Rishikesh, shivpuri

Ridhima came to spend some time with her family after few month as she was sad that her family was now moving to Mumbai. Ankush might not be so good in income, but he wanted all to stay together. Moreover Dadaji health concern was a big factor. After their market complex burnt down completely, they had no hope to stay or live at Rishikesh knowing the reason behind was Saral. For god's mercy their live improved slowly, ankush got his dream job of becoming a lawyer and Radhika did what she wished. Recently Radhika bought a home for her family at Mumbai and little money left to start a small business. Dilip Mishra now felt proud for his daughter, once whom he denied to leave for Mumbai even.

Ridhima was angry with Saral as well angry with Radhika. According to her, what was needed to be so good when the people in front won't reciprocate? For whatever happened, She thought Radhika was equal guilty. It didn't mean she didn't care for her sister or anything. She loved her and then proud of her for becoming something on her own as she wished before. She decided on her mind to teach Saral a lesson for troubling her sister and destroying her family business.

' Ridhi, help me dear in cooking. Ankush and Teji will be reaching here anytime.' Mala called from kitchen.

' Bahu, prepare some sweets too. We may need to give Ankush's friends.' Dadaji said hiding his interest, grinning all by himself.

' dadaji, everyone there health ,figure conscious, so they don't take sweets like you drooling over all the time.' Ankush told while entering home with a laughing Teji behind.

' Arey beta, you came.' Dadaji showed his fondness on seeing them and shushed the guys about sweet making. Soon other family member joined and the little cheerful moment in family went on.

In night Teji, Ankush and dadaji had a fun game, while teji's phone rang. It was piyali. ' the way piyali Ma'am is after me always , I don't think even Rahu-Ketu troubled any human like that.' Teji exclaimed while receiving phone. Ankush just smiled. He didn't know if Birdsong give Radhika anything or not ; but surely gave a great friend to her and him, in form of Teji.

' yes ma'am, I am on leave for two days.' Teji said.

' if I am seeing your another leave, I will make your leave for permanent. Got it' piyali roared from other side.

'got it.' Teji nodded by showing Ankush the expression i-told-you-so.

' I want you to be here tomorrow sharp at 8 O' clock. This is freaking million dollar deals and in no way we are going to lose. Do you understand?' piyali said with excitement still in mastery voice.

' what? Million dollars?' teji eyes widen.

' yes, The PEARL international agency wanted to tie with some Indian advertisement agency to promote here. You better reach here before time. We have many work to finish.' Piyali cut the call without even listening what answer she would get.

' so chasini is coming? Wait she didn't inform me?' Teji shouted suddenly shocking both Dadaji and Ankush. Immediately all family gathered at one place to know things more. Amidst all the things teji remembered the last time when he met Radhika. He was in confusion always whether to tell Arjun, Neil and Samaira about Radhika or not. The same thing happened with him this time too, confusion.

Teji and Radhika were sitting in a garden. Nothing changed in between them, the playful nature and pulling pranks always there. And their most preferable prey seemed to be Ankush. After a moment of hesitation he asked, ' Chasini, will you never comeback India permanently?'

'Yes, I'll if only my job allows.' She replied not to get suspicious.

'You know it's not job, it's you. If you want then Sourav will not say no. don't you ever remember our past time, our fun masti' he asked little emotional.

' Leave it now. Do you forget, we are here for fun and you seem like crying at any time. Such a kid you are!' she diverted the topic as always.

' don't change the topic. You didn't forget past?? Did u?'

' Life isn't something to stuck with your past and importantly I moved on.' She giggled to ease the atmosphere.

'Then why don't I feel that you are the same Radhika before two years who was lively, bubbly, and chirpy. Don't say you moved on, from our friendship.'

Radhika smiled on his statement, ' if your past taught you something then you should learn it. And I learnt it well, how to love only youself, how to become self centered. Now don't ask me more such rubbish questions. I am feeling like I am not with my friend rather with some cop to be interrogated.'

In return Teji only smiled. He wanted to ask about Arjun ,Neil, Samaira and their life; but couldn't dare.

                                                                                           ***

Oslo, Norway

Lil bit far from the city in a peaceful area there was a gigantic palace like structure situated protected with tight security. Royalty touched everywhere in that mansion. From the sand stone carving statues to ornamental mountains to the majestic building to maple wood floor or the exquisite interior; everything cried out the perfectness of the area. Why not? After all the mansion owned by business Maughal Sourav Singhania. He was sitting in his study, reading a business magazine; when Simon approached.

