SS: Dheere Dheere Se - ArDhika + NeSam ~ 2/13/16 p63 - Page 8

Please excuse any spelling and grammatical errors.

**No copyright infringement intended. I do not own the characters but storylines are my own.

Chapter 6: Pehli Baar

Arjun slowly opened his eyes as he heard the alarm beeping in the room. He groaned and turned around letting his hand heavily drop against the snooze button. He laid on his back for a few minutes before finally surrendering himself to the morning. He sat up and glanced to his left to see his cousin face down buried into his pillow completely passed out. Why he was wearing a toga was beyond him and it was probably best to leave that mystery unsolved. If he had not exited the party at the time he did he would most likely be in the same condition. He got up from the bed and gently scratched his side pulling the soft gray t-shirt up as he did so. He rummaged through his suitcase grabbing some clothes and walked to the bathroom to shower and start his day.

Thirty minutes later dressed in a salmon colored shirt, khaki cargo shorts, and sneakers Arjun was standing at the front lobby waiting for the hotel car to take him on the tour he had arranged. He hoisted his backpack up his right shoulder as he entered the Range Rover and then settled himself in the back seat. "Sir, we're waiting for one more guest," the driver informed. "I hope you don't mind. You both are heading to the same location. The other car had to have an emergency service. I truly apologize for this inconvenience." Arjun was a little surprised by his announcement but decided to be sporting about it. "It's okay...since we are both going to the same place...I'm fine with it."

"Thank you Sir for being so understanding. Ah, it looks like she's here."

Arjun turned to his left and looked on in shock. He then sighed rubbing his forehead and muttered, "Just my luck."

Radhika entered on the other side of the SUV sitting behind the driver. She gave a smile and chirped, "Good Morning! So, you're going to the bird sanctuary too?"

"Yes. You're very cheery this morning."

"I'm surprised that anyone would be going on this tour considering the party last night. I was the only one that wasn't drinking and I went back to my room early," Radhika replied.

"I didn't drink too much last night," Arjun explained. "So where are your friends? They know you are going on this tour?"

"They're all sleeping. I left them a note. I didn't think after the night they had they would be able to wake up. Anyways, I've never been to Goa before so I thought I see as much as the sights as I can here," Radhika answered. "And now that you're with me everything should be fine. I'll let them know...maybe call them a few hours from now."

"My mobile is dead," Arjun stated giving her a hard stare hoping she take the hint.

"But I have mine," Radhika grinned as she took it out to show him. She knew full well what he was implying but decided to ignore him completely. "Fully charged." Arjun gave a weak half grin and then turned his attention to the view outside his window.

Arjun stared out across the water as their ferry took them to the bird sanctuary on the other side of the waterway. There was a serene calmness that was seeping into him as he watched the water lull against the side of the boat. He was glad he had started out so early. The weather had yet to turn into that unbearable heat and a gentle breeze was blowing. He took his water bottle to his lips and turned wondering what the view was like on the other side. His eyes spied Radhika with her eyes closed and her hair flowing freely in the wind. If he had allowed the thought to cross his mind he would have said that she looked beautiful in this moment. He swallowed hard when her eyes opened and looked directly into his. He coughed roughly and busily stuffed his bottle back into his backpack. He inwardly cringed when he heard her say, "Is there something you wanted to ask?"

"No," Arjun answered. "Let's just enjoy the peace and quiet."

"It's very peaceful out here isn't? The water, the wind, the trees, and the birds...I think I saw a small flock back there," pointing over her shoulder.

"You really don't understand the meaning of peace and quiet do you?" Arjun asked.

"What? What was that?" Radhika yelled from across the ferry.

"I said, you Really Do Not Understand the meaning of Peace and Quiet!"

"Sorry, couldn't Hear You!"

Walking over in irritation, "I Said You Really Do Not Understand The Meaning of PEACE and QUIET!"

"You don't have to shout. I can hear you now. And isn't this much better then shouting at each other across the ferry?" Radhika asked with a smile. Arjun just stared at her clenching his fist. Why was she pushing his buttons? Everything she was doing was annoying the hell out of him.

"You know this reminds me of Hrisikesh. I mean it isn't actually the same, but the water and this peacefulness...nature...its just something different you know what I mean?"

The ferry slowed to a crawl as it finally made it to the other side of the waterway and was preparing to dock. "We're here," Arjun simply stated and hoisted his backpack onto his right shoulder.

