Radhika decided to take her parents out as she knew her kids are well watched by Nandini and Arjun. She always knew he was a cave man when it came to her but now looking at his madness for his daughters, she had coined the cave-dad for him. The man never seemed to leave the house, she indirectly reminded him about his business but he ignored. She knew he would have made an arrangement for it to be taken care but still she wanted him out of the house for few hours to have a breather. He had kept the staff on toes regarding his kids and the infuriated Radhika to no limits.

Arjun was more than happy to have his little bundles for himself, Specially Anusha. Though, she was comfortable around him but the moment Radhika's voice fell on her ears, her focus would shift and then Anusha just wanted her mother and no one else. Unlike Anya, who was fine anyone entertaining her with a condition that she should be spoken to non-stop.

Arjun lifted Anusha wrapped in a soft cloth. She squirmed a little excited, he smiled hugging her close, ''Now baby and daddy will have a nice time.'' He requested Nandini to entertain Anya, which she obliged willingly

Arjun walked back to his room , his daughter against his chest as she burped, ''All good sweety.'' He asked concerned and she made a funny sound. All evening he just kept talking to her, cuddling her and pouring all the love he had in his heart. He was leaving for a day to punish the ones who snatched his sister but before that he wanted to tell Anusha that he was going to punish all who wronged her mother.

Radhika enjoyed taking her family around Mumbai, they were leaving in a week as Riddhima complained they being biased towards Radhika. Since Radhika's sudden disappearance the Mishra family couldn't shower the love on Riddhima's little son had now turned almost a  year. Riddhima wanted her parents to be a part of celebration and eventually succeeded in blackmailing them emotionally   later in the evening she took them to her favourite restaurant for dinner. Mala-Dilip exchanged glances when she kept on ranting about her hatred about Arjun. They knew it was actually the opposite. It was just about the time she realises her true feelings.

When the order didn't get served for 15 mins Radhika decided to give an earful to the manager on the same. As she sauntered towards his booth, she collided with someone on her way, ''I am sorry.'' She whispered and then smiled looking at Prerna, ''How are you aunty.''

Prerna beamed at Radhika, hugging her next moment, ''I am good and congratulations on Motherhood. When do I get to see them.''

''Any day you want. By the way, my parents are here. I would like you to meet them.'' Prerna nodded as Radhika led her to her family, ''Ma, Papa meet Neil's mom, Prerna aunty. She had been very caring about me during my initial days in Mumbai.''

There was a silence at both ends. Prerna turned pale as Dadaji turned his eyes away. Dilip just greeted her with a forced smiled while Mala sat confused. Prerna took her leave making an excuse but before leaving she pecked Radhika's forehead deep.

Radhika sensed the discomfort but stayed mum, she decided to speak to her mother about the same later in the night.

When they arrived home, Nandini had put Anya too bed and dozed off as the girl tired her. Radhika made her way to Ajun's room to be greeted by an adorable sight. He was sprawled in the middle of the king size bed with Anusha on his chest, sleeping peacefully. Radhika shook her head realising that her tiny daughter was wearing her dad's t-shirt looking like some funny animated character, she understood he did to keep her warm. 

She took a step closer , her eyes on the duo. As she studied them keenly, she couldn't deny the similarities between the two. He had his mouth slightly open and so did his daughter. Radhika knew Anusha had taken all from Neelam and that made her look similar to Arjun, in a way she was thankful to almighty for that. She had no plans of disclosing about her real mother. Anusha was hers and she decided to keep it that way. She turned and looked at Anusha again, Radhika's lips twitched into a smile. She walked closer and covered the duo with a comforter moving out quietly.

***

Prerna kept wiping her sweaty forehead again and again, after so many years the past had finally caught up with her. She recalled her first meeting with Radhika not realising that she would bring her to the people she had behind long back. few hazy memories, enormous laughter, gatherings and many small moments danced behind her closed eyes. She clutched her chest as she hiccuped. 

All these years she had thought that she had left all behind, her guilt , those memories but she never thought it would come back to her like a bolt. She felt a strange guilt creeping into her heart, it wasn't Prerna took deep breaths to calm her heart , instead she started feeling breathless. She moved to the table to get some water but all in front of her eyes turned hazy as she collapsed on the floor.

Neil ran through the corridors of the hospital , dashing against the one who walked passed him. Since he had been informed about Prerna being admitted , he couldn't think straight. he blamed himself for leaving his mother alone. The mother who did all to give him a perfect life. She had an option to dream and find love again but she chose Neil above herself. 

Neil fell on his face as he collided with a bench, banging his forehead against it. Rubbing the place he got up feeling a little dizzy. He couldn't understand if the room was to far  or his legs refused to move. Rubbing his forehead he moved to the room with wobbly steps.

