Manya entered the restaurant fidgeting  with her bag.  She wasn't even aware of his name or identity. She only had a wild guess that he was an Indian chef, she rubbed her palms in nervousness. In 2 years it was first time she felt like home. ''Excuse me, I wanted to meet the Indian chef here.''

''We have 3 of them, which one are you looking for.'' The receptionist asked with a trained smile over her lips.

''Can I see all of them.'' Manya replied with a smile. The receptionist raised a brow and then nodded lifting the intercom up. After few minutes 3 men walked out of the kitchen area. Manya scrunched her nose looking at the 2 and then she smiled staring at the rugged looking man walking out. Tall with broad shoulders, two days old subtle gave him a strong menacing look. Her intuition said it was him, She made her way to him immediately, ''Hi, it was you who made vada pav for me a week back'' He nodded with a smile, she grinned wide extending her hand, ''Manya and you are...''

''Ankush, nice meeting you.'' He voice was composed calm and Manya felt a surge of excitement in her blood. Ankush directed her to a nearby by table and she hopped her way to it. Ankush watched her with a frown and then followed shaking his head. 

***

''Everyone , please give us a minute.'' Samrat clapped once gathering the attention of his staff. ''I have a news for you guys.'' He looked at the curious faces once and then smiled, ''One of the leading cosmetic brand had given us an exclusive contract for 3 years. That means , BS will solely responsible for their advertising strategies.  We hit a jackpot guys.'' The premises broke into big applaud. Samrat lifted his palm to calm them, ''The credit goes to the amazing team of Radhika and Neil. '' The crowd again broke into applaud. ''So we have decided to celebrate, BS will be taking its employees for a 4 day trip to Goa and we leave a day after.'' The employees shrieked in excitement, congratulating the winning team.

Arjun banged his fist on the table, he had done all to make BS lose the assignment then how and when Radhika manged to to get the job done. He watched her through the glass door. People kept congratulating her and then Neil pulled her into a bear hug, holding a little longer than Arjun could take. He pulled open the door harshly walking out, ''I guess getting a project mean you need to put more efforts. If you are done with your little celebration, get back to work.'' He glared at Radhika, who stared back at him with her big brown eyes. As if warning her against something. She raised a brow and challenged him with his smirk, wrapping her arm firmly around Neil's waist. Arjun's eyes followed her movements, somewhere he adored her daring act.

He turned and walked away . Radhika missed the smile he had on his lips. Neil looked at Arjun's retreating form and then at his little friend, who had her hand wrapped around his waist. He was no kid. He read and understood between the lines, ''Don't provoke him''

''I am not, but what can I do if he gets provoked at simple things.'' She replied scratching her nose.

Neil pulled her nose, ''This is for Sam, I know. But you are inviting trouble.'' It was time for Radhika to blink. Neil smiled, ''I am your friend, if you understand my unsaid words, I can see through your silly acts. I know he is hiding something and has a reason. With time all will be out in open, don't put yourself in a mess.''

''Until we push him, he won't budge. He has a Rhino's skin.'' She twisted her lips making Neil chuckle. He pulled both her cheeks, ''Slow and steady wins the race. You are just too fast. Slow down , watch , plan and then act.''

''WOW! I saw a different Neil today'' She exclaimed.

''I may fool around and be friendly even with the rudest of all, but I too can think in a twisted way.'' He replied, his hands pushed into his pockets.

''That's a breather, I thought I will have to put some sense into your head too.'' Neil laughed. He wrapped an arm around her shoulder, ''I know, you have been doing a lot to bring me and Sam together. Don't push things, if it has to happen, it will happen.''

''Hmm, but to make it happen you have to put efforts. And I am doing that for you.'' Neil knew there was no point explaining her, she had decided and will do what she wanted. Lightly slapping her head he went back to his cabin. He had seen Arjun's attraction towards her and he wanted to keep her safe.  He had doubted Arjun's motives, and now was happy he had a silly partner to help him with uncovering the truth.

***

''Chashni, stop jumping.'' Sam had a hard time controlling Radhika's excitement.  ''Sammy I have never been to Goa. I am so excited. Okay, we will have all kinds of fun....'' Sam smiled shaking her head as Radhika went on and on about her list of to do for the trip. ''You are going to sit next to me and not with Neil. He has had your friendship for years''

Sam held her jumping form, ''Fine I will, I have also made a request to allot us the same room.'' Radhika clapped happily. She had decided to enjoy the trip to the core. 

