Nandini watched Radhika's sleeping form. It had been over two months and now Radhika could ring the bell any day. Sam too visited over the weekends and was again coming a day after. Nandini huffed, though she made the arrangement for best doctors and facilities, she still wished if Arjun was present.

She was still mad at him but all this between him and Radhika wasn't the fault of that kid waiting to open the eyes in the new world. She had been thinking for 2 months but couldn't bring it up to Radhika. Nandini didn't wanted her stressed, on the other hand she was determined to get them back together, if not for them then for the coming baby.

A moan from Radhika broke all the thoughts and bought her on toes, ''What's wrong?''

''It pains...'' The rest of the words died as Radhika clutched her hand. Nandini understood, she dialled the ambulance and then Sam.

***

''I will be there ASAP.'' Sam disconnected the call, pulled out her back pack and started stuffing it with random clothes. She quickly checked her phone for available flights and realised there was one at dawn. Sam booked her seat and then a cab. She scribbled a note for her parents before running out. She had no time or will to explain anything to her family, the questions had been increasing day by day. Her parents were growing suspicious about her weekly disappearances but Sam brushed all aside giving silly reasons. She had now decided never to succumb under pressure like she did all the time.

She recalled how for years she faced her mother's anger or Jai, how she did all to be the best yet was awarded by hatred. She still remembered how Neil pressurized her to chose between him and Arjun, she chose him and friendship, but he then let her go on name of sacrifice later blaming her for the pain in his heart. Sam never blamed him completely, she always felt guilty but she could never forget about his secret engagement. She agreed she never deserved a second chance, but as a childhood buddy she deserved to know about his engagement. Then Arjun, she could never forget the way he kept manipulating her emotions and weaknesses. Sam shook her head, all this was past what now mattered was just Radhika. She smiled as she recalled her friend, the only one who had put no conditions in their relationship. It was transparent like a glass, there were no filters. They just themselves around each other. Above all, Radhika taught Sam to fight her demons, to smile, to find hope in the darkest hour. There was no way on earth which could stop her from being with her friend when she needed her the most. Sam ran to the boarding gate to be first one as if hers would be the first drop, she was anxious, happy and nervous.

***

''Di , how is Chasni?'' Sam asked as soon as she met Nandini

''Still in the room, I hope there is no trouble.'' Nandini replied , her eyes on the closed doors. Sam rubbed her arms to sooth the nervousness, she got up to get tea for both when her eyes fell on Neelam, withering in pain. ''Where is the doctor? Why aren't you treating her?''

''There is no one to sign the consent on her behalf''

''So you guys will leave her to die?'' Sam was beyond mad. Signing the consent form, she initiated the process for Neelam. When she went back to Nandini, she got to know that Radhika was having a difficult labor, ''All because of Arjun''

''And how?'' Nandini asked surprised

''His kid, had to create some drama or issue.'' Sam replied looking miffed. Nandini wanted to laugh but decided against it. After about half an hour the doctor stepped out with a wide grin, ''Congrats! It's a baby girl.'' Nandini Sam squealed hugging each other, ''I knew it, can we see Radhika.'' Nandini asked

''In next 10 mins.'' The duo thanked the doctor before doing a little dance. They hurriedly moved to the room to meet Radhika who waited for them anxiously.

''OMG, she is a cotton ball.'' Sam exclaimed taking the little bundle from Radhika, who slept peacefully wrapped in a cloth. Nandini gave Radhika warm hug before moving to have a look at the baby, ''She has all of you.''

''Yes, that makes her cute.'' Sam replied cuddling the baby.

A knock interrupted the perfect moment, ''Neelam wants to see you Radhika.'' The expression doctor wore gave Radhika chills, she looked at Nandini requesting her to take her to her friend. Radhika got wheeled by a nurse with Nandini and Sam in tow.

The view that greeted Radhika constricted her heart, Neelam gave her a faint smile pointing towards to he nurse. The nurse bought a small bag handing it to Radhika. She pulled out the contents and in that there was a letter addressed to her. Radhika couldn't hold her tears realizing Neelam knew her survival chances were minimum. She wanted to give her child a world her parents and loved ones couldn't. She had been holding on to the last thread of hope of a miracle. Now, at the doors of death she had a request for Radhika to find her baby a safe and lovable place. Radhika wheeled herself to her friend but by then life gave up on Neelam.

''Can I see the baby.'' She requested with chocked throat. The doctor bought in a small bundle crying vigorously, as if she sensed being all alone in the world. Radhika stared at the baby, she slowly pulled her to chest whispering softly, ''I am here and you will be loved.'' She made a promise securing the baby in her arms. Her eyes met Nandini's and latter had a pride with a smile, ''Sam, take Radhika back to her room. I will back soon.'' 

The doctor stared at Nandini, ''I understand but its against the rules. I can't change mother's name''

''Not treating a patient without a consent is also against the rules in our country now. the doctors are supposed to treat as per the condition. You guys could have saved her, and not to forget the baby's broken leg you just mentioned.'' 

The senior doctor gulped, she was aware Nandini could easily twist things in her favor and decided to give in. After a day, Sam Nandini did Neelam's last rites praying for her eternal peace, as her baby was legally now Anusha Arjun Mehra. 

''What are you thinking Di?'' Sam asked

''Girls need their Father''

''You mean Anya needs her father.''

