Falling in love again!!!

Radhika tapped the table in anxiety with her nails in front of her looking forward to his entry. Her eyes constantly gazing at the door. And she's checking the time every two seconds. He was the perfect definition of punctuality and Now Mr Perfect is late, That too, When he going to be a free man after the exact Thirty minutes, Thousand eight hundred seconds. Her mind automatically started to count when he thundered inside and took a seat beside her.

"Sorry for the late." He muttered.

She couldn't process his words, He was saying sorry to her for the first time, That too, Arriving late to the domestic court for a divorce. She smiled at her fate, Automatically it looked like a lopsided smile for the judge who was glancing both for a while.

"It's Okay, You're just 5 mins late," Radhika replied.

He didn't expect that answer from her. His mind was fully occupied with all the questions regarding the legal mess created by her grandfather. He made him stay in his office and complete all the procedures regarding taking Arush's full custody. Their 7 months old son became the main feast in this battle. Shyam never had any interest in any of his kids. Neither his 4 years old Naina nor 7 months old Arush. But for leading the business to the next generation, He needed his son. And that's also the main reason for Satyajit Bharathwaj for proceeding all the legal formalities with him. He also wanted Arush, His only grandson to take care of his business in the future. It's not a fight between a mother and a father for their children. But a battle between a businessman to another businessman.

"And again I am asking you both, Did you both want this divorce? Can't you guys reconcile for your kids?" Judge asked them before proceeding legally.

Radhika took this decision thinking about her kids, At least one of them deserves a peaceful life. Naina was an accident, But Arush wasn't. It was Radhika who planned for Arush by going through multiple fertility treatments to get conceive with Arush. Shyam knew none of these. She knew Arush will have everything in his life as his father and as well as Radhika's grandfather fighting with one another for him but Naina? Naina is her responsibility, And as a mom, She's doing everything for Naina. It's all for Naina and only for Naina.

"No, Ma'am. We are sure." Shyam replied calmly, He looked so tired.

"Yeah, Ma'am. We are sure." Radhika replied calmly having no regret or pain in her eyes.

"And you guys already decided, Radhika will have Naina's full custody and Mr Shyam will have Arush's full custody," Judge asked both, Both nodded yes to her.

"And Radhika are you sure with giving the full custody of Arush Sengal to Mr Shyam Sengal," Judge asked her.

Radhika gulped the lump in her throat. For a second, Her whole life in these 5 years, Glanced before her eyes, But when she witnessed Naina's pleading eyes in her mind. She couldn't stop herself from giving her son's custody to Shyam. She consoled herself thinking there are lots of good people in the house, Om, Arjun, his brothers to show him a good path and raising him as a better person neither like his dad.

But those two seconds of silence didn't fail to terrify Shyam, He couldn't go back to his office and undo all the legal procedures. Even though he's not interested in Arush. He was a little bit scared of Radhika's silence.

"Yes, Ma'am. I am sure about giving my son's custody to his father." Radhika said finally thinking only about Naina.

Her heart questioned her what will she say when he asks her in the future for not fighting for him and thinking only about his sister. But soon thinking about the circumstances naina gone through, tears crossed Radhika's eyes. And she convinced herself, That she will make him understand the situation over then, But whether she could see him after today was the huge question mark.

"And Mr Shyam Sengal, Are you sure giving Ms Naina Sengal full custody to Ms Bharathwaj," Judge asked him.

"It's Ms Radhika, Ma'am." Radhika corrected her And heard a sarcastic chuckle from Shyam.

"Sorry, Ms Radhika. And Mr Sengal?" Judge asked him narrowing her eyes for the answer.

"I have no problem in giving Naina Shyam Sengal Custody to Ms Radhika." He said stressing the words which poked her heart but she's used to it. That slight pain didn't bother her.

"And are you even sure about alimony?" Judge asked Radhika.

"I don't need any alimony from him," Radhika assured He cupped his mouth to suppress his chuckle. Radhika didn't turn around to look at him.

"Don't think only about you, Ms Radhika. Think about Naina." Judge asked he. Radhika smiled at her.

"I am just taking every decision thinking about my daughter," Radhika replied.