Grabbing her white and red-orange floral hobo bag Radhika quickly followed after Arjun afraid she'd be left behind. She nearly collided into his back when he suddenly stopped short at the end of the dock. However, her bag wasn't so lucky as it fell from her hands and landed open in font of him. Arjun stared conspicuously at the soft leather bound journal laying on the coarse ground. He picked it up and gently rubbed his thumb against the engraved letters RM on the right corner. Without so much of a thought he opened the journal to the first page and read silently, "Don't forget, no one else sees the world the way you do, so no one else can tell the stories that you have to tell. Charles de Lint." His attention was soon pulled away when Radhika snatched the journal back from him. She glared at him for having touched something so personal. "Who's Charles de Lint?" he asked.

"He's a Canadian fantasy, mythical fiction author," Radhika answered as she quickly placed her journal back into her bag.

"A fantasy writer?" Arjun repeated and then smirked, "So you like reading fantasies?"

"My Dadji gifted this journal to me when I left Hrisikesh. He wrote the quote inside as a reminder for me. I personally have not had a chance to read Mr. De Lint's works. And I like writing. I just jot down ideas or write things down when something inspires me."

"We work at Birdsong, right?" Arjun asked.

"I enjoy my work at Birdsong. I love the creative process...bouncing off ideas...brainstorming..getting that product pitch perfect...finding that slogan that connects with your audience." Arjun simply grinned at her response. "So, um...I think the entrance is over there...we have to pay the fee," Radhika said changing topic.

Arjun watched her walk ahead of him and titled his head a little. He could tell that she was favoring her right leg. "So, your ankle is still swollen and you still want to explore this bird sanctuary? Radhika, if you think I'm going to be carrying you throughout this park you are dead wrong."

"Why would I expect you to do that?" Radhika replied as she paid the entrance fee. "I can walk."

"By the end of the today you are going be crawling on the floor," Arjun snickered.

"We have boat tours," the attendant at the entrance informed. "Over there..." Arjun and Radhika followed their eyes in the direction he was pointing towards and saw a long row of boats.

"See," smiling brightly, "No worries." Arjun let out an amused sigh and followed her to the boats.

Neil leaned his head back against the headrest of the floating pool chair. He had in his left hand a glass of nimbu pani. He took another long drink hoping beyond hope his pounding headache would just go away. He adjusted his aviators and then slumped back into the chair. "Oh my head. Why didn't you stop me last night?"

"Stop you? I was in no condition myself," Sam replied as she held her head. "This is my second glass of nimbu pani." Sam was laying on the lounge chair in a tie-dyed blue sarong underneath a large patio umbrella. "And quit your whining everyone is in the same condition."

Neil snorted, "Not everyone. Your best friend and my cousin ran off to some bird sanctuary tour."

"I know how rude is that?" Sam replied. "They should have had the decency to stay behind and nurse us back to health."

"That's right!" Neil agreed vehemently as he splashed his fist into the cool pool water.

"You two are rather loud. You guys really nursing a hangover?" Shreya inquired as she took the empty lounge chair next to Sam.

"How are you holding up?" Sam inquired.

"Took two aspirin and I've been keeping myself hydrated," Shreya replied. "I still feel queasy but had to get out of the room for some fresh air."

"How are the rest of the girls?"

"I think Toral finally woke up and went to take a shower. Bani and Pooja went to the banquet hall to get something to eat."

"How can they eat? Just the thought of it makes me want to puke," Sam replied.

Shrugging her shoulders, "I don't know."

"Ladies..." Asha loudly proclaimed as she announced her entrance to the pool area. She paused and added, "And gentleman..." looking at Neil who nodded in appreciation of the acknowledgment. "Do not forget the Mehendi is tonight at 7:00pm sharp," looking at Neil, "And tell those boys as much as they try they will not be able to sneak into the party. They have their own required dinner to go to. The fathers will be there so best behavior."

Neil took a deep breath and saluted, "Aye Aye Madam Bride...future Mrs. Amit Singh in countdown two days and 12 hours and 1 minute and thirty-two seconds." Asha flashed a smile at his remark while Sam and Shreya giggled.

"My, aren't you very chirpy considering last night," Sam stated.

"I made sure to drink within my limits. The last thing I want is to be hung over at my own wedding," Asha replied.

