Continuing from today's epi... Used the precap scenes. :)
Chapter 1
Arjun frowns slightly as his gaze meets Radhika's after the presentation. reading resignation in her eyes, he wonders what Saral may have told her. Watching her body language, it was as if she was no longer part of the team. His breath catches at the thought, quickly telling himself, "stop assuming. I need to speak to her... What could have happened?... What is she so sad? Dejected?"
Watching her quietly leave admist the celebration... The team ecstatic that the clients loved the advertisement... Arjun follows Radhika discretely to the washroom... Grabs hold of her shoulders and turns her around slowly. Surprised, Radhika squeals slightly, seeing Arjun, she asks, her voice filled with confusion, "sir. what are..," ignoring her, Arjun interrupts her, asking softly, "what is Radhika? Why are you upset? What did Saral do?"
Hearing Saral's name, Radhika chocks on the emotional pain she feels, recalling his ultimatum. How was she supposed to choose her dreams over her father's respect? Mentally picturing her dreams dying a premature death. Teary eyed, she whispers, "nothing. Sir." Feeling the intensity of her pain in the two words she uttered... Reading the intensity of her pain in her eyes, Arjun says, "please Radhika, talk to me." His heart gripping with fear as she shakes her head and attempts to give him a failed reassuring smile. Arjun thinks, "oh no... Whatever it is.. It is bad. She could not smile! She always smiles... Whatever the situation... She smiles!"
Sam walks towards the washroom, wondering if Radhika was there. She could not find her anywhere in the office and she was worried about what Saral Wanted to talk to Radhika about. Walking in, she thinks, "I hope the twat is not going to force Radhika to prepone the wedding." She stops... Frozen... Seeing Arjun holding Radhika by the shoulders, his gaze filled with concern, pleading... as he spoke softly. Her instincts kick in, "what the hell!" Breaking Sam out her self induced coma, jerking her into action as she walks forcefully towards them.
Seeing Sam from the corner of his eye, Arjun let's go of Radhika, turns to Sam, says, "Radhika is upset." Radhika turns, wondering who Arjun is talking too. Seeing Radhika's teary eyes, all is forgotten as Sam rushes to hug her, saying, "chasni what happened?" Radhika disengages herself from the hug, replies hoarsely, "nothing. Nothing is going on," as she rushes out of the washroom... Leaving Arjun and Sam to watch after her, concerned.
Sam turns to Arjun, caresses his arm and says with a smiles, "thank you for caring about chasni. She means a lot to me." Arjun nods and walks away guiltily, deep down well aware that his concern had nothing to do with Sam's friendship with Radhika.
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At the end of the day, Arjun smiles smugly as he sits by his desk, looking at the document in his hand. Looking out of his office, through the glass wall and door... his gaze searches for Radhika. Instead his gaze meets Sam. Smiling, Sam winks and gives him a thumbs up. Nodding in acknowledgment, Arjun smiles back. He couldn't wait to tell Radhika not to worry. That despite her silence, he had figured out why she was upset.
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Feeling restless as he stares out into the night, Arjun debates whether he should go see Radhika or not. Reading the time on his watch. He frowns, thinking, "it is late... Damn. I am going." Taking the documents he was holding earlier, thinking as he walks out of his home, "I have an excuse to visit."
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"Saral,please," Radhika says pleadingly as he grabs her arm, pulling her out of her room, "please understand. Why are you so adamant that we get married in one month? We are getting married in five? Why the rush?" Saral stops, glares at her angrily and says, "Radhu, stop testing my patience. Decide. We either leave tonight or you can forget about us. Choose. Your father's reputation or your dreams."
Hearing the taxi hoot, he turns to his future mother-inlaw and says, "mummji, tell him five minutes," turns back to Radhika with the expectation that her mother would follow his instructions. She leaves, worried, but a lifetime of subservience leaves her unable to stand up to her future son-in law, to stop him from bullying her daughter. She leaves feeling helpless that she is unable to help her daughter.
Alone, Radhika pulls her hand free, saying, "Saral you can't make me choose. Why should I choose?" Folding his arms, Saral repeats in a detached voice, "choose. Your father's reputation or your dreams." Adding moments later, "Silence Radhu... Come let us go."
Arjun stops at the entrance of Radhika's home, shaken as he realises how close he was to never seeing her again. Quietly thanking himself for realising how grave the situation is, he interrupts, "Radhika is not going anywhere." Saral and Radhika turn towards him, one with confusion they other with dislike. Saral snarls, "oh yea. And how are you going to stop her." Smiling smugly as he waves the documents, Arjun says, "not I, but Bird Song."
Saral walks up and grabs the documents, while Radhika stays where she is stumped as her mind furiously tries to recall what the documents would contain. Saral reads the documents with disbelief, furious that Radhika would pull one over him like this. "Damn her! How dare she defy me!" He thinks. Feeling small and stupid as he looses control of the fury he feels, especially when he reads the date she signed the documents.. Watching arjuns smug expression... He turns and walks up to Radhika and slaps her, his ring cutting her skin at the edge of her mouth.
Having not expected such a violent action from Saral, Arjun gets to him too late. Seeing red, he grabs Saral by the throat and pushes him backwards until he hits the wall, growling, "how dare you?"
Radhika on the other hand is in a daze, filled with disbelief, thinking, "what just happened? How could my best friend hit me?" Seeing the paper on the floor, she crouches down, takes it and reads it... Oblivious to the ongoings on the other side of the room. Blinking her eyes, as if to clear her vision... Expecting the words to change.
Arjun walks back into the house, sees Radhika crouched as she stares at the document. He walks up to her slowly. Crouches besides her. Places a finger under her chin, raising her face slightly so that their gazes could meet.
He whispers, "are you okay?" She stares at him, the unshed tears fall from her eyes. Reading the questions in her gaze, he wipes her tears and says, "I can't let you go." She whispers back, "I have no choice. I have to go. I have to marry him in a months time. I cannot have him slander my father." Wiping the blood that had oozed out from the small cut, angry that she would want to leave him. He raises his hand and fills her maang and says, "now you have no choice."
His eyes glittering with anger as he tries to contain his panic, he continues, "I thought you want to protect Sam from me. You are right. I have only one intention... And it is to hurt Sam... To ruin her life!"
Furious with himself, with her, he turns and walks away.
Radhika stares after him, too shocked to react... Her fingers tracing her maang... She looks at her fingertips and sees red. While her mind reels over his words... "... To ruin her life!" Worried for her friend.
Kumkum Bhagya
Mangal Lakshmi