"And she gave birth only to her daughter in that sense." Shyam bashed right the way. Radhika couldn't take it.

"Yeah, I am the only person available for her from the moment she was born. And who are you to ask when you lost all the rights, Mr Sengal. And I think you're saying her name repeatedly only after I filed for divorce. Please don't play as a good father in front of the public." Radhika busted off looking at him which sparked the ego in his heart.

"Ma'am I need my daughter's custody." He said looking at the judge with a rage of fury.

"Oh really! You need her custody now!" Radhika asked while sighing in disbelief.

"I am not talking to you! I am talking to her." Shyam said coldly.

"In that case, Ma'am, Please ask him, When is her birthday?" Radhika asked the judge.

"My mind is not for storing unwanted stuff." He reverted in an instant.

"Birthday Unwanted Stuff. Okay, You ask him this basic question, What's her skin tone? Leave the skin tone, Ask him about the colour of her eyes, He might have noticed that, After all, He's the father of my daughter." Radhika asked with a sarcastic smile. He stayed in silence. But he couldn't keep up his silence when it reached the peak.

"You are saying I have never been a good father for her, And I just want to ask you only one question. If you hate me this much, Why the hell you sleep with me and gave birth to Arush. I never asked you to do that. Neither I asked you for another child nor." Shyam stopped when the judge asked him to be in his manners.

He had no idea, Why he became so impatient when she refused to take alimony from him. He lost his patience. And those words came out of his control, Radhika held her fist tightly and tried to control her tears but couldn't do that. Tears escaped from her eyes, She didn't turn towards him.

"I didn't. I didn't mean that." He said when he saw the nerves abruptly nearer to her earlobe. It usually happen when she takes too much stress, He saw it once when she was eight-month pregnant with Naina, Next moment, She collapsed on the floor, had fits and then they had to proceed with a c-section and Naina born as a premature baby.

"I understand, Nothing means to you, It's just a compromise. And everything just happened." She replied having tears in her eyes and snapping her fingers away. He couldn't meet her teary eyes when he felt so guilty. He stayed silent when she did it, He sensed the weight of her heart but didn't say anything.

Their divorce was finalized. And Radhika got full custody of Naina and Join custody of Arush till he reaches age five. She didn't expect this. She can visit Arush in his house whenever she wants. But Shyam can't do so. He can visit Naina only in Radhika's presence. Radhika knew it, It never happens.

"I didn't mean it, Radhika. I was angry when you accused me in that way." Shyam said. She smiled at him sarcastically and walked ahead of him. Before he could reach, She got into the taxi and left, And she made a mental note, That it should be the last time, And she never wanted to see him ever in her life. But Shyam stayed rooted in the same place till her taxi takes the turn from the court.

He never thought of hurting her this much, But he intentionally hurted her also didn't think about the intensity of the pain she went through. He thought he will feel light after untying the knot, But he felt the weight in his heart when she didn't bother to turn back towards him before she left. He got into the car, And the legal papers of Arush from Radhika's grandfather were next to him. He took the papers just to check whether there is a loophole, But he was shocked to see the teardrop in the paper while he was reading her name as Radhika Shyam Sengal.

*********

Radhika finally reached her friend Chaitra's house where Naina staying with her for the past 3 months, After the tension of divorce started. She shifted Naina to Chaitra's house before asking her husband about the divorce. Radhika constantly travelling from Chaitra's house and Shyam's house in these three months to check on Arush.

Naina, Her only solace, Especially during the time when she didn't have anyone by her side, And she didn't want to think about that moment ever in her life, From tomorrow, It will be only Naina And Radhika starting their new life in a new city.

She knocked on the door, Chaitra, a 40-year-old, Single and Independent woman opened her door and symbolically showed her the way to her new life with a wide smile, Radhika smiled faintly and walked towards Naina's room where she was playing with her toys.

A 4-year-old, Black marble-like eyes, White tone, Always juicy pink lips, Fluffy cheeks, Chubby arms and legs. People who cross her never fail to pull her cheeks because of her overflow of cuteness.

