'''You thought I will do something I shouldn't.'' Neil asked reading the terrible expression on Arjun's face. Arjun had panicked when Neil didn't answer his repeated calls, he had even called Prerna, Sam and given an earful to them. He had frantically searched for his friend on the roads but found him at home, sitting in dark.

''You refused to answer calls''

''I lost me phone.'' Neil shrugged his shoulders

''Or you dropped it intentionally.''

''No, I lost it. Never mind , how are the girls? When do I get to see them?'''

Arjun's face glowed in strange pride, ''They are just amazing. I don't feel like leaving them for a moment.'' His eyes fell on his childhood friend, ''What are you planning to do next Neil?''

''Sam wants a divorce, she is in pain because of me. What I should be doing?'' Neil stared at Arjun waiting for his friend to reply, he them smiled reading the tense expression, ''I know what am I going to do, I will win my love back. Either its me or no one, she doesn't know what crazy Neil can do.''

Arjun took a breather, ''Thank God! Can I ask you something, how did you reach this point. I never thought that you would hurt Sam.''

Neil sighed, ''Me too. But guess that's what life is, when I broke my engagement with Soniya to marry Sam, Mom threatened to break all ties with me. I never took it seriously , even when Sam asked me to wait and get her approval. I was sure she would come around to her only Son, she didn't. Her health deteriorated yet she kept her distance leaving me frustrated and angry. I was angry on myself, the relationships between the two families started turning sour. My mother and Piyali aunty taunting each other at every possible occasion. One such day I happened to be at same place. It was a party, I didn't hear what Mom said to Piyali aunty but heard Piyali aunty calling my mother names like selfish. I couldn't bear the insult and lashed out, Sam tried to intervene but ended up at the receiving end. Mom left the place in tears, she is my mother Arjun. I lost my father when I was very young , she bought me up single handily. It pained to see her breaking down and all my helplessness turned into anger on my marriage.''

Neil sighed and walked to the window, ''I know its hard to believe that I would hurt Sam, but I am a human too and I agree I made a grave mistake.''

Arjun walked to him, ''Just tell me if you need help.''

Neil gave his familiar dimpled smile, ''Oh yes, convince Chashni and your two champs to be on my side, half battle won.''

Arjun laughed, ''I am so in love with my girls and I am glad I have girls, they are so cute.''

''Now you sound like Anya's daddy , I hate boys.'' The friends chuckled. Arjun was happy that Neil had decided to win Sam back, he too wanted his daughters to meet his best friend and bond with him.

***

Radhika peeped into Sam's room, like every morning she wasn't up yet. Radhika stepped in the room, walking over to lying Sam she sat next to her. She gently caressed her head , ''I know you are not asleep.''

''Just feeling low.''

''Sam is there anyone...?'' Radhika was skeptical about Sam falling for someone again

''What do you think?''

''There cannot not be another Neil, and Sam can never love anyone else.'' Sam just smiled at Radhika, it didn't reach her eyes, ''Why are you fighting him so much Sam, even after all this you guys love each other.''

''So do you and Arjun'', Sam retorted.

''Yes I do, and will always. But I won't trust him with Anusha. He broke my heart , I can't let him break my baby's heart.''

Sam wanted to disagree, but she decided to stay quite. Its better Radhika sees for herself. After making Sam eat her breakfast Radhika left to pick her girls. She had extended her stay for few days for Sam's sake.

When she entered Nandini's house she was welcomed by excited squeals of her daughters. She smiled, as always nandini must be pampering them to the core and girls too loved their badi ma. The sight that greeted her made her jaw touch the floor, the girls were seated on either side of Arjun as he loving fed them, listening to their continuous banter. Anusha then lifted her arms and Arjun gathered her into his. Radhika's heart started beating mad, she felt losing her daughters to him.

Anusha stood up on the couch and wrapped her tiny arms around his neck. He smiled pulling her to his chest. Her mind scared her, and heart chided, she always knew he was way good with kids. Winning Anusha was not a big task, since Anya got her father Anusha wanted hers. She walked into the room slowly, ''Hi Di.''

''Hi Radhika!'' Nandini greeted Radhika warmly. Her experienced read the fear in Radhika. ''I am here to take girls home.''

''Nandu, This is their home!'' Arjun's voice came strong, he didn't let go the girls making his intention clear. She didn't look at him but had sudden urge to punch him on face.

''Di, 5 years back their mother was asked to leave, so it isn't theirs any more.'' She replied

''Nandu, Their mother never followed any instructions before why the she had to follow that day.''

''Di they deserve a sweet life. And that cannot be with negativity and revenge around.''

''They need a father and I am that Nandu.''

Radhika felt her heart constricting, he cared for the girls and not for her. That made her all the way more angry. Controlling her emotions she turned to Nandini, ''I am flying back to Singapore on Saturday.'' Nandini said nothing she looked from Radhika to Arjun, she was just a medium they were talking through. She smiled, ''Come on girls I got you new dresses, let me show you.'' The girls squealed , Anya jumped of the couch to join Nandini and Anusha followed after giving Arjun a peck. He smiled looking back into her eyes to let her know he loved her.

