Arjun Radhika were tensed about arrival of their best friends, they were silently praying for the situation to be calm. As soon as they reached, they quickly got into the elevator to reach their apartment floor. Their hearts started pounding as the door slid open , they took a breather as their eyes fell on the couple seated on floor opposite to each on the, throwing mad glares at one and other. ''Thank God! All looks calm.'' Arjun whispered.

The girls squealed and ran to Sam the moment their eyes fell on her. Next moment they went angry, ''Don't worry Sammy, warrior Princesses will protect you from this Demon.'' Anusha stood covering Sam from Neil with her tiny body. Neil frowned, he related the words and it took him few seconds to realise that he had been turned into a demon in some imaginary fairy tale. He immediately turned and looked at the culprit parents

Radhika pressed her lips, while Arjun gave him a sheepish grin, ''Demon! Some friend you are''

''Let's get in.'' Radhika quickly unlocked the door and next came the atom bomb. ''Sammy!!!'' The sudden call for Sam from Anya froze everybody. Having Sam's full attention, Anya parted the secret information, ''Mommy Daddy Kissed...like in TV.'' There was a drop dead silence and then Neil broke into fits of laughter followed by Sam.

''What did Daddy tell you Anya, not to tell this to anyone.'' Radhika reprimanded the mini radio

''Daddy said not to tell outside the house, Sammy is now inside mommy.'' Anya replied innocently, sending another laughter round in the room. Radhika didn't know where to hide, ''Both of you, inside the room and dare you step out.''

This made NeSam roll all over the floor, ''Don't scold them Chashni, it's you guys who should stay alert.'' Radhika just made her way to the kitchen all embarrassed to prepare refreshments for her friends, next moment there was a pedal sound of twin bicycles, ''I told you not to step out.'' She glared at two girls

''We didn't Mommy, it's the bicycle. Our legs are not on the floor'' Came the reply from Anusha, making the room break into laughter again. Arjun marveled at the his kids reasoning. Before she could say a word, the girls got a strong statement in support from Neil, ''You can't question that, technically their feet are not on the floor.''

''You are spoiling them.'' Radhika scolded Arjun marching back to the kitchen.

''Its fine Chashni!'' Sam gave embarrassed Radhika an arm hug, ''I am so happy to see Anusha walking normally.''

''He made it happen.''

''See, I told you.'' Sam's eyes went to Arjun who lovingly held Anusha as she narrated some story to him. His eyes were just focused on her face, an affectionate smile stretched onto his lips. He demanded a peck and she gave him with a hug.

Neil was checking his messages when he felt eyes on him, he looked around and jumped. Anya watched him lying on the carpet with a frown on her face. With 2 fingers she gestured that he should be alert as her eyes were on him. He shook his head with smile, he leaned back to find something pinch him on the back, he titled his head back to find the other one holding the toy gun at his neck, ''Thanks for labelling me as demon Arjun!''

Arjun blinked, ''Anusha, that's bad. Say sorry!''

''Then how will we protect Sammy?'' Anya questioned

''Its not needed, Sammy is safe. Now , come here and shake hands with him. He is Daddy's best friend.'' Arjun explained

''But he is a boy.'' Anya reasoned

''Your daddy is also a boy.''

''NO! He is daddy.'' The girl replied angrily . Neil lifted his palms in surrender, after all who could win against the mini version of Radhika.

***

''So how was your journey with your ex husband.'' Radhika asked

''I wasn't even aware he is coming here or I would have come after he was gone.'' Sam replied

''Same Pinch.'' Came from Neil with equal vigour, Sam marched towards the room, ''Then why didn't you leave when you saw me at the door.''

''Why should I leave? I reached here first, you should be leaving.''

''This is my Chashni's house.'' Sam took a step forward

''And Arjun's as well.''

''I have majority here.''

''We are even Sam, no one counts juvenile votes. You misguided them against me.'' Came Neil's reply.

Arjun-Radhika kept moving their neck from one to other, ''Now what?'' She asked

''Let them sought it out. I guess this is what God wants''

''But they are divorced.''

''We are not, wish we were if she would have reached on time.'' Neil informed

''Sam, why didn't you attend the hearing?'' Radhika asked all shocked and happy at the same time. Sam didn't answer , instead she ran off towards the room and banged the door shut, leaving the three in shock, ''Neil Melhotra, you better mind your tongue, one more rude word and I will join forces with warrior Princesses.'' Radhika warned walking off to check on Sam.

''Why you have to be rude?'' Arjun asked

''because I don't know what she wants, she wanted divorce so bad a night before that she kept messaging me to reach on time and then she stood me over in the court going unreachable.'' Neil vented his frustration

''That's the good thing, she doesn't want divorce.'' Arjun reasoned

''Arjun, I am done with what she wants. I have always given her the priority, above every one. There was even a time when I neglected my own mother just for her for years. Agreed, I made a mistake, I hurt her but hasn't she done that in past numerous times ? I didn't I forgive her every time , hell I didn't even cared for an apology.'' Arjun maintained the calm, he wanted Sam to hear out Neil too.

Neil racked his hand through his hair, ''I proposed Soniya, I broke off my engagement earning the hatred and anger of a friend and mother. I did that for her, because she wanted me back. I loved her and I love her now, but watching my mother getting insulted by her peers was something I couldn't watch. I know, I have scarred her and I am sorry I can't change a thing, I am n longer looking to. She wants a divorce, I am fine if that makes her happy. I just want to get over with it and go far.''

