Radhika aimlessly dragged her feet to Sam’s apartment. She had to tell her that she is moving out tomorrow. Though Arjun had hugged her and let her cry drenching his shirt with her tears but he had warned her to not to test him because he would unleash his wrath if she did. He gave her two choices when she plainly refused him stating that she would never come back to him. First choice was move in their house. He had said it was their house not just his. But it was never her home for her. Second choice was defy him and be ready to face the consequences.
She was helpless. She couldn’t think beyond the fact that Arjun meant every word he said. He wanted her back but she didn’t wanted to go back. How was she supposed to stay with him under one roof after coming so far?! She had struggled hard for this two months and she wasn’t ready to let go of her newly changed self.
A life with Arjun means cufflinks in her legs holding her in boundaries. Her whole identity will be saturated in that one name, ‘Radhika Arjun Mehra’ The type of a man he was, He wasn’t that encouraging about her career ever. No woman in Mehra household worked or even tried to get a job and make her own identity. A billionaire’s wife working for a small advertising brand which he could buy within the snap of his fingers. How would it look like?! The males in Mehra household were not male chauvinist but they thought that what is the need for their wives to work if they earned billions.
Her head throbbed with pain as she was too tired of thinking about her future. If she refused Arjun then he will do what he threatened her to do. She can’t let that happen. Her family didn’t deserve to get hurt emotionally and what about Riya?! What if her fiance calls off their engagement after knowing that her elder sister was soon going to file a divorce?! Who would marry her sister?! The society they lived in had set up different rules for women and men. They’ll only gossip about her broken marriage assuming that she was a quarrelsome daughter in law or the worst she couldn’t satisfy her husband’s needs. Who’ll spare a second to hear her plight?! No one would. She could put up with everything but she didn’t wanted divorce at the cost of her family’s happiness. She had a younger sister whose life depended on her one decision.
Radhika thought that this was choice of her life But her life was not hers alone. So many lives were associated with her life. Riya’s alliance had already broken once and if it happens again she would be shattered. She won’t be able to live with the guilt if her sister’s happiness gets snatched away from her because of her.
Radhika knew there was no other option left other than going back to him. He was her destiny whether she liked it or not didn’t mattered.
She heaved a sign of relief as she stood in front of the door of apartment. She pressed the doorbell and waited for someone to open the door.
After few seconds door opened with a cracking sound. Sam stood there with cotton and dettol bottle in her hands. Radhika peeped behind her back and saw a shirtless Sameer lying on the couch groaning in pain.
Her eyes welled up as she spoke,” Sam I am so sorry. I swear I tried my best to stop him.”
Sam confusingly murmured, ” You tried to stop whom?! This idiot said he fell off his bike in some gutter. I swear he is not touching bikes from today.”
Radhika couldn’t help but thank Sameer mentally for not revealing what happened after the party. He saved the day. Sam would have not sat back after knowing that Arjun thrashed her brother. Sam was very much protective about Sameer because he was such a gentleman and not a hippie who engaged in fights every other day. She would say that only she had the right to kick her brother’s backside and no one else had the privilege to do so. She was wild when it came to hurting those who hurt her twin brother. Radhika heaved a sign of relief. She really didn’t wanted to witness world war 3 between her husband and her best friend.
Sam went back to her brother lying on the couch and pressed the cotton over his wound to which he yelped in pain.
Sam fumed, ” Serves you right. Who told you to be John Abraham of Dhoom?! Now shut up don’t wake up the neighbours.”
Sameer folded his hands,” Sammy I am really sorry that I fell off the bike.”
Sam leaned on him and rested her head on his back and whispered, ” You should be. I got so scared seeing you covered with bruises.
He patted her head and spoke in assuring tone,” Sammy I am fine. I think you should sleep it’s already too late now.”
For the first time in Radhika’s life she saw tears in Sam’s eyes. She had not even cried when she divorced Neil.
Sam wrapped her arms around Sameer and cried,” You dare pull on such stunts again and I’ll kill you.”
Radhika felt guilt prick in her heart for his condition. She couldn’t help but feel sorry for Sameer. She ran to her room and locked the doorknob. She crashed on her knees with a thud. Tears swam down her cheeks and painful moan escaped her lip. She rubbed her temples as her head felt like it will explode with pain.
She hugged her knees to her chest and sobbed burying her head in her knees. Why she had no control over her own life?! Why he decides everything for her?! In those six months he decided every single f**king thing for her. He didn’t treated her like a human let alone wife. He treated her like his slave who listens to everything he says. Her heart ached with pain he gave her but She loved him so much that her spirit ached with it.