"Hey! Naina," Radhika asked while taking the seat opposite her, She raised her eyes and focused on Radhika. The pain she had gone through was visible in her eyes but she never failed to smile widely looking at her, Only her lips were stretching for a smile but that smile didn't reach her eyes. Naina understood, She kept her doll aside and stood up to hug her, Radhika caught her in her embrace, The tears, She sealed up, Escaped when Radhika felt Naina's pat in her back which Radhika does that when she was too sad.

"Papa scofled you." She asked in her childish language, Radhika hugged her tightly and recalled the incident when she gets scolded by him when she attempted to talk about something that he didn't like. Radhika quickly shrugged off her thoughts and hugged her even tighter.

"No baby! Papa didn't scold me." Radhika told her, She also told her mind to stop thinking about the past and focus on her future with Naina, Only Naina.

She immediately took the phone from her bag which was lying next to the handle of her bed. Radhika didn't break her hug but Naina took a seat in her lap and leaned her head in her chest while rubbing the button of her kurthi in her thumb.

"Sathya. Hi." Radhika said with a little bit of awkwardness, Even there was nothing to get awkward, As Shyam was the one who lose the tongue in the court, She wasn't responsible for anything.

"Bhabhi (Sister-in-law), Hi." She answered in a delighted tone.

"Actually we packed the bags to leave, Can you do me one favour?" Radhika asked her directly without giving her a chance to speak anything. She stayed silent for a while, Radhika guessed she must be crying by now, Radhika can count on her as someone who wishes good for her truly by her heart. Even though they met before three years, It just needed them three days to open up their heart to each other.

"Anything for you, Bhabhi. Tell me." Om said out of a sudden, She understood the phone was in speaker.

"We are having a flight at 6 pm in the evening, Before leaving, We both want to see Arush, Can you both please bring him to the airport?" Radhika asked them.

"Bhabhi don't worry about it, Now Arush is playing with us. Don't worry! We will bring him along with us." Om said in a blissful tone, He tried to hide the emotions pouring out. Radhika understood it.

"And Please, Shyam." Radhika asked.

"You have the right to meet Arush anytime. And if you don't want him to know anything about it, I respect you, We won't say anything to him." Om busted out in anger.

"Thank you!" Radhika said.

"Bhabhi, Is Naina there with you?" Sathya asked her.

"Nainu. Chachi..." Radhika said and gave the phone to her. She placed it in her ears without any smile. She looked so dull. Even Radhika knew the reason, Radhika reminded silent. Even though Radhika didn't say anything to her, she knew she understands that her parents became separated.

"Chachi." Naina called Sathya.

"Yes, Had lunch!" She replied faintly.

"Chaken all my toysh. Chachu." She replied and after that, she gave the phone back to Radhika and combed her barbie doll's hair without any smile. Looking at her like that, Radhika couldn't hold her tears, How much she tried not to recall anything, She couldn't stop herself from hitting the path again and again.

"Call me once you both reach the airport." Radhika said and rested the call.

"You know we are leaving, Right." Radhika asked while caressing Naina's cheeks.

"Yeah, Mumma." She replied while combing her doll's blond hair.

"I will be back in a minute." Radhika kissed her forehead and left outside, She reached the kitchen and took some fresh oranges from the fridge and peeled it. Chaitra followed her. She is a gynaecologist by profession and her mom's friend's daughter and that's how they became friends, In fact, She became her thick friend after getting married here in this city, Leaving the US behind.

"So, Back to the US, Uh?" Chaitra asked her.

"Finally! This city! My God! What did I think and what happened? And thankfully Shyla, Ron's wife offered me a job in the correct timing. So we both are moving there. I hope there will be no problem, hereafter." Radhika said and placing the peeled oranges in the bowl and took green grapes from the fridge. She didn't meet Chaitra's eyes.

"Radhika, You are travelling abroad, That too for a long duration, Do you think Arush can cope up without you? He's just 7 months." Chaitra asked her. Radhika's eyes welled up in an instant but she blinked away the tears.

"I know Arush is just 7 months, But If I stay here for a while, My naina will become worse. I stopped breastfeeding him for a month and he's keeping good. I think he used to my absence, I hope there won't be an issue." Radhika said and left the place having the fruit bowl in her hands. Chaitra followed her and stopped at the doorstep when she fed Naina fruits, And Naina continued to play with her doll.