His heart constricted watching her lying unconscious with saline attached to her arm. She looked fragile and feeble. Neil moved closer, ''How is she?'' he asked the doctor

''Fine, nothing to worry. It was an anxiety attack , something bothered her and her BP dropped. We have kept her sedated so that her body rests. You can take her back home once she gains consciousness.''

 Neil sat next to Prerna watching her with love. He was ready to sacrifice all for her. even if it meant leaving Sam behind.

Sam rushed to the hospital to be with Neil the moment she heard about Prerna being admitted. She wasn't just Neil's mother but a family friend. Sam had grown up around Prerna and respected her immensely for being such a strong person.

Sam's heart melted watching Neil slumped shoulders. She took slow steps to him and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. Neil huffed, his eyes moved to the hand on his shoulder and then to Sam. He quickly turned to see if his mother had noticed Sam's presence. Without letting Sam speak a word he dragged her out. he shot before she could even open her mouth, ''Why are you here? Look, I don't want my mom stressed, I have given her enough stress because of you and don't want her worked up  for any reason. ''

''Reason! Right. Fine, It was nice knowing you Neil Melhotra.'' Sam removed his fingers from her arm and walked off. Without turning even for once. This was last she saw him as his childhood friend and the girl who loved him. She had been punished a little too much for not accepting his feelings in one go. Hereon, there would be a difference. She would no longer be the same, she would now prove it to everyone that she had decided to change, this time for her own good.

Neil patiently sat rubbing his mother's hand with his, after about 1 hr she opened her eyes looking all tired, ''neil!''

''How do you feel Mom?''

''Better! Why am I here?''

''You fainted!''

Prerna frowned , she leaned back realizing that over thinking about past stressed her out. ''I am fine, had few releases and got worked up. Go check with the doctor if I can go home.'' 

Neil studied his mother, he  knew there was something she wasn't opening up about, ''What's wrong Mom?''

''Nothing...I told you I got stressed.''

''That's what Mom, you gave the reason without me asking about it and you are not looking into my eyes. So what's the matter?''

''You are overthinking Neil. Please check with the doctor, I want to be home.'' Neil obliged , the word home resonated in Prerna's head bringing back so many memories.

***

Sam asked the HR to meet her asap, ''Effective today, Neil Melhotra is no longer the employee of BS. Please cancel his access card and hand me is relieving letter to sign.''

The lady blinked, she was one of the oldest of all staff and Neil was one of her favorites. He had been like a family to BS and her, ''Sam what's wrong?''

''He has decided to part way from BS. His mother needs him more and its right in a way. Please get the papers ready.'' The lady walked out with a nod. Sam tried to bury herself in work , she tried with all her might to go through the deal a client had forwarded but her vision kept turning blurry with tears. All she wanted was to offer him her friendship and he labeled her as a problem , a reason for his mother's ill health. The angel on her shoulder tried to make her understand that he was worried but devil reminded that Prerna had asked her to leave from Neil's life, she had been blaming her was snatching her son. Sam knew, if she accepted Neil back there would be a tussle between Neil and Prerna , which inturn would affect her relationship. She made up her mind to close the chapter forever.

Taking a deep breath, she dropped a formal mail informing about Neil quitting BS and distributed his responsibilities among Zubin and Teji. There was a shock wave as soon the gossip started speculating the reason of Neil's departure. It was just Sam's 3 friends, who knew that how painful it was for Sam to let him go. The kept looking at her through the glass door contemplating about offering their support. They decided to give her some time and promised among themselves about giving her complete support.

Neil walked his mother to his room and made her lie down. He walked out after few minutes directing the staff over her diet chart. Moving to hall, he crashed on the couch covering his face with his palm. They day had been a long and tiring one. He requested for a coffee when his eyes fell on a cardboard box. 

Neil got up to inspect it, he was surprised and shocked to find his belongings from BS, ''Who brought this.''

''The office boy delivered this, with a letter.'' the staff informed handing him the coffee and the letter. Neil ripped of the envelope to know the contents and froze, it was his reliving letter cum settlement letter. Though the words of appreciation and gratitude about his years of service were same he had seen before and signed for past employee, to him it appeared like a slap on the face. He raked his fingers through his hair dumping the letter into the box. He ordered the staff to dumb the box in the store room, away from his sight.

***

Arjun and Anusha woke up early morning but preferred lazying around. He kept rubbing her small back as she kept swinging in and out of sleep, ''You want to sleep more, no problem. We will take another nap.''

''Hey my Princess.'' Just when Arjun thought his bond had gotten stronger, the competition walked in like a queen. Anusha's head moved as she squealed hearing Radhika, now fully awake. Radhika lifted her pecking her small nose, ''Yes, I missed you too. I know all other are so boring that you just want to sleep. Now with me you are so active.'' That earned her another squeal. Radhika threw a smirk at Arjun before walking away.

He crossed his arms over his chest with a grumpy expression, ''SHOW OFF!''

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Done with one more