A week had passed since Armaan and Abhira left the Poddar Mansion, and the house was no longer the same. The once vibrant, unified family now seemed fractured, the air heavy with a silence that spoke volumes. Mealtimes, which used to be bustling with chatter and the warmth of family, were now eerily quiet. No longer did the family gather together—each member had drifted into their own routine, their own solitude.

Madhav had become a ghost within the mansion. He left for the police station before the first light of dawn, ensuring he avoided any interaction with Kaveri, Sanjay, or Rohit. His day was spent drowning in work, and he only returned after dinner, slipping into the house quietly. He made sure to evade everyone, not wanting to engage with the ones responsible for Armaan’s departure. His silence was a loud protest, and each night, he would lock himself in his study, pouring over case files, his mind filled with both his work and the lingering thoughts of his son.

The chorus gang, once the life of the house, now found solace only in the confines of Armaan’s room. They packed their breakfast in the mornings and ate dinner alone in that room, refusing to sit with the rest of the family. The sight of Dadi sa or Rohit, the ones responsible for their bhaiya and bhabhi’s pain, was unbearable. The room that once held joy now became their refuge. Its silence brought them peace, a small escape from the coldness that had settled over the mansion.

Manoj and Manisha barely spoke to anyone unless absolutely necessary. They went through the motions of their responsibilities in the house, but their hearts weren’t in it. Each conversation felt forced, and they avoided interactions whenever they could. Their home, once a place of comfort, now felt foreign, as if it no longer belonged to them.

Vidya had withdrawn into herself. She spent most of her time either locked in her room or wandering aimlessly in the garden. In her hands, she always clutched an old photo frame, one of the many she had scattered around her. These photos were her only connection to happier times, and she often found herself staring at Armaan’s smiling face, wondering how everything had spiraled so far out of control. The garden, where once she would walk with Armaan, now felt empty, a ghost of memories long gone.

At the breakfast table, Dadi sa sat with Ruhi and Kajal,  the servants moving quietly around them, serving the meal. The large dining table, once full of life, felt unbearably empty. Dadi sa’s eyes scanned the vacant seats, the absence of the other family members a glaring reminder of the growing rift.

She frowned, turning to Ruhi. "Where is everyone? Madhav hasn’t come down for breakfast again?"

Ruhi sighed, barely looking up from her plate. "He left early, like every other day this week."

Dadi sa’s lips tightened. "And Manoj? Manisha? Where are they?"

"The same as always," Kajal replied flatly. "Keeping to themselves. They don't come down much anymore."

Dadi sa clenched her fists under the table. The reply was one she had become accustomed to hearing since the day Armaan left. Every morning, it was the same: Madhav gone before sunrise, Manoj and Manisha barely visible, the chorus gang practically living in Armaan’s room. The family was slipping away from her, and with every passing day, her hold on them weakened.

Her control, once absolute, was fading.

The mansion had always been under her firm grip—her decisions were law, her voice the final say in every matter. But now, it felt as though her reign over the Poddar household was crumbling. The cracks that had been forming over the years had widened into unbridgeable gaps, and no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t pull them back together.

She picked at her food, the taste turning bitter in her mouth as she mulled over the state of her family. "This can’t go on," she muttered to herself, her voice low but filled with frustration. "They will come back. They have to."

But deep down, she wasn’t sure anymore. Armaan’s departure had fractured the family in ways she hadn’t anticipated. His absence had created a void, and with it, the loyalty that once bound everyone together had begun to unravel. Even Ruhi, her once dependable ally, seemed distant, preoccupied with her own thoughts.

The silence at the table was oppressive. For the first time in a long while, Dadi sa felt something unfamiliar—helplessness. She had always prided herself on keeping the family together, on maintaining the Poddar legacy. But now, as she sat in the cavernous dining hall, with only Kajal Ruhi and the servants for company, she wondered if that legacy was slipping through her fingers.

Dadi sa’s control wasn’t just weakening—it was being ripped away, piece by piece, and there was nothing she could do to stop it, but she had to, she can't loose to Abhira and Armaan.

Ruhi looked up finally, her voice breaking the silence. "You know, Dadi sa, this…this isn’t working. The family’s not the same anymore. Maybe…maybe it’s time to accept that things have changed."

