It was time for Prerna and Neil to take leave after 2 weeks stay in Hrishikesh. Neil felt overwhelmed, he had never known family other than his parents. He made friends but gradually all parted. Now, when he found an extended family he couldn't have enough of them. As they were ready to board the cab, he hugged everyone and came last to Riddhima, ''I thought Chashni will always be my favourite but guess I can have 2 in the list.'' She smiled hugging him tight.

''Sahil, say bye to mamu.'' The moment bye word left Riddhima's mouth, Sahil's eyes darted from Neil to his mother. His lips drooped an he started wailing loudly. Neil picked him up, the innocent emotion went deep into his heart, ''Hey little guy, we will meet soon. I will ask your mom to bring you to Mumbai.'' Sahil wailed louder. Neil hugged him , he tried consoling the little boy rubbing his back.  It was an adorable scene to watch little guy clinging to his uncle. For 2 weeks Neil had pampered his nephew like anything, many times he would save Sahil from Riddima's anger. Now Sahil's tears had started turning his eyes wet. Riddhima slowly took Sahil from Neil, ''I will take him in.''

''Don't you dare scold him.'' Neil warned, Riddhima poked her tongue in response. Prerna gave a teary bye to her family with a promise to visit soon. As they drove to the airport, Neil noticed a permanence smile plastered on her face. He smiled, ''You look happy.''

''I am, after years. I always felt guilty about breaking my family's heart but now having them back feels as if I got a part of me back.'' He just smiled, gently squeezing his mother's hand. The rest of the drive was silent as Prerna recalled her moments and Neil stayed lost in Sam's thoughts. Her engagement was in a week and Neil was ready.

***

Arjun fixed his cuff buttons , ready to leave for work. He stared at his reflection in the mirror. Radhika's words came back to him, he shook his head in disappointment. If she wanted the distance  the he would give her that. He had requested his breakfast in the room and was now ready to leave. 

Arjun locked his room moving to the kids nursery. He smiled hearing their squeals. He knew Radhika had fed and bathed them. He wanted to see them before he left for work, he walked to Anya's crib and lifted her up, ''Good Morning Sunshine!'' The little girl moved her limbs excited to be with her dad, Arjun hugged her, ''I love you sweet heart. Your daddy has made many mistakes, and I am sorry.  I hope you understand that.'' Anya smiled warming his heart. Arjun placed her back in the crib moving to Anusha. He lifted her up, Anusha locked her black eyes with his. Arjun smiled, ''I know you don't like me much but daddy loves you too sweet heart. One day you will know this.'' He pecked her forehead an in return he got one as she tried eating his cheek.

He walked out and made his way down to the exit. He wanted to leave before he crossed path with Radhika. To his luck they came face to face just at the door, he was ready to leave and she was coming back from somewhere. They had their eyes locked for a moment before she walked past him. He huffed and walked towards his car

Radhika got herself busy in the work but her own words kept replaying her head. She regretted using such harsh words as her heart kept reprimanding her for that. She wanted to get rid of the guilt and decided to call Sam.

''What's up Chashni?''

''I fought with Arjun''

''Tell me something new.''

''No, this time it was little too much.'' Radhika briefed Sam about her last interaction with Arjun. Sam heard all of it with patience but with every word she said, her eyes kept on going wide.

''You said that you would prefer a life without him. Are you crazy? Do you even know the meaning of living a life without the one you love. Ask me, I know how does it feel not having Neil in my life.  I am dying every moment, and by the time I get married , I will just be a walking corpse. Radhika, life is too short and love is rare. Arjun loves you, a lot. He might be worst but his love for you is true. And how much more you wan to punish him. His sister died facing a betrayal. Do you think its easy for him to live with that? He must be cursing himself day and night for betraying you. He must be blaming himself for Neelam's death, because he did wrong. '' Sam felt agitated

''If he tried destroying me, it was him who helped me secretly in building BS up again.'' She waited for Radhika to say something but ll she got was a silence, ''Chashni mend things before its late. ''

Radhika was about to respond but a painful cry from Nandini took her attention. She ran to Nandini with Sam still on call, ''Di what's wrong?''

''A...Arjun met with an accident. I have to leave.'' Radhika froze and Sam who heard all was shocked. She decided to leave for Mehra Mansion immediately.  'If not for my daughters, I would have preferred a life without you.'  Her own words now echoed her years feeling like molten lava. She covered her mouth as she slid on the floor breaking down. She sobbed feeling responsible for his accident. She was ready to take back all the words she said to him. 

Sam rushed inside the mansion and found Radhika curled on the floor, she helped her up, ''Chashni, he will be fine.'' She consoled her friend hugging her tight. ''You should go to the hospital.''

''Kids?'' radhika asked

''I am here till you are back.'' Radhika nodded, she got up with trembling steps and made her way out. Sam watched till she drove away, she joined her palms and looked at the sky, ''I know he is fine and its a minor one but please don't make it a reason for their fight again.'' She made the prayer making her way to kids room. Sam had made the call to Nandini on her way to Mehra Mansion and got to know of the hospital ARjun was taken to . She got to know that he was safe and escaped with minor injuries. All she wanted was her friend's life on track.