'Sir, that same man approached again after you left Paris.' Simon said as usual in loyal tone.

' who? Arjun Mehera again?'

' yes, sir. He was asking about Ma'am. He said he saw her in news and wanted to meet her, at least once.' Simon kept silence as if he was hesitant to say something.

' what is it Simon? You can say anything to me.' He encouraged calmly.

' I think it's time, Sir. That man seemed desperate and lost. I too feel empathetic.'

' I know, in fact I told Radhika to our India trip. But she knew only one part, our business deal. Not other part which related to her, which she will know later.' Sourav said with his as usual charming smile, in return Simon too smiled and went for his work.

" Arjun Mehera, you need to learn something. How to cherish your love, not to be a puppet in love. No matter whatever the situation, you should have used your own brain too. I will make you learn those lessons; so that in future before you let her be a liar in front of people for the mistakes you did, you will rethink thousand times. You played the game and when she tried to rectify you, unmasked you ; you put all blames on her, let people humiliate her ; despite loving her. Is that called love? I know you love Radhika deeply, the very first time I saw you. But my luck she is in dilemma if she liked you or not and that's my plus point. I will teach you what exactly called 'love', until then wait." Sourav stood up with a strong determination to fetch happiness for his closed one. Despite of a successful businessman, he was not so called arrogant or rude. He faced the bad phases in life, in his past which made him stronger and more compassionate.

                                                                                               ***

Thud...thud ...

A tight slap was put on her cheek left its imprint. She could not understand what's happened so suddenly? she was in verge of losing her balance with due respect to the pressure made from slap, if it was not Ankush she Couldn't even balanced herself. She didn't believe how come her bestie whom she thought her soul sister and did everything to protect her, could humiliate her, slapped her in front of whole public. By holding her cheek she looked around the hall, only to find doubt, anger, venoms everywhere. But why? What wrong she said or what wrong she did? Everybody stood there numb to see the show as if big Bollywood screening was playing there. Her brain went defunct on Samaira's accusations more.

' why you are so hell bent to steal my boyfriend, my fiancée. Why you are after my happiness always? You are jealous of me, right?' the tone Samaira used and the words she heard , it was shocking for her.

' but , Sam. I don't ....' Her words cut off in mid.

' I thought of you as my best friend, but what you did? Backstabbed me. You wanted Arjun from very first, wanted to snatch him from me very first. So you played your act very well and I swayed away thinking that your innocence and you tried to help me. How big fool I was?' she looked at Saral, Bonnie ans Nandini who had a triumphant smile adorned in their face. After all they succeed in their game. She lost everything and become a fool.

She didn't even utter a word in defense in next. Because she came to know this time she had no proof , so nobody would believe her. Better to not open your mouth to be humiliated more. She was wrong, very very wrong that she thought friendship was a relationship of trust, care and love. If one friend going to believe other on the basis of proof then that was not a dosti, yaari. She looked at Samaira who trembled with anger by holding Arjun and continued her accusations. She did a mistake by believing those rascals. Neil stood there bowing his head down. She didn't try to look at Arjun. Why would she? He was the sole reason behind all the mess and still stood gloriously without uttering a word. Her hatred for that man went up high whom she even mistakenly considered 'bhagwan' once. How fool she was?

She chuckled faintly on her own thinking her own selfless nature as played a vicious game in her life giving her a good lesson. She did too much and got a good reward too. Everything was her mistake in one way. Before rushing out she gave a last glance toward all and went away by promising herself , ' I will rectify myself, my mistakes. I will learn to live my life only for myself not for any friend. I will learn to be a selfish.'

Arjun who stood there still or acted to be unaffected, with a jerk he removed Samaira's hand from him and tried to go out; but stopped by Nandini. He felt helpless again, just like a puppet had to obey his master. Nandini started her drama by seeking forgiveness and all. Piyali told her not to do that as it was all guilt of that middle class small town girl. Especially Sam told she believed her and Nandini felt happy for her moves. She bid her adieu and told Arjun to say something, but only glared Nandini for first time without saying anything. Neil was still standing like statue oblivious to the happenings.

Radhika went out of samaira home gate with her parents and Ankush. Teji who was late due to some personal reason came from opposite side when he saw Radhika and her family leaving such early. He stopped her to ask the reason; but Radhika told him to meet her later as soon as possible. The next moment not before even he entered Samaira's home suddenly Neil rushed out with a sad and foul mood.

