Edited by: @RomanticZiggy

Arjun did not dare to step towards her. He stood still.

He was sure he had made the right decision. The streak of surprise on her face had quickly turned into pure pleasure before she had masked it with a scowl. He slipped his hands into his pockets before they decided to seek her on their own.

Her stunned eyes were fixed on Arjun. A dozen expressions crossed her face in a matter of few seconds.

She looked so very beautiful standing there in her yoga pants, with the setting sun behind her making her hair glitter sending an angelic aura that he found stunning.

Who was this woman? What had she done to him? His entire life seemed meaningless without her.

She huffed and crossed her arms.

"Umm..Hi," Arjun chimed smiling.

"Hi? Really ?" she narrowed her eyes.

Arjun shifted," Ummm...yeah. It sounds like an appropriate greeting."

"I am sure it does," she uncrossed her arms and then decisively crossed them on her chest again.

She hadn't wanted him to come here to find her. How would she push him away if he continued knocking on her heart?

"Yeah. Good to know you agree. So," he trailed, tilted his head and looked at her,"how are you?"

She let her arms fall on her side," How am I? How am I? Are you serious?"

"Uhhh."

Dammit! He needed two minutes to think it through. Dammit! How was he supposed to use his brain when his eyes wanted was to all but feast on her. Capture that flame of anger that was burning through her.

"What are you doing here, Arjun?" Radhika asked him.

Arjun patted the car," Well, interesting that you would ask."

"Yeah, I bet."

Alright, Radhika decided she would take this calmly. She can handle anything. Everything. Just a deep breath. There you go. Don't forget, patience is a virtue.

"If you will stop interrupting me, maybe I will be able to clear out my stance," he cocked his eyebrow.

Oh, how she wanted to punch that arrogant man. Right now, right here.

Arjun saw the rage in her eyes and quickly took a step back, raising his hand," Hey, no violence."

Radhika flipped her hair," Seriously, if I wanted to take you down nothing would stop me."

Arjun raised his eyebrows," Really, wanna give it a try?"

"Oh please as if I need your permission," Radhika flapped her hand at him, leaning on the car.

"you know, I am not stupid to stop you from being on top of me," Arjun murmured, loving the way her eyes glinted in enclosing shadows.

No wonder, he loved her wit. He loved her, period.

"What?" Radhika asked as she fisted her palms.

Arjun smiled," Nothing, nothing." And raised his hands in mock surrender.

"Get back on the topic Arjun, before I bash you up."

"Alright, so," Arjun turned and looked at the fading sun.

"So?" Did he always had to test her patience.

"I heard about Charles Marthy's..."

Radhika cut him off," Pending conviction." She nodded her head.

"Yes, knowledgable. I like that."

"I am sure you do," she gestured for him to continue.

Arjun was sure, Radhika was loving seeing him squirm, coming up with pathetic excuses.

"Right, so I contacted Mr. Mathur to thank him and he told me about the impending danger you were in," Arjun patted himself for a job well done. It was a hell of a job to make passing excuses.

"And?"

"And I volunteered to be your humble cauffeur."

But the look that Radhika sent him, deflated his joyful enthusiasm.

She strode towards him," Humble, my foot."

"Now, Radhika let's not get too judgemental about it."

She was merely a step away from him when she stopped,"Too judgemental. Too judgemental. I am not a kid. I don't need your or Mr.Mathur's protection. Get it?"

"Yes, but.." Arjun wondered if she realized how wonderfully childish she was behaving. He decided, he could get used to this. Oh, whom was he kidding. He loved it.

"Yes but, what?" Radhika all but shouted at him as she took another step and stepped close to him, one small movement and she would be in his arms.

"I was worried for you. Okay," he ran his hands all over his face.

Radhika decided she would be rude to him. There was absolutely no reason as to why she had to be all congenial with him when she all wanted to but kill him.

Yup!

That's right, she decided she did not care for him. She wanted to snort, care for him, nope, not at all.

For all she cared, he could go, find himself a really high cliff and jump off it.

But, darn it, why did he have to look so damn handsome standing there; so powerful, showing off his broad shoulders, as if calling her out to jump into them and asking him, begging him to....devour her.

What the hell?