***

Radhika stood outside the room watching Nandini reprimanding Arjun. He was sitting on the bed with a bandage around his forehead and the nurse worked on wrapping on the other one around his hand. There was blood on his white shirt and the sight clenched her heart . Sam's words echoed her ears. It was time she ended all hatred between them.

''Who asked you drive? We have so many to drive you to work and back, why didn't you call them?''

''Because I know how to drive.''

''And you suck at that.'' Nandini reprimanded making his roll his eyes. Once the nurse was done, she walked out giving Arjun a small smile. He thanked her and his eyes caught the brown ones he loved from the depth of his heart. He swallowed, ''Nandu, tell Radhika I am fine. She should leave.''

''Do it yourself. I am done being a post man.'' Nandini replied walking out. She gave Radhika a smile before letting her know that she was going to clear the bill.

Radhika walked into the room with slow steps but Arjun kept his eyes focused on the tiled floor. With each step she took, he clutched the bed hard. Facing her hate was difficult and now when he wanted to create the distance, he found himself around her again.

''How are you?''

''Good! Nothing to worry. You should go back home to kids.''

''They are being watched. Sam will stay till I am back.''

''Then you should.'' He replied getting up and yelped as pain shot up his leg. Radhika was quick to react, she moved forward and held him by arms, ''Sit.''

''I have to go.''

''I said sit.'' This time she sounded mad and he obliged. Radhika knelt and checked his feet, ''you are bruised here. Why didn't you get this treated?''

''Its just a bruise''

''Yet you yelped louder than Anya.'' She taunted. She called the nurse again and got his feet bandaged. She then supported his arm across her shoulder while other arm went around his waist, ''Now move slowly and don't put weight on your injured leg.''

''I know, I am not a fool.''

''You acted like one just a minute back.'' She retorted

''Why are you here? To sympathise or agonize me.'' He asked now irritated

She stayed silent as she slowly walked him out of the room. After a minute she responded, ''I came because I cared for you. Because even after being so mad at you, I can't stop loving you.'' She said those words looking straight into his eyes. He froze, for a minute he didn't knew how to comprehend her words.

''Are you going blink like that or say something?'' She asked amused

''Does it mean you have forgiven me?''

''That depends. I will still taunt you , scold you and bring up all your mistakes when we fight but then I will share everything of yours.'' her reply bought tears to his eyes, he pulled her closer hugging her tight. 

Nandini took a deep breath, she grinned wide and stepped into the room, ''Please don't kiss now, this is a hospital and I don't want a scandal on my family.'' Radhika just smile while Arjun groaned at his sister's drama

By the time they reached home, Sam was worn out. Rana entertained Anusha while Sam paced around talking nonsense to Anya. The moment her eyes fell on Radhika she took a breather, ''Thank god you are here, this one is so demanding. She didn't allow me to sit or shut my mouth. God my jaw hurts.'' Anya squealed loudly hearing her family's voices . Nandini gathered Anya in her arms and answered on her behalf, ''I am not demanding , I am just too cute to resist. This is why all meet my demands.'' Anya squealed louder

Rana waled to Arjun to check on him, ''We got worried.'' Arjun just smiled. Anusha made a soft sound , her eyes on ARjun. He took her from Rana and for a strange reason, Anusha  placed her head on his shoulder. ''Now you should never say that she doesn't like you. My baby is just shy.'' Rahika caressed Anusha's small head. Arjun just smiled, he realised that Radhika had heard his little conversation with his daughters.

Nandini sucked her cheeks in, ''Now when all is fine, I can show the dresses I got done for my little Princesses. Nandini left the room and came back after 10 minutes. She unfolded the little dress which had a caption, 'Mommy loves daddy.' Radhika just gaped while others laughed

''Why are you laughing Sam?''

''Why not, I got it done. Di had been filling me on all your childish fights.'' Sam replied giving Nanadini hifi. After spending sometime with them she left the family to have some good time. She was happy that she could be the reason for Radhika's happiness.

***

Manya finished he classes and decided to go back to her dorm. Her friends tried to persuade her to join them for a movie but she feigned headache and excused herself.

She got off the shuttle and started digging her bag for keys. She didn't notice the presence of a guy standing a little away from her house leaning on to a lamp post. She cursed when she couldn't find the keys , irritated she emptied her bag on the floor making the man chuckle. She looked up, blinked and then quickly masked her surprise with annoyance. 

Ankush smiled , took long steps and stopped her from blocking him by snatching the keys, ''Hi!'' He greeted her. he just rolled her eyes and attempted to snatch the keys which he refused to handover.

''What do you want Ankush? I am not bothering you anymore , so now leave me alone. ''

He smiled, took a step and placed her keys in her palm, ''A chance. Let's start as friends.'' Though surprised , Manya decided not to react. She unlocked door, got in and slammed it closed. Ankush just smiled an walked away. He was going to come back.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Done with one more