''you never told me how bhai and Manya met.'' Radhika asked sipping her tea, joining Sam in the balcony. The girls had gone to meet Nandini and Arjun , Radhika decided to bring some change in Sam's mood.

Sam smiled affectionately , ''They met in Australia, typical bollywood style. Two lonely souls bound by a bond of friendship. A brooding guy and a hot lonely girl, she falls for his simplicity and then make him fall for her.

Radhika gave Sam a flat stare, ''That was really too short. How did they get married and how come your family agreed?''

''That's the interesting part. When Ankush relocated after good 3 yrs, he paid Arjun one instalment to free you off his clutches.''

''What? Bhai paid him, remind me get that money back . The deal was to marry him in exchange of 10 Lakhs, not to return it.''

''Don't interrupt. '' Sam warned and Radhika obliged keeping a finger on her lips. ''So when Akush relocated, Manya followed him here. Mom dad were not happy about her relocating leaving a lucrative offer, but Manya was deep down in love with Ankush. She was ready to leave all for him. '' Radhika made a face on Sam's manner of reciting the story, but decided to stay quite.

''She followed him to Hrishikesh , confessed her heart but he refused stating he took her just as a good friend.''

''Then?'''Now Radhika was curious

''Then what, the Khanna girl decided to win her love. She sat on a strike right outside Mishra house, not caring of cold rain of Sun. The hero had to melt, but before hero Mother in Law melted.''

''WOW! I missed so much fun. And you parents gave their consent?''

''No, they couldn't believe their Australia returned daughter could settle in Hrishikesh. Manya still went ahead with the wedding. She and Ankush together build up a Multi-cuisine Restaurant in Hrishikesh which later got an extension in NCR. Manya too owns a Boutique , a small local label but she will make it big.''

''Have your parents accepted them ?''

''Yes, but she hasn't visited them since the wedding. '' Sam took a deep breath, ''Jai's wife is Ankush's ex and Manya hates her for breaking Ankush's heart.''

Radhika's jaw dropped, ''Bhai had an ex, wow I know nothing. God! My life was so boring and all excitement happened here in my absence.'' Sam chuckled. She shared with Radhika few funny incident s about Manya and Ankush.

***

''Badi ma, I want that big plant.'' Anya stood opposite to Nandini waiting for her demand to be answered. Nandini smiled at the naughty one, ''Which plant?''

''The big one with red flowers.'' Confused she looked at Rana, ''She is talking about the bougainvillea''

''How will you take that with you?''

''I will fold it, like mommy does with clothes'' Nandini smiled, pulled Anya closer, ''What more you want?'' She looked around and then pointed to the red couch, ''This.''

''How will I stay without you Anya?'' 

Anya thought, her lips pressed in thin line, ''I will fold and keep you in suitcase.'' She replied with a clap

''But you will go leaving us?'' This time Arjun asked

''You are not coming with us daddy?'' That came from Anusha 

''Daddy this not good, daddy should always stay with small kids.'' Anya explained Arjun like a pro

''You want me to come?'' He asked and the girls nodded vigorously. He just smiled pulling them to chest.  The sound of television made the girls turn , Anya jumped, ''I want to be like this, then I will beat all bad boys.'' Arjun face palmed as Nandini broke into laughter, the sports channel was telecasting a WWE fight and now Anya wanted to the muscular guy wearing nothing but a red underwear.

She kept copying the man who displayed his muscles to his opponent. ''Daddy look at me.''

''She is a drama'' Arjun whispered

''A degree more than her mom.'' Nandini added

''Why does she keeps talking about beating boys?''

''Because they pushed me and called me limpy Anusha.'' Anusha replied looking at her leg. Arjun hugged her, ''No one will ever call you that now.''

''No daddy, they are very bad and teacher never scolds them.'' She complained, Arjun frowned, though it was the matter between the kids he didn't like his daughters being on the receiving end. 

Before he could open his mouth Nandini stopped the flow of words, ''it happens among the kids, now don't go there and create any kind of ruckus in their school.'' Arjun just nodded but he wanted to meet the guy who dare hurt his girls. Radhika didn't even knew what storm was about to join her to Singapore. 

***

Sam briefed  her team on the new project, she had to see Radhika off to the airport and was planning to leave early. ''Guys don't make mistakes, this is a prestigious project....'' Her words were cut short, when a familiar male voice completed it for her, ''And BS's name is at stake, we all have to work hard to make us proud.''

The staff looked from Neil to Sam and back. ''What are you doing here?''

''Working, its my company too.'' He replied with a smile

Sam asked rest of the staff to leave, ''As far as I know, I have paid you back all I have borrowed with interest. ''

''yes, but I haven't yet taken any of it neither I have signed the transfer papers. So technically I still hold share is BS. Neil smiled at her, she glared at him for a minute, ''Do you have any idea about what your little stunt can lead you to.''

''Yes, I have been asked not to step in 100m of you. But since I have, you are free to report to the cops.'' He challenged

''Don't do this Neil. It will just earn you my hatred.''

''I already have, I will not stop trying. I can't afford to lose you.''

