Anya

Anusha

Radhika knocked the door of study where Nandini had asked to come. She frowned finding Arjun too seated in the same room. She hoped that Nandini didn't call her for reconciliation as she wasn't ready for it at any cost.

Nandini smiled at coincidence as Radhika walked in with Anusha in her arms. She was rocking her to sleep but the baby clearly wasn't in mood to. Since the healing had started and Anusha was gradually becoming used to the cast, she wasn't that quiet now, ''Di, you called me.''

''Sit Radhika.'' She obliged Nandini pulled a folder out, ''I had done a little research on Neelam. Before you ask why, because I wanted to make sure that no one comes and claim her back from us.''

''but Di, all records states she is mine. Then why?'' Radhika asked confused

''Was just curious. Coming to the point, Neelam had a biological brother. They both were being left at a Delhi orphanage by someone. He was 5 while she was 2 at that time. Since, it was home for just girls, the boy was being transferred to another orphanage and kept  getting transferred due to his anger. Neelam got adopted the following year and her brother at the age of 8 or 9.''

''Where is he now?'' Arjun asked worried that he might have to lose his daughter.

''I am looking at him now.'' nandini's words confused the couple. She added,' Neelam was your biological sister who died alone and neglected. Anusha is indeed your blood. She is your niece.'' Nandini pulled out a picture of brother sister together and then Arjun's various pictures over the years.

Arjun stared at the pictures with confused feelings, he felt broken and pained knowing that someone who was his own died alone and he never got a chance to grieve on her.  A tear trickled down his eyes and landed on the picture which Radhika had clicked few months back, Neelam was smiling in it. He caressed it. Arjun felt like an emotionless jerk, he wanted to cry more at the fact that he never got to know her and care for her . Now, when he knew of her existence , she was gone. 

Radhika sat stunned, the scattered pictures on the table said the truth.Her eyes went to Arjun who frantically went through the details. She gulped, his pain was unthinkable. He had lost so much and now again lost something he never knew he had.

''I am sorry Arjun! Had I known of her presence, trust me mom and dad would have bought her home as our little sister.'' Nandini rubbed his back. He hugged her, crying at the loss he suffered. He felt it was the punishment he got for wronging Radhika and Sam

Anusha made a small sound bringing Radhika's attention to her. Radhika smiled at pecked her forehead, ''Di, that means she will always stay mine. And from now we won't discuss anything related to this. I don't want Anusha affected. I am her mother and I will remain that for life.'' Arjun looked at Radhika, he didn't know how to thank the stars to bless him with a life partner like her. His eyes moved to Anusha, whose head was against Radhika's chest as she stared at him unblinking. After a moment there was a squeal and Anusha for the first smiled. Arjun smiled between his tears and took the baby from Radhika, this time she didn't protest. Arjun held Anusha to his face level as she kept squealing happily for some reason, ''I will make up for all I lost. I promise , do you trust me.'' She squealed again making Radhika and Nandini smile, ''She is finally home.''

Arjun hugged Anusha as if he was seeing her the first time. ''I will leave them alone for sometime.'' Radhika walked off but her legs halted hearing Arjun's voice, ''Nandu, do you have details on the guy who betrayed her.''

''Arjun let it go! We have her and I don't want any trouble regarding Anusha's custody.'' Nandini pleaded

Arjun smiled pecked Anusha and handed her to Radhika, ''My sister deserves a proper goodbye, and I will give it to her.'' They heard the Arjun who seemed to have taken a back seat. With that he walked off. Nandini Radhika shared a look, ''Now what?''

''he will do what he just said.'' Nandini concluded

''But it shouldn't affect Anusha. I am not giving her back, or Arjun Mehra won't walk on his legs again.'' Radhika too left the room as Nandini threw her hands in air, ''Back to square one.''

Radhika walked back to nursery but her legs halted with a thought. She turned and walked in Arjun's room direction. Radhika barged in without knocking leaving Arjun shocked, he had been half way through pulling his t-shirt off and now got stuck in it like a toddler. He pulled it back immediately as he watched her his mouth hung wide open. ''You wanted to spend time with them. Fine, handle them tonight. I am leaving Anusha here and will bring Anya in next.''

Arjun leaned over his sleeping doll, he smiled and then pecked her plastered leg. In few days it would be removed and he knew she would go all happy then. Radhika walked in and handed him a very active Anya. With a smirk Radhika walked off, she knew Anya wouldn't sleep as she had spend whole day sleeping. ''Revenge beings.''

Arjun stared at his daughter, ''You just look innocent, behind those big eyes lies a pool of mischief.'' She kept staring at him like a doll. Arjun placed her against his shoulder, he paced as he rubbed her back but she proved being Radhika's true daughter, she refused to do what he wanted her too. Arjun shook his head, he placed pillow around Anusha and moved out to the hall with Anya. He made his way to the hall and bought his girl to face level, ''I know what will effect you.'' Arjun leaned on the couch and placed Anya on his chest, he hummed the song he heard Radhika singing for the first time and which he sang for her during the Goa trip. Surprisingly, it worked. He smiled when he felt warm baby breaths on his chest, ''I know you because I know your mother too well.''

