5 yrs later

''How many times I have told you that fighting is bad, and you punched your classmate.'' Radhika scolded the 4 yr old who stood with a tiny frown on her forehead, ''He teased my friend, you said always protect your friend and now you are scolding me. I am so confused what to do.'' She dramatically threw her arms in the air.

Radhika's brow went up, her 4 yr old daughter  had answers to everything in the world. ''You did the right thing.'' A voice made the little one squeal in happiness as she ran to the arms of the visitor, ''How is my little Anya''

''I missed you Sammy. Mom just scolds me every time, I am so fed up.'' Anya's little drama made Sam laugh aloud. She hugged the little bundle lovingly and handed the box of chocolates, ''This is for you and don't eat all in one go.'' Anya hopped jumped and ran off to her room. Sam came to her full height, taking a step she hugged her best friend , her mate and confidant, ''How are you Chashni.?''

''Good, and how are you?''

''Like before.'' The friends made their way to the couch . Five years they have been thick as thieves. The day she stepped out of Arjun's house she found Sam waiting for her, without any word Sam held her hand promising her the undue support. It was Sam who was there when Radhika delivered Anya, it was her who supported and helped Radhika in her crucial struggling phase. It was Sam who suggested Radhika to let Nandini know about Anya. Later, Nandini helped Radhika shift her base to Singapore and Sam made sure she visited Radhika every 3 months. She worked hard to gain some clients in the land away from home. She had promised Radhika that other than Nandini no one will know of her whereabouts. 

''How is Neil doing?''

''As before, since we married Prerna aunty had not spoken to him once and he blames me for that.'' Sam said with her  eyes on her hands. Radhika lifted her chin up, ''Everything will be fine''

She just shook her head, huffing she smiled wide, ''Leave me, how is your job going.''

''Grate ! Though, not as good as BS. I am enjoying publication industry.'' 

''Sammy, will you stay with us?'' Anya lunged herself on Sam's lap , watching her with expectant eyes. Sam cuddled the little bundle, ''Yes, and today I will sleep in your room.'' Anya threw her arms in excitement. Her eyes met her mother's which still look annoyed, ''Did you finish your homework?''

''My life is spoiled because of school.'' The girl stomped walking off, that bought another round of laughter.

" she deserves to know her father " Sam said. She had been convincing  Radhika since the day Anya's birth, but Radhika couldn't forget the last confession of Arjun. He had confessed marrying her to remove her as the hurdle in his revenge. She couldn't forget his betrayal,  he chose revenge over her.

"Coffee or tea" Radhika asked moving to the kitchen. Sam shook her head, her friend was no Less than Arjun in stubbornness .

***

Sam watched Radhika as she retreated to the kitchen, taking a deep breath she pulled her phone out. There were no messages from Neil, calls were the thing of past. Their fights have increased by 10 folds in past 3 years, sometimes all seemed to be a mistake. She understood his pain when Prerna decided to cut all ties on breaking up with Soniya and marrying Sam. Initially, things were beautiful. He was sure that his mother would come around, but when things worsen between the mother and son , it tool toll on her relationship. He blamed her for the broken relationship, even then she understood, after all Prerna single handily bought Neil up

Sam huffed and leaned on to the couch more, she had to pay for her understanding and empathizing nature. Her adjusting attitude made her the scrape goat. But her patience gave up when he called her a bad luck, and coming back to him because Arjun rejected her. Last nail came when he reminded her about the favor of saving BS and her parents house. She had now decided to move on, she wasn't the emotional Sam anymore. She couldn't tell Radhika that she had decided to move out Neil's life, house and memories.

The soft whispers broke her stance, she looked around and found Anya hiding behind the door gesturing Sam to come in her room, she grinned wide. The little one was a step ahead than her mother in mischief.

***

Neil pressed the door of his luxury apartment located in the upscale locality of Mumbai. He had made it a home with Sam but now hated coming back here. He had never thought his married life would be so poisonous. He regretted everything now, he felt she should have married Soniya than marrying Sam. She was better off as a friend. His lips twisted in a distaste thinking of facing her again.