Sam said nothing, picking her bag she marched out. Though she wanted to argue, she was getting late for the airport. Radhika had a late evening flight and Sam had promised the girls that she would come and meet them at the airport

***

''Sammy when will you come.'' Anya asked when Sam hugged her

''Soon , don't fight and don't trouble your mom.'' Turning to Radhika she hugged her friend tight, ''Call me if you need me.''

''I will see you in few months.'' Radhika replied all emotional holding Sam tight, she didn't wanted to leave this time , but had to.

''Daddy!!!'' The collective squeal from girls halted the conversation of friends. Arjun squatted hugging his daughters who seemed to excited and kept jumping happily.

His eyes met Radhika and then hers went wide, she realised he was joining her. She wanted to argue but Sam held her, ''If not for you, bear him for them. Look at them Radhika, they don't understand much of the world but having their father around has made a difference. And its time those pointing fingers at you realise that your girls have their dad.''

''I am worried about Anusha''

''Don't be, set her free. And trust me on this.'' Radhika didn't argue. She watched as he walked hand in hand with girls and stood next to her. Radhika excused herself to take her mother's call. Arjun smiled at Sam, ''Thanks, for everything.''

''No need, I did it for them and her. Few years back I was travelling to Lonavla alone, she got me a company. It's my turn now.'' Sam smiled recalling the beautiful moments she had spend with Neil.

''Hey kids!'' Her thoughts broke with Neil's voice

''What are you doing here?'' Sam asked agigated

''You came to see off your friend, I came for mine.'' With that he hugged Arjun and ruffled the kids

''Arjun...your friend...since when?'' Sam was shocked

''Later!'' He squatted when Anya gestured him to, she went close to his ears and whispered loud enough for all to hear, ''Don't make Sammy cry or I will punch you.'' Neil smiled at mini Radhika, he leaned and pressed his lips on to her forehead, ''I promise I won't and one day I will be your best friend.''

He caressed Anusha's cheek once before turning to Arjun, ''All the best.''

Arjun nodded, when Radhika returned she got another surprise watching Arjun-Neil talking like friends, she looked at Sam who just shrugged her shoulders, ''Its time.''

They waved at their friends before walking in, after immigration and check-in they waited for the boarding in the lounge area. Radhika maintained the silence and Arjun kept himself busy with his daughters. He stole few glances at her but couldn't build the courage to start a conversation

On boarding came another surprised when Radhika realised they have been upgraded to Business class. ''Don't spoil them.'' She finally said

''I will, it's their right and I can'' He replied. Placing the hands bag in the upper cabinets, he took his place next to Anya whose energy was uncontrollable. Arjun tried all to make her sit, but the result came from Radhika's single glare.

''Mommy, I want to sit with Daddy.'' Anusha said half out of her place

''Later, now sit where you are.'' Anusha peeped through the gap between the chairs, Arjun smiled at her. He understood that Radhika's words about him not being her father still were some where there in her head and he was determined to wipe them off completely. After around 5 hrs, when they landed, Anusha jumped to hold Arjun's finger, he smiled staring down into her black eyes. She was so like him, unsure, scared. 'Who could say she isn't mine, when everything about her seems all mine.'

The second surprise came when Arjun guided his family to a waiting sedan. He had made all the arrangements on the day when he decided to accompany his girls. By the time they reached, the girls were already sleepy. Radhika unlocked the door with great effort as Anya stood leaning on to her half asleep, while Arjun carried sleeping Anusha.

''Their room?''

''Left one.'' He quickly unlocked the door and switched on the lights, Anusha squirmed hiding her face in his neck. He rubbed her back and then gently placed her on bed, going back to get Anya who had dozed off on the couch in the hall. He gently removed their shoes, loosen their hair and then covered them placing a peck on each. Radhika watched as Arjun sat their caressing their head, she didn't miss when he wiped the wetness of his eyes with the back of his hand. She quickly retreated when she saw him getting up.

''Coffee?''

Arjun looked at his watch, it was half past 3 in the morning, turning to her he just nodded. They both sat in silence sipping from their respective cups. Arjun knew he had a long way to go to win the trust of only woman he loved and Radhika was aware that her life would take a 360 degree turn with him getting involved with the lives of girls, she was happy excited and scared at the same time. Happy as now no one will ask about the father of her children, excited as she knew what changes Arjun could bring in her girls and scared because she wasn't ready to love him again.

***

Sam kept pacing her cabin thinking of various ways of getting rid of Neil. She kept on thinking and then rejecting the idea. Neil was way too smart for her child like ideas. A sound of laughter took her attention, she smiled looking at her 3 good friends cum colleagues. She knew what has to be done. Picking the intercom she asked all 3 to report, " I need a favour" She said without wasting a minute.

Zubin and Teji looked at each other, they had the faint idea what she was going to ask. They didn't wanted to commit that easily, but Kritika jumped, " anything for you Sam"

" do you guys remember when you guys tried getting rid of Radhika for me. That time I never meant that seriously, but now I want your help in getting rid of Neil."

Before the guys could put a single word of brain in Sam's head, Kritika made the commitment, " don't you worry, we will chuck him out with snap of our fingers." Sam nodded with a smile

Neil heard all standing right outside the cabin , he smiled, "they are in kindergarten , I am a PHD. Bring it on." With shake of his head he walked off whistling his favourite song.

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Next the journey to their ultimate dreams starts

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