Radhika who had been curious about how he would handle and kept following him , she smiled hearing Arjun. Though, her plan backfired, his words warmed her heart. Smiling she retreaded back to her room. Whatever was between them , she didn't wanted her kids to suffer. He was indeed an amazing father but a not so good husband. She could't bring herself to forgive him.

Arjun woke up when he heard a giggling sound. He squinted and lifted his head slightly up, his eyes went wide . Anya lay on her tummy over his chest as she stared at him, his arm around her holding her to the chest,   ''What little one.'' And came a scream.

''Whoa! What did I do?'' He asked sitting up holding the baby who looked little miffed

''You were snoring and that woke her up and no one disturbs Anya Mehra.'' Nandini who had been witnessing it answered. She picked Anya up whose screaming, ''Anusha is already with Radhika and I am taking her. You take a nap.'' He nodded rubbing his stiff neck and aching body, he knew his wife wanted him worn out and Anya was the little agent on mission.''Mrs. Mehra you accomplished your mission.

***

Sam did all but couldn't forget the kiss between her and Neil. She knew she should be informing Prerna about his whereabouts but for some strange reason she couldn't . Sam shook her head, rubbing her lower lip with her thumb. She had never imagined Neil to go crazy, she knew he was mad but not in a romantic way.

Sam watched the signal, waiting for it to turn green. She had to drive straight and left turn would take her to Neil. She scolded her heart as her gripped the wheel hard , ready to drive straight to BS but as the signal turned green, she surprising took a left turn earning curses from few drivers. She felt guilty like someone who just broke a tight diet schedule. Nevertheless, she explained herself that it was her responsibility to convince Neil to go back or all fingers will just point at her. 

Sam stepped out of the elevator and fixed her hair. She felt nervous about meeting him. Taking a deep breath, she stood outside the door , ready to knock it. Her hand froze mid air when she heard giggles coming from the apartment. One voice of definitely of Neil while the other was a female

Sam felt anger seeping in through her nerves. She started banging the door hard. She was beyond mad , how could he with a girl alone being committed....she shook her head, being engaged to Soniya. She heard foot-steps and braced herself to scream on him. The door got answered by a lean female wearing a weird  looking makeup. ''Who are you?'' She asked Sam with a frown

Neil too joined her, his face done like a clown he smirked at Sam's puffed nose, ''She the first one.''

''Sam, meet the third one, Jiya.'' Sam blinked when she was addressed as a number her eyes went to the girl who looked proud about being number 3.

''He called you number 3''

Yeah, that's because he got bored of one and two.'' Jiya answered puckering her lips.

''Would mind leaving us alone, I have something to discuss about number 2 with him.'' Jiya made a face blew a kiss to Neil and walked off. Neil kept smiling till she disappeared inside her flat.

Sam pushed her way in, ''What's all this?''

''What? Can't a man have some fun?''

''What kind of fun is this Neil? You are engaged to Soniya think about her.''

''That's what I am doing! This is the future of my marriage, if I marry her or any other girl. I will keep coming back to you or fool around with some other girl.'' he looked unaffected. Sam knew, big words , mirror of reality and big lectures wouldn't affect him anyway. She recalled how Radhika would provoke Arjun by her words and she decided to do the same. All Neil wanted was her so now she would use her interest in her as the ultimate  bait to get him out of this apartment. 

''Who started it Neil? Its you who is responsible for this situation and why are you making Soniya suffer? ''

''Now I don't care who suffers and who doesn't. I have thought about others all my life, now its just me.''

''fair enough! Then just be a man enough to let Soniya know that you are not interested in her. Flirting with other girls, kissing me and keeping her waiting makes you look like a loser.  And trust me Neil Melhotra, I am not interested in a loser.'' Sam watched different expression pass through his features.  She new she kicked his ego hard. Calling any man a loser is beyond their pride to take the words like being a no-man or a loser. She picked her bag, ready to leave but couldn't reach the door.

Neil grabbed Sam , pushing her hard against the wall he caged her between his arms, ''So you think I am not man enough.''

'Typical man! All he heard was about his manliness and not about the mistake.'   San thought with a shake of her head, she locked her eyes with his, ''yes Neil, I have such thoughts about you because you are messing with the lives of two girls. If you were the same guy I knew for all those years, you would have faced all with a smile and courage. But you are someone else, someone who ran off from all the problems and is hiding here flirting with another girl. Be a man Neil Melhotra.''

''Take your words back.''

''I will when you prove me wrong.'' She pushed him and left the pace, a little shaky and scared of the madness she witnessed in Neil's eyes.

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How was it? Happy New years dearies. Have a grt 2019 ahead.