Sam smiled looking at her phone, this was the 3rd time Neil called her since morning. She knew he was curious about her date night and she couldn't come to be serious about it. She knew if he questioned her she would break into fits of laughter. And what would she tell him, that she is dating Radhika, her best friend. 

Her stance was broken by laughing sounds coming from the adjoining room. Sam peeped in to find her brother and Shruti laughing about something. She smiled, it was after days she had found her brother laughing, Shruti's presence was like a boon. His progress had been phenomenal. She didn't miss the look her brother had for his doctor. Shruti too seemed more time in Khanna house than in her hospital, she smiled but then a fear gripped her. What if her brother was falling for Shruti and what Shruti had for him was just sympathy. Sam shook her head, she decided to talk to Shruti about it.

***

Arjun kept typing vigorously over his laptop. Radhika's little stunt and confession had left him confused and in sour mood. His fingers abruptly stopped as he heard her melodious voice, she walked out of the bathroom signing one of her creations. She towel dried her hair, deciding  on what to wear. 'How can she be interested in a girl, she looks so normal? But what if she is really not straight . He leaned back closing his eyes, trying to resolve his minds dilemma.

Radhika pressed her lips, since she had pulled the little stunt Arjun had  left him aloof. She couldn't be happier. She had a sudden urge to tease him and started signing the song that had praise of lady love. Arjun jerked up, he watched her as she kept dancing around the room signing as if he wasn't there. He frowned , was she fooling him. With the history she had, anything was possible.

He smiled he exactly knew what should be done. He was about to get up when a house staff informed about arrival of Neil.  That left both Radhika and Arjun surprised, she quickly made her way to the hall with Arjun behind her. 

As soon as Neil's eyes fell on Radhika he hugged her. Arjun's fingers curled  into a fist. Radhika rubbed his back, ''Neil what's wrong?''

''Can we talk in private?'' He asked

''No, you will talk here whatever it is'' Arjun's voice came stern.

''Let's go out.' radhika grabbed Neil's arm dragging him along, the two men glared at each other in a menacing way before turning away. As soon as they were in the lawn, Neil fired his question, ''Are you aware about Sam's new interest? Can you believe she is dating a boy not more that 18. I mean this is crazy.'' Radhika started counting till 10 to hide her laughter, folding her arms to chest she made a serious face, ''So what's wrong in that? If a girl can date an older guy why can't a girl date a younger guy.''

''he is a boy, a kid. '' he tried to put his point

''What's your problem? you have moved on now stop interfering Neil. Your behaviour will land her nad you both in trouble.''

''Chasini I care for her'' he sounded helpless

''And this is why you just vanished and then got engaged. You wanted to punish her, for what? Not falling in love with you. Neil she accepted all you threw at her , now stop bothering about her. You should think about Soniya.''

''And why are you punishing me?'' He felt broken when his Chashni too decided to stay aloof. 

''Neil, I am still there. But you will have to figure out what you want.'' Neil huffed, he had been trying to figure that out. He cursed his fate, had he known about Sam breaking up with Arjun, he wouldn't have rushed into getting engaged. Now, he felt stuck. Greeting Radhika once he left.

Radhika quickly dialled Sam, ''All good Chashni, Arjun isn't hurting you?'' Sam's voice came worried

''Can he? I made him believe that I am a gay.'' There was a silence and then came Sam's roaring laughter.

''Sam, lets go on another date. Its fun burning both men.'' Sam couldn't reply she just kept laughing at her crazy friend's idea.

''What time you will each office?'' 

''In next half an hour.'' With that she disconnected. Arjun leaned against the wall smiling, Sam was dating a boy and he was damn sure the boy was his naughty wife. He shook his head, then laughed she so conveniently made a fool of him and left him burning. He slapped his head, THE ARJUN MEHRA was being fooled so easily. Now he was looking forward to her second date.

''Arjun I want you two early today, I have kept a small party to celebrate your wedding'' Nandini declared busy with her laptop. Arjun Radhika looked at each other, ''But di what was the need for the party?'' Radhika asked

Nandini now smiled and looked at the two, ''Because you 2 together make me the happiest person on the earth. I have finalised the dresses for both of you, 6 PM sharp. The duo nodded and left for BS. Arjun kept humming a sing making Radhika frown, ''you look happy Sir, any specific reason''

He ginned wide, ''Yes, I realised I am attracted to both girls and guys. Doesn't that make our marriage simpler.''

Radhika coughed vigorously ,Arjun rubbed her back with one palm keeping the other on the steering. She quickly controlled and replied, ''But I don't prefer guys.''

''No problem, I will cross dress for you.'' His reply stumped her. She stared at him with mouth wide open. Radhika literally imagined Arjun dressed like her, she quickly shook her head to shake the image off. ''Sir, you look very good the way you are.'' The words were genuine, he moved off the road pulling his car. His palm cupped her cheek, ''Same goes with me, dress the way you like. You still will remain my sweet heart.''  Their gazes locked they shared the warmth until the passing honking cars broke their stance 

''But Sir, you should credit me for making fool out of you.'' She said

''Yes, first and the last time.'' She laughed throwing her head back and he just watched her with a content smile on his face.

***

''What do you want Neil? Why can't you just leave me alone.'' Sam whined as Neil kept pestering her about her latest crush.