''No, I meant both. Arjun is the legal parent  of Anusha Arjun Mehra.'' Sam gaped at Nandini, ''This was intentional""

''Yes, I couldn't think of something better. I had no plans to let him know for few months but now he should know. Kids should get all they deserve.''

''Will he accept her.''

''He will, because he was an abandoned one. No one can understand the pain more than him.''

''What about Radhika?''

''We will see that later.'' Nandini turned to Sam, ''Can your promise me something.'' Sam nodded, ''Other than us and Arjun, no one will ever know about Anusha's reality. She is officially a Mehra.'' Sam felt touched, she promised without wasting a minute. They made their way back to the room, where Radhika watched as the nurse draped a small bandage around Anusha's leg to relieve her of pain temporarily. Once she left, Radhika lifted Anusha , ''Hey sweetheart, I know it pains but I promise to set it right. Now, you should sleep like your sister.'' Nandini smiled, pulled out her phone. She clicked few pictures messaging them to  Arjun. She smiled, checked her watch. She knew in Arjun would be here and soon.

***

Neil sat across Arjun who had been grinning wide like an idiot, ''Done smiling, come to the point.''

''You have forgiven me''

''I never said that.'' Neil countered

''You agreed to see me.''

''That's because you have been stalking me like some girl. I don't want people to give me those crude looks.''

''But I never gave any signals of that sought.''

Neil gave Arjun a flat stare, ''Will you come to the point.''

''I am sorry. For everything.'' Arjun aplogised looking straight into Neil's eyes. Neil replied with the silence, ''Say something Neil.''

''And what should it be? Your thurst for revenge landed me in a mess. Did you ever think how many lives you were destroying?''

''No I didn't! I just wanted to avenge my parents death. They were my world. The only people who loved me unconditionally.''

''And what did you get? You lost Radhika, Sam came out innocent and I lost everything.'' 

''I can't change what's done, but I am ready to do whatever makes you feel good.'' Neil didn't knew how to answer that, he couldn't deny that Arjun had gone through a lot as a kid and he himself had been the witness of the same. But he couldn't ignore that Arjun's madness landed him and Sam in a mess of complicated relationships.

''I can't forgive you. Everytime Sam denies my calls, I hate you. I know and I understand your reasons but its difficult for me. Things have changed and I am no longer the same Neil.''

Arjun looked disappointed, ''I understand and I totally deserve it...'' before he could add, his phone buzzed multiple times. Arjun pulled out and was surprised to find a message from Nandini after months. He gulped as the pictures downloaded. Neil sat opposite to him with a frown, trying to read his expressions. Arjun held his head, leaned back, rubbed his neck and forehead. he clearly looked disturbed making Neil a little worried, ''What's wrong?''

''I will see you later.'' With that Arjun ran out of the place leaving a bewildered Neil behind.

Arjun decided to be driven rather than driving. He wasn't confident about driving today and waiting for flight was next to impossible.  He couldn't describe what he felt right now, he was excited , happy about being a father and at the same time nervous about facing Radhika.

Neil waited for few minutes, expecting Arjun to come back but when he didn't, he decided to leave. Getting into his car, he dialed Sam. He was surprised when it got connected. Sam had forgot to switch her SIM card in hurry.

She stared at Neil's number and then decided to answer, ''Are you avoiding me?''

''I could have asked the same when you suddenly disappeared for a month, and then came back engaged.''

''Sam, why are you taunting?''

''I am not Neil! I just answered you question with mine.'' She replied casually

Neil huffed, ''I want to meet you.''

''Anything specific !''

''Yes, we need to talk ..about us.''

''There is no us Neil. And congratulations for your coming wedding.''

''Sam, I don't want to marry her.''

''Yet you proposed her? What were you thinking Neil Melhotra? To heal from one you decided to manipulate the emotion of the  another girl. Now, when Soniya is dreaming about a life with you , you are no more interested in marrying her. What is the difference between you an Arjun? You both are  the same. Just because I made a mistake, you decided to counter it by making a bigger one.''

''Sam, I will solve this mess . Just give me a chance.''

''I am sorry Neil, I won't put Soniya through what I suffered. Don't break her heart.'' With that she disconnected. Neil tried again but it went to voice mail. He realised she had changed, there was a different kind of aggression in her voice. It seemed he didn't matter to her, any more. Neil wiped the wetness, she was right, to escape his pain he pulled innocent Soniya into a mess of his life.''

***

''Di, please put a little support under Anusha's leg. She will sleep then.'' Nandini nodded, adjusting the two dolls in their respective cribs, ''You will be discharged tomorrow.''

''Di, will I be able to bring them up properly?''

''Why not? And what am I here for ! Now, you should sleep too.'' Radhika nodded as Nandini helped her lie down and covered her with a comforter. She stepped out of the room to come face to face with Arjun, who stood watching his family through the glass wall. He smiled and hugged her, Nandini took a minute before hugging him back. She was happy about her move and nervous about Radhika's reaction.

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These updates will come slow as compared to other stories, as Writing different version of a same story takes some time. Hope you like it.

Do drop in your votes and comments.

Next- Arjun cuddled Anya waiting for Nandini to bring his second daughter. Nandini decided to disclose the truth to him before he saw her. Arjun frowned and then took the little bundle, the words out of hi mouth left nandini in all smiles because they were exactly what Radhika promised the little girl and her late mother. . Arjun stared at the little girl, ''baby, listen to me. You are lucky and you will be loved.''