''Choti, Arjun has mentioned that he will be taking you back to Mumbai tomorrow morning.'' Mala informed gloomily to her daughter who stood staring at her wedding chain. Radhika took a deep breath and turned to her mother, ''How does it matter what he wants ? I am not leaving with him. ''

Sam and Mala stared at each other flummoxed, ''Chashni, what's running in your head?''

''Let the night sink and  sun rise guys. Now the game begins.'' Mala left the two girls alone. Radhika took her jewellery off. 

''Chashni,I am worried.'' Sam said turning Radhika to her

''What's the point worrying Sam, what's done is done. Now I have to think how to make his life hell.'' Radhika replied least affected.

''You are suffering for making me realise my true feeling .'' Sam was feeling guilty

Radhika made her sit and narrated everything. How She met Arjun in Hrishikesh, his sister's proposal . His fake identity friendship and then meeting in BS. With every word Radhika narrated Sam's eyes turned wider. ''So he had a motive of coming into my life. Oh MY GOD!''

Radhika intentionally hid the car accident part. She didn't wanted Sam to sink into depression. She wanted to give Arjun a chance of repentance, afterall even she had feelings for him and now he was her husband. ''Why didn't you tell me this before?''

''Would you believe me then over him?''

''Radhika you are my friend, why couldn't you trust my friendship? I am not an idiot, I don't believe on things blindly. Only Arjun was an exception don't know what got into me then. But out of everyone in this world , you are one I would believe blindly.'' 

Radhika hugged Sam tight, ''Then just believe me for some more time. I will be needing your support and come what may, this remains between us.'' Sam tighten her arms around her dear friend, ''Just keep me posted how and when to kick his ass.'' 

''You have to leave for Mumbai, before we reach you have to find how deep Arjun has his hold in BS. I will turn his world upside down.'' Sam cupped Radhika's cheek, pecking her forehead she said, ''Call me when you need me.'' Radhika asked one of her cousin to drop Sam to the airport early morning. 

She smirked, she too was waiting for the morning. Arjun's life was about to change , forever.

***

''Is Radhika ready to leave.'' Arjun asked stepping inside a tensed Mishra house. Radhika walked into the room munching an apple, minus all her wedding signs.  ''radhika says No. What will you do?''

''I don't want to force Radhika'' he warned

''Try, try forcing too and I will make sure you stay behind the bars for ever. Have heard of Section 498A, its made to safe guard the women from men like you. I will put an FIR, that you are harassing my parents for property and dowry. Even if for a night, you will be behind bars. And then we have the press in our country, who would flash the story of a tortured woman with his husband culprit for at least a month.'' She took a step forward, ''And you created a scene in presence of too many witnesses.''

Arjun's face was a treat to watch, his eyes were spitting fire, ''Come to the point.''

''property papers of Mishra market and Mishra house. Now.'' She said coming to the point. Mishras didn't know what to say and how to react. They didn't wanted Radhika's married life affected and on the other hand they weren't happy about the forced relation

Arjun stared at her, she looked serious. He too had no intentions of blackmailing the simple people . he had already transferred everything back to Dilip and Dadji's name. He pulled the papers out of his case and extended it to Radhika, snatching it next moment, ''You are coming with me after this.'' She nodded.

Next one hour , her stuff was being loaded in Arjun's vehicle. Radhika gave a teary farewell to her family before driving off with Arjun.   There were driven off to the Delhi Airport and Arjun decided to stay silent. He pulled open the door , extending his hand. She looked at him once, ignored his hand and got down. The airport potter wheeled their luggage towards the departure gate. Radhika gasped when he wrapped his arm around her waist. Her eyes met his in shock, he was looking down at her with love and possessiveness. She tried moving out, but his grip tighten, ''Now, its my right and no one can question that.''

''You get the right when I am wiling. For now I loath you.'' She removed his hand with a jerk. Arjun just smiled and followed her in. Soon they were seated in business class and Radhika made sure to squeeze in a way that their bodies don't brush.  

***

''Why didn't you call me? I could have saved Chashni, its just 10 Lakhs.'' Neil reprimanded Sam. She picked her phone and shoved the call log on to his face, ''I did, but you decided to stay unreachable. I offered my savings , she refused and he came so prepared that no body could do a thing. He even spoiled Saral's life. And you were busy somewhere when your friend needed you the most.

''Neil, are we going out.'' Soniya entered the cabin with her eyes only on Neil. She hugged him, placing a peck on his cheek, shocking Sam to the core. ''Hey Sam, long time. How have you been.''

'' I am good Soniya. When did you come and how long are you here, we could catch-up sometime.'' Sam asked with a smile

''You didn't tell her, we have a news Sam. I am engaged to Neil.'' Soniya's words came like a lightning bolt. Neither she could hold nor let her breath out. She felt the world spinning around her. She realised she lost everything, she lost all rights on Neil. And no one else , but she herself was to be blamed. Sam looked at the couple, and then at Neil. He was smiling with Soniya, his eyes met hers but they held nothing. Sam smiled, ''Congratulations!! Don't forget to send me the invite.'' 

With that she dashed out, a minute more of control was difficult. She ran till she was out of his reach. A place where no one but only she could hear the shattering of her heart. Sam screamed , letting out her anguish and then broke down, crashing on the hard earth. ''I know I was wrong, but didn't I had the right to know from you Neil. This time you were wrong. But you chose your path, I won't stop you. Instead, I will move away from you. You want this, even aunty want this. So be it.''

