Ankush dawned his chef coat ready to leave for his work, he had recently been promoted. His boss loved his experimental attitude, because of which the restaurant's popularity was soaring heights. Ankush like a good son was sending three fourth of his salary to Dilip , so that they could get free of the debt. He knew it wasn't enough but was determined to try harder.

He had struck good friendship with Manya , her firey confused attitude was exactly contrast to his sorted calm one. They had hit of quite well, she shared her loneliness and he bared his family trouble to her. Though it didn't bring any solution , but it did lessen the burden of their hearts. She had coaxed him to be her cooking teacher and he enjoyed every bit of it due to her small antics.

Manya knew how hard Ankush worked to meet his and his family's needs back home. She had always been a spoiled brat,  mostly due to her family's lack of attention and understanding of her loneliness. She felt a sense of responsibility towards him, and there was a reason for it. No one had been so patient  with her all her life. Her parents had been to occupied with Jai's loss and the Sam-Piyali's cold vibes. Shipping her off to Australia they had forgotten about how she felt, whenever she tried they brushed it off asking her to concentrate on her studies. but Ankush was different, he was patient. She tested him by intentionally doing some silly things. he would just smile, ruffle her hair and correct her  where ever required, she liked him but wasn't sure if he felt the same. 

Taking a deep breath , she pushed the door bell of his apartment. Though the place was small for her taste, strangely she never felt awkward, she felt home. Ankush answered, welcoming her with a smile, ''I bought you this'' Manya extended a small box.

''Why?'' He asked

''because I wanted to , please don't refuse.'' She pleaded thrusting the box in his hand. Ankush unwrapped it , he looked at her with surprise, ''Manya, its expensive I can't take it.'' He extended the watch back to her. Her smile dropped, ''I didn't use my dad's money. I have taken up a sales job at a super market , its all my hard work. Please, it will break my heart.'' Ankush was speechless, last week his wrist watch had stopped working and he knew he couldn't afford a new one for a month or two. This gift brought strange emotions  to his heart, ''I will keep it if you agree not to pay me for the cooking lessons.'' She smiled nodded and threw her arms around him. Akush held her, caressing the back for her head. Manya made a face, she expected him to treat her like a grown up woman and not a kid. She expected his hand to moved lower but to her dismay it stayed around her shoulder and her head. She thought,  'Will have to teach you so many things'  For that moment she decided to enjoy his warmth

***

Arjun parked the bike and Radhika hopped off running away next moment. He felt exhausted with all the drama she created all day, yet his heart was content and happy. Her mischief  filled his heart with contentment . She was like a ray of light, filling in every corner of his life. He decided to take a dip in the pool before dinner. Changing into his swimming trunks he stepped into the cool water, letting in calm his nerves. After few laps, he rested leaning against the pool wall when a sound of feet attracted his attention. He opened his tired eyes to waiting for the blur vision  to clear up. He smiled, Radhika walked in his direction dressed in a free flowing dress all freshened up. There eyes met and he allowed her to see the adoration he held for her, her face turned crimson. He chuckled, he was aware she wasn't use to men walking bare around her, but this affect gave him a sense of victory. He was about to pull himself out when she squealed running off thinking he is stepping out in his bare form, Arjun fell back with a splash laughing hard at her antics.

Sam greeted Radhika as she entered the restaurant, ''You look fresh while others are worn out.'' Radhika beamed with pride, ''I tired them off, including Arjun Sir. It was fun riling him up.'' She clasped her hands together happy about her achievement . Neil watched her with a smile, ''You might get into trouble.''

''For being sweet and sporty?'' She asked pressing her lips

''You are anything but sweet, I know you in and out. I have seen Teji, he can barely walk and Zubin decided to crash without dinner.'' Neil replied

''They should build the stamina up.'' She replied with a shrug of her shoulders. Sam couldn't control her laughter as Radhika narrated how everyone became the victim of her mischief just because of Arjun. Sam realised she had to check on him and quickly dialed his number, Arjun picked up after few rings, ''Are  you coming for dinner?''

''Sam, I can't move a muscle. Your chashni sucked the last bout of energy left in my body. Please excuse me for today.'' He aplogised, in reality he just wanted to relive the moments he spend with her in solace. Sam in a way was happy, she got some more time to spend with Neil. ''let's go for a walk Idiot.'' Sam chirped.

''Chashni , care to join.'' Neil asked which left Sam little upset. Radhika noticed all she gave Neil a stern look, '' I did so much hard work of troubling people and now you want me to die of hunger. I need some energy to be active again tomorrow. Take Sam and go, I need to refuel myself.'' Sam mouthed a thank you, Radhika called out from back, ''Neil, go to the beach no one would there right now. I have tired them so much that they wouldn't wake up before noon.'' Neil just shook his head leaving with Sam.

Radhika treated herself royally before moving to the garden. The breeze caressed her face, she walked to the fountain and sat at the edge of it enjoying the wind.  She smiled, Sam was gradually moving to Neil. She was positive that with moving time, she would successfully wipe Arjun out of Sam life.

Arjun walked to the balcony, everything about the day felt beautiful. His eyes went to the slim figure sitting on the fountain edge, he smiled Fixed his appearance and moved down quickly.