The employees started boarding the bus. Sam eyes widen when she found Radhika quarrelling with another girl for a seat.She was aware there was nothing serious, Radhika sometimes did silly things to spice up the life. She smiled, not everyone could be like her. She enjoyed every moment with a smile on her lips. ''Look I am best friends with Sam, I can be dangerous.'' Radhika's childish words bought Sam back to reality, she grabbed Radhika's arm dragging her to the other seat. ''Why were you fighting?''

''She was faking, so I decided to have fun.'' Sam pulled her cheeks. She pulled her mobile out and both friends started clicking pictures pouting and imitating whoever they could think off. 

''Hi Sam, would you mind sitting with me.'' Arjun asked, his eyes on Radhika. Who simply made a face at him, which he found too adorable to be angry at . He asked Sam again. Sam thought, she looked at Radhika who just stared out turning away from her she smiled, ''No Arjun, I want to enjoy this trip with my best buddy.'' Radhika looked at Sam surprised. Sam nodded at her surprised friend. She felt good making a different choice today. Arjun nodded and turned his eyes to Radhika, who just lifted her chin up celebrating her victory. Arjun went back to the front row with a smile on his face, he had decided to have some fun.

''We are here to enjoy some time off, but that doesn't mean we forget this is an official fun trip.'' Arjun addressed the gathering of employees seated attentively in the board room of a lavish hotel. He looked around once to take in the different expression and added, ''Hence, the HR had suggested some team bonding activities. Though, we all work in same office , we aren't too acquainted with some of our colleagues. For example, some people being friends with the influential ones try to threaten others.'' There were gasps and chuckles as eyes turned to Radhika, who narrowed her eyes at Arjun swearing a revenge. Arjun pressed his lips, continuing with his words, ''We all will be divided into two teams, and the activities would be a surprise ones. The one who is given the task cannot refuse, if he or she does. their team will lose points. Only captains can help their team members. Get ready people, these four days we are really going to have fun.'''

Sam jumped in happiness on being assigned Neil's team. She hugged him, ''We are going to win today.''

''We will, eventually.'' he replied holding her close.Sam felt a kind of calmness she hadn't felt in years. Neil's arms have always been soothing, but today all felt different. Somehow she felt no longing to be with Ajun, she hugged Neil again, ''I missed you.''

"I have been here, all the time.'' Neil answered cupping her cheek

''I know, you were so near, yet felt so far. Beyond my reach.'' She replied her eyes locked with his

''That's just a perception Sam.''

''Neil, don't take me wrong but I was jealous of your and Radhika's growing bond. I felt she is taking my place. I was scared to lose you.''

For a moment Neil pitied the girl who stood opposite to him fidgeting. He wrapped his arms around her, ''Sam, we all are different and we all have a unique place of our own. About Chashni, her energy is intoxicating. One just feels sucked up into it. You answer this, wouldn't you wish for her little craziness.'' Sam nodded with a smile. ''Exactly, she reminded me the Neil I left behind. It was good have a self realisation. And her taking your place , not possible. Her mental age is not more than 6.'' Sam laughed as Neil joined her , they were aware that Radhika was put into Arjun's group and they now pitied Arjun.

Radhika stomped fumed realising that she was a Arjun's team. What pissed her more was, all her friends had seemed to land into Neil's team. She looked around wearing a grumpy expression on her face. her friends waved at her and she simply poked her tongue out all annoyed, she had decided to make Arjun lose, by putting 100% effort in making him lose. ''Don't stress your brain, I am not giving you a single chance to make me lose.'' Arjun whispered guessing the mischief running in her head

''Good for you, still I will do all to make you lose.'' She replied with an uplifted chin. Arjun just wanted to kiss that adorable pout. He shook his head to let go the idea, but he was determined to do it once.

After the employees freshened up, they were asked to gather in the lawn where they were being greeted by the step for few team bonding activities. The instructor briefed them about the first activity, where a team had to form a human chain and walk through a pre designed path. Each member was supposed to step only on the tiles kept at few distance and not on the earth. The former member can removed his foot from the tile only if the member behind him had placed his foot on to it. In short, a single person cannot have his feet together on one tile. If they miss reaching the tile or break the chain, the designated tile would be removed along with the member. The team which completes the task with maximum members enacted as a chain wins.

