Manya opened her eyes and stretched her body, she frowned when she found her leg almost out of the bed, ''How come  me bed went this small?''  She thought, scratched her head and lifted her sleepy torso up. Blinking her eyes she looked around, this wasn't her house. Shaking her head once she crooked her head , she smiled. There on the bed, next to her was the guy she had fallen in love with. He slept in a attention position with one arm stretched for her to make a pillow. She smiled, placing her chin on his chest she watched his sleeping form. She gave him all the liberty, signs to get close yet he never tried. Even when she slept holding him, all he did was caressed her head and pat her to sleep. Her smile  widen, flattening her cheek on his chest she tighten her arm around his middle. She still wasn't ready to be up or not ready to part from him. Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes again. It was fine to be late some day.

Ankush opened his eyes after a minute, he had been up long back but couldn't get up as Manya slept on his arm. He didn't wanted to wake her up. She had been working to hard, her college and then him. She became a support, not leaving him even for a single moment. She motivated him to excel in his work and start his own food joint. She had been drawing business plan for with help of her friends. Ankush knew all this was easy to say then done, but it motivated him enough to do more and good. Manya gave him the emotional support he needed, he stared at her sleeping form. her head on his chest and eyes closed, she looked calm. He smiled,he knew she liked him. But he wasn't sure of his feelings yet, moreover she looked younger than Radhika. Taking a deep breath he moved his eyes towards the ceiling, it was good to maintain the distance, there were better of as friends.

***

Radhika was getting ready for office, when the message beep took her attention. It was from Sam, 'Can you delay Arjun's arrival at office? I have a meeting with share holders, don't want him here.'

'Done' She punched in the reply and peeped over the balcony, Arjun was still on his morning run. She quickly pulled out a small scissors from her drawer and started cutting off the buttons of of all his ironed formal shirts. She smiled at her winning work, 'Forget late, he wouldn't be in office'   She punched in message sending it to Sam. Quickly wiping the proofs of her crime, she walked out to join Nandini for the breakfast. She had to leave early to avoid getting caught. As she stepped out, she came face to face with her husband. Giving him a royal snub she walked off, he just chuckled.

Arjun decided to shower and join Radhika. he didn't like the fact she would go without him, and a couple of time even Neil picked her, that was beyond his limit of endurance. He moved to the wash room, but then decided to pull the clothes out. He pulled out a light peach shirt and frowned, all the buttons were missing. He quickly checked  the rest and understood, ''Radhika! Up NOW!''

Radhika gulped, her deed was caught. 'How will he prove, just act ignorant and refuse to admit' Advised her mind. Lifting her chin up, she made her way to her room. ''Why are you screaming and how dare you command me.'' She tried to look strong.

He stared at her for a minute, she was such a poor liar. He walked to her and noticed her gulping in nervousness. Grabbing her hand he pulled her with a jerk to his cupboard, "just don't you dare deny this, I know it's your deed.'' 

She knew, lying won't help. Instead she smirked, ''What will do about it?'' 

Arjun raised a brow at her audacity. He moved to the door and locked it, moving to the cupboard he pulled out a box of needles and thread. ''Since you accepted your deed, none of us our stepping out till you rectify it.'' He said pushing the box in her hands. Radhika looked at the locked door, she calculated the distance time and speed needed to escape it. Her mind mocked her, yet it was worth a try. With squeal she ran to the door to escape, but couldn't unlock it. He stood smiling watching her little acts with adoration, she was mischievous, naughty, intelligent cute and equally innocent. 

''Its a combination lock wifey, and you get the numbers when you do your job.'' She still didn't give up. ''Fine , if you want to try , I will bath in that time.'' He took a leisure bath , when he stepped out she was still working on the combination with all tried ones written on a piece of paper. He chuckled shaking his head, Radhika froze. She gave a side glance and found him just in towel. She started sweating, her fingers now fumbled her mind forgetting all combinations. Arjun took slow steps to her, he stood behind her for a minute. An arm went around and locked her hands on the door, ''Enough, I gave you the chance to escape . Now you will do as I said.''

''I can't do so many.''

''Wow! you just undid them now fix them.'' She made a face, picked the needle and moved to pick the shirt. ''Not that one, this one.'' He said pointing to the one he was wearing . Her eyes moved from top to the bottom button, what was he thinking. If she tried fixing it this way it would appear she was going down on him. 

She knew , if she refused he wouldn't let her step out. She cursed in her head, ''I heard that.'' She blinked. 'Just get over with it Radhika, it's just one shirt and think him as a mannequin.' 

Making the decision she moved to him. Picking a button, she lifted the hem of his shirt to fix the bottom most. ''Are you trying to undress me?'' He asked and next moment he screamed, ''OUCH!!!.''