''Because I am worried about you, I care for you dammit.'' His voice held the anger and annoyance of his heart. The undying love he had for Sam. She could see it feel it , but had no right to claim it. She turned away, shutting her eyes she recalled Prerna's harsh words to her this morning it was time when Sam was leaving for work, when Prerna pulled her car blocking her bike's route. She didn't even give Sam a chance to greet her

''I know what you are doing, you are making Neil jealous so that he breaks his engagement off. Have you got no shame Sam, in your selfishness you are destroying Soniya's happiness. You had your chance and you lost it, now leave Neil alone. You don't deserve him''

Sam opened her wet eyes recalling the painful morning. Composing herself she turned around to face Neil, ''I think you should concentrate more on your family business and music. I can take care of Bird Song''

''Are you asking me to leave?'' He was angry now

''Yes, and its good for both of us. You won't be able to move forward with me around, I don't want Soniya to be the one suffering for no reason.'' Neil watched her with mixed emotions. She was trying to push him away, but he couldn't tell her that he just can't walk out on her. Taking long strides to her , her gabbed her hair from the back bringing his lips down on her. The kiss held pain, longing and immense love they had for each other. Sam's eyes gave up as tears trailed down her cheek, Neil wiped them off with his thumb pad. She gently pushed him to make some distance, turning away the next moment. ''I will wait for your resignation Neil, make it fast.''

He covered the distance between them, ''I shouldn't have kissed you, I am sorry. ''He realised , it wasn't his right anymore

''Yes, you shouldn't and please leave Neil. There is already enough damage done , I don't want more.'' Neil walked backwards , his eyes on her shaking form. He cursed himself for rushing into a relationship, when he knew he could never be over Sam.

She broke down completely when his resignation appeared in her inbox. Neil emotionally recalled all his time in Bird Song before walking out.

"Neil! Where are you going? The day has just started '' Radhika blocked his way on the exit. He smiled caressing her head, ''Take care of Sam.'' Radhika's eyes went wide , without wasting a moment she quickly barged in as Neil took another step away from their lives.

''So, who is going to watch over Sam? '' Arjun taunted

Neil rubbed his face and then smiled, he gently squeezed Arjun's shoulder, ''The problem with guys is that they take girls for granted. I thought Sam would be miserable, but she stood strong. Take this as a advice from a parting friend, don't break Chashni's trust. You will never be able to replace her.'' With heavy voice he murmured a Goodbye he stepped into the elevator. Arjun watched him till the doors slid close, parting friend. That word bought the memories of someone dear from his childhood. Neil's words started ringing in his ears, he shook his head. Come what may he wouldn't let Radhika leave him.

***

''So what if his mother is dead against, have you realised your big sacrifice will spoil 3 lives. Yours, Neil and Soniya. Why did you do it Sam?'' Radhika crashed holding her head in her hands.

Sam knelt before her , she pulled Radhika hands in hers, ''because I felt it was best thing to do. My emotional breakdown already did too much damage, it even spoiled your life . I don't want more to get affected. For now, I want to focus on BS. Its my dad's dream and mine too. About Neil, if he is mine he will come around. Its time I figure out myself.''

'Radhika understood her point, may be for now it was the right thing to do. Both needed a break from each other and at times distance brings people closer than before. ''Nandini di is throwing a party to celebrate our wedding. I want you to come.''

"I will. Your husband needs to understand I am not interested in him.'' That grabbed Radhika's attention. A sudden ache clenched the walls of her heart. She was forced to question if his affection was all but fake.

The party turned out to be grand, Nandini had given Radhika a silver grey designer saree and an elegant platinum necklace set.  radhika got up from her place and stoof facing Nandini, she grinned wide, ''All will go green with envy after meeting my lovely sister in law. Come!'' Nandini proudly held Radhika's wrist taking her along to the hall full of waiting guests. ''Ladies and Gentlemen ,please welcome my lovely sister in law Radhika''

The guests clapped as Arjun walked forward extending his hand to her, she looked at his hand and then his eyes. Was the love that his eyes just a mirage or the ultimate reality. He still was trying t influence Sam. She felt her eyes filling up when Nandini squeezed her hand, bringing her thoughts back to the party. With a forced smile she placed her hand into his , his fingers curled around immediately in  possessive grip. he walked her to the center where the guests welcomed them with cheers.

Arjun introduced her to all his peers. Radhika realised he was a big name in the city, she had never met so many big names under one roof. The DJ requested the couple for a dance , Arjun gently led Radhika to the middle of the floor and started moving with her along the music. The world around him started disappearing , the sounds started diminishing all that remained was the his love dancing in his arms. He felt his life reaching the point of contentment. ''Would you mind if I dance with the lady.'' Chirag asked his eyes on Radhika.

Arjun's eyes turned red, ''haven't I warned you few months back about staying in your limits.'' Arjun's grip turned hard around Radhika, she flinched and he immediately let go.

''Stop showing me those eyes Arjun, the day she knows of your real deeds she will walk off.'' Chirag taunted. Arjun took an intimidating step and he stepped back lifting his hands up in surrender, before leaving he gave Arjun I know all smirk  which didn't go unnoticed by Radhika.

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Next- Arjun Rahika Romance.

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