It didn't matter how he looked. It didn't matter how his more than capable arms seemed willing, almost eager to encase her within its warmth; to protect her; love her.

Well, nothing mattered.

Nope. Nothing did.

She just did not love him. Yeah! She so didn't.

Well, she hoped, he would find some little hussy and get married to her and when and if she bumped into her, she would happily kill her.

Dammit.

She found her lips on his. Her mouth crushed onto hers. She curved into him making him lean on the car. She gripped his shoulders as her tongue seeked his. His flavor astounded her. She wanted to drown in him. She needed him to feel her, her emotions, her feelings.

She snuggled closer to him as he moaned and dragged his hands through her hair, entangling them in it, pulling her more closer. Their bodies were plastered with each other. Each finding its solace through the other. The rift melting away, she was his and he was hers for that moment. For that moment, they forgot everything but each other.

Radhika with effort drew herself away and dropped her arms,"I am sorry," her voice had gone hard in disbelief. She had made that move. What was wrong with her. But, oh, how she had missed him.

"Don't be," Arjun gave her a cheeky grin.

"Shut up, Arjun. It was simply a momentarily lapse," she took a step back.

"Well, I liked it," he retorted as he took a step towards her.

"I don't want to fight with you, Arjun," Radhika glared at him.

"Could have fooled me."

He realized, he couldn't live without her not a year, a month, a week or an hour without her in his arms. He was willing to crawl, to growl, anything for her till the time she forgave him and accepted him. She was his.

"Stop where you are, this is no answer," Radhika told him clearly.

Arjun agreed, he did not want her for this. This thirst between them would solve nothing.

"Now, you had my answer, why don't you telk me yours?"

"What?" Radhika frowned at him.

"Why did you leave without informing anyone?" Arjun asked her calmly. The discussion had to come down a notch. Any more heat, and they would be down each others throat again.

Radhika narrowes her eyes," That's my business, isn't it?"

"Oh no," he grabbed her hand, "You're not going anywhere without answering me."

"Well, Arjun here's a quick fact, I am not scared of you," she told him as she struggled to get her hand free.

"I am glad to know that. I love feisty womem."

"I bet you do," she was debating whether to punch him or kick him to get her hand free when she heard a delighted squeal erupt from the doorway.

"Arjun, Arjun," Her mother's voice carried on from the doorway.

They both turned with Radhika's hand still held by Arjun.

"I told you, it was him," Renu Verma beamed at him," I can recognize his voice especially when he is arguing with Radhika."

" That you did," Raj smiled as he engulfed Arjun in a bear hug unmindful of the fact that her daughter's hand was encased in the man's he was currenttly hugging.

Arjun smiled but before he could hug Renu, Radhika looked at him, tugged her hand," do you mind?"

Arjun released her quickly," Oh sorry," and lost the track of the conversation as he found himself being cuddled by Renu.

"Your parents did tell me about your little situation, it is heroic of you to come to our daughter's protection." Renu chimed.

Radhika's mouth fell open," You knew?"

Renu dragged Arjun inside as she addressed Radhika," Of course, I did. Mrs. Khanna called me when you had gone for your walk. But I am glad you found him."

Raj patted his daughter's shoulder as they both followed Renu and Arjun inside.

Renu was scolding Arjun who was perched comfortably in the former's lounge as to why he had not come inside as soon as he arrived.

"Don't mind Radhika, Arjun. Sometimes, she just forgets her manners. What can I say," Raj nodded towards Radhika," she is spoilt."

"Dad."

Raj Verma was thoroughly enjoying this little scene. He had known from Radhika's unnaturally quite behavior that something had been on her mind but Mrs. Khanna's phone call had cleared all his doubts. He was happy for his daughter. He knew how crushed she had been when Arjun had left her. What she didn't know was that he had wanted to travel to Abu Dubai get hold of Arjun for her but Renu had asked him to not interfere in their business. He knew his daughter had never sought for love anywhere after Arjun and he was happy to see them together. She loved him, always had, always will and he was happy; she was going to be with a man whom he himself respected and loved like his own son.

But, that didn't mean, he couldn't have fun now. Renu like Raj could see some unsolved problems between her daughter and Arjun. She remembered how she giggled when she had learnt about this love story from Arjun's mother.