'What happened exactly?' He thought and went inside, saw everyone was silent except Nandini made her drama with Samaira supporting her. He was more puzzled with all the happenings. Zubin and kritika pulled him toward a corner after seeing him and explained everything to him. He was boiled with anger hearing all those things and thrown a dagger eye towards Arjun, Samaira and Nandini which didn't go unnoticed by Arjun. Arjun dragged Nandini out with him before she could make anymore drama.

Teji went to Samaira and just told her, 'Sam you should never tried to be friend with anyone. Friendship is not meant for you. When understand the meaning of friendship, I wish you not to be alone. But who knows?' He went out followed by Zubin n kritika. Samaira couldn't make head and tail out of his talk. She was happy in her own land by thinking Arjun is all hers unknown to the upcoming storm approaching.

                                                                                       ***

' Teji told me truth, only. I realized what I lost due to all those chaos. my besties.' Samaira sighed deeply in agonies. Once the girl who was centre of all attention now, even Zubin and Kritika tried to ignore her. Neil was far away. She felt a pat on her shoulder and turned back to find Samrat, only person who seemed to understand him. Only if she listened to him, then those blunders would be rectified next day, but Alas! That was a bad phase.

' all fine, bachu. Preparation of presentation was going well?' Samrat asked.

' Yes paa. Just little bit problem on tag line. Other than that all fine.' She immediately missed Radhika who could help out her in such situation in blink of eyes. Seemed Samrat understood her, 'have patient dear, she will be back definitely. You were best buddies and you will be again. One mistake can't destroy it. Just have faith on you.'

' if she will not come for me here anytime?'

' then , you go and find her.'

' how come I didn't think of this? Should I go Rishikesh again? But I feel ashamed to face them again. What if they insult me Paa.' She asked doubtful.

' Are you truly worrying about that? Don't you know them?' Samrat asked sensing exact fear in Samaira.

' I got it paa. I will visit them after this deal.' She squealed happily like kid, unknown to the fact whom she wanted will gonna approach her, but not as a friend this time.

Mumbai international airport

Neil was waiting impatiently. He was pacing around here and there at airport. He did not know how many coffees he took in process of waiting. Announcement made of arrival of flight and their respective terminals. Upon seeing Arjun, He jumped up and went toward him. Without any hesitation he hugged him tight like he saw his long lost girlfriend after a decade and pecked on his cheek, ' I missed you buddy. You become leaner by the way. Don't you eat?'

' what r u doing Neil? Are you become mad or your preferences changed? I should have protect my dignity from you' Arjun said rubbing his cheek where Neil pecked.

' huh.. khadoos man, can't you see my overflowed emotions for you? I love you more now.' Neil said knowingly to irk Arjun more and hugged him tightly. People at airport stared at them with questioning.

' just leave me Neil, now. People are now misinterpreting. Get off man. I know you are acting.' Arjun pleaded by pushing him off from him.

' that's better. Don't try your moody woody ordering talks with me. Got it? Else result will be more dangerous than this.' Neil told giving a victory smile.

' from whom you learn such unhealthy stunts?'

' from Chasini.' Both face fell immediately by remembering her.

Somehow Neil managed himself first , ' can you visit , Bird song first? Piyali maam told to just discuss something with you for few minute.'

' okay.'

The car ride went silent. Once they reached Bird Song, All greeted Arjun, even Samaira except Teji. He just wished him and smiled. Arjun observed his out of the order behavior from past two years since that day. He was more like robot now, only following the work rules. Arjun noticed there was something off in Neil and Samaira behavior. Neil was giving her cold shoulder and tried to ignore her as much possible. He felt bad as it was all mistake created by him, and how many people suffered because of that only. He promised to make it like as before between Samaira and Neil.

Teji was doing his work when one mail notification buzzed on his phone. When he tried to open, his phone went charged out. Thinking might be its important regarding meeting; he opened his Google mail in his office computer. Opening the mail he was grinning ear to ear seeing the document, photo and tag.

It was from Radhika, a funny photograph clicked when Sourav and Rajiv were coloring her in Holi occasion. Few more were there too, but all were funny and lively with the tag below ' coming next week'. He was laughing seeing their positions, when his laughter stopped abruptly hearing Samaira's voice, 'you know where chasini is? You know?'

he stood rooted turning back only to find Arjun and Neil looked at the photo and him with mixed emotions which was out of his mind to decipher.

' finally we found you.' Both said at once.