My dear Dhara had asked for pictures of girls as per my imagination so here they are

Emotional Anusha

Naughty Anya

Arjun couldn't wait to open the box of memories his sister treasured for him. The first thing he did after reaching his apartment was deal with box. It had DVDs, albums and art works by the girls. He opened the DVD box and found everything arranged in a chronological manner.

''You are one lucky man, they are so beautiful.'' Neil broke his thoughts going through the albums.

''I am.'' With that he inserted the DVD and pressed the play button , a smiled plastered to his face. The DVD held the memories of his daughters as babies as Nandini and Radhika cuddled them. They could hear Sam in the background. Arjun paused where the focus had zoomed on his girls, he caressed the screen. ''So beautiful.'' Neil rubbed his back understanding his emotional state

They went watched many more, the girls first walk , their broken speech. They laughed at places where they could find them throwing fits at their mother. One of them had the 2nd bday celebration the friends laughed as they watched Radhika chasing Anya who had bitten her mother's bum going all mischievous. Anya ran into Nandini's arms who shielded her form angry Radhika. His eyes didn't miss the prominent limp in Anusha's leg, ''Why is she limping?'' Neil asked and Arjun briefed him on all even about Radhika's protectiveness towards Anusha.

''What answer is she going to give when Anusha matures?''

''I don't care for answers Neil, all I know is that I will convince my daughter tomorrow. She isn't realising that her over protectiveness is making Anusha weak. Its not me she should be fearing about discriminating, its her overbearing love. Its Radhika who creating the difference, she sets Anya free but puts restriction on Anusha , and if I go by di Anusha does everything Radhika says.''

''Arjun its fine, maybe she feels it to be a duty to take extra care of the girl she took as her own.'' Neil tried calming him down

''Not as her own, she is ours. Every document proves that she is my daughter and this is all I know. She had tears in her eyes when she saw Anya in my lap, I can't forget her eyes which stared at me with a hope.'' The ring of his phone broke the conversation, Arjun grinned wide at the words the person on the other side had to say. Finally, he would meet his second child.

Neil forwarded and paused the video at places where it had Sam. She looked so happy and radiant. He now understood why she ran every 3months, he had drained her emotionally to a level where she looked for a refuge in these kids. He mind cursed him for destroying his relationship, had he taken things little maturely he too would have been a father. He shook his head, there was no going back as Sam had refused any out of court settlement.

***

''Rajeev I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow. I have to get Anusha's cast removed.'' Radhika whined over the phone as her boss asked to report at Mumbai office the next day to take care of an urgent editing work.

Rajeev closed his eyes, he hated doing it but couldn't turn Nandini down. Gaining his composure he tried his best to sound serious, ''I know and I am sorry, but this too is important. Ask Nandini or someone else to accompany Anusha. I think she is comfortable with them.''

Radhika disconnected, she rubbed her head feeling frustrated. Rajeev had never turned her down on any request. He had been a mentor and a friend, she just couldn't turn him down but she wanted to be with Anusha too.

Sam watched Radhika from the corner of her eye as she paced the length and breadth of the room. She cleared her throat a couple of times to get Radhika's attention but to no avail. ''Chashni all good!'' She couldn't handle the suspense more.

''I have to be at Mumbai office of my company , it's a whole day schedule. Now how am I suppose to take Anusha to the clinic?''

''I will take her and then drop girls to Nandini di's place.'' Sam crossed her fingers, when it came to girls Radhika was damn fussy. After a minute when Radhika nodded, Sam hugged her taking Radhika by surprise. Before the latter could question Sam, a ball landed on Radhika's head and Anya clapped, ''Goal!!''

Sam giggled as Radhika marched to Anya who gave all kinds of explanation to her annoyed mother.

It became difficult for Sam to control annoyed Anusha as girl refused to step into the clinic. Sam lifted her up but Anusha kept whining and crying badly. She didn't wanted the pain back which she endured for 15-20 days after surgery.

As Sam placed Anusha on chair, a an affectionate palm made her eyes turn, ''Anya's daddy''

''Yours too.'' Arjun corrected. By that time he had gestured the doctor to go ahead with his job. Cupping her small face he kept her eyes focused on him, ''I am your daddy too.''

''Mommy says I don't have a daddy.''

''She...'' Arjun controlled his temper. ''Okay! Is Anya's mommy your mommy? Anusha nodded . ''Anya's badi ma your badi ma and even Sammy too.'' She nodded again. Arjun smiled, ''Then how come her daddy is not your daddy.'' The girl looked thoughtful and by then the doctor was done.

''Take the exercise details from my assistant Arjun. She will be fine soon.'' Arjun thanked the doctor and lifted Anusha up, ''So are you now friends with Daddy.'' She just stared at him blinking like a doll. He felt his heart squeezing in pain. He had decided to give Radhika an earful on the same. Next moment he pulled her to his chest, she reminded him of the confusion he had years back when his parents took him home. He was older, but Anusha was still a baby, ''Daddy loves you baby.''

