Radhika enthusiastically entered BS, today her dream was turning into a reality. Dressed in a peach kurta (shirt) and white colour legging she looked no better than a fresh pass out. The HR guided gave her a one look and then guided her to the allotted work station . Smiling wide Radhika pulled out her family picture and small Ganesha idol. keeping it on her desk, she joined her palms requesting God to help her realising her dream.

Zubin Kritika watched her from distance ''so she bought Lord Ganesha to save herself from us...Oh I am so scared'' Kritika laughed as Zubin pretended all terrified...Sam got a mail from the hR that Radhika would be working with her, she had marked a copy to Radhika as well. Sam got pissed...she didn't wanted to see her. Still thiking of how to get rid of her ,she heard a small knock. Radhika peeped in; ''May I come in''

Sam leaned on her chair; ''You are already half in....take a seat'' Radhika smiled walking to chair opposite to Sam...She kept on noticing Radhika..in her mind she was debating if Radhika was really that simple as she looked or she was just pretending it to be.

Sam got up and walked towards Radhika's chair ; ''Your drama of innocence worked with my mom . But it won't work on me. When I met you in Hrishikesh I thought you are just a sweet innocent girl...but no you turned out to be an opportunist. for your benefit you sabotaged my relationship with my mom '' Radhika tried to interrupt but Sam cut her off; ''you lied taking my name and now faking this goodness infornt of me'' Radhika knew anger snatches the ability to hear right so she decided to stay quite ...Sam tuned her chair with a jerk so that she could face her; ''If you want to stay here just focus on your work and less showing people how good you are''

Radhika just nodded , walking to the door Radhika stopped and looked at Sam; ''I never wanted to hurt you....I just wanted a chance to live my dream and I never fake...'' Radhika  stared into Sam's eyes for a minute before walking out. Radhika felt a little disappointed walking to her place . Neil stood in between...Radhika stopped abruptly...she blinked looking at Neil...but didn't smile...Neil tilted his head; ''Chashni  do you recognize me''

Radhika nodded ; ''Yes Neil Sir'' Neil gave a confused look; ''Sir??? I thought we were friends '' Radhika did not reply ...Neil understood, keeping an affectionate hand on her head he whispered; ''Don't know about others ...but I consider you a good friend ....are we good Chashni'' Radhika lifted her eyes up and finally smiled..Neil pushed his hands into his pocket. Giving her a dimpled smile ; ''So did you complete your song''

Radhika pouted like a child; ''No ....I am not able to write another stanza...so left it''

Neil tapped his chin with his finger, pretending to be in a deep thought ; ''Hmm....someday it will get completed...who knows I might complete it. Ok one day I will take you to my place and sing together what say'' Radhika grinned wide agreeing to the thought...

Sam watched Neil laughing with Radhika, Picking her mobile she dialed Neil, waiting for him to look. He did...Sam disconnected turning away, behaving as if she felt nothing. Sam was sure Neil will follow her but he didn't he infact went on chatting with Radhika for few minutes before walking off to his cabin. He felt torn because of Sam's hot and cold attitude. One minute she would act all my property and next she would be swooning over the Handsome stranger.

Other than Neil it was Teji who spoke to Radhika in a friendly manner, while others gave her a cold shoulder either in order to support Sam or be good in her eyes. Sam called Zubin and asked him give Radhika some work to keep her busy...she hell cared if Radhika's talent was utilized or not. Zubin went through some pending client proposals in his system and then smiled. He mailed Radhika about the client . She was supposed to gather information on market penetration, competitors and sales .He also asked her do a survey with male employees in BS. She was given time till evening to give a rough presentation. Which would be attended by her seniors including Sam and Neil

Radhika went through the mail and was little shocked to find that the client was a Male undergarments brand. She thought for  sometime and started her work. She made a small survey and asked the HR for email IDs of male employee . She mailed the survey to all male employees ....in half an hour she got responses . Radhika made a presentation and the end added the slide of the small statistical result for her survey.

Radhika started her presentation all people sitting there were mocking and laughing on her . It was just Neil who watched her presentation keenly. Radhika was not deterred by the mockery around her she went on with her work Neil noticed all. Once she was done ...people pulled her leg; ''looks like miss goody two shoes knows a lot about male undergarments'' All laughed...Neil got up and clapped; ''Awesome Radhika...tell me how did you get statistics ...''

Radhika shrugged her shoulders; ''All incites are available on online ....survey I did online mailing all...I guess even you must have got''

Neil smiled; ''Bravo'' he turned to Zubin; ''this has been pending from your end for last 2 weeks...and she finished the same in 6 hrs  it should be you guys who should be mocked...and Radhika I will talk to Piyali ma'am now you will work with me..''  Neil glared at Sam and walked out.....Sam gave Radhika a hated look. She felt Radhika was trying to put difference between her and Neil

Radhika picked her bag as it was time to leave...she felt little disappointed the way people treated her. She had not done anything intentionally , yet they called her opportunist . She knew they had already made an image for her. Little disturbed she saw the elevator door closing. She ran towards it requesting Kritika to hold up for her....Krista just laughed as the doors closed on Radhika's face. Radhika took stairs and ran to the ground floor . She walked and stood infront of the elevator which was about to touch ground floor in few seconds...As the doors slid open Kritika was shocked to see Radhika standing right infront of her...Radhika smiled walked to her ;''I forgot to say Bye...'' with that she walked off...others who were there with Kritika in the lift now felt that Kritika was really mean to new girl. They looked impressed the way Radhika gave back. Kritika little embarrassed just walked thing to try something else next day.

