Neil watched as Prerna turned the storeroom upside down to pull out the album she had taken along while stepping out of the house all those years back. Her eyes shined in happiness as her lips stretched into a smile, ''Finally!''

Turning to her son she added, ''Come here! Its time you know your family.'' Neil smiled and sat beside her as Prerna caressed the old cover, ''I had taken this along so that I have them in my bad times. I wish, I would have tried once to reconnect with them.''

''Mom, its fine. We can't go back but we can make a new start.'' Neil rubbed her back. Prerna grinned wide as she flipped open the first page , pointing towards the pictures she narrated the stories behind them.

''So when are we going to meet them?'' He asked

''Do you really want to meet them or you are just playing along thinking about me?'' Prerna was sceptical.

''Mom, I want to. I never had family and cousins like others, now when I finally know of them, I want them to be a part of my life. I am done being lonely. But Radhika and Anya remains to be my favourite.''

''You shouldn't be biased. Once they grow up, Anusha will complain about you being a bad Mamu.''

''Can't help! With Anya it was love at first sight.'' He replied with a straight face earning a light slap. Prerna looked happy and Neil decided to propose the trip so that it helps Prerna in gaining required strength. Also, he too wanted a break from Sam.

***

Arjun pulled off his neck tie the moment he stepped out of his car on the front porch of the mansion. The day had been long and he had terribly missed his daughters not being able to spend time with them due to tight meeting schedules

He was tired with the daylong presentations and meetings at work and now wanted to freshen up so he could hold his two treasure in his arms. Nandini too had accompanied him but she had to meet Rajiv for coffee giving Arjun a go ahead. As he made his way up the stairs, his heart dropped hearing the continuous wailing of his daughters. 

He took two stairs at a time as he ran towards the nursery. Pushing the door open he moved into the room to find Radhika cradling one in her arms and the other on her lap.

''What's wrong?'' he asked picking the one in her lap

''I don't know. They took their nap, evening Anya turned cranky and later Anusha too joined her.'' Radhika replied rubbing Anusha's back. Arjun bought Anya to face level, she stared back at him with an annoyed frown, he smiled, pecked her forehead as he adjusted her to his shoulder, ''What makes you this angry?''

She replied making small annoyed sounds. Radhika walked up to them, she gently touched Anya's tummy to watch if she reacted

The baby was least concerned, and Radhika knew that all was fine. Taking a sigh of relief she placed Anusha back in the crib, she couldn't take a step away when the baby squealed loudly all angry. Radhika shook her head, ''Fine , I am sorry I was late in taking you two out.'' She had missed the time and forgot to take them out of the nursery to the garden area, a daily routine. Being lonely for long after waking up made the babies all the way more annoyed and Now they didn't wanted to be carried and pampered by the family.

''Aww..my babies had to spend evening alone. I am so sorry. Next time, daddy will be early.'' Arjun cooed Anya.

Radhika walked and stood facing him, ''You mean I am not doing the job well. Do you think I left them alone intentionally?''

Arjun blinked, he rolled his tongue to think of something. She looked murderous. When he didn't answer , she took a step making him step back. ''Ah...No. Actually...its me who would daily take them out ....so I was just apologising.'' He replied with a dried throat

''In short you are spoiling them.''

Arjun rolled his eyes. Now she is the lawyer ready to prosecute me for every word. He thought. Radhika snapped her fingers to bring him back, ''Answer me.''

''NO...why would I spoil my own kids.''

''To trouble me. That's what you love the most but have one thing clearing your head Mr. Mehra, I am no more the Radhika you married. Try something and you will pay ''reply came firm., She took a step further locking him to the wall, ''If you think you can form a little team with these to nappy dons , you are wrong. I can beat all of you in one go.'' Their eyes locked and being at face level they forgot all for a moment. Arjun smiled, he knew come what may he would always love his spunky wife.

The perfect moment broke with tiny squeals between them. Radhika stared at Anusha, ''Yes, now you look happy after scaring me with all the wailing.'' Anusha replied with a sweet sound resting her head on Radhika's shoulder, he tiny fingers clutching her mother's clothes. Arjun knew, she loved her mother above all, it surprised him at-times. he was the one related to her by blood but Anusha's heart had found comfort just in Radhika's arms. He cuddled Anya a little more who had moved her focus on to sucking his shirt on his shoulder, all calm and happy.He felt at home. 

Radhika left the nursery with a smile on her face, the little interaction felt good. She tickled Anusha's tummy as she carried her off for her evening stroll.

***

Sam finished her late evening call after hearing some commotion outside. Piyali had asked her to join them for sometime but Sam kept dodging the idea thinking of the pity and pain she saw in their eyes.

She had buried herself so deep in work that nothing seemed to touch her mind, accept Neil and his thoughts. They hadn't spoken in days, pretending to have moved on forgetting that she still stared and caressed his picture in the darkness of nights.

Sam stepped out of room frowning in surprise hearing the laughter. Her frown turned into a full fledged smile on finding Arjun Radhika with their kids in the main hall. ''Sam, why didn't you tell me Radhika's kids are so cute.'' Piyali said cradling little Anya mesmerised with Anya while Samrat decided to stick with the calm one.