Sam opened her arms wide, inhaling the breeze, ''Its beautiful, isn't it.'' Neil kept watching her for a second, ''it is indeed, and has been always.'' Sam dropped her arms, opening her eyes she stood frozen at her spot without turning towards Neil. Her heart thudded as she felt approaching footsteps,her eyes closed expectantly waiting for his next move. When nothing happened she opened her to find herself alone. Sam moved her eyes around and found Neil at the other  end, standing between the waves , staring the oblivion. She shook her head  at her stupid imagination. She was suppose to be in love with Arjun and here she was having all kind of romantic imagination with Neil. 'Are you sure you love Arjun?' Asked her heart, Sam closed her eyes.She explained herself, it was just a moment  as she feared losing Neil. She was definitely in love with Arjun. Leaving the thoughts behind, she walked upto him. ''Why here?''

''I love the calmness.'' He replied

''Sea is roaring?'' She contradicted

''The sound of waves have their own music. If you concentrate , you will hear it.'' Neil replied poetically.'' She tried then gave up, keeping her elbow on his shoulder she asked innocently, ''Can you teach me to hear this music, I guess you need to have  a musician's heart to hear it.''

He chuckled, ''No, you just need to have a heart and believe in miracles.'' He smiled down at her and then turned back to the waves. 

''I believe in you Neil, can I now feel the music.'' Her eyes held a strange longing and voice was expectant. Neil was confused about the conclusion he should draw from her words. he decided not to confuse his heart and behave normally as a friend. He pulled her in front of him , "close your eyes Sam, and just get rid of of all disturbing thoughts. Just listen to the waves"

Sam smiled, closed her eyes and concentrated on what Neil suggested. She could hear the rising and falling of water, the crashing of them against the rocks. In the darkness with the sound of crickets the waves seemed to have found their own melody. The confusions,  worry and inhibitions started fading away. With her closed eyes she could visualise Neil's dimpled smile, his smile in moon light. All around her faded away as she  could now hear her heart beating rhythmically the name of her best friend. Realisation jolted her out of the trance. Her eyes quickly met his, "could you hear it?" He asked enthusiastically.  Sam stood frozen, confused how to react. She lowered her eyes, scared he would read her mind. He asked again, " yes Neil,  I heard the melody of my heart. Thank you." Neil patted her cheek walking ahead, gesturing her to join. She smiled joining him wishing the night to never end.

Radhika watched the moon humming a melody, unaware of Arjun's presence. Who stood behind her drinking her innocence. She turned around abruptly crashing to his front, he wrapped his arm around her middle steadying her nervous form. She blinked nervously watching his smilingbeyes, he seemed to be  comfortable with their proximity. Placing her palms on her chest, pushing him slightly. He pulled her back, "this is wrong Sir, someone will see us."

"Nothing seemed to be more right than this ever before." He whispered placing a feathery kiss on her forehead. 

" you are still my friend's fiance,  May be not for long. But still this wrong"

"Tell me Radhika, had I not been involved with Sam would you give me a glance." He questioned , curious to know her thoughts about him. Radhika' s heart started hammering looking at his expectant eyes. Since he sang for her, some chords of her heart were behaving weirdly. She was scared to look into those eyes, worried that she might lose her gaurd. " I guess you are missing Saral Sir, there is no of Sam's absence or presence in your life because my heart is content having Saral as my future. 

Arjun demure changed, "yeah how could I forget that loser. Tell me, what do you see in him. He isn't a heart throb or a millionaire,  he can never do what i can to.full fill your dreams ,all he can give You is basic nessicities. "

"Sir, my dreams are my responsibilty. I don't need.a man to full full them. If this is your idea about winning a girl's heart, I am glad I have Sara l, he decided to be my strength than being a support ." Arjun stared at the fire burning in her eyes, he like it. She was strong yet empathetic.  Traditional yet free willed. She had her own thoughts and loved chosing her path. Cupping her cheek he kissed the corner of her mouth, shocking her." I don't care how good your Sara l is, remember this, at the end it would just be me." Radhika pushed him hard, " I would advice to watch your back Sir, soon I will be unmasking you infront od all."

He pushed his hands into his pockets and smiled," you are little late, trust me. " blowing a flying kiss in her direction he walked off. Radhika closed her eyes allowing her breath to calm down. She couldn't understand the meaning of his words, but was confident to.decifer it. Making her way back to her room she decided to call Saral right away, she didn't wanted to ditch him at any cost. 

***

" once they are back from Goa, I will get Arjun Sam engaged." Piyali chirped making Jai frown. He had been recovering well, but still had difficulty in walking and speaking clearly. He had has always seen Neil as Sam's future and now presence of Arjun disturbed him . He had always been  protective about Sam and something about Arjun made him uncomfortable.  The buzzing of his phone broke his trance, he glanced at the Caller ID and smiled. It was Shruti, they had been speaking daily, or he heard and she spoke. Strangely she understood his silence like no other. Jai wanted to be fine soon. He was desperate to bare his heart to the girl who saved his life and soul from drowning into self pity. Unaware how tangled all relationships were going to get in the future.

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Done, Happy weekend guys. Do let me know your views and comments

next, Radhika decides to marry Saral. Sam asks for more time from Arjun, he refuses blackmailing her. Arjun reads the file given to him by nandini... a surprise.