Her phone placed on the side table buzzed all of sudden pulling her out of her grief. She got up and wiped her face dry and picked up her phone. The letterings of Arjun calling widened her eyes and raced her heart.
She thought of disconnecting but then where would it take her. She can’t avoid him for long time. She slid sideways to the accept option with her forefinger.
Radhika fought back her tears and spoke, ” What do you want?! Can’t you leave me alone in peace for some time?!”
Arjun smiled mischievously,” Oh I did leave you alone for six months but not anymore. It’s high time you come back to me. Answer this, did you speak to Sam?!”
Radhika answered,” No I didn’t. I don’t know how to tell her.”
Arjun replied gruffly, ” Oh baby I can do it on your behalf if you are unable to do it.”
Radhika retorted, ” No you don’t need to intervene. I’ll talk to her soon.”
Arjun stated,” Make sure you do it before tomorrow’s evening.”
Radhika gasped,”It’s too soon. I need time. Please understand. Don’t rush.”
Arjun smirked,” Oh baby I am giving you 36 hours to tell your friend. Aren’t they enough?! I don’t give anyone so much time to act on things I want them to do. But since you are my wife so you are an exception. 36 hours that’s it.”
Radhika knew its of no use He won’t budge at all. She disconnected the call after he wished her good night.
Radhika sat in the middle of the bed, the room dark. She didn’t even feel scared anymore. This darkness was nothing compared to the one inside her. Clutching the pillow, she buried her face in and cried.
The sun edged over casting back black shadows and shone brightly with new vengeance and spirit. Radhika sluggishly opened her eyes to greet the sun with not much pleasure. How she wished if the Sun had not shown his face today. She didn’t wanted to live with Arjun nor she wanted to part from Sam. She was always happy around Sam and she was her emotional anchor too who didn’t let her take any wrong decisions. How she wished she could stay with Sam forever. Stupid Radhika. Her mind scolded her. Do you ever even think before making wishes?! You wanted Arjun first now you want Sam. Why are you so dependent on others?! Why is your happiness dependent on others?!
She pulled the quilt off her body and glided to the washroom. She stripped her nighty and took a warm shower which rejuvenated all the pores of her body. She didn’t felt like going to work today after the heinous event of yesterday.
She dressed up in a tank top and denim shorts and stepped out of her room. Thankfully Sameer had left early in the morning as it would be really difficult for her to face him now. Sam was making breakfast for both of them in the kitchen.
Radhika walked casually inside the kitchen and stood behind Sam who was preparing sandwiches.
Radhika pouted,” Sammy I don’t like sandwiches. You made the same breakfast yesterday. ”
Sam turned to her and spoke,” Yah sorry I am a bit stressed about Sameer. He is not himself since yesterday. He was dead quiet when I was talking to him. I tried to ask him but he said it was nothing. Do you know something about what is bothering him?!”
Radhika couldn’t lie more. She didn’t wanted to hide anything from her soul sister. She deserves to know if something was eating up her brother’s peace of mind.
Radhika scratched the bridge of her nose and spoke in a nervous tone,” Sammy actually I….I wan….wanted to tell yo…you this yest…..yesterday itself.”
Sam touched her shoulder and questioned panicking,” What is it?! Are you both hiding something from me?!”
Radhika shook her head,” No we didn’t wanted you to take stress so we didn’t disclose it yesterday. You are so busy nowadays.”
Sam hissed impatiently, ” Tell me now.”
Radhika blurted out,” Sameer loves me and he proposed me yesterday. ”
Sam pressed her palm over her forehead and arched her neck and locked her gaze at the ceiling and spoke,”And you said no.”
Radhika was in tears,” I am sorry Sam. I don’t want to give him any false hopes.”
Sam raised her hand and spoke, “Right now feeling like giving you a tight slap. Love is a natural feeling and you can’t force yourself to love someone. I know you still have feelings for that jerk.”
Radhika threw her arms around Sam’s neck and cried holding her close to her like her life depended on her. Sam rubbed her back to sooth her and calm her down. Radhika pulled back and sobbed breathing heavily,” I need to tell you something.”
Sam asked softly,” What is it?! You know you can tell me anything. ”
Radhika felt her heart in her mouth at that very moment. Sam was really going to burst like a volcano if she told her. No but she can’t lie. There was no other way out.
Radhika said in a low reluctant tone,” Sam I met Arjun yesterday and he…”
Before she could complete Sam spoke with fury reflecting in her dark brown orbs, ” I won’t leave him. How dare he hurt you again?! I’ll kick his backside so hard that he won’t be able to sit properly whole life.”
Radhika hit her forehead as the situation was getting out of control. She had to stop Sam now. Her family’s respect and their happiness was at stake.
