Ankush handed a cup of steaming coffee to the bruised girl he had rescued few hours back, ''You shouldn't be out in such places this late.''

''If you bought me to lecture, I will take your leave. Thanks for the help.'' As she got up, a sharp pain shot her limbs making her collapse. Ankush shook his head , walking to her he extended his hand. She ignored trying to get up on her on her own. Ankush patiently waited for her to get up or ask for help. She finally gave up , with tears in her eyes she extended her hand. Ankush shook his head and picked her petite form in his arms bridal style. He placed her on the bed and handed her coffee back, ''You hate advises.''

''Yes, because that's the only thing I have received all my life. About my choices, careers and even about my plans to visit home. I wanted to break free.''

He smiled, ''That's fine but putting yourself at risk at the cost  of freedom is stupidity. Now, take rest. I will drop you home in morning.'' He got up to move to the hall when her voice froze his legs, ''I am sorry and Thanks for all the help.''

''Sleep tight!'

''I am hungry'' She confessed

He studied her, her expression was child like. Not sure if he would keep her request.  Ankush smiled and walked off without replying. She made a face cursing home for being uncaring. He came back after a minute carrying a tray. Ankush placed a small table on the bed arranging the tray on it.

''You ordered!''

''I cooked. Have it, let me know when you are done.''

''I can't eat so much.'' Though hungry she looked hesitant, worried about his opinion about her.

''That's fine, have as much as you want. I will be out.'' He gave her a smile before walking out. She kept watching the door even after he was out his out of his view. He was so calm, like a river . She acted rude, instead of thanking him she threw fits at him yet he helped her. She stared at the food with a big smile, excited she took a spoon full of rice with the gravy and stuffed into her mouth. There was a blast of flavours and in no time the tray was empty.

Ankush walked back and heard her burp loudly. ''Glad you like the food.'' She blushed having him heard her burp and lowered her eyes, ''Thanks, it tasted like home.''

He nodded. ''What's your name?'' She asked

''Ankush! and you.''

She extended her hand, ''Manya!''

***

''What's that cake for?'' Nandini asked Arjun who was busy arranging a table

''My girls turned a month old. We are celebrating.'' He replied with a wide grin. Nandini just shook her head walking off. If this was the celebration for 1st month, she could imagine what he would do when they turned 1.

Mala bought a very happy and squealing Anusha, her cast was being removed and now she depicted her happiness all the way more, followed by Radhika carrying Anya. The sound of door bell made Nandini frown, ''You invited someone.''

''Just my best friend and few important friends ''

Arjun welcomed Neil with a hug and Radhika's jaw dropped. She too had invited Sam but latter got stuck in traffic. Radhika eyed the two men suspiciously as they shared a joke. Arjun took Anusha from mala and made a formal introduction, ''Anusha, meet your uncle Neil.''

Neil stared at the little girl, his eyes locked with hers. He stroked her cheek and she squealed Happily, ''being cute should be declared a crime.'' He said taking Anusha from Arjun.

''Meet the violent one, Anya Mehra.'' Arjun bought his little storm to his friend. Neil's jaw dropped, Anya had world's most innocent eyes. He would look from one baby to other, ''Arjun Mehra you should be jailed for being this lucky. Can I have one.'' 

''No!'' That came from Sam who took Anusha from Neil making a face at him. She was hell bent on showing her rights on girls. She wanted to prove that she held a upper hand when it came to girls. Sam knew she was acting childish but it felt nice liked old times with Neil. She cooed the baby moving to Radhika, ''Since when they became friends?'' Radhika asked Sam eyeing the two guys suspiciously 

''Don't know ! I too was surprised like you when I discovered him hiding in Arjun's apartment. ''

''Neil is no longer my friend.'' Radhika concluded, Sam gave her a thumbs up. 

The next to join were Radhika's friends from BS and Dr Rajeev. Arjun felt indebted to Rajeev for curing his little girl.

Radhika grinned  as everyone went gaga over her kids. ''Arjun, you will have to hire a military force once they grow up. Boys will queue up for their attention.'' Neil joked cuddling Anya He just couldn't remove his eyes off Anya, she was dangerously adorable, her eyes were captivating. She wasn't just cute, she was noisy and that made her all the way his favorite.

''I will shoot them point blank.'' Arjun replied gritting his teeth. He hated the idea of guys trying to get his daughter's attention, and the betrayal his sister suffered made him all the way more possessive about them. He still had to execute the plan of punishing the guy who destroyed his sister.

''What if they fall in love and plan to elope.'' Neil was suddenly Sam

''Neilllllll...no more boys and elopement. They won't do a thing I don't like.'' Arjun replied frustrated, that made Sam and Nandini broke into fits of laughter as they recalled the blabber which Sam did when he disguised as a driver to drive his daughters and wife home. Arjun shook his head realising he had been teased by all.