On her way to home Radhika stared out of the moving bus, thinking about her first day at work. She smiled recalling the assignment and then the little stint she pulled with Kritika . All in all she was happy that she was able to do what was given to her. Radhika's thoughts were broken by her ringing phone...pulling it out she smiling at the flashing name of Ashish. Radhika answered with a sweet hello...Arjun took a deep breath; ''you forgot that you have a friend by name...Ar..Ashish'' Arjun rubbed his forehead at the slip of tongue

Radhika smiled; ''Did you just burp while taking your name...''

Arjun smiled; ''Yes I did...how are you..'' Radhika huffed; ''great actually...how about you...'' Arjun couldn't hold his happiness hearing her; ''I am good...infact great now'' There was a pause and then Arjun spoke again; ''Can I ask you something''

Radhika pressed her lips, she read the hesitance in his voice ; ''Is it about how to impress a girl''

Arjun rolled his eyes she was impossible; ''something like that..umm can you help'' Radhika spoke all serious ; ''let me think....'' After irritating him for good 10minutes she agreed. Arjun smiled; ''tell me what will make a girl trust me''

Radhika replied; ''small things Ashish...be there for her...listen to her don't judge . Try and feel her pain and happiness...if you are able to connect with her this way she will trust you for life. Same is the case with me and Saral'' Arjun gripped the phone hard hearing that name. Unaware of his reactions and feelings Radhika went on; ''we know each other since we were kids...he has always been there as a good friend. Saral doesn't want to tie me down, he hears me out without judging or controlling my life .He supports my dreams aspirations and this is why I agreed to marry him...''

Arjun gritted his teeth and spoke all smooth; ''he seems to be a nice guy''

Radhika smiled on the other side unaware of Arjun's riging temper; ''Bestest in the world...so the conclusion is, show the girl that you consider her equivalent to you ...never put her down and show her you care. Trust me she will leave all the luxuries to be with you'' Just then Radhika noticed and incoming call from Saral she smiled Arjun controlled his anger and politely responded; ''thanks I will remember this....an'' Arjun was interrupted suddenly by Radhika; ''Ashsish I have to disconnect Saral is on call..will talk again..Bye''

Arjun threw the mobile on the near by couch..he was irritated . She didn't even wait for him say bye...was that Saral so important???. Arjun walked to the large glass window of his cabin...staring out his thoughts revolved around Radhika. He was sure that he was far better and rich than Saral, he could give her all she desired in a wink of an eye.

Walking back to chair he recalled she had rejected his proposal for Saral. Even after being aware that if was from one of the biggest business tycoon ,she didn't even bother to look at his picture. Arjun smiled, she wasn't one those wannabes who threw themselves on guys for money...she was pure true and beautiful...Arjun's heart itched to hear her melodious voice one again...he wanted her to sing only for him and no one else . Arjun's fingers tapped on the scroll pad of his laptop...there she was smiling....he had made her picture as his screen saver.

Watching the picture keenly he bushed his fingers along her face ...smiling he conversed with the smiling picture; ''Saral right??? Does he even know who he has to compete with ...does he even know that you belong to me . Can he defeat me???'' Asking the picture he leaned closer answering himself; ''No ....he cannot stand upto me. No he cannot have you as his, because I am going to create situations where you will have no choice other than accepting me as you husband....'' Making a pitiful expression he scoffed; ''Poor Saral''

Arjun dialled his assistant; ''arrange my travel to Hrishikesh '' The already nervous assistant responded; ''But Sir what about Bird Song'' Arjun realized he was supposed to join BS in 2 days...for now he couldn't backout . Trapping Sam was another set of his plan . He was aware that Sam was quite smitten by him . The only thing he had to do was to ignite the feelings in her and now when Radhika had given him such good inputs on winning and girls heart...he knew how and when he could seep into her heart

One thing which Arjun wasn't aware was that Radhika had joined BS and she would prove to be the biggest hurdle in the way of his revenge. Plus his interest had befriended Neil , who would become her unconditional support in future. Arjun considered himself immune to emotions, but he wasn't aware that he was about to being a roller coaster ride of emotions which had love, jealousy ,hate and madness involved. Taking his life on to edge

...Arjun asked his assistant to inform Piyali on his joining as a partner cum board member. He had secured around 15% of shares. The share holders were too please to part away from them as BS was a sinking ship. Shares were no longer earning them profits and Arjun payed them more than the worth. Arjun smiled, he had 15% which Piyali was unaware of and once he joins she will sign him another 5%. His plan seemed perfect, but it wasn't ....

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ok friends Happy Friday and enjoy reading, Please drop in your views about the chapter

Next – Arjun-Radhika face off

Thanks to all of you who voted for Last Love...