Destiny; ''Sometimes the most problematic one is the most wanted one.''
Sam frantically searched for her ringing phone in her messed up room. She picked up few things and groaned when couldn't find her phone. It stopped and started ringing again, Sam pulled her hair and concentrated on the sound. Launching towards the couch she smiled locating her phone hiding in the corner of the couch. She glanced at the name, taking a deep breath she answered, ''Yes Badi Ma.''
''Sam, it had been 2 months since you last visited us. And what is the need for you stay in a small apartment when you have your parents and mansion in the same city.''
Sam rolled her eyes, ''Family, really? A family keeps the heart of their own, mine decided to crush mine and of the other girl too.'' There was silence on the other side and Sam waited for Nandini to say something. She heard a deep breath and then came Nandini's voice, ''Sam, we are your parents. We care for you. It pains to see you drifting away from us like that.''
''Pain. How ironic badi ma, we never flinch inflicting it on others and yet we expect others too understand ours. Can you measure the pain you inflicted on Radhika, your condition took away her parents her family and why? Because her family died, she escaped the death then and became an ill omen. An ill omen just because she survived.
Nandini was quite and Sam added, ''Guess what badi ma, I an ill omen too. I survived the accident my parents didn't.'' With that she disconnected. Sam wiped her eyes. She had moved out the day Arjun had informed her about Radhika's decision. She couldn't stay in the mansion knowing that her parents were responsible for inflicting the pain on Radhika. She stared at the ceiling for minute, giving time to her tears dry. Huffing she whispered, ''Where are you Cinderella? Come back.''
***
''AD is only one you care for, right? Me and Prerna are no one, just adoptive parents.'' Nihal asked Radhika. She took his hand into hers, ''Dad, if I didn't care I wouldn't have come to you. I don't want you or Mom to live in pain of me going missing. But I am tired dad, too tired to fight more, to be labelled as an ill omen. I am tired of people walking in and out of my life at their comfort. It pains to leave you, but it pains more to watch Neil breaking every day. Please dad, let me go for my sanity'' She broke down dropping on her knees, her palms joined together.
Nihal watched her little shocked. He knew past few days had taken toll on her. Navya's kidnap had brought all blame to her. Sanjay had told Police that Saral had tried harming Sam too, but failed. Radhika found all blames being thrown at her, and now Neil's broken engagement had left her shaken. He gently pulled her up to her feet. Nihal brought her to his chest, ''Wherever you go, remember one thing. You are my daughter and I love you a lot.'' Radhika sobbed hiding her face in Nihal's chest. ''And I love you Dad, more than AD.'' He chuckled.
''You have a week, finish all you want to.'' She nodded.
Radhika opened her eyes coming back to future as the alarm went off. Though, she was already awake she didn't feel like stepping out of her house. It was too cold today, it had been snowing for 2 days and weather report predicted snow storm. She missed the tropical weather back at Mumbai, yet she chose to stay this place. She wanted something to turn her numb to all the pain she carried for months. But now, it felt that nothing could freeze the feelings that tormented her. Her phone beeped, it was a message from her boss. She was in her last semester and had joined one of Nihal's friend as trainee architect. She threw her blanket moving out to the window. Wiping the thin sheen of moisture she smiled finding the sun shinning brightly. She had landed In US almost 8 months back , leaving her family her friends and her love behind. But she missed them all. Radhika moved to her cupboard and pulled out her clothes to get ready. Her eyes fell on the little teddy that Neil gave her to pacify her once during their stay in London. She recalled how she would curse him when he would force her to leave the bed in winters. She would demand wired things and he would full fill it. He even gave her a piggy back ride when she would whine like a child. She missed him. She picked the soft toy and hugged it. She did that every morning. She smiled looking at smiling teddy, ''I miss you and I am sorry AD.''
She hoped that he and Sam would have settled now. She never asked Nihal and he never mentioned. She wanted to , but knew he wouldn't answer. Prerna too had scolded her for leaving like that. She had begged her to come back and Radhika wanted to. But her heart was still bruised.
Throwing her clothes off her body, she entered the bath tub and leaned against the edge of it. As the warm water massaged her muscles. Her body recalled the warmth of Arjun's arms. The eyes which eyed her possessively every time they looked at her. His lips that worshipped her like a goddess. She felt so protected and lucky with those strong arms around her. But she broke his heart, not for Neil. But because she didn't want him to choose between her and his parents. Initially she felt it would help leaving all behind and now all looked just impossible. He still stayed deep buried in every fibre of her body. Closing her eyes, she recalled his face, felt his arms his lips against hers. Clutching the sides of the ceramic, she tried controlling her emotions , instead they came out with his name and she broke down in uncontrollable sobs. She cried till she could no more. Controlling her emotions, she splashed cold water on her eyes to eliminate the proofs of her heart break. Dressing up, she stepped out of her apartment to leave for her work with the fake smile she mastered for months.
