Chapter 3

Life -Neil... isn't he cute...he is a true friend an intelligent human being...but he took the definition of love too seriously... he forgot the additional part if you love someone truly you should fight for them...but no problem...there is still time for his lesson...let us take the story forward.

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It was RYTHYM concert...Radhika and Sam were again performing...Sam was performing an ariel act and Radhika freestyle....Neil came to wish them and was completely lost in Sam...Sam had to play the role of a fairy in the act and she was looking like one...Radhika watched Neil for 2 minutes ogling at Sam...Radhiks waved her hand infornt of his eyes...no response ...finally she pinched his arm Neil jumped...''Ouch....will kill you Chashni...what was the need for third degree''

Radhika curled her lower lip and replied; ''You are ignoring me...I am not liking it''

Neil smiled he gave her an arm hug and said; ''I am sorry my little one...you look cute as always''

Sam came and stood there; ''Neil who gave you the permission to enter the green room''

Radhika; ''Sammy I called him...he is my good luck charm...my performance goes well if he wishes me''

Sam smiled and teasingly said; ''You guys look cute together''

Neil lost is smile...But Radhika was witty; ''I know... someday we will think about it...right

Neil...''Neil glared at Radhika...Sam smiled at Neil's expression...and went as her name was called

Neil looked at Radhika angrily...; ''Do you even know what you just said...don't say such things again''

Radhika smirked ...she coolly sat on the chair and asked; ''You will never have the courage to fight for her...she will marry the Mr. Bone of yours...and I will never love anyone...since you are my best friend.....so I think you are the best match for me...think about it''

Neil knew Radhika was instigating him to fight for his love...he looked her and planted a chaste kiss on her forehead...''I know what you are trying to do...but it's not the right time...now get up next is your turn and I want you to win'' Radhika hated to see pain in Neil eyes...she simply nodded and went ahead to perform...

RYTHYM was city's best dance studio...their troupe had performed and accompanied many big starts across the globe...It was RYTHYM's foundation day today...and Prerna wanted to make it the best...Mishra and Khanna's were there in the audience to watch their daughters...but this time even Mehra's were Present...Neil and Prerna shared a warm relationship with Arnav and Nandini...they had invited them as well...the auditorium was full...audience seemed to got glued to their seats due amazing dance performances one after the other...It was Sam's turn she performed on instrumental song ''spirit of Rangeela'' she performed like a fairy....doing all the acts in the air on the satin cloth hanging from the roof ...Sam got a standing ovation'' Next was Radhika she did an act showing the miserable condition of females in the society...her song was ''Lagaa Chunari Mei Daag remixed with modern beats''...Radhika was dressed in a black body suit a with a red thigh slit chiffon skirt over it...less make up and high tied pony tail ...Radhika's theme attracted Nandini's attention...she quickly turned on the recording mode of her phone...once Radhika started...all emotions pain hurt rejection..helplessness came so naturally and deeply in her performance that it brought tears to the eyes of the audience...she finished by curling her body on the stage...showing the tiredness and fatigue of her fight...the auditorium was dead mute...Nandini got up and clapped with full energy and other followed...soon the auditorium was filled with sound of appreciation...Radhika greeted them by a naamste and went back stage...Prerna hugged Radhika and Sam for making the evening successful...

Nandini was watching the video again and again...Arnav smiled looking at Nandini he said ; ''Isn't she amazing''

Nandini; ''Amazing? ....chachu she is out of the world...she is gifted...but the video has not come very good ...due to distance her face is not visible properly''

Arnav; ''Leave it on destiny Nandini...all faces will come clear when time is right''

Nandini was confused; ''Chachu...I didn't get you''

Arnav; ''She is the beauty I chose for my beast Arjun...Radhika Mishra'' Nandini again looked at the video she watched it keenly and then said; ''chachu she is like a fresh drop of dew...and

Arjun....he is like a dessert who hates rain...she will perish in his dryness''

Arnav; ''Drop of dew!!....no she is the breeze that heals the dryness with its rain...you haven't met her still her mere performance has affected you...I have met her...she is a bundle of positivity'

Nandini nodded..she thought for a minute and messaged the video to Arjun.

Neil congratulated all the participants...he promised them a grand party. Sam came to Neil who was busy talking the troupe members.

Sam; ''You are too busy toady...seems you have forgotten your best friend''

Neil; ''You know...I am never busy for you..''

Sam smiled; ''So how about a dinner and a long drive...just you and me'' Sam extended her hand and Neil held it tightly...they drove off on Neil's bike to Sam's favourite place to have dinner...they were having dinner...when Sam's favourite song started she extended her hand to Neil...Neil took...as they slowly moved on the song, Neil wanted time to stop...he wanted her in his arms for life...like this ...he silently said a prayer...looking at his life grooving in his arms... Sam looked at Neil and asked; ''tell me something...if I never reciprocate your feelings...will you break our friendship''

Neil countered her; ''Did I do any such thing till date....''

Sam nodded negative; ''Neil sometimes I feel ....I am using you...but you and Radhika are 2 people I love more than my life....I may not be able to reciprocate your feelings...but Neil if needed I can give my life for you...friendship matters to me the most...please forgive me if I have ever hurt you''

Neil cupped her face; ''Its not required you know that...and now let's finish our dinner ...I am still hungry''

Sam smiled and they went back to the table to finish the dinner

Radhika after collecting all the accolades ....went to change into her regular clothes she took a quick shower... changed and came back she combed her long beautiful hair and came out of the green room...but he was startled by the sudden encounter with Jai....Radhika took a deep breath...