As soon as trio left the room, Arjun grabbed Radhika's arm dragging her to once their room. Pushing her in he locked the door, ''You took their 4 years from me , no more.''

''Just talk about Anya, Anusha is mine.'' She retaliated

''I can get their custody with snap of my fingers.''

''And I will break your fingers and your head. Aren't you ashamed of using a 4 yr old.'' She sounded annoyed

Arjun controlled his temper, ''Punish me for my deeds, but not my girls.''

''You just have one daughter and that...'' Her words died when in two steps he covered the distance pinning her to the wall. ''You won't understand how Anusha felt because you have never been in her shoes, I have. I know how it feels, I knew my parents loved me but I also knew I wasn't their own. I felt obliged, they never wanted me to feel that. Yet I did and same will never happen with Anusha. Do you get me Mrs Mehra.

''No and I will never get it. You better stay away from my girls. Do you get it Mr mehra.'' She sounded so childish that Arjun wanted to laugh. Pushing him she went to the door to unlock it, he watched her struggle for good 15 mins, ''Its pull not push.''

''I know.'' With that she walked off. Arjun pressed his lips and followed her out. When they joined Nandini, the girls had changed and now were feasting on ice cream. Arjun squatted and wiped the smeared cream of their faces. ''I love you both, remember that.'' The girls smiled, they made a little drama when Radhika got up to leave and took a promise from Arjun to with them.

''Why is she leaving?''

''The girls have 6 months of school left, she is relocating after that . Don't worry.'' Nandini casually said, she knew 6 months was far Arjun wouldn't take 6 seconds of separation from his kids now

''They are 4, they can start here anytime. I won't let her take them.'' He replied agitated

Nandini was now pissed, ''Why do I have to spoon feed you everything Arjun Mehra. What do you want girls or their mother or both?''

''All of them.''

''Then stop whining and keep your promise, win your wife back. You made a mistake, now correct it. Bring my family back Arjun.'' Arjun looked at his sister, she had tears in her eyes. He knew Nandini wanted her family complete. He smiled, ''I will , in less than 6 months.'' Now it was time for Nandini to give a squeal.

***

Sam quickly got into a robe, someone has been persistently pressing the door bell. She knew it wasn't Radhika as she had taken girls out around Mumbai. She had decided to give an earful to the visitor, she pulled opened the door to find a dozen of bouquet lying at her door step. Sam looked towards the stairs and the elevator. She quickly picked them up walking in. Each one had a small card in it, Sam pulled out one, it had a simple apology . It didn't take her a minute to guess it was Neil, picking all of them she pushed them all in a garbage bag and dumped in a corner.

She was about to make her way to the bathroom when her mobile pinged with series of incoming messages. Sam picked it was from Neil

'I was aware you would just read one card so I decided to write same message on all. Glad you read atleast one.'

Sam quickly made her way to the place where she had kept the bag of bouquet. She pulled out a few and started checking the card, they all had different messages. Some had pictures of their moments as friends, she was damn annoyed, Marching back to her room she picked her mobile to respond when another message came in, 'So you read all of them, see I know you more than any one Sammy'

Sam was irritated. The old Sam in her wanted to retaliate , but the broken heart asked her not to and ignore him. She closed her eyes and started taking long breaths to calm her mind. She felt better, just when she felt she could over come all came another message. Her brain asked her to delete it but curiosity got better of her. She decided this was the last message she would check, with beating heart she opened the phone and found a blank message. ''What the hell, he is sending me blank message. I hate you Neil.''

She was about to bang the phone down when it buzzed again, she checked, 'Hey just wait up, I am thinking what to write. Stay tuned, I will be back after a short break.' Sam could feel the fumes leaving her ears, banging the phone down she made her way to the bathroom. She needed cold shower to cool her burning head.

Radhika checked her phone to know the location of booked cab when a familiar voice made her turn, ''Chashni!''

Radhika turned, she gave Neil a blank expression before turning away. But she quickly had to turn again when her daughters attacked Neil, he took all the punches with a smile. Squatting down he held his ears making girls stop, they now looked at their mother not sure what to do next.

''Hi babies, I am your mommy's best friend.'' He caressed their head. Anya looked very disappointed, ''Mommy how can you be friends with a boy, A very bad boy.''

''The bad boy said sorry. Won't you forgive him Anya?'' He asked holding her hand. Though, he asked question to the kids it was directed to Radhika. Just then the cab arrived, ''get in kids''

''Chashni, one chance.'' When Radhika didn't respond, he frowned took a step ad pulled her cheeks hard before running away. ''I am going to win all I lost Chashni, I am not backing out.'' He screamed as he disappeared . Radhika smiled and whispered, ''I want the same.''

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Happy weekend friends. Don't forget to vote.