Radhika shook her head,” No Sam he didn’t hurt me.”
She heaved a sign of relief hearing that. Her words were like first rain for her. A hopeful light comes into her eyes, ” He didn’t hurt you at all?!”
It was a unnerving shock for her which she was trying hard to believe.
“No!” Radhika shook her head to punctuate her denial, sounding harsher than she intend.
Her hand slipped down and her gaze averted to the kitchen window as she tried to let it out but words seemed to be lost somewhere down her throat. She sadly replied,” Sam, He wants me back and I don’t want to go.”
Sam shrugged,”Then what is the problem?! You don’t want to go so don’t go. Who the hell is he to decide things for you?! He is not your master and you are not his slave.”
Tears slid down her cheeks as her lips quivered and fingers trembled. She broke into sobs,” I can’t Sammy. He said he’ll call my parents and you know what a great actor he is. He’ll put on a act of being the best husband ever and I will be the culprit in my parent’s eyes. He always does this. Riya’s marriage is also under threat. I don’t want to spoil her happiness. I don’t know what to do.”
Sam snarled,” So you’ll go back to him?!”
Radhika met her angry gaze and sobbed more,” I don’t know. I can’t be selfish. But I don’t want to be that submissive docile wife again. I love my new self and I don’t want to lose myself.”
Radhika’s eyes filled up and fear rose in her veins. A fear of losing Sam. She needed Sam in her life more than Arjun. She won’t be able to bear it if a rift took birth in between her and Sam.
Radhika hugged Sam tightly not letting her walk away from her. She cried over her shoulder and whispered, ” Sam I am so confused. I don’t want to hurt anyone. I need you in my life. Please don’t take away your friendship from me.”
Sam finally let her guard down and wrapped her arms around Radhika responding to her hug. She spoke in a calm tone,” Radhika, if you bend according to his will today then he’ll take you for granted. He’ll force his decisions on you and control your life. He is a controlling maniac and who knows that better than you.”
Radhika wiped her tears and Sam’s words made her think deeply about the complete scenario. Sam wasn’t wrong. Arjun may want her back but he wanted her to live her life on his terms not hers. He was indeed controlling. She had enough experience of him in those six months. But divorce was out of question for the moment. She could try to file a divorce later after Riya settles down in her life but not now.
As she stood before the maleficent house of her husband all the past memories played back in her mind. Her grahapravesh( A small ceremony of bride’s arrival in her in law’s house) was the best memory in all other good memories. Bitter heart breaking memories still rose goosebumps over her skin. His insulting words echoed in her ears as she placed her foot on the doorstep. Her heart clenched with pain as her gaze rotated all around. Every nook and corner reminded her of something or the other. The sight of staircase brought back the memory of her in his arms when she lost her balance and he had held her in nick of time. The dining table reminded her of his dead silence when she blabbered endlessly. But what surprised her more was there was not a slight change in the interiors of the house. As far as she knew him, He was fond of changing interiors every month. He did it without fail during their six months companionship. Curtains were not greyish anymore instead bright red colour curtains shocked her to the core. She had mentioned to him once that she didn’t like dull grey and he had rudely replied that he liked them and its his house.
He asked with a smile playing on his lips,” Did you like them?! I changed the curtains for you.”
Radhika turned to him and coldly replied, “Changing curtains doesn’t help you winning my heart.”
He stated with a smirk on his face,” I have your heart already.”
Radhika felt irritated with that stupid smirk on his face. She didn’t like him to be so arrogant and full of himself. But somewhere deep in her heart even she knew that the same charm had weave a way to her heart.
All of sudden a melodious melody of ‘Humhe tumse pyaar kitna’ song soothed her ears. It was his favorite song and he loved playing it on the gramophone which was his grandfather’s last memory. He was fond of old songs unlike her. She hated listening to old melodies but then developed a liking for them just because he loved them.
He spined her around and pulled her close and placed her hand on his shoulder making her widen her orbs. His hands travelled down from her back to her waist and halted there. She felt goosebumps rose everywhere he touched her. His gaze held so many emotions which made her shrink. She looked at him with wide eyes, her heart threatening to jump out. Her eyes dilated as his breath fanned her face.
“Dance with me Radhika.” He croaked. His voice huskier than ever.
Hamein tum se pyar kitna ye hum nahin jaante
Magar jee nahin sakte tumhaare bina
I don’t know how much I love you
all I know is that I cannot live without you..
