Arjun smiled as he noticed Radhika adjusting little Anusha in her arms, she further leaned and pecked the baby who made a small sound. He felt his heart soar in happiness and just when he felt life was beautiful his eyes fell on Sam staring at him with a smirk, ''Are you planning to drive or should I ask do you know how to drive.'' Arjun quickly composed himself, took the wheel driving off. He parked at the apartment and stepped out watching Radhika and his daughters affectionately .

''We will take about an hour.'' Nandini informed before moving in. Sam eyed him from top to bottom before following Radhika in. Placing the baby on the bed Sam quickly made her way to the balcony, she found the chauffeur weird as he had been just staring at Radhika. Just when her detective insights started kicking in, he removed the turban. She smiled, ''Revenge is sweet when against a new father.''

Her eyes went to Radhika who was busy talking to her daughters. Sam smiled, she was happy for her friend but she was going to teach Arjun a lesson of lifetime for troubling her and her best friend.

''Radhika, I have packed all the stuff.'' Nandini informed offering Radhika a plate of fruits. When Radhika made a face Nandini scolded her and mentioned her kids forcing Radhika to finish it.

''We are ready to go. I will take the bags, you come with Sam and girls.'' Nandini informed

''Wait di! Why should you? I have help.'' Moving to the balcony, she whistled making Arjun look up. Sam gestured him in a commanding way to come upstairs, he did. ''Take all the bags and we will be down in 10 mins.'' Nandini blinked, she looked from Sam to Arjun, ''Common, lift them. It's just 3 tiny winy bags.'' Arjun cursed under the breath, lifted the bags and made his way to the elevator. Nandini still was frozen, ''I deserve a little revenge di.'' Sam said rubbing Nandini's arm, she realised Sam knows the truth. Nandini nodded , she wanted to see how long her impatient brother could handle the torment for his daughters and his wife.

''We are good to go.'' Radhika said holding her babies each in an arm. Sam quickly took Anya, ''We were about to begin a discussion on male behaviour. I will continue that during the drive.'' Radhika gave Sam a confused look while Nandini just rubbed her forehead, she had a fair idea what Sam was up to.

Arjun watched as Nandini helped Radhika taking Anusha from her. His heart pained looking at the tired lines of the face which always smiled. He knew it was him who was to be blamed and vowed to set it right. His thoughts were broken when Sam whistled again like a rowdy asking him to drive

***

Mishra house had been bustling since Sam had informed them about Radhika. Dilip Mala and Dadaji just wanted to have a glimpse of their darling choti. Though , the news of her mother hood took time to sink in but it bought immense joy to her family. They silently wished for Ankush to be there but he was far living his dream and expressed his happiness hearing about is missing sister.

''You guys will make us miss the flight. Why are you so slow?'' Dadaji admonished Dilip and Mala

Dilip shook his head, ''Our flight is in the late evening.''

''So, aren't we suppose to drive to the airport. It is going to be late if you guys don't finish the packing.'' He sounded serious. Dilip Mala quickly packed before the would get more from Dadaji.

Mala caressed the picture that Sam had shared, she was overwhelmed. These months had been the longest of her life. She had spend numerous nights crying and praying for her daughter. Every morning each of them would get up with a hope that she would call. Their prayers finally got answered when Sam called and briefed them on Radhika, she ensured Mala that Radhika was safe and she had been with Sam all the time. When Sam mentioned about Radhika going back to Mumbai with Nandini, Mala took a breather. Her daughter's wedding had been the talk of the town for months. Arjun had openly demonstrated his desire for her youngest child and Radhika married him to keep Mishra property and Sam safe. Mala didn't wanted more trouble for her little girl. She made a small prayer to the all mighty to give courage to her daughter before leaving for airport, little did she know that Radhika was all the way more determined and it was Arun who needed all the prayers now.

***

Arjun drove as his eyes kept going back to the mirror that held Radhika's reflection. Sam narrowed her eyes and adjusted back the mirror, ''You will get us killed. Keep it this way so you can see the traffic behind. Don't forget there are 2 babies on board.''

Arjun nodded, straightened his back and moved his focus back to road. Sam turned to Anya, ''Okay, where were we. Ah yes, about your boys friends .'' Nandini coughed as Arjun's grip tighten around the wheel

''Anya, don't say yes to the first guy you meet. Date at least 10 and then decide.'' Sam taught the little baby. Nandini controlled the gasp that was ready to escape her mouth hearing the number. She was sure that Arjun would soon lose his mind.

Sam bought little Anya to face level, ''The first one should be a nerd, and you should have it once your are 9 or 10''

Arjun's eyes snapped at Sam but Nandini intervened, ''Isn't that too early?''

''No di! During my parents era they used to date after college. I started in junior college. These days kids date once they touch teens so isn't it obvious that our girls will too start by the time they are 10.'' Nandini held her head while Arjun made a mental note to make a list of best GIRLS ONLY SCHOOLS.