***
Pub
''Why aren't you searching for her?'' Zubin asked as he watched Arjun gulping his glass of drink
''because she doesn't want to be found, and I will respect her will.'' He answered with a warm smile.
''You are hurting, Sam is in pain and above all her family. You love her Arjun, where is the Arjun who would do all to get what he desired.'' Zubin provoked
Arjun shook his head, ''That Arjun, gone with his Radhika. I am just a living corpse, she left behind to be there for the family.''
Zubin swallowed the dryness of his throat, ''What about Sam? Isn't she planning to marry Neil.''
''She won't. Since Radhika left they hadn't seen each other. I tried, but Neil blames himself for her leaving like this.''
There was loud cheer and their eyes turned to the crowd on the dance floor. A guy sat on his knees holding a ring to a girl who stood emotional, her hands clasping her mouth. She nodded, and the guys pulled her in his arms. ''I was planning to propose her that morning'' Arjun whispered and pulled out the velvet box out of her pocket, he had been carrying it since then.Waiting for her to come back.
''Just for one all are in pain.'' Zubin muttered
''One suffered the pain to make all happy.'' Arjun stood up for her.
''Aren't you mad. She left you. Without even a single word. She never called and checked if you were fine and her you are still talking in favour of her.''
Arjun smiled, ''She left, yes she did. But its her who in the maximum pain. She must have cried each night hiding her face in her pillow. She would have broken each time she stood under water. She must have smiled at every face that that walked past her hiding her pain completely.''
''Still, she is acting selfish.''
Arjun clutched his glass hard. He couldn't stand a word against her, ''Just like you were, when you and your father called her names for Saral's deeds.'' Zubin was tight lipped now. Arjun asked for the cheque, he cleared it and left the bar. Stepping out he inhaled the air deep, recalling her around him he smiled. ''You will come back, I know. You just need time. I know.'' His eyes turned wet. He missed her, yet he felt her in every breath.
***
Melhotra House
Neil rubbed his tired eyes. He had been working on an upcoming project of Ridhima constructions. Taking a break, he leaned on back on the headrest of his past. It had been past midnight and he was still working. He lost his best friend and his love. He was shocked and angry to know of Radhika's decision, he was angry that she thought so less of him that he would marry Sam if she left. He couldn't recall what he did to make her leave. Leaving his room, he walked to her room. It was still the same. The side table had a picture of him and her. He picked the frame and stared at it sitting on her bed. ''You will never grow up. You were stupid then and you are still a big one.''
These 8 months he never tried getting her whereabouts. He never asked where she was and what was her number was. He knew, his father was aware of all and she spoke to their parents every week. He was angry, mad at her for leaving like that. He had decided never to call her or request her to be back
His phone broke his thoughts and he answered it. Humming his response, he left the room walking to his father's study. He started searching for the document requested by the caller. He started checking the drawers when his father's intercom started ringing. Neil ignored it still busy looking for the documents. The ring died and then came a voice, ''Hi Dad.'' Neil froze, it was Radhika.
''Dad, guess you forgot about our call. Hope you and mom are doing fine. Dad, I have just couriered AD's gift. Its his Birthday next week, hope he likes it. Tell him, I miss him. I will call you later. Bye.'' Neil leaped to pick the receiver and line went dead. He looked at the number, he was now desperate to get her back. He wanted to twist her ears hard till it turned red. He looked at time, so this was the reason his dad would have late night calls, and today he missed it being out for a party which seemed to have extended more than required. He decided to wait up for his parents be back. Today, he will get her address and will celebrate his birthday with her, his complete family. ''Stupid Birdie.''
Neil picked his phone and dialled a number he hated. ''Arjun, she is in US. I got her number.''
''Let it be, I won't force.'' Arjun answered.
Neil groaned, ''You have lost it, I haven't. Fine, I will do it myself.'' He disconnected and started pacing around the hall. He was now anxious, he wanted to see his parents at the earliest. He jumped when he heard the car moving into the drive way.
''Dad, I need birdie's address and now.''
Nihal Prerna looked at each other and then Nihal answered, ''In morning son. We are tired.''
''Dad, I never asked. Not even when you offered her whereabouts from front. But now I want to. I need it right away.''
Nihal smiled, ''Sleep, We will talk in the morning.'' Neil missed the smile his parents had stretched over their lips. He stomped at his father's words marching back to his room. He was determined to bring her back and soon.
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