Running his hand through her hair, he opened the twist and heard the pins dropped to the carpet. Her long midnight black hair sprawled over his hands on her thin waist. She shivered with the effect of his proximity. She hissed as he gripped her hair and brought their forehead together. Her hands automatically travelled to his neck and her fingers tunneled in his hairlocks.
suna gham judaai ka uthaate hain log
jaane Zindagi kaise bitaate hain log
Din bhi yahaan to lage baras ke samaan
hume intezaar kitna yeh hum nahin jaante
Magar jee nahi sakte tumhaare bina
I’ve heard that people bear the pain of separation,
I don’t know how they live their lives (with such pain)
to me each day feels like an year
I don’t how much I long for you,
But I know that I cannot live without you..
Radhika remembered that last they had danced on their reception party. He was a perfectionist in everything he puts his hand on. He was a good ballroom dancer. A dance with him meant her heartbeats reaching the skies.
He twirled her around and now her back facing him. He rested his chin on her shoulder making her gasp. His breath created a burning sensation on the skin of her neck. Her feet no longer touched the ground as she was swept off her feet long back but she didn’t realize it at all. His hands locked with hers as he spined her around in air, her body completely leaning on his But to him she weighted nothing.
He puts her down elegantly and his hand found its way to tuck her hairlocks in place as they covered half of her face not letting him see her. Her gaze dropped down, cheeks flushed and face turned crimson. Arjun smirked thinking that he was the only man who could make her blush so beautifully.
He whispered in her ears,”Say that you are mine. ”
She shook her head stubbornly in a negative gesture. He couldn’t help but chuckle at her cuteness. But he had made up his mind to make her accept that she belonged to him.
He licked her earlobe and bite it gently making her wince slightly. His fingers trailed in her hair and he pulled her head back and his lips touched the nape of her neck. He licked her throat and her breathing haggard. Just as he bit into her flesh, she gasped shutting her eyes tight.
“Mine” he licked the corner of her lips. She could only moan as liquid heat filled her. A lovely unexplainable sensation unfurled inside her and she melts in his warmth.
“Say it Radhika.” He husked as his lips, tongue and teeth did magic on her skin. Tears filled in her orbs as her desire hiked up to the south. She couldn’t think or grasp anything as she had lost the ability to do so long back.
Arjun didn’t wanted anything else other than hearing those words from her. He squeezed her waist and pinched it, She hissed and moaned in his ears. Her own chaotic frenzy- boo hormones created ruptures in her body. He was so close to her beating heart that she felt he was a part of hers.
“Say it.” He demanded licking the edge of her ear and she clutched his shoulders tightly as he took her high to levels of ecstasy she wasn’t sure about.
He slid down the sleeve of her dress and she gasped as cold freezing air hits her bare skin. He kissed her shoulder deep. Radhika screamed as a glorious sensation flooded through her body.
“Say that you’re mine.” He groaned in a gruff tone and her heart raced at the intensity of his voice. Her other sleeve was falling down to her shoulder and she felt so bare, naked and exposed under his intense desire filled stare. But he didn’t let it pool down as his one hand was holding it in place to her relief.
She moaned as he kissed on her collarbone and his hands rubbed circles on her heart. She was so responsive to his touch. He had not even kissed her yet she responded like fire to him. She gasped even more while he rubbed his knee between the soft of her legs. She was warm there.
“You’re Mine. Say it!” He growled wildly tilting his neck and biting on her neck and sucked it to sooth her pain.
“I Am Yours.” She almost sobbed sagging into his chest and her head dropped on his beating heart. Her hands automatically made their way to his back, as his to hers. He tightly held her like in his arms. His head rested on top of hers and signed. She belonged here in his arms.
tumhein koi aur dekhe to jaltaa hai dil
baDi mushkilon se phir sambhalta hai dil
kya kya jatan karte hain tumhein kya pataa
ye dil beqaraar kitna ye hum nahin jaante
Magar jee nahi sakte tumhaare bina
when someone else looks at you, my heart feels jealous
with great difficulty then, I have to placate my heart..
you don’t know how I manage this thing..
I don’t know how much restless my heart is,
What I know is that I cannot live without you.
He couldn’t describe in words what he had gone through in those two months. But having her in his arms was worth it. He knew that she had not forgiven him still and there were many changes she wished to see in him.
My Questions
1) How was the update?!
2) Do you think Sam is right about Arjun?!
3) Do you think Radhika did right by choosing her family’s happiness over hers?!
4) Do you think Arjun is a male chauvinist?!
5) How was the romantic scene?!
6) Rate the romantic scene?!
7) Do you think Arjun should confess his misdeeds in front of their family members?!
8) Do you think you can put up with a man like Arjun?!
9) Any guesses about what is cooking in his brains?!
10) Rate the update.