"That's because she kept pouring her drink into everyone else cup," Shreya divulged.

"OH! So that's why I kept thinking I wasn't drinking so much!" Neil shouted. "I kept looking at my glass thinking I knew it was at the half way point...why is it still full!"

"That makes complete sense," Sam riled as she had also been duped in the same manner. "That was a dirty trick Asha!"

"A Bride has to do what a Bride has to do," Asha simply replied.

"You guys aren't the only ones she did that too. Explains why half the party is still out or nursing a horrific headache right now," Shreya said then took a sip from her water bottle. "You should see the pictures she took when that impromptu toga contest happened."

"Pictures?" Sam said in alarm. She had hazily recalled stumbling into her room with a toga on but when she awoke she was wearing her pajama top and one pant leg.

"Pic-pictures?" Neil repeated as he slid out of the floating lounge chair and waded towards the pool stairs. "What pictures Mrs. Future Amit Singh?"

"Oh you'll love these," Asha gently threatened as she showed her phone. Sam and Neil eyes widened in horror as Asha scrolled through her gallery of last night's party mayhem. Just as Sam and Neil both reached for the mobile she retracted it just as fast with a sly grin. "You know I think I'm going to get some nimbu pani from the bar," she announced and walked away.

"Those are blackmailing photos," Sam whispered to Neil who nodded in agreement.

"We can't let those surface on someone's Facebook account," Neil replied. "You distract and I'll delete." They looked at each other and nodded in confirmation at their plan.

"So Asha," Sam grinned as she leaned against the wood frame of the bar.

"Not a chance Miss Samaria," Asha smirked knowing what she was up to.

Giving a nervous laugh, "So, you're just holding onto those for awhile right? Those will be deleted later?"

"Why?" Asha replied as she took a sip of her drink. "Look, I know what you are doing," clutching her phone tightly in her hand, "It's not going to work."

"Hey, look it's Amit," Sam replied pointing and waving.

"Nice try, not falling for it."

"No, I'm serious it is Amit. Look..." Sam earnestly replied.

Asha turned around to see her fiancee walking down the path to the pool area. "Amit!" she called smilingly and walked towards him. "How you feeling Baby?"

"Not bad considering last night. Threw up when I got to the room...then took two aspirin and drank a whole bottle water before I went to bed," Amit replied. He then suddenly hugged her tightly catching her off guard. "Missed you Baby..." The next thing she knew her phone was being pried from her hand.

"Thanks buddy!" Neil smiled as he opened the phone and quickly went to the picture gallery to delete the photos from last night's drunk escapade.

"No!" Asha yelled as she turned around wiggled herself out of Amit's embrace. "Not everything! There are some okay pictures."

"Sammy!" Neil shouted at Sam as he tossed the phone in her direction as Asha was running towards him. "I was only able to get to some."

Sam caught the phone and looked at the picture gallery. She didn't have time to look through everything as Asha was already struggling her way free from Neil's grasp. She selected the entire folder and hit the delete button. "Neil!" She yelled as she turned and ran in the other direction of the pool. Understanding what she was doing he ran the towards her in the opposite direction and cupped his hands indicating her to threw the phone to him. Sam did just that as Asha grabbed her shoulder. "You guys are being so mean!" Asha pouted.

Neil smirked and showing her the phone, "All gone," walking towards her, "You can have it back now."

Asha grabbed her phone and immediately checked her photo gallery. With a deflated expression she mumbled, "All my pictures..."

"That's what happens when you mess with us," Neil smirked as he fist bumped Sam.

"Nice work...quick thinking," Sam praised.

"Thank you, you too," Neil complimented as they bumped their fists again.

They both turned and chuckled as Asha was now yelling at Amit. "How could you do that? And let Neil take my phone! You know how many pictures I had on there? And now they are all gone!"

"Baby..." Amit started.

"Don't even," Asha replied and then stormed off from everyone.

"Oh man, sorry," Neil apologized as he walked over to Amit. "Didn't mean to get you in trouble."

"It's nothing," Amit answered. "I know her too well. It's not like she's going to call off the wedding. She's been waiting for this too long to do something silly like that. She'll pout and I'll just have to pacify her," then dropping his voice into a low whisper, "So we have a deal right? You'll get us into the Mehendi tonight?"