Dadi sa’s eyes snapped to Ruhi, her voice icy. "No. Things will go back to the way they were. This family will heal. It always has."

But even as she said the words, they felt hollow and dadi sa didn’t want to believe. The family wasn’t healing—it was splintering, and every passing day made it harder to deny, but they chose to live with the denial.

Rohit and Sanjay entered the dining hall, their faces etched with a mix of frustration and worry. Dadi sa, still seated at the breakfast table with Ruhi, immediately sensed that something was wrong. Her eyes narrowed as she watched them approach, and the tension in the air grew palpable.

“What is it?” Dadi sa asked, her voice sharp as she looked at Sanjay. “What’s the matter Jamai Sa ?”

Sanjay and Rohit exchanged uneasy glances, each reluctant to be the first to speak. They had decided on what they would break in front of Kaveri to make Armaan the Villan of the situation.
After a moment of hesitation, Rohit cleared his throat, the venom already slipping into his voice as he began to speak.

“We’ve been fools, Dadi sa. We were blind to Armaan’s tricks, and now we’re paying for it,” Rohit spat, his words dripping with bitterness.

Dadi sa, confused, furrowed her brow. “What are you talking about? Be clear, Rohit.”

Rohit clenched his fists, anger bubbling to the surface. “Since Armaan left the firm, everything’s falling apart! His departure—his dramatic resignation in front of the board—has created chaos. The clients—most of the influential ones, the ones who brought in the big money—they all want to leave!”

Dadi sa’s eyes widened in shock, but before she could respond, Sanjay chimed in, his voice bitter and accusatory. “He planned this. Armaan knew exactly what he was doing. All this talk of him being a good lawyer, a loyal member of the Poddar firm, it was all an act! Now the employees are turning on us too. Some of them have already started applying to other firms.”

“He’s poisoned their minds!” Rohit added, his anger rising. “Armaan made sure his departure wasn’t quiet. No, he had to make a scene, didn’t he? He stood before the board, acting like some noble martyr, and now everyone’s scrambling to get out before the whole ship sinks.”

Dadi sa’s hands tightened on the table, her face hardening with each word they spoke. “What are you saying, Rohit? What do you mean the clients want to leave?”

Rohit’s face contorted in frustration as he leaned closer, his voice harsh. “I mean that since Armaan’s gone, the clients—especially the ones he personally handled—don’t trust us anymore. They’re threatening to pull out their business, and if they go, the Poddar firm will lose its most valuable contracts.”

Sanjay added, “The employees are talking too, Maa sa. They’re all saying that without Armaan, the firm is going downhill. Some have already handed in their resignations. If this keeps up, the Poddar firm won’t survive. And that’s exactly what Armaan wanted!”

Dadi sa sat back in her chair, her eyes flashing with anger. Her heart pounded as the weight of their words sank in. Armaan had always been an integral part of the firm, but she had underestimated just how deep his influence ran.

“That snake,” Sanjay continued, his voice venomous. “He’s doing this to get back at us, to watch us fail. This is his revenge!”

Rohit nodded vehemently. “He wants to ruin everything we’ve built. First, he leaves in some dramatic display, and now he’s taking the clients and the staff with him. He’s not just hurting us—he’s trying to destroy the Poddar name.”

“He’s trying to bring us down, Maa sa,” Sanjay seethed, his voice filled with malice. “We should’ve seen this coming. We should’ve never trusted him.”

Dadi sa’s knuckles turned white as she gripped the edge of the table, her mind racing. The image of Armaan’s defiance at the firm, his departure from the family home, and now this—the betrayal felt like a dagger in her chest.

“I knew he would be trouble,” Sanjay muttered, shaking his head. “But I didn’t expect him to be this vindictive.”

Dadi sa’s rage simmered beneath the surface, her mind swirling with thoughts of how Armaan had undermined her control, not just over the family, but over the firm as well. Her lips pressed into a thin line, and she could feel her blood boiling as Sanjay and Rohit continued to hurl insults.

“Armaan always played the part of the dutiful son, but he’s nothing but a selfish, manipulative—”

“Enough!” Dadi sa’s voice thundered across the room, silencing both Sanjay and Rohit. She stood abruptly, the fire of anger blazing in her eyes. “How could he betray us like this?”