**********

Shyam couldn't recall anything, But he knew his tongue slipped again against her. But it all came out as an output of which he was going through for the past three months, When he finally felt that his life changed completely. But the twist, Divorce papers in her hand. He tried to stop her saying he won't leave Arush to go with her, But surprisingly, She was ready to give the full custody of him.

Looking at the divorce papers, His ego went out of control, He had no idea when he took it from her hands and signed it. After signing it, There was only one word left with him to tell her, Out. He shouldn't have done that, But his problem, Being a heat headed person, He couldn't stop her from leaving him.

He thuds off in his bed as soon as he reached his room. He didn't check on his son, He forgot, But his brain has a perfect excuse for it, Radhika. She was always been his excuse for his rude behaviour, His carelessness over his family. And everything, He never thinks before blaming her for messes he does. When did it start?

The first time he saw her in her house wearing white and red salwar kameez sitting opposite to him bowing her head down in blush or it might be because of heaviness of the necklace which his mom made her wear on that day. But the smile in her face didn't fail to wake his heart which was in the sober state for a long time.

In a blink, They were only two, He always wondered, Why always guys have to make the first move? and proceeded his way towards her and sat next to her. His mom chuckled from the distance, He acted like not noticing it. Soon her crossed legs became normal and her fingers intertwined with each other tightly. Her free hair almost covered half of her face, He thought he should have gazed at her from the opposite, At least, He would have had an opportunity to see her. But staying next to her, He sensed the tension in her posture. She bitted her lower lip every 10 seconds, He assured, She must be tensed.

"Radhika right?" He called her. She nodded looking at her hands.

"I won't eat you. There's nothing to get tensed this much." He said holding her intertwined hand. Her eyes rolled in shock gazing at his hand when he did that in the most unexpected moment.

"UFF, Your hands are colder than ice." He muttered when he released one of her palms and intertwined that with his palm. Tugging her hair behind the earlobe, She turned towards him and smiled. He didn't smile back, But wondered how someone can be so beautiful when they are smiling.

He woke up from the middle of his sleep when he heard Arush's continuous crying from the room adjacent to his room. He didn't wait for a moment to wake up and rushed to his room. Om, Arjun and Sathya were already present, The time clicked eleven thirty in the night. And all are awake.

"What happened?" Shyam asked everyone.

"There were Ants in his bed, That's why he's crying," Sathya said when om and Arjun didn't bother to answer anything to him. Sathya took off his diaper and cleaned him. Om passed her wipes and Arjun came with cold water and wiped his whole body.

"It's okay! Arush! It's Okay. I have cleaned everything, Now nothing will trouble my Arush's precious sleep. My baby!" Sathya took the naked baby in her hands and patted his back. In a few walks, He went back to sleep. But Anger sparked in Shyam's eyes when he thought Radhika wasn't there to take care of her son, Right then.

"Thank you, Sathya. From tomorrow, I will appoint some nanny to take care of him, You guys don't have to take the stress." Shyam said calmly.

"We don't need a nanny. I am there, along with me, Om also there to take care of him. He will be fine." Sathya said and over then, Om took Arush in his hands and walked outside without bothering to look at him. But Shyam didn't get convinced. Taking his keys, He drove to Chaitra's house where Radhika was living with naina for the past three months.

He knocked on the door, The time reached 12 by then, Chaitra opened the door for him, she was in her night suit. She looked at him, Shockingly.

"Tell Radhika, I am waiting for her in the parking lot, Arush is not well, And ask her to come with Naina. I want to see her." Shyam said rudely and left. But Chaitra stopped him from leaving.

"For that, Radhika should be here. She left." Chaitra said in the same rude tone.

"What? Where?" He asked her.

"US. California." She said while crossing her arms against her chest.

"Already? When?" He asked her in a slightly disappointed tone. But he was more disappointed inside.

"Boarded flight before 6 hours." She said.

"6 Hours." He muttered in shock, But soon got in his balance and left the place. He got into the car And drove it in the road in its high speed. At least, She should have said goodbye.

