Neil ruffled his wet hair, his knee was still hurting but it was worth the pain he had caused Sam. He had decided to set things right with his mother and his wife. He knew it was him who could turn the tables around. But all this seemed easy to think than done, he needed some one to bare his heart to. He missed Arjun, picking his phone he dialled his friend waiting impatiently for him to answer it.

''Hey Neil, all good.'' Arjun sounded happy , Neil could hear baby giggles in the back ground. 

''Yes, for now. I don't know about the future.''

''Why are you acting negative Neil, that's not the guy I knew. Where is the guy who answered my arrogance with his wit. Neil even pineapple like me couldn't stand infront of you. If you want all to be fine, you have to be that Neil.''

''How do you know the pineapple thing?'' Neil asked amused

''Well, I was just too attentive.'' Arjun replied there was a baby voice too near the phone ,Neil understood that his dear friend was cuddling his daughter. ''You are lucky Arjun.''

''Yes, because I found you back. Now stop whining and be back to winning. You know what  you have to do.''

''Can you believe she hired my ex team to get rid of me.'' He complained

''Wow! she is thinking like you, its time you think like old Neil. Are you getting what I am saying Mr Orange?'' Arjun teased. He heard a deep chuckle from Neil, they disconnected. Neil felt energised , ready to face the challenge again

***

''No, daddy is working. Play in the room and  don't disturb him.'' Radhika warned the two girls who were hell bent on playing with their father.  They felt it was his duty to play with them whenever they wanted, that's what daddys are made for. 

They had fallen into a routine, with Arjun taking many of the responsibilities related to school. Arjun learned that the girls went to Radhika work place, which also provided a day care for employee's kids. He made a point to pick them up every day. Initially Radhika was skeptical , fearing he might just vanish with those two but Arjun made it clear that he was there for all the three.

Right now he had to get on to an important call as his presence was mandatory for the go ahead of a project. He was aware that Nandini was handling things quite smoothly in his absence, yet he agreed to smoother things up. He could hear Radhika asking the girls to be in room, he just wanted to end the call and go to them. Nothing was more important than his kids, he wanted to fulfill all their wishes, even if they were stupid ones.

''Mommy is one hour over.'' Anusha asked , her big black eyes looking hopeful. Radhika smiled, ''No dear, its just 5 minus.''

''But you said one hour will go soon, why is it not going? When will it go? When will daddy play with us?'' Came the bunch from Anya. Radhika took them to their room, she pointed towards the clock . ''When this hand comes on 6 and this one on 12, one hour will be over.'' Pecking their forehead she walked out, the girls kept their eyes on the clock , waiting for it to move. 

''This is so slow.'' Anya said after few minutes, angry at the clock. Finally, their baby patience ran out. They decided to take things in their hands. Coming on all fours, they crawled out of the room to step into their Father's room, making sure to hide from their Mom's eyes.

Radhika gave a side glance to two crawling figures , who believed that they were very silent and could dodge her easily. She smiled, this time she didn't stop them. 

''I think this would be all.'' Arjun said concluding the call. The door made a small sound as two small head peeped in. He smiled looking at them, patting the bed he gestured them to join him. The room echoed with their beautiful squeals as they jumped on the bed and then on their father, ''Daddy can we go to the park.'' Asked the naughty one

''Yes, right away sweet heart.'' He quickly kept his laptop aside. ''I want that.'' Anusha pointed to his laptop. ''Fine, you will get it.''

''No, they won't.'' Radhika interuptted

''And why not?'' Arjun asked

''Because they are too young for that and its not required for now.''

''They will learn quickly, see the brighter part.''

''They are already learning the required in school and through my desktop. Their is no need for a laptop.'' She concluded rather strongly. 

''What's your problem? Why do you keep interrupting when I want to do something for my kids?''

''I have no intention to do that, but I won't allow you to spoil them at any cost. Be it you or anyone. They will get everything when the time is right and they deserve it.'' He wanted to answer her back but halted when ting fingers held his hands from either side. The girls looked little scared. he smiled to calm them and left the house to take them to the park.

***

Nandini concluded her meeting and was ready to go home. She was glad to be back at work since Arjun decided to be with his family in Singapore.  Once in her car, her phone buzzed, ''Yes Radhik, how are you?''

''Angry and pissed.''

''Why?''

''Di, he is spoiling them. First, he buys a red couch, then he threatens the kid who fights with Anya-Anusha not to forget even the teacher. You won't believe di, these girls are throwing weight around on their father's name and now he promised them a laptop.''

Nandini pressed her lips, ''So where is he wrong. Every father would protect his kids against bullying, That's what Anusha was facing. About red couch, I guess he bought the couch for himself and red because Anya loves the color. About laptop, its fine. I know him, he wouldn't let them be spoiled.'' She tried to calm Radhika down.

''You are too on his side.'' Radhika sounded disappointed, nothing less than Anya. Nandini rolled her eyes. She was about to answer when her other phone started, she asked Radhika to be on hold. Her eyes widen looking at Arjun's name flashing on screen , ''Just great. 'Hi Arjun'' She greeted him as if nothing happened

''WHat the hell she thinks of herself? Can't I do something willingly for my kids? Isn't she happy snatching 4 years from me? I am so mad at her.'' Nandini pulled the phone off her ear, she looked at the 2 phones in her hand, ''Who made them parents? My girls are more matured then them' .

