reply, giggles took their attention.

Radhika Neil walked in laughing about something. It seemed he tried all to look serious and reprimand her, but she kept laughing at all his words. Radhika's eyes met Arjun's, she smirked, and he understood. It was time, he should show her that he wasn't just dependent of Sam's absence. Instead, he could reach her anytime he wanted.

Neil ruffled Radhika's hair moving to his cabin. Sam hugged Radhika enquiring about her well-being. Arjun didn't miss the pain that crossed Sam's face watching Neil and Radhika fooling around. He knew what had to exploit here.

***

Sam's insistence on having Radhika on a project gave Arjun an opportunity to bother her. She called her extension asking her to see him for few minutes. Radhika moved in after a knock, she didn't fail to notice that he had pulled all the blinds to block the eyes outside his cabin. He smiled when their eyes met. She muttered a curse under breath. He gestured her to sit, ''I hope you are aware of the client visiting and ready with some ideas to share with them.''

Radhika gave him a fake smile, ''Sir, I guess you were aware of my absence due the accident that happened few days ago because of your curse.''

''Are you implying that it happened because I said something stupid in anger.'' He asked shocked

''It isn't a mystery that people act stupid in anger.'' She replied in a generic.

''You are calling me stupid.''

''No, you started. I just affirmed like a good scared employee.'' She replied tongue in cheek. He wanted to smile. These small bantering with her made her day. But for now, he wanted her little bothered and scared. Arjun left his chair and walked around towards her. He locked her to the chair, placing his palms on the armrest. She leaned back, and she leaned back. He smiled leaning more till their faces were just inch apart. Radhika squirmed at her place at the proximity. The odour of his cologne hit her nostrils hard. When he didn't break the eye lock she turned her eyes away. ''Let me move.''

''Who is stopping you?''

''Sir, this is harassment.'' She warned.

He smiled leaning closer he pecked her cheek and heard her gasp. She pushed him, and he lifted her up straightening his body. He walked with her in arms, till her back was plastered on the wall. Arjun pressed his face on her cheek, he whispered, ''If you think, by staying with Neil you can keep me at bay, you are wrong. Nothing, I mean in nothing can keep me from reaching you.'' He kissed her neck, ''You are mine, just mine.'' He heard her whimper and pulled back a little. She was shaking in fear. He smiled cupping her cheek, ''Stop shaking, I won't hurt you.''

''Do you understand what forcing yourself on a girl without her consent is called.''

''Radhika Mishra call me what you want. Nothing and no one will stop me.'' He moved his palm on her lower abdomen on to her stiches, ''Does it still pain.'' Radhika just didn't know what to do. Tears started filling her eyes up. He caught the drop, before it could fall of her cheek, ''Fine, I will leave you for today. But remember you are mine.'' Taking a step back, he added, ''And now Miss Mishra, our client is a leading herbal brand. They have been losing their market for few years and wanted us to chalk a unique advertising campaign. Think of something and be ready, you have an hour.''

Radhika kept her eyes on the floor, she was agitated. Before walking out, she warned, ''Soon, you will learn the lessons your parents forgot to teach you.'' Arjun's jaw ticked, mention of his parents was like opening his wounds. He decided to control for now.

***

Sam watched Neil brain storming with his team. He was an amazing leader, his discussions involved each and everyone and his team enjoyed being with him. She had missed those fun times with him. She thought and then moved in. ''Hi guys, how is the preparation going on.''

''Good Sam. Anything you need?'' Neil's question startled her. She was expecting him to hug her and welcome her in the discussion like before. She just smiled, ''Thought of joining you guys. Can I?''

All nodded and he stayed silent and went about discussing the topic and debating about the ideas. After concluding, he asked all to make a small presentation for the client. When all moved out, Sam held Neil arm, ''Did I do something to upset you?''

He smiled and shook his head refusing it. Sam held his hand, ''then why are you distancing yourself from me.''

''Sam you are just imagining things.'' Neil replied

''No, we are not like before. I miss our time together. I miss you Neil, why can't you be like before.''

He smiled and then laughed, ''Why? Fine , her is your answer , Sam we can never be like before because nothing is like before. Then you were my Samrinder Singh and I was your idiot and Now you are Samaira , Arjun's Sam and I am still the same...A BIG IDIOT. ''

Sam heard the sarcasm. '' Are you punishing me for not falling in love with you?''

Neil stared at her for a minute, ''Sam, few things. You never understood me. Second, you are still thinking only about yourself. You want me around knowing that its painful for me to watch you in somebody else's arms. Why can't you understand that I need some time? Why do you have to talk only about your pain and not mine?

Sam stammered, ''I am sorry. I just didn't want to lose you.'' She broke down hugging him. ''Neil, no one can be you. I know I am being selfish, but all seems so incomplete without you. Please, don't push me.'' Neil counted and the gave up wrapping his arms around her. She let out a content breath, ''Don't push me . Ever.''

''You need to understand Sam. It hurts.'' He pleaded. She broke the hug, ''Fine, but once a week outing won't hurt right?'' He watched her expectant eyes waiting for his response. Neil cupped and then pulled them harder, ''Fine, as you say Samrinder Singh.'' She squealed throwing her arms around Neil.

Radhika watched her two friends smiling joking with each other. She thought, 'Arjun Mehra out Neil Melhotra In. Now, I just have to make Sam and Arjun jealous and both will spill the beans.'

Radhika walked back to her work station. She browsed Arjun Mehra , the details shocked her. He was an orphan adopted by a big business family. His parents passed away in a fatal accident. The article read all good about him and his achievement but nothing about his sister. She felt strange. Her instincts made her search the name of the culprits responsible for the accident, but there were none. Police found no evidence of fault from the other party. She thought and turned to Teji, ''What date did Jai went missing.''

''I think a year and half before. I think somewhere in April 3 rd week.'' Teji reply made her think. Was Sam the driver of the car that crashed against Ajun's parents car. She wiped her forehead, if this was the reason then Arjun must have planned something dangerous. She decided to collect the proofs and share all with Sam.

***

''Let him go. Why should he sacrifice his dreams. He has done enough for your business Dilip. Ankush deserves to live his dreams.'' Dadaji interrupted the heated discussion of the Mishra house hold. Ankush had impressed a foreign tourist with his vast knowledge of cuisines around the globe. The tourist turned out to be a world-renowned chef who tested Ankush and the latter prepared some mouth watering dishes with minimum available ingredients for the camp. The Chef offered him a job in his restaurant and had send him a letter of employment after reaching Australia. Now, the mishras were debating about the same. Being masters in Hotel management from a renowned college, Ankush gave up his dreams to support his dad's small business in bad times. But somewhere he felt lost and now when he had a chance, his father rejects it.

''He is better off here than being a cook.'' Dilip retorted

''Its chef and I am just asking a year . Please, let me leave it and it will help me cover the losses we incurred in the fire.'' Before Dilip could rebuff, Dadaji gave the permission. Ankush hugged him happily. He wanted to go far. Shruti had changed, when he called her last night. She asked for time to think on their relationship. Ankush knew, it was over. He couldn't express his pain and desperately needed time and space to move on. Ankush knew, with the help of his employer his travel process could be hasten and he was glad for it. He had decided never to call and beg Shruti to be with him ever again.

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Ankush meets Manya. Radhika beings her jealous games.

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