Arjun, bless him, had told his mother to make preparations for his wedding with Radhika which he wanted to take place soon.Very soon.

She was happy. She could see in his eyes, he loved her daughter. And knew by experience that only he could look after her daughter.

"So, Arjun tell me. How have you been and did you take care of my Radhika?"

"Well." Arjun shot a look at Radhika which was met with a ferocious growl.

"I don't need anyone to look after me.Now, I will let you catch up, I have some work."

"Radhika," Renu tried to hide her smile. Young love was always so delightful.

Raj shared a bit amused and worried look with his wife which she countered with a- 'she will look into it' look.

"Coffee?" Renu asked the remaining audience.

...................

Renu found her daughter in her room pacing,"Sit down, Radhika."

"Mum, I am alright. I don't want to sit."

"Radhika, sit," her mother sat down on the bed and patted the spot next to her.

Radhika looked at her mother, she knew she was lucky to have someone who loved her unconditionally. She could discuss anything with her, with her parents. They were always there for her. What more could she ask for?

Arjun.

She needed him. But...

Renu laid a hand over Radhika's genttly," What is worrying you, my little one?"

"I love him, mum," Radhika uttered," I love him."

She slid on to the floor and laid her head on her mother's lap," It hurts, mum."

"Love hurts Radhika," Renu glided her fingers over Radhika's hair. Being a woman she understood her daughter's fears, insecurity especially to be with someone who had already broken her heart once. It wasn't easy.

"Why does it hurt, mum?"

"Love is beautiful it opens your heart so that you can give it fully and exposes it to pain."

"Mum,"Radhika's voice held confusion.

"Yes, Radhika," Renu stroked her hair patiently. She didn't want to pressurrize Radhika ever. Whatever her decision, she would support her.

"He says he loves me," Radhika's voice was filled with passion and fervour.

"And?"

"But he had hurt me once.”

" I know, Radhika. I know what you went through."

"Mum. Can I ask you something?" Radhika sat up to look into her mother's eyes.

"Anything, Radhika."

"How can I trust him?" Radhika asked her.

Renu sighed. Her daughter had grown up. She was a woman now.

The realization made her happy and misty. She wished she could give her an easy answer. But there was only one...

"Radhika, there is only one answer."

"What, mum?"

Renu took Radhika's hand in hers and pressed her on her heart," Ask your heart. It will give you the right answer."

.............

Arjun sat in the guest room, he had been coaxed into staying. He changed his clothes, slipping into comfortable slacks and a shirt; remembered the conversation he had shared with Ethan. How he had lied blatantly. Without her he had been going crazy, and when he heard that she had gone somewhere without informing anyone. Oh, only he knew how he had controlled his fury.

Now, infuriated he wandered out of the room his room to pace outside.

He hated the woman. That woman without whom his life was a big meaningless blank.

What a mess!

He stopped, fiddling with a rose bush. Why was it so difficult for her to understand his love? Fine, he had made a mistake. He hated himself for it.

He hated himself for making her cry. How would he ever make up for all those tears she had shed because of him. Because of his idiocy!

Nothing. Nothing except loving her with all his heart, would act as redemption and pleasure for him.

He smiled, yes, that's it. Isn't it? The answer he had been looking for. So simple, so straight forward yet hidden in layers of insecurity.

He looked at the roses, so beautiful. Exquisite, like her.

He would love her. Simply, love her forever.

A thorn in the bush, pricked him. But, couldn't she have banged onto his head all those years ago. It had been her right, to check on him for his stupidity.

Ego!

He would be damned if he didn't hate it. Ruins love, ruins life. But not his, not theirs, not anymore.

Just then he saw Radhika along with her parents walking towards the garden.

Arjun jogged towards them.

He stopped, smiled at Radhika's parents and looked ar her."May I speak with you?"

Radhika looked at him and shook his head,"No. Why don't you just go away and leave me alone?"

Her dad wanted to interefere but her mother intelligently wandered off with him a little distance away to check her growing petunias.

"Now I can't do that, Radhika."

"Well, I don't want to speak with you." She stood firmly.

"Okay, you leave me with no choice," With a swift movement he swung her over her shoulder, lifted his hand in a salute to her parents and before Radhika could realize what had happened strode back towards the house.