She wiped her tears , brushed away the dust and walked back to find her way. Radhika did a big sacrifice for her and for now saving her friend was important.

Neil was restless , Sam had gone somewhere and no one knew of her whereabouts. He thought, Arjun marrying Radhika might have broken her heart and now she must be broken about losing him too. He wanted to reach out to her, console her. Assure her that he would always be there as a friend when needed.

He picked his phone and dialled her again, the call went to the voice message like last 3 times. He shook his head and decided to try till she is reachable. Just then he heard her voice, ''Give me duplicate keys of Arjun's cabin.'' Neil moved out to check

''Ma'am, that's not right.'' The Admin guy protested knowing what Arjun Mehra could do.

''This is my company, and it won't be on you.'' The man extended the keys and Sam made her way to the cabin. She unlocked it and then locked the door behind her back to restrain any disturbance. She picked her phone and dialled the partner in crime, ''tell me Chashni, where to start.''

''Sam, the 3 rd drawer for his table, I have seen him keeping things there hiding from poaching eyes and do check with your mom. She was offering him partnership.''

''He already holds more than 20%'' Sam replied defeated.

''20 not the other 80. Now get on to work, find the next holders and use that 5 lacs savings to buy the shares. Ask your family not to sell at any cost.''

''Chashni, I know all that, but BS isn't doing great and Arjun can pay what shareholders demand which I can't.''

Radhika thought, ''Sam , we have a trump card. Samrat Uncle, he was one of the best of his times, time to cash his popularity. We invite investments, on his name. Convince Uncle to be BS's face again. And let me find something in this house which might help. We will sail through.'' Sam smiled, she trusted Radhika. She went back to her search, pulling open the drawer she found scribbles of his plans, where her name was being crossed violently. Many pictures of Radhika and a photo frame of an elderly couple. They looked familiar, she closed her eyes once to recall where she met them but failed. She took the clicked pictures of all she could and left the room setting it up.

''Sammy, tell me I can help.'' For a moment Sam wanted to hug Neil and tell him all. But now he belonged to someone else. She lost her chance, she slowly removed his hands from her shoulder. ''Its not required. I can help myself. Thanks anyways. ''

Neil stood frozen as Sam walked off, she just created a distance between them. He watched as she instructed others on some work. She looked all fine, he wanted to know what's going on in her head, ''am, where were you. I called you so many times.''

''Why? And I was out for a break.'' She replied without looking at him

''Your number was not reachable''

''So was yours for almost a week.'' The reply came like a slap.

''I was in US.''

''Well, I was just in near by coffee shop and had turned my mobile off. I need some me time, is that a crime?''

''Sam, I was just worried.'' He spoke little helpless.

''Then stop worrying now, you were fine not worrying for a week and let me grow up Neil.'' She took a step, then stopped and added, '' Any ways you have decided to remove our memories from the wall of your room, then it won't take too long to wipe out from your brain. I am glad you are moving on. Its best for both'' Teji called and she left , leaving her words echoing in his ears. 

***

''This marriage is a mistake Nandini. This girl will make his life hell, she threw his stuff on the floor in pretext of making space. And you believed she will change his life.'' Rana spoke agitated

Nandini smiled, ''Kaka just answer this, what do you to bring a stubborn arrogant kid on the right path.''

Rana made a face at the question, but on Nandini's instance he answered, ''By giving him right lessons.''

Nandini smiled, ''Exactly, Radhika is the lesson. Just enjoy kaka, we have full bollywood masala movie running in her house. Just enjoy with me.'' Rana just shook his, he wasn't liking Arjun being troubled by Radhika. But couldn't do a thing because of Nandini.

***

Manya  had been on college tour and couldn't see Ankush for a week. After returning she tried reaching him a couple of time but he didn't answer. She contacted the restaurant he worked and got to know that he had been ill for a week. She couldn't hold more, without wasting a minute. She took some necessities and took a cab to Ankush's place. 

She kept banging the door till he answered. Her heart sank looking at his condition, she touched his forehead, ''What's wrong? Why didn't you call me?'' he said nothing, and kept watching her with tear laden eyes. Manya kept blabbering looking at his messed up apartment. Without a word she started clearing it up, Ankush watched her lifelessly. She found him sitting all lost , walking to him knelt , cupped his cheeks, ''Ankush, tell me.'' He broke down miserably, pulling her in a hug he cried like a baby. Manya held him, like a friend , like a true soul mate. Giving him all the time to to control himself. When he did, he narrated everything filing her with rage. She felt his pain. But right now he needed her strength. 

''Ankush, listen to me. Its not the time to weep over the past. You should work harder, to collect all the money and free your sister. What if that man ill treats her? You can't let her down, she made a sacrifice and now its your turn.'' As her words sank, he realised he was behaving like a loser, ''I am such a loser. When I should be working to help choti, I am sitting here crying like a baby.''

''Its okay to be baby sometime. Now, get up clean yourself up , while I cook for both.'' She got up , but he held her hand, ''Will you stay today, Please!''

Manya smiled, leaning she pecked his rough cheek, ''I would have even if you wouldn't have asked. Now get going.'' Ankush smiled as she pushed him to the wash room. She had made a decision to stand by him, help him every way. He mattered to her more than anyone.

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Next- Radhika irritates Arjun by rejoining BS. Sam ignores Neil

I always felt that Radhika-Sam could never hate each other. This is why in my story Sam decided to trust her friend and not Arjun. Hope you like it.

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