Radhika; ''Jai you scared me...''

Jai; ''Sorry about that...I did not intent to...by the way you were amazing as always..couldn't stop myself from congratulating you in person''

Radhika politely replied ; ''Thanks...I guess you are looking for Sam ...she is out with Neil for dinner...if you don't mind I need to leave....Ma and Papa are waiting''

Jai; ''Sure...mmm Radhika...can we be friends ... like before...if you are ok with it''

Radhika thought for a moment; ''We were never enemies...so yes we are still friends...but every relation comes with dos and don'ts ...I believe in them...I hope you understand''

Jai nodded Radhika wished him night and left...Jai felt happy about his revived friendship...he watched her till she was in her father's car.

Neil Sam finished their dinner....Neil started his bike... Sam opened her arms to enjoy the wind and fill her lungs with air of happiness...Sam took support of Neil's shoulder and slowly stood up...she screamed on her achievement...Sam's happy voice made Neil feel on cloud 9...Sam again sat and hugged Neil from behind...''Thanks for being my friend Neil...my life would have been a barren land without you...I will miss you badly for these 6 months'' Neil suddenly applied brakes turned to his side and asked; ''Will you really miss me Sammy''

Sam looked straight into his eyes she had tears in hers; ''Neil if I am not returning your affection...it doesn't mean I don't care for you...do you think I am selfish'?''

Neil gently touched her hand over his waist and said; ''Sam I loved you from the day I understood the meaning of word love...just know one thing I will never leave your side '' Sam again gave him a tight hug and they drove off.

US Arjun's apartment

Arjun checked his phone...he saw a video message from Nandini...he played the video...and he was lost in it...he tried to get the face..but the video was shot from the distance hence the face wasn't clear...but the body movements were very clear...he would pause it at some places...rewind and then play...he wanted to meet this girl now...the way she danced...the way her body swayed..Arched ...he was completely into it...he wanted to see her face...he paused at a place where Radhika had completely Arched her body backwards...lifting an arm in air his finger travelled through the arched body...his heart started racing....he whispered; ''Who are you...so elegant...so fragile...even without meeting you my blood is on fire...don't know what will you do to me when I see you in person....'' Arjun couldn't control he dialed Nandini's no..it was past midnight in India.

Nandini; ''What's wrong are you fine''

Arjun; ''Breathe Nandu...everything is fine...tell me who is the girl in the video''

Nandini smiled and sat on the bed; ''hmmm....so you didn't call to check on me but on the girl''

Arjun; ''you should have thought about it before messaging it to me ...now speak up''

Nandini; ''Prerna's student...Neil's friend...a beautiful girl...I don't know her name'' Nandini intentionally hid Radhika's identity...she recalled what Arnav said ...she wanted destiny to play its part... she knew Radhika was too innocent for Arjun right now...she lost her innocence and brightness years back...she didn't wanted same to happen to some other girl

Arjun; ''Neil friend!!!...wow no wonder he doesn't want to come here...wait a minute she is not

Samaira...right''

Nandini; ''No she is not Samaira...she is Neil's best buddy...he is very protective about her''

Arjun; ''She is something to be protected Nandu...but who will save her from me...I will find her...go to sleep...rest I will get it from Neil goodnight''

Arjun's POV; 'who so ever you are...I will get you...should speak to Neil'

Nandini's POV; 'Chachu thinks you can bring light in my Arjun's life...if this is even 1% true..I will do whatever it takes to bring you in his life'

Neil was still thinking about his moments with Sam...when his mobile started buzzing...he looked at the id and smiled; ''So Arjun...it's not the weekend ...how come you called me today...seems all your girlfriends vanished''

Arjun laughed; ''I suddenly lost interest in all of them and gained in one...your best buddy...who performed In RYTHYM concert wearing black body suit with a red thigh slit skirt...on some Chunari song'' Neil froze ...he did not respond... Arjun again started; ''Nandu messaged me the video...but since it was from distance...I could not make her face out...Neil ...I am restless...she dances like a mermaid..she is like a swan...she has set me on fire....who is she...''Neil felt a sudden gush of protectiveness towards Radhika...Arjun was a wolf and Radhika was a lamb...no way he should keep Arjun away from her...Neil finally answered; ''Arjun she is my best friend...and a good girl...she is not your type...so please don't speak such words for her...and you will not get anything about her from me''

Arjun smiled taking a challenge; ''You care for her....I thought only Sam mattered to you''

Neil; ''Sam matters to me the most...bust yes I care deeply for my buddy too and won't let anyone harm her''

Arjun; ''Neil....Neil ...I don't want to fight you for a girl...if you care for her...I will stay in limits...sorry bro...so are we good''

Neil; ''Yes...good Night Arjun'' Neil decided he will not let Arjun about Radhika's upcoming year stay in US...he knew Arjun won't give up till he finds Radhika.

Arjun disconnected the call and thought...Neil I am sorry...the more you hide her the more I will look for her...I will find this dancing swan...she will be mine. He looked at paused video and moved his finger along the curves of the picture....every time he touched it he wanted her more.

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Hi There ...it's me Destiny again... Chashni accepted Jai's friendship again...good everybody should get a second chance...but what will happen when Arjun gets to know about his dancing sawn...how will Radhika ignore Arjun...ignore nope I think the question is how will she stop him...from reaching her or hurting the people she consider her family....Neil is right she was a lamb infront of Arjun...and the day he decipher her identity...no one will be able to stop him from getting what he wanted...and Jai how will he stop Arjun from taking the most precious possession of his life...Radhika!

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