Arjun cleared his throat and walked to Sam, ''I never apologised to you in the past. I would like to do it now, if you don't accept, I will try again.''

Sam smiled, ''Arjun Mehra you look like a clown when you try being humble or sweet. Well, I have forgiven you long back. So, all is well from my side.'' She slid past him to get her hands on girls but failed as Piyali had better ways to bribe them. Sam slipped into the couch next to radhika. Smiling at her friend she whispered, ''you –him together. I am happy.''

''You should be. These days he keeps hiding as if I am the king of the Jungle and I want him to live in fear that I will leave him.'' Radhika replied proudly

Sam shook her head, ''Let go chashni! He is repenting.''

Radhika's smile faded, ''I can't! Not this time. That was my trust he crumbled to pieces. Even if I want to, his words echo my surroundings. I accepted him after the way he tried maling me to chuck me out of BS. He left stone upturned to trap innocent Saral and hold my family at a tight point , forcing me to marry him. Still, I loved him.  I cannot forget he chose his revenge over his love. The promise he gave never mattered Sam. If not for my daughters, I wouldn't have seen his face.'' Sam squeezed Radhika's hand, understanding her point.

''Radhika you should get ready for another big event.'' Piyali said beaming with happiness

''And what's that aunty?''

''Sam is getting engaged in a month.''

Radhika stared at Sam dumbfound while Arjun sat shocked. He wasn't sure if Neil knew about it. If he did, then why wasn't he doing anything about it. He shut his eyes tight as another wave of guilt hit his heart. When he opened them , he found Radhika glaring at him. Her eyes held the accusation for him being responsible for the mess in so many lives.He excused himself walking out. He created it, and he decided to solve it.

''Sam, why?'' Radhika followed Sam in when she excused herself in pretext of getting the refreshments.

''Because this is right.''

''For whom? You are spoiling 3 lives.''

''He knows about Neil, and about the mess. I can't go back to him. His mother feels I am reason of his misery, and he believes me to the reason of her pain. I want to move on. I want someone who would listen to me without just passing a judgement. I am not looking for love Chashni, it has bruised me enough for one life.'' Sam said, tears streaming down her face. Radhika was just one person with whom she could bear her soul without any hesitation or filter. Radhika's heart constricted in pain watching her dear friend in this vulnerable state. She pulled Sam in the comfort of her hug.

''Sam! I am not asking you to go back to Neil. I am only suggesting that you shouldn't get into another relationship in this state of mind.''

''I see darkness all around me Radhika. Who knows this relationship might bring some happiness in my life. I am not expecting  anything more than companionship.'' Sam wiped her cheeks, ''I just want to forget all. I want peace, and I am sure this step would bring peace. Radhika said nothing. She knew Sam was taking a wrong step but for now she decided to stay quite. She wanted to meet the guy whom Sam had decided to spend life with, her next step would solely be dependent on that.

***

Ankush grinned wide when Mala updated him about meeting Prerna. He had few fond memories of his loving aunt who doted on him. Ankush had asked questions but when left unanswered he had given up on the them, The fact that Neil was his cousin made him all the way happier. He wanted to connect with his long lost aunt and make his cousin feel at home. 

Ankush sat at the bar smiling down at the pictures Radhika had messaged him. He took a sip of his drink and turned around when he heard a cheer. A group of youngsters were celebrating a birthday or something. He shook his head grinning wide at their happy  faces as they posed for the camera.

The music boomed the space as bodies started swaying each other. Ankush too rocked his head at the beats. After months of hard work he had received a promotion and a raise. His fusion dishes had made to the menu of the restaurant and Ankush slowly wanted to take the success in. He had received Prerna's number from Mala and had made his mind up to call her up the next day. He knew, if all took small steps, Dadaji will be forced to forgive Prerna and welcome her back

Manya's eyes caught the tall rugged figure seated at the bar. She smiled recognising him immediately. She knew he had noticed her but chose to ignore. He looked carefree and calm. So different from other guys who tried so hard to look cool. She had a deep urge to go and greet him. Strike a conversation and know more of him but she was hesitant. She didn't want to look desperate.

Manya recalled how he had rescued her last time. She chewed her lip thinking if it was a good idea but something about him pushed her to take the risky move. She had noticed a bunch of guys staring in her direction and decided to use it in her favour. She pulled along her friends seductively dancing her way into the crowd, occasionally throwing glances at the rowdy group and a longing one at Ankush. Her trick paid of when one of then tried to get close but before he could touch her, a wall moved in between.

Ankush pulled Manya closer for a dance and moved his way out towards a secluded corner, ''What was that?''

''You noticed?'' She asked with a smile.

He rubbed his face, ''It could have been dangerous. Why would you do such a thing?''

''You answered by coming to my rescue. I like you Ankush.'' She replied but her heartfelt confession shook him. He lifted his palms to say something but then shook his head in silence walking away. 

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Next- Arjun-Radhika's silent fight on kids.