When no one answered, he inserted his pair of keys to unlock the door. He didn't seemed bothered about her not answering the door. He knew she was out, for him it was a relief. Moving his fingers to the electric switch he bought the room to life. Pulling his t-shirt off his head, he dumped it in a corner crashing on the couch. With his head leaned completely on the headrest he kept blankly staring at the ceiling. The fluttering of a paper straightened his form, the paper fluttered under a pair of keys, Sam's keys. He heart started thudding with strange fear, grabbing it he quickly unfolded it hoping it be just a temprory message of going out of station, but contents left him shocked

'Neil,

By the time you find this, I will be gone. Away from you, your house and your life, I never wanted this, but being rejected again and again by a husband is far more painful than by a lover or friend. Its no point we stay together inflicting so much pain on each other.

I have told your mother about my decision, I hope things turn rosy for you again. In the left drawer of my cupboard there are few property papers, I have transferred some amount of money that you lended me in hard times. The rest can be recovered from the property, I have transferred the same to you.

I have asked the lawyer to prepare divorce deed on mutual consent. I don't want anything from you, all the gifts you have bought me till date are securely locked in the cupboard which was once mine. If you find anything missing, please mention the same to my lawyer. I will do my best to return it

Samaira Khanna'

Neil brushed his finger over the her maiden surname. It pained, and now more than he had ever comprehend. Throwing the paper away he ran to his room, hoping all to be a prank. In past few years she would pull pranks to make him smile, he never did and now he desperately wanted it to be one. 

Neil Pulled open her cupboard to find her things gone, the cupboard had another paper, with shaking fingers he unfolded it. It had the list of all the gifts he had given her since they had known each other, starting from a silly toy to expensive jewellery. He couldn't believe she remembered all the dates. Walking backwards he crashed on the bed, covering his face with the same paper he took a breath to feel her once. He knew , this time she was determined to never turn back. He lost her.

***

Arjun ignore the skimpily dressed girl who had been giving him inviting signals from the dance floor of high end pub he come to meet a client, that was nothing new. He had received those for years and he used to take the one he wanted to, no more. He was a different man, he had been touched by a soul so pure that he didn't wanted to malign it. He felt pure blessed that she loved him, even if it was for just few moments , he felt blessed.

After she had busted his revenge plan, he had omitted on all his anger on her. He asked her to get out of his life but never expected her too. When his head calmed, he came back but she was gone. Even Nandini had shunned him since then, he had to move out of the mansion as he couldn't take the hate and complaining eyes of only mother figure in his life. The staff keep him posted about her well being, for past 3 years she had been happy and travelled a lot. Arjun could never bring himself to ask him the details, but kept his peace as she was happy.

Pulling his phone he moved into the gallery to have a look of her smiling face again. Though, she left him he still felt her around. He had searched for her like mad but couldn't get a single clue on her whereabouts. Her family blamed him and cut their ties with him completely. Since then, Ankush had been sending him cheques for repaying the amount he had given to save their property. When Arjun refused, Ankush said he would find his sister one day and wanted to sure that she was free off him.

His trance was broken by the client and he greeted him with a smile. The meeting went on for about 2 hours before the satisfied client left promising to sign the contract. Arjun was about to leave when a commotion took his attention. There were several voices and one sounded familiar, excusing self he moved in the direction of it. The whole club seemed to enjoy the drama, before he could understand a weight fell on him. The guy apologised , turning to the bouncers he cursed them.

''Neil!!!'' Arjun was shock to find Neil in this drunk condition. He seemed so lost that he didn't even recognised Arjun. Taking a deep breath, Arjun supported his swinging form dragging him to his vehicle. All through the ride, Neil kept signing all kind of songs and told Arjun the story of his heart break, in the middle he applauded Arjun for being a good man. After about an hour, Arjun pulled in the parking Melhotra House, he supported Neil walking him to the door.

Prerna was shocked when she found her only son completely sloshed. Arjun greeted her with a nod before turning away to leave, ''All this is because of Sam''

''It would be better if you question your son then blaming the one who has already left. Don't make the mistake I did.'' He didn't wait for her reply walking out next minute. He felt his vision blurring, the pain came back again.

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