''And you think you can leave all behind.'' Arjun questioned

''I need to and I am sure I will be able to, some day.''

''Fine, leave Sam what about your mother? Why are you leaving her?''

''I am not, I am just going to find myself. I came here to see you, I will leave in 2 days.'' Neil informed. The door of the room creaked open and Sam stepped out, her eyes locked with Neil. He turned his away quickly.

''Daddy lets go to the park.'' Anya demanded

''Its late not now." Radhika refused.

''I will take you guys, and Chashni it won't be long.'' Sam informed bundling the girls together. Radhika sat with Neil and Arjun trying to reason with Neil, when Arjun froze, ''I think girls called me.''

''I didn't hear it.'' Radhika said

''I did!'' He quickly walked out of the door with Neil in tow

***

Sam animatedly spoke to the girls guiding them to the elevator. The girls looked excited to have their Sammy with them, ''So do you like your daddy.''

''He is so sweet.'' Anya replied. ''Daddy permitted me to take part in sports.'' Anusha looked happy about it. The elevator shook violently and came to halt; the emergency lights started flickering and then went off scaring the two girls. They had never witnessed anything like that , they held on to Sam's leg terrified, ''Don't worry, we will be out soon.'' The elevator shook again and jerked down once. Anusha screamed, ''Daddy!!''

Sam's phone buzzed next minute, ''Arjun, the elevator is stuck.''

''What floor?''

''Second or 3rd! The girls are really scared.''

''I am on to it.'' Before Arjun could say a word, Neil was already on his way to get hold of the security. The emergency bell would have updated them about the situation, he still wanted to get Sam out fast. She wasn't a brave one when it came to darkness, even a feathery touch was enough to make her jump.

The maintenance people were swift to act, they quickly switched on the emergency rescue mode on, working on to get the doors open. After some 15-20 minutes they were able do helping the trio out, Arjun hugged his daughters, ''Are you guys fine.''

''I didn't cry daddy, I am brave.'' Anya replied wiping tears of her face while Anusha kept sobbing , her face hidden in his neck.

''Are you fine Samrinder Singh.'' Neil asked holding a shaking Sam, she just nodded her palms and feet wet of sweat. They walked back to the apartment. Radhika hugged her little girls, ''You guys are brave, you kept Sammy safe.'' That made them feel better, her eyes met with Arjun's, ''You heard them I didn't''

''I just had a feeling. They are my world, I can't imagine a moment without them.'' He replied caressing his daughters head. ''Let me feed them and then put them to bed.'' He nodded. Arjun walked towards the kids room, where Sam was seated on the bed and Neil opposite to her on the floor. She was still shaking and he kept trying to calm her, ''I thought it would crash, and...''

''And!''

''I won't see you again.'' She replied her eyes locked with his. Neil lifted her palm, flattening it against his cheek, he smiled, ''If that would have happened, I would have boarded the same elevator after malfunctioning it.'' Sam smiled and then broke down, Neil closed his arms around her, ''its okay , you are a safe. You even kept those warrior Princesses safe.''

''You are an idiot, I didn't come because I don't want a divorce. Can't you understand this small thing?'' She scolded

''Then why the hell you kept messaging me whole night, asking to be on time as yyou wanted to be free.''

''I wanted you to refuse, instead you were there before time. You are an idiot Neil.''

''That I am.'' He replied hugging her tightly. Arjun smiled walking back to his kids whom Radhika fed talking to them non-stop, ''The elevator did one good thing.'''

''What?'' She asked, he smiled turning his eyes to the door. NeSam walked out hand in hand and smile on their face. Radhika just smiled, she was happy to see her favourite couple back together.

''You guys take kids room, they will sleep with us.'' Arjun said rocking Anya to sleep. ''Daddy, I want Ruffi.'' She asked for her stuffed toy and Arjun handed it over. Anya extended her favourite toy to Sam with sleepy eyes, ''Ruffi will hit the bad boy if he scares you.'' That bought smile to all the faces

After putting the kids to bed, the four friends sat in the hall to catch on all they missed, ''So your plans to go away forever are cancelled!'' Radhika said

''Yes, and when are you going back to Mumbai?'' Neil directed his question back to Arjun

''In a month'' He replied

''What about their school?'' Radhika gaped at him

''I already have one shortlisted for them. They can start whenever we are there.''

''What about my job?''

''You have one at BS Chashni, stop being a drama'' That came from Sam. The friends chatted for and hour before calling the night.

***

''Put that Ruffi somewhere, he is scaring me.'' Neil pretended all scared of Ruffi

''My Anya gave me, he is going to sleep on the bed.'' Sam replied caressing the toy.

''Where do I go then?'' he asked , his arms crossed at chest

Sam gently kept Ruffi under the pillow, ''He is asleep and won't up before morning, he wouldn't know that Princess Sam romanced the Demon Neil.'' He laughed, joined her on the bed and pulled her against his chest. Finally, his dark night was over.

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The elevator incident comes from my life, I was 5 when it happened. My dad was having his evening tea after coming back from work. He was in out apartment at 6th floor, while I got stuck at 3rd with my house help, who was taking me to the park. I just screamed for him, no one heard me but him. He was there before the security, it was him who unlocked the door to get us out.

Do let me know how was it, and Happy weekend. 3-4 more to go.