''Side effects of day dreaming.'' She smiled as she had intentionally poked needle on to his skin. Arjun watched her with adoration as she fixed one after the other. Finally , it was the turn to fix the collar one and she took her anger out nicely poking him at every chance, he didn't move nor made a sound. All he did was watch her, his heart swooning with pride. Yes, he was proud about his choice. Moving his hand , he pushed the scissors away. Radhika when done with the stitches started looking for it, "I don't have whole day Radhika.'' She made a face, went on her toes to cut the thread with her teeth, he leaned down to have a look at her bringing their lips closer than ever. She froze, he smiled but didn't make any effort to lean further. Arjun's arm went around her waist keeping her still ''I am many things  but a pervert, I won't do a thing till you agree.'' He whispered, letting his breath fan her face, she turned pink. Arjun leaned leaving a sweet peck on her cheek, ''Now, fix rest of the shirts,Ii will see you in evening. And thanks for this morning romance.'' With that he pulled apart moving to the dresser to get ready. Radhika stood frozen at her place, too shocked with the proximity between them.

Nandini had to remind Arjun about the upcoming party where she wanted Radhika introduced to the world. She thought of going to his room and remind him before leaving for the orphanage, the moment she was about to knock , she heard him scream, ''OUCH!!'' She quickly retreated, feeling embarrassed about eavesdropping her brother and his wife's private moment. She quickly walked off leaving a message for him with Rana. 

***

Sam took a breather when share holders assured her about not letting any 3rd person take over BS. They Samrat's old confidante and couldn't refuse his daughter. Sam promised them to give the best amount for their share and assured they wouldn't suffer any loses. She looked at her watch, wondered why wasn't Radhika in. She moved out and found Arjun moving into his cabin, he stood at the door staring at her with penetrating gaze. Sam wanted to roll her eyes, instead she just smiled moving back in, ''Psycho !!!'' She whispered to herself wondering why she didn't notice that before. 

''Sam, busy?'' Neil asked peeping in

''Not really. Anything important.''

''Just wanted to check if your free this evening. We could go out on a dinner like old times.'' Neil suggested hoping her to accept the invite.

Sam pressed her lips, ''Though I am not doing anything, I still can't accept your invite.''

''Why?'' He felt his nerves cracking in anger

''Neil, there is nothing like before. And I don't want to be one of those female friends who try and show off  their rights on the male friends to their spouses. I think you should spend more time with Soniya. After all she is going to be your life partner.''

''Is this the only reason?'' He asked annoyed. She had off lately giving him all kinds of martial lectures , which reminded him that he wasn't free anymore.

''This is the biggest reason Neil.'' He took a step to her but before he could say a word, they were being interrupted by Zubin, ''Sam all set for evening''

''Don't  forget to pick me up.'' She gave Zubin a thumbs up. He smiled and turned to Neil, ''Would you and Soniya like to join?''

''Thanks for asking, I almost believed that I was invisible to any of you.'' His sarcastic tone made Zubin lift a brow and Sam cough. Neil barged out leaving the 2 alone, Zubin turned to Sam, ''Phew!!! That was close. What next.''

''I need a guy Not just a guy a hot guy, you are going to get me introduced to him and we will click like house on fire.''

''And Neil will set me on fire.'' Zubin rolled his eyes

''He has no right now.'' Sam sounded serious. Zubing left with a nod.

Sam made her way to the cafeteria to be blocked by Arjun, ''Now what do you want.''

''Tell me that you are repenting for choosing him over me and you are jealous that i picked simple Radhika over gorgeous Sam.''

Sam narrowed her eyes, ''Thanks was calling me gorgeous and Radhika is the most beautiful person I have ever met. Now your answers. NO, I am not repenting REJECTING you, all I am repenting is that my best friend has to pay the prize of my stupidity.''

.''You will one day , and beg me to take you back.'' He challenged.

Sam felt like puking all over him, ''The Sam you met was lost, the one talking to you is Radhika's friend. Watch your back Arjun Mehra, I might just kick you hard.'' She warned walking off. She looked at the watch and then Radhika's place, her absence worried her. She couldn't trust Arjun on anything.

***

''Its would be better if you maintain your distance from Sam.'' Arjun turned to look at the voice that dare to threaten him. Neil stood strong on his feet glaring at Arjun with murderous gaze. 

''Why do you care? You moved on, be happy with her.'' He replied casually

Neil took a step, ''She is still my friend, and will always be. And you married another best friend of mine. It may take some time for me to convince Radhika to take money from me, throw it on your face and walk off. ''

''You do that and I destroy Sam for any guy.'' Arjun warned. In reality he was scared, what if Radhika took the choice given to her by Neil.

''Arjun Mehra, you won't be able to touch a hair on her head. I promise, I will keep Sam and everything of hers that you eye safe. About Chashni, just wait. She will throw you out of her life. I will make sure of that.'' The men stood glaring at each other before walking away.

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