''Pinki promise.'' Came her baby voice. He smiled staring into her midnight black eyes and pulled her to his chest, ''Thanks Sam.''

''Welcome, but you will have to return them to me before evening or Radhika will skin me. And pick Anya up from Nandini di's place. '' He nodded. He watched as Sam left, she was someone he wanted to destroy once and now had immense respect for. He pecked Anusha's cheek who now was all in smiles having being cuddled by her dad. She spoke to him non stop as he drove to Nandini's place. She questioned he answered and gave her numerous promises about never leaving any of them alone

***

Sam leaned on her car seat finally satisfied. She couldn't forget Anusha's teary face a day before. The girl didn't even eat properly. Having her united with Arjun, she took a breather. It was now time she handle her mess.

Neil waited impatiently for Sam to join as it was their first divorce hearing. He kept looking at the watch and silently prayed for her not to turn up. This would delay the proceedings and give him sometime to pacify Sam. His hopes broke when Sam stepped in wearing an icy expression, she didn't bother to look at him and walked past him to sit next to her lawyer.

''Mr and Mrs Melhotra are you two sure you want to go ahead with this divorce.''

''My client doesn't what the divorce he is looking for reconciliation with his wife.'' Neil's lawyer spoke for him. Sam closed her eyes, he was making things difficult for her again. ''Mrs Samaira Melhotra, your husband doesn't want to go ahead with the divorce. Would you like to reconsider your decision?'' The judge asked

''No, I would still like to go ahead with it.'' Sam answered without any hint of regret or pain in her voice.

''Marriages are for life, could you please elaborate the reason you seek divorce when you husband doesn't'' The judge asked again

Sam took a deep breath, ''This marriage has been a nightmare for me and I want to end it.''

''Does he abuse you.''

''I don't know what I should call it but since I got married I have been blamed for all the issues happening around us. If I don't move out, I might just turn suicidal.''

The judge thought, he looked at the young couple, who clearly were in love with each other, he didn't want to give a decision without giving them a chance to reconsider it. He scribbled something on the paper, ''I would like you two to think again and come back after 2 months. The court adjourned.''

Neil took a sigh of relief, but Sam looked annoyed. She was expecting to close the case but the judge had decided to be cupid. Cursing under her breath, she swiftly walked off.

''Sam wait!'' Neil called out running behind her. Instead of stopping she paced up. Neil caught up with her, grabbing her arm he turned her around, ''Sam just hear me out.''

''WHAT!!! What now? What more you must blame me for? You are free now, go back to your mother. Your relationship with was spoiled because of me, now since I a out you two can celebrate the reunion.'' She was angry very angry.

Neil took a minute to respond, her anger shocked him, ''Can you forgive me?''

''Doesn't matter, you are late for everything. '' She snapped

''Sam...its us. Don't break us apart.'' He pleaded

She stared at him as if he was joking, ''There is no us. You had broken it piece by piece with all your might. Now, you can have your mother back. The regret of falling for me will no more be there, plus I don't owe you or Melhotra family any dues as I have cleared all with interest.'' She gave him back what she had been holding for months.

Neil's throat dried. He now realised what he made her go through all these years, her words now pierced his heart . He couldn't comprehend the pain she went through for 3 years in their bitter marriage.

''Do me a favour Neil, free me of this bond. I want to be happy and can't be same with you.''

''Do you have someone in your life?'' he asked

She stared at him for a minute, ''Yes, and he makes me happy. I have moved on and would like to take my relationship to next level. I hope in next hearing you will cooperate.'' With that she walked off.

Sam took long steps and then started running. She just wanted to go far from him, getting in her car she broke down. She had never thought her life would reach at this stage, leaning on the driving wheel she cried her out. When she lifted her face up, she found him standing opposite to her staring at her unblinking. Quickly wiping her cheeks, she drove off.

***

Arjun was breathless running after his two naughty daughters for the whole day. They would run with a squeal when he chased them around the house. Finally he caught Anya and then Anusha, ''Anusha you should not be running so much. Your leg will pain.''

The little one frowned, ''Don't talk like Mommy.''

''All parents are like that.'' Came an expert view from Anya. Nandini chuckled, she bought snacks for girls and took seat on the opposite couch, ''How many parents you have met Anya.''

''Oh so many, all of my friends. They just scold !'' She replied disappointed with a shake of her head. They were enjoying when Nandini's phone flashed Radhika's number, ''Yes Radhika!''

''Di can you keep girls with you tonight, Sam is not in a good state.'' Radhika sounded worried. On Nandini's insistence she shared about the little conversation Sam had with Neil, she has been miserable since her return. Nandini agreed

''Arjun, you should be with Neil. Something happened between him and Sam, the girls will stay with me for tonight.'' Nandini briefed not wanting to talk about Sam in presence of kids. Arjun got worried, Neil was already in a bad state. He quickly fed the girls and took his leave promising to come back the next day. On his way he dialled Neil numerous times, but the number stayed unreachable at every try

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Next- Arjun decides to follow Radhika back to Singapore