He got distracted when Sam continued with her lecture, ''Ditch the nerd once you are 13 but not before you absorb all his qualities to top the examination. Now 2nd one should be the most ugly of the lot. Why because he will do all the not so important work for you. Ditch him once your are sweet 16 and catch hold of the best looking and strongest one to make all the girls go green but never show you are weak, keep him on the tip of your shoe.'' Nandini felt like fainting while Radhika just chuckled when her daughter made a small sound agreeing to Sam.

It took Arjun a lot of control not to jump and throttle Sam. She had crossed 3 just in school, he feared what would happen in college.

''So, now we finish school and move to the college. Now, since you are still junior you need to protect yourself so target a macho senior but make sure he is brainless. That will help in getting rid of him.'' She turned quiet spiking the curiosity of all the listeners and then pretended as if Anya asked her something. Sam laughed before adding ''Oh yes dear, you will have to kiss all your boyfriends otherwise they will slip off. A kiss will keep them dreaming for more and when you are done discard them. Just remember, to find the Prince you will have to kiss hundreds of frogs.''

'Just great, now she is teaching my daughter to kiss all the men on globe.' Arjun was simmering like a volcano whose tip had been frozen and is forced to burn in its own lava. Nandini just sat praying with all her might when she suddenly saw a restaurant, ''We will take a break.'' Arjun parked.

Nandini finished 2 bottles of water feeling restless making Sam chuckle, ''You will blow his cover.''

''No, he won't. He has too much at stake. And I just finished number 4.''

Radhika checked once on her girls and moved back to the vehicle. Arjun took the chance to hold one of the girls carry cot, ''Thanks'' Radhika smiled at him moving in. Arjun looked at his daughter who looked excited to him about boy friend number 5. He groaned.

''So now you are in your second year of degree. Studies are equally important, and now we repeat what we did in school finding the nerd but a nerd with looks. Squeeze and suck all out of him''

''What?'' Nandini asked horrified

''Intelligence! What were you thinking Di?'' Sam asked tongue in cheek , enjoying the torment of Arjun.

''Radhika are you fine with 10 boyfriends for Anya.'' Nandini asked to break the conversation

''Why wouldn't I be? I would suggest that my both girls should test the maximum boys before settling down as Sam said kiss 100 frogs to find the prince. I wished I too would have done that.''

Nandini wanted to bang her head somewhere. She could see Arjun's knuckles turning white as he gripped the wheel rather too hard.

''Leave all that, now you come to second year. For these 2 years you have to be stable so grab on to someone sweet who makes you laugh but don't go mushy over him. Boys are stupid species they don't know what they what and with my tricks you can make them dance on your fingers.''

'And my girls will be labelled as heart breakers and cold.' Arjun shook his head

''Once you finish college don't go and work for your dad or else he will make you tie Rakhi on each guy you come across.'' Radhika burst out laughing so did Nandini while Arjun sat with a grumpy expression, his eyes just on the road.

''We are done with six, now the rest four. Now, is the time you start groom hunting. There will be many more between these four, blind dates. Hit and miss. Just use and throw them, they are just frogs. But when you find the Prince treat him like shit.''

''What! Why?'' This time it was Radhika as Nandini sat with Anusha in her arms.

''Chashni, if you treat them like a king they take you for granted. Just the way Arjun broke his promise to you.'' Sam replied her eyes on Arjun. She didn't miss the movement of his throat as it wobbled in unsaid emotions.

''Please continue.'' Radhika said

''So Anya, now we have met the Prince. Make sure you test him every way, even if you have to go for a live in kind of relationship. Thaaaat test is also needed'' Sam indicated towards physical proximity. By now Nandini had started sweating. She expected Arjun to scream and shout but he stayed composed. Nandini smiled, she realised his fatherhood had already started making him patient.

''I have list on which you should evaluate a guy but certain things are beep beep ..beep. You need to be 18 for that and I promise to guide you on the same. ''

'Thanks heavens she is baby or else I would be dead.' Arjun thanked his stars when Sam finally stopped. She read his expression with a smirk and dropped the final bomb.

''And if your puffed nose forever angry dad opposes your choice , just elope. Only lucky get a chance to elope and marry.'' That was received with a laugh from Nandini and Radhika while Anusha let out a sound joining them

''You too want to elope?'' Sam asked, ''Don't fear when Sammy is here. I will you both.''

Nandini was sure Arjun would be thinking of best ways to keep his girls out of any nonsense. She chuckled going back to the baby who had turned very responsive to every word spoken to her. Nandini stared at Anusha, her thoughts again going back to Neelam. She knew Radhika-Arjun had accepted the baby and so had she but she wanted to be sure. She decided to eliminate all routes for anybody to claim Anusha in future.

****

Neil looked at his phone and banged in on the floor. No one seemed to answer his calls. He had tried reaching Sam, then his BS friends and when no one helped, he called Arjun, because he knew Arjun would. That was the trust he shared with him as kids. When Arjun didn't answer, neil lost his hope. Little did he knew that his friend was suffering the torture of his lady love.

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

Votes and comments please