***********

BEFORE 6 HOURS.

"Nainu, Say bye to brother," Radhika said making her heart stone, She almost in the state of dying when he refused to come to her arms from her sister-in-law Sathya. That is what she wanted, To get used to her absence, To be independent, Because she knew his father won't be available for him when he needs him. Her head started to ache when she realized how much she was forced to take this decision.

Naina kissed her brother with teary eyes, She cupped her mouth and cried bitterly, She tried asking her mom to take him along with them, but when Radhika cried in front of her nodding no, she didn't ask her anything. Arjun, her brother-in-law, engulfed naina to the tightest hug and kissed her head saying not to worry as they will be there with her brother every time.

"Promice me," Naina asked forwarding her hand. Arjun picked her hand and kissed it. The tears sealed up in his eyes, Escaped. The more he cried, The more he hated his brother. He didn't want to leave naina even the announcement was heard. Radhika gave a hug to Sathya who also cried looking at the scene. Om has Arush in his hands and nodded positively to Radhika when she looked at Arush with a heartache. She knew she didn't tell anything to Shyam anything about them leaving the city, But still, Her heart wanted him to reach the airport and stop her from leaving. "Please don't leave me, Radhika." is enough to stop her from leaving. But that will never happen. Looking at her daughter's face, Her heart hardens.

"Nainu, Let's go. It's time." Radhika called her. Arjun breaks the hug and wiped off her tears. Naina wiped off his tears, Their relationship always been special. Arjun has been her first friend, First well-wisher, First partner in crime, and the first person who always available for her after her mom. Radhika knew It will be more difficult for each other to live without each other. But he didn't stop them in the first place when she told everyone about her divorce from Shyam instead He hugged Radhika and asked her to face it with courage.

"Okay, Partner, Prove to the world that you're the toughest girl." Arjun gave her knuckles and kissed her forehead. He hell controlled his tears and passed a smile till they leave. Radhika looked back at her son who was playing with om's button. Her heart says that Arush will hate her in the future, But she didn't take this decision willingly. She had to take it. The next moment, She took naina in her arms and approached her path to the new life. Before 5 years, She wouldn't have thought that she will face this day in her life when her palms were picked by Shyam lovingly and proceeded the way towards his private jet to their honeymoon, Maldives.

"Ma'am, Passport!" The authorities asked and pushed her away from the thoughts. Naina buried her face in her neck crook. They entered the plane, They have been upgraded to business class, She knew om must have done that, Naina sat next to her in the window seat and gazed at the taking off of other planes. But soon closed her eyes and held Radhika's palms tightly when their plane took off.

"We won't meet Arush, Ever?" Naina asked Radhika once the plane has flown in the air.

"We will, Very soon, I promise." Radhika said caressing her cheeks.

"And Papa. We didn't shay him goodbye." Naina said, She pulled him towards her and placed her head in her chest, Radhika wondered what will happen when he comes to know that she left the city along with naina. But shrugged off her thoughts when she recalls his words that their presence, as well as absence, never mattered to him. He said when she asked him for his signatures for the visa handling for Naina.

"Will call him once we land," Radhika said and continued to hug her. But Naina didn't respond to her after that. She knew, She always been half minded when it comes to her dad. Naina was always confused. When anyone asks her whether she loves her mom, She never takes a second to answer yes, But when anyone asks her whether she loves her dad, She neither says 'yes' nor 'no', she didn't reply but stays silent.

In a few minutes, Naina's mind diverted, She wasn't worried anymore until anyone reminds her about that. That's the speciality of the kids, She started to glance at the pictures in the magazine and asks radhika where it's taken.

"This is London." Radhika said with a smile reading the caption below the picture.

"This Mumma!" Naina asked while showing the transparent sea of the Indian ocean. Without reading the caption, She knew where it is.

"It's Mauritius, Darling." Radhika said where she couldn't stop herself from thinking about the most beautiful phase in her life while she completely forgot about every bad thing that happened in her life when he held her hands lovingly and his other hand was around her waist which told the people indirectly that she belongs to him. She felt so protective, so secure, and most importantly felt like the most important person in his life when he held her so protectively.