Others just looked confused and ignored the matter as they proceeded to celebrate. Neil decided to capture the memories for his friend and also some for him. He would time and again focus on Sam, capturing her candidly as she made faces entertaining the little girls while sharing good moments with Radhika. He loved her and now he was planning to go crazy around her

Arjun made his girls taste a little cream and laughed when Anusha's eyes went wide as she threw her hands in excitement. He knew she loved it.

''You guys are partial towards Anya. All are just pampering her'' Neil complained. Everyone including him had noticed Radhika cuddling and lost in Anusha, while Anya was being pampered by all.

Arjun shook his head, ''Nothing like that. Anusha's leg condition made all of us a little scared about touching her, so it was just  Radhika who would handle her and sometimes I did. Now, they are each other's habit. Anusha is just too glad to be held by her mother. Arjun stared as Radhika spoke to her in animated tone. His eyes watered realising what a great woman he married . No one could say that Anusha wasn't her daughter, infact Radhika gave Anusha extra attention when her leg made her uncomfortable. "I love you my panoti.''

''Can I take her.'' He asked

She rolled her eyes  bt handed the little girl to him, ''I was thinking...''

''Listen Arjun Mehra, I listen and reply doesn't mean you got the right to talk to me. Nothing is normal between us and won't be. You don't deserve me. We are just the parents of Anya and ANusha nothing more.''

''We are still married and I still love you.'' He reasoned

''I don't.'' She retorted , ''and get used to it. Staying married doesn't mean we are still together. You and me, never again.''

Arjun watched her till she was done, ''We were meant to be and we will always be. I will win you back.'' 

''Keep dreaming.'' With a huff he took Anusha from Radhika and walked back to Neil, holding her head against his chest, ''Say hi!'' he said placing a peck on the top of her head. She responded with a small sound, fisting his shirt. 

''Hi sweet heart, want to be friends with me.'' Neil spoke as if she was 2-3 years old. Anusha watched him and then smile, ''Friendship accepted.'' He looked around and found Sam chatting with Kritika, he smirked. he knew Sam hated being second on his list, he decided to irritate her., ''Hey Sam, I got a new cute little friend. You are out of my list.'' Sam rolled her sleeves ready to attack Neil but Kritika pulled her back, ''You will blow your game.'' Sam realized that she was suppose to be ignoring Neil so that he goes back to Soniya, she decided to get into the role again.

***

''How are you chashni?''

''Finally you got sometime to ask about my well being. '' Radhika taunted

''Same goes with you. You just left without letting me know. You chose Sam.''

''Sam chose me. You weren't there when I needed yo being forced for the wedding. You weren't there when he ask me go to hell and you never bothered to check once I came back. You cannot complain.'' Radhika sounded angry. Out of all, she had trusted him the most. He was her first friend and she looked up to him

Neil lowered his head, ''I am sorry. Can we start again?''

''Neil, Sam is now my first priority. She chose me above her fears and pain and now I have chosen to be on her side.''

''That means I am not your friend anymore.'' He asked a little miffed

''I never said that but if the choice is between you and Sam, I will chose Sam.'' She said without any hesitation

Neil nodded walking off. Arjun had witnessed this little conversation and decided to be with his friend. He knew Radhika meant a lot to Neil. Arjun sat next to him, ''Perks of being my friend.''

Neil huffed, ''You think I am emotional?'' Arjun frowned and Neil laughed, ''Buddy that was a little emotional game to win the majority. I always knew Chashni would chose Smarinder Singh.''

''What next?'' Arjun asked with reference to Sam.

''She challenged my ego. I need to show her how much of a man I am.''

''Now don't do something stupid.''

Neil smiled, ''I am going bring all females in my life on track. Just wait and watch. theory time is over, now I will go for practicals.''

Arjun didn't like the tone, he was suspicious about Neil taking a wacky route, ''Please tell me you are not taking my route.''

Neil laughed, ''Not at all. I like to stay original, all ideas and implementation would be 100% Neil.''

''Just like fooling around with my neighbour.'' Arjun asked with a raised brow

''How do you know?''

''She called me stating she was number 3 looking for her number 10.'' Arjun replied with a huff.

Neil laughed, ''She is kind of funny.''

''She is trouble, please stay away from her. I can predict your future begin kidnapped by your number 3 and forced to marry her.'' 

Neil laughed, ''There is absolutely no one who can force me my dear friend.'' His eyes then fell on the little Anya in Arjun's arms, ''except those eyes. God I am falling in love.'' Arjun shook his head. What Neil said next made him emotional, ''Anya is all of Radhika , Anusha looks like you. The good you.''

''You think she resembles me?'' he asked excited

''Yes , she has your dark eyes and strong jaw. I feel she would grow into a sweet one and Ayna would make you two dance on her tunes.'' He said pinching her cheek. 

Radhika-Sam watched the duo from distance with a frown on their faces, ''What do you think they are discussing?''

''Arjun must be giving tips to Neil about how to win me and Neil must be lecturing him about you.'' Sam replied

''Hence they both will fail.'' They hified before moving in.

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Neil's life dram will unfold next. Do drop in your views and comments.