Taking a deep breath, she first decided to answer radhika, ''Radhika, what are you angry at. He pampering the girls or him not pampering you?'' There was a silence, Nandini smiled. SHe had hit the right spot, ''Radhika he saw them after 4 years, just step into his shoes. He is just making up for lost time. He is the last one who would spoil them. But even if he tries, I will scold him bad.'' 

She disconnected going back to the other one, ''Arjun, calm down. Its you who is at fault.''

''How am I at fault? Is loving my kids  a fault?'' He was mad 

Nandini rolled her eyes, ''First, deep breaths.'' After a minute she added, ''Since you met your kids, you have forgotten you have a wife whom you love madly. Arjun, you need to win her too. All you are doing is fighting her , why can't you understand her pain. She too suffered it for 5 years, it was you who asked her to leave and now when you are back, you are making her feel that its just kids which matter to you. Is that right?''

There was a silence, ''You mean, she is irritated because I am neglecting her.''

''Yes!.'' 

He chuckled, ''Fine Nandu, I will take it from here.'' Nandini took a sigh of relief. ''Drive me home fast, I need a cup of coffee and an asprin.''

***

Sam smiled as she clicked on the update tab. SHe had decided to date again, not to move on but to push Neil away. All things happening around her were now troubling her bad. She wanted to get rid of the pain and wanted Neil to be free of any kind of hope regarding their reconciliation .

Her phone buzzed, she smiled at flashing Piyali's name, ''Hi mom.'' The exchange pleasantries before Piyali came to the point, ''Sam, don't take me wrong. But you have to move forward , yo too deserve happiness.''

'''Mom...Okay fine, who is it.''

'''My friends son, he knows all about you and wants to meet you once. Meet him today, I will message you his picture and venue details.'' An excited Piyali gave Sam few instructions before disconnecting. Sam had no desire to move on, but her mother's request gave her an idea. All she had to do was let the little news slip in BS. Neil will definitely hear it and realist that she doesn't want to come back.

Dressed her best, she entered the posh restaurant to meet the suitor. Atleast that's what her parents thought. She had decided to let the guy know what was running in her mind. Sam was greeted by a tall good looking guy, he led her to the reserved table, ''You don't remember me?'' He asked

''Sorry! Have we met before?'' Sam asked

''Sam, I am Arvind. Your class mate.''

Sam blinked, ''OMG! I am so sorry. Mom just said her friend's son , she never mentioned who.''

''that's fine. I hope you know why are we meeting?''

''Arvind! I ....'' He halted her words placing his hands over hers, ''I know, don't worry I will handle.'' Those words made Sam relax.

Neil didn't hear anything he just saw Arvind hands over Sam's . His patience gave up, without a second thought he marched to the table where they were seated. ''So, is all fixed.'' Arvind frowned, while Sam blinked. She didn't know what to say, without thinking she just threw the words at Neil, ''Yes, and we are planning to get married in a month after my divorce.''

''Congrats Sam and you....whatever.'' He ignored Arvind completely

''But have you though how are we going deal with our 3 kids. '' Sam choked and Arvind slipped of his chair. ''Sam, we will talk later.'' With that Arvind walked off. Sam now turned to Neil,''What Kids?''

''How can you Sam? How can you forget the two squirrels and the lizard in our kitchen. I know you hated the lizard as it resembled you but squirrels, you loved them so much.'' Neil intention was to irritate Sam. She had stopped fighting him long back, and that was the reason between such a long gap between them. He some how wanted her to break that wall of silence that she had build around her. ''Tell me Sam, are you planning for joined custody or I should keep the kids.''

Neil was so loud that people sitting at adjoining table have now started turning. Some were even laughing. Sam stomped, ''Go to hell!''

''Madam bill'' A waiter ran behind her. She shoved a 500 bill in to his hand and walked off. Neil gave him another one, ''Go and have fun with your friends.'' He quickly moved out chasing Sam, ''Sammy, say something.''

''What do you want?'' She asked tears in her eyes

''You....and in future 3 kids...or may be more.'' he replied tongue in cheek. Sam understood, her emotional blackmail won't affect him. Turning around she walked off. Neil knew she understood he wasn't leaving her this easily.

Neil punched in a message, ''Thanks Jai''

''Sam! How are you?'' Radhika asked as she answered Sam's phone

''Tell me to calm down or I will murder Neil''

''Deep breath Sammy, deep breaths.'' Radhika suggested and Sam followed her advice, ''Now tell me whats wrong.'' Sam narrated the whole incident, ''Did you guys really keep squirrels and lizard as a pet.''

''I used to feed those squirrels daily, and lizard was his illegitimate child.'' Sam replied. After a moment both friends laughed, ''he loves you Sam, doesn't he deserve one chance?''

Same goes with you and Arjun?''

''Don't talk about him, he is so arrogant. he stays in my house and keeps ignoring me. He has form a pact with those two naught brats and I am all alone.'' Radhika whined

''Same here, this Neil he thinks all this madness  can win over me , I will smile and forgive him.''

''Haven't you Sammy? You never were angry, you just wanted to go away because you felt your presence was giving him pain.'' Radhika said what Sam didn't wanted to accept

''I am scared. What if he changes, again.''

''So am I Sam! At least your husband is trying, mine is just busy buying all that his kids love. Oh I hate him.'' The friend bitched about their husbands till their hearts were content and happy.

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Didn't  had much work so wrote this one. Hope you like it. I am planning to finish this one too in 8-10 updates or may be less.

Waiting for your votes and comments