They were just married for two months, And her mom passed away due to Pancreatic cancer after many tries, Even after trying to take her to the best doctors, Radhika couldn't stop her mom from slipping into a coma. And a week after her marriage, Her mom's organs stopped functioning and she couldn't make it.

Throughout the time, Shyam was constantly been in her side, Even she didn't expect him to do so. He always waits for her to have his meals which ended up eating their meals in the room for the continuous two months. He didn't expect anything from her like other men do when they get married. He was sleeping in the couch for the continuous two months which Radhika didn't notice. And the purpose of the honeymoon was nothing but to see her smiley face again. She agreed to him.

"Shall you promise me one thing?" He asked with a smile that kills her every time she witnesses him.

"This trip is for 10 days, And throughout these days, I don't want you to slip into any depressing thoughts, I want you to tell me everything which makes you happy, Will you?" Shyam asked while forwarding his hand, She picked it with a smile and intertwined it. He took her palms close to his lips and kissed it. She felt the butterfly fluffing in her stomach when he did that.

"Tell me, Something which I don't know about you." He asked in a cherished tone. His eyes were excited to know more about her, But knowing her in a short period was almost impossible. But he tried his level best to know about her.

"I know, Everything happened so fast, But we have our whole life to know about each other, And let's take it slowly." He said She couldn't stop herself from smiling at him.

"You know one secret," He asked her.

"What?" She asked him.

"I never have seen any girl smiling so beautifully like you." He said She smiled again this time her blush accompanied her, He leaned towards her cheek and kissed it when he realized it will be almost impossible to stay away from her. And even Radhika couldn't stay away from him when he does that, She stared at his lips and looked back into his eyes. He didn't wait for a minute, He kissed her while cupping her face. They were physically flying as they were in his private jet from Mumbai to Mauritius. And mentally reached the moon. He smilingly broke the kiss when they both went out of breath.

"I love skydiving." She said bowing her head down in blush. He chuckled.

"I am hell scared of Skydiving." He replied and kissed her again.

She opened her eyes in a jerk when her mind fast-forwarded the whole trip, And naina nuzzling in her chest while sleeping. Looking at her daughter, She wondered how many similarities both father and daughter share. Both like to make promises from others but when it's come to their turn, They back off.

"Arrived?" Naina asked while rubbing her eyes looking at the night sky of Los Angeles. Naina was sleeping when they took the connecting flight from London.

"Yeah, Baby!" Radhika replied to her and packed all her stuff, Zipped it. They stood up from the place when the flight landed. They arrived early than usual. Radhika took their luggage and waited for Shyla to pick them up.

"Mumma!?!" Naina called Radhika when she was very tired due to the travel.

"Shyla is on her way, baby!" Radhika said and taken the seat next to her.

"Mumma, Papa?" Naina asked Radhika, Radhika was a little bit surprised when she remembers her words, Radhika said she will call her dad once they land. Having no choice, Radhika called him through WhatsApp. He picked it up after a long time.

"Radhika..." He spoke as soon as he attended the call, His tone ached her heart more. She couldn't agree with the fact that her heart still yearns for him.

"Naina wants to talk to you." She said and gave the phone to naina she picked it from her hands with much expectation.

"Naina. Naina. Naina. Naina. Don't you know any other name than this, It's all happening because of her. Can't you see anyone beyond her, I and Arush became less important to you than her, She always been trouble from the start, I wish she never exists in our life." Shyam bashed her without knowing naina was hearing everything. Naina lips trembled to cry, Looking at her reaction Radhika took the phone from her and heard the bashings. Naina hugged her and cried in her chest.

"Are you drunk?" Radhika asked him when he continued to bash her as someone who snatched his wife from him.

"HOW DOES IT MATTER TO YOU?" He yelled at her in an instant.

"There's no point in talking to you, Right now. You never gonna change. Goodbye, Mr Sengal." Radhika said and held the phone. The missing feeling and the sweet words in the past faded away without leaving no trace when naina cried holding Radhika's dress. She patted her back and consoled her, What else Radhika is capable of doing.

**********