The first chance was given to Neil's team. Radhika smiled watching the amazing comrade between Neil and Sam. They acted like binders binding the whole human chain together. After 3 trials and 3 drops they were able to complete the task. Next was Arjun's turn, he had seen the mischievous twist of Radhika's lips. He knew she would do all to break the chain. He had the solution, he decided to be the one to hols her hand and kept her in the last, keeping himself on the second last position. He knew, half of the BS was dying to impress him and the one appointed to take the lead won't let him down. With the blow of the whistle, they started to walk hand in hand across the twisted tiled path. Radhika felt trapped, there was no one on the other side whose hand she could easily leave breaking the chain and Arjun won't let go of her easily. She pretended not being able to stretch that long , he smiled and jerked her a bit making her jump the tile in one go. ''I am prepared miss pepper.'' He whispered and she blinked. Arjun's team too took 3 trials but was able to win taken less time as compared to that of the other team.

The other activity involved 5 chosen member of each team to walk in a over a thin straight plank individually, where the other team tries to make them fall by throwing smiley balls at them . Arjun very well knew that Radhika will fall the minute she begins. He decided not to choose her as the participant, instead he gave her the job to collect the scattered balls, leaving her in flames.

Third activity involved paint ball, and all gathered dressed up in two different colour uniforms differentiating the two teams. Radhika was mad at Arjun. She loaded her gun, ''you made me stick to you for whole day, now I am going to stick this colour ball up your but.'' With an evil grin she followed Arjun like a pet, he sensed and dodged her. Radhika looked around and found him standing behind the cover shooting at the opposite team, she tiptoed and stood behind him. Keeping an eye on surroundings she fired the ball and the man felt flat with a groan. She smiled wickedly running away, 

Arjun's team lost the game and all gathered around the one rubbingbhis butt groaning in pain. When he took his helmet off Radhika gasped , it wasn't Arjun  but a guy from finance team. She turned around and found Arjun smiling at her, he winked walking to the guy helping him up. "Sir, some stupid member of our team targeted me and we lost.  The moron didn't even know that it's against the rules to hit anywhere away from the armour" as everyone discussed about the stupid one. Radhika kept a straight face. When they moved out finally her mobile buzzed. There was a message, " you were able to because I let You, now wait for what I will make you."

She felt a sudden chill in her body, night was a small party and there also they had few fun activities as teams. She was on her way to her room when a bell boy handed her a parcel with a note" wear this or I tell the whole office about the dumb shooter"

She grumbled and moved to her room to freshen up. 

"Chashni,   many will die of shock looking at you today" Radhika blushed at Sam's compliment. She looked angelic in floral print midi noodle strap dress. Sam excitedly gave her some touch up making Radhika look like a blooming rose. She entered the pool area, which had been turned into the party zone. People were grooving at the slow music. Radhika stepped in shyly, this wasn't the first time she was dressed like this. It was the eyes of the man who gave her strange feelings every time they landed on her. ''You look like a doll chashni'' Neil complimented her, she just smiled lowering her head and when she lifted them , they were locked with the man she  didn't wanted to see today. Arjun eyes moved slowly , taking all of her,he tilted  his head  appreciating her look with the twist of his lips and then he turned away with a smile,  . She couldn't help but smile. 

After a minutes there were gasps and then a loud applaud. Arjun sat on the small podium with a guitar in his hands, ''This is not my song, but it is so beautiful that Neil made his version and I am making mine. Thanks Ms Mishra for penning it down...''

Khwaaishon Pe Likhi

Dil Ki Yeh Arziyaan

Kaisi Yeh Manmarziyan

Daastaan Ek NayiKhwaabon Pe Saji

Bekaid Manmarziyaan 

Nafraton main mili

tu mujhe is tarah

Dil yeh sambhal na saka

Teri baton main hai ajab sa nasha

badli yeh manmarziyan...

meaning-(Written on the dreams , are the wishes of heart. Strange are these wishes written on my heart, wishes that cannot be tamed. I met you in the world full of hate and I lost my heart to you. Your words casts some spell on me that it makes me change my wishes...)

Radhika couldn't move her eyes from him, the crowd stood mesmerised looking at their tough boss like this. Sam smiled, thinking the song was for her. She hugged Radhika thanking her, Radhika turned away to find a lonely corner, her eyes met Neil. She knew, he understood all. Excusing herself she quickly moved to the lonely corner of the garden. Her heart had started beating, not just for pumping blood but with strange emotions.

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Note- I don't own the song. It belongs to the makers of original manmarziyan. 

Next- Arjun forces Radhika to spend time with him. 

A long one after days, do drop in your views and comments. Happy weekend guys.