Neil gave a secretive grin, "But of course. A deal is a deal." They both smiled devilishly at each other.

"What are you two boys whispering about?" Sam inquired catching them both off guard.

"Nothing just Nemit," Neil replied.

Samrat angrily pushed the door to his office open as he whipped his glasses off. He sighed heavily rubbing his hand across his face trying to compose himself but his mind was still heated from the morning's meeting. He heard the door creak open and he quickly put his glasses on and turned towards the entrance. His eyes narrowed as he saw her slink into his office. "I remember when Birdsong was still in the basement of an office building and now look...Birdsong has its own building," nodding her head in approval, "It's commendable work Samart. You should be very proud of yourself. Sid---"

"Don't you dare take his name!" Samrat furiously shouted. "Don't you dare."

Nandini took a breath and conceded, "I understand these emotions...but this is business. I am merely offering a deal."

"A deal?" Samrat repeated with sarcastic laughter. "A deal from you?"

"Laugh all you want Samrat but you know that what I am saying is the truth. Look, I know how hard it is to watch what you built with your own blood, sweat, and tears be on the verge of falling apart. I've experienced my own set backs. An untimely death from a partner that had cancer forced my nephew to leave his internship in London to come and help me pull my business back together again. So believe me I know how it feels," placing a portfolio on his desk. "Birdsong will start to see International contracts again. The details are inside. If you have any doubt just have your lawyer contact mine. Can't you take help from an old friend?" Samrat remained stoic and continued to stare at her. Nandini let out a small sigh. "Well, it was at least nice to hear that after 11 years you still remember my brother."

"There are some things you don't forget even with time," Samrat replied. Nandini gave a solemn nod of acknowledgment and then left the office. Samrat swallowed hard as he looked at the black colored portfolio sitting on his desk. He knew the next decision he made was going to change everything.

Radhika beamed a warm smile as she waved goodbye to the boat tour guide. "Thank you so much Uday Sir, I had a great time and learned so much."

"It was a pleasure Miss Radhika. Hope you continue to enjoy the rest of your stay here in Goa," Uday replied as he waved his farewell.

Radhika turned around to see Arjun looking at her with an exasperated expression. She arched her eyebrow and looked at him questioningly. "Is everyone your friend?"

"What do you mean?" Radhika replied.

"I mean you just talk to anyone and just..." Arjun said feeling at lost for words.

"I'm just talking...being nice. It's better than keeping quiet with a grumpy look on your face."

"I don't have a grumpy look," Arjun snapped.

"And I never said you did." Arjun watched as she walked past him and started to enter the trail. He followed after her not sure how much longer they were going to be staying.

They had been walking for some time when Radhika turned around and saw Arjun dragging some tree branch he had found on the ground. He looked lost in thought staring out into the shaded leaves of the pathway. "I never took you for a nature lover. You were born in Mumbai, right and then spent some time in London?"

"Why, people who live in the cities can't appreciate nature?" Arjun replied.

"N-no-no, I didn't mean it like that," Radhika stuttered.

Exhaling softly, "Even city dwellers get tired of the hustle and bustle...places like this," looking around him, "...take you away...peace...maybe back to a simpler time when things weren't so complicated. Time when paths were still clear and innocence wasn't lost..." Radhika's expression turned into wonder hearing him mumble his last sentence. There was something telling about the way he let those words fall from his lips. His head was titled upward staring into the abyss of green while his eyes darkened into some lost reality. Just as she was forming a realization of what those words meant to him he blinked and the tenderness was gone. He was back to the cool calculating Arjun Mehra.

Author's Note:

Thank you to all the readers who took the time to comment or press the Like Button. It truly is appreciated and really motivates me to write.

At last the last episode of Dosti...Yariyaan...Manmarzian has aired this week 😭 I will sorely miss all the characters that I have come to know during their short journey...and even shorter for me as I started watching this show during the Lonavla track.

I appreciate the latitude you all have given me with my character portrayals in my story. I'll try my best to bring out the essence of Arjun, Radhika, Sam, and Neil that we saw and came to love during the show.

The one thing I always felt was the "Revenge" of Nandini Di was too weak for my tastes. I wanted something more...with more substance and bite...so that is why I made the decision to make Nandini Di the Aunt of Arjun here. I can't divulge too much otherwise how do I get you all to read 😕 😆

So please continue to stay tuned to the next chapter.

---Grace 😃