Her voice shook with fury, and the tension in the room was palpable. She had given Armaan a place in this family, a chance to prove himself—and now, this was how he repaid her?

“He’s destroying everything!” Sanjay added, his face twisted in frustration. “If we don’t stop this, the firm will collapse. He’s doing this on purpose, Dadi sa. He’s making sure the Poddar name is dragged through the mud.”

Rohit nodded again, his own frustration matching Sanjay’s. “We have to do something. We can’t let him win.”

Dadi sa’s eyes narrowed, her face contorted with a mixture of hurt and fury. Armaan had been a part of this family, a part of her legacy—and now, he was working to tear it all apart. It was unthinkable. Unforgivable.

“I won’t let him destroy everything we’ve built,” she growled, her voice low but filled with venom. “He won’t get away with this.”

Her mind was racing, her thoughts clouded by rage. The Poddar firm had been her pride, her family’s legacy. Armaan had no right to rip it apart piece by piece. No right at all.

“We will fix this,” she said through gritted teeth. “Whatever it takes.”Dadi sa stood tall, her face hard with resolve, as she turned to Sanjay. The venom in her voice was unmistakable as she issued her command.

“Jamai Sa, call for a press conference. Make sure that everyone is present—all the employees, stakeholders, and board members. I want this to be a public affair,” she ordered, her words clipped and decisive.

Sanjay blinked, a little taken aback by her sudden decision, but nodded quickly. “A press conference? You mean to address the situation?”

“Yes,” Dadi sa’s voice was ice cold. “We need to control the narrative before it spreads like fire. We will not allow him to ruin the Poddar name.”

Rohit, sensing the shift in Dadi sa’s tone, added, “I’ll make sure the press knows it’s an urgent announcement. We can’t afford to let Armaan’s story take root.”

Dadi sa’s lips thinned. “Good. Make sure the press is informed that the entire Poddar family will be present. This isn’t just about the firm. It’s about showing the world that we are united, despite what Armaan may think.”

Sanjay hurriedly took out his phone, already dialing numbers as Dadi sa turned to Ruhi, who had been watching the exchange in silence, her face growing pale at the tension that had gripped the household.

“Ruhi,” Dadi sa said, her voice firm but tinged with the authority she always carried. “Inform everyone in the family that they are to attend the press conference. No exceptions.”

Ruhi blinked, nodding as her fingers tightened around the edge of her phone. “Yes, Dadi sa. I’ll make sure everyone is there.”

Ruhi’s mind spun as she left the room. The household had been fractured ever since Armaan and Abhira’s departure, and she knew that gathering everyone together for this press conference would be no easy task. Madhav, Manoj, Manisha, the chorus gang—they had all distanced themselves, their silence louder than any words they could have spoken. But she had no choice. Dadi sa had given the order, and it would have to be followed, no matter how difficult the task might be.

Back in the dining hall, Dadi sa sat down slowly, her thoughts already racing ahead. She would not let Armaan destroy what generations of the Poddar family had built. No matter what tricks he pulled, she would ensure that the firm survived. It was their legacy, and she would protect it, even if it meant going to war against one of their own.

Sanjay, still on the phone, exchanged quick words with the firm’s PR team, finalizing the details of the press conference. Once the call ended, he looked up at Kaveri, determination flashing in his eyes.

“It’s done. We’ll hold the press conference tomorrow afternoon. All employees and stakeholders will be notified,” he said, a hint of satisfaction creeping into his voice.

Dadi sa gave a sharp nod, her eyes cold and calculating. “Good. Tomorrow, we show the world who the true Poddars are.”

As the preparations began, a sense of urgency filled the mansion, a sharp contrast to the fractured silence that had pervaded the halls since Armaan’s departure. This was a fight Dadi sa knew she couldn’t afford to lose—and she would make sure that everyone in the family understood that.

In the small, cozy apartment that Armaan and Abhira now called home, the soft afternoon light filtered through the thin curtains, casting a gentle glow over the room. The remnants of last night—a half-empty bowl of popcorn, a few blankets tossed carelessly over the couch, and the soft hum of the television—were still present, a testament to their impromptu movie night.

They were both still in bed, wrapped around each other, sound asleep. The exhaustion of the previous days had caught up with them, and after watching a movie until the early hours of the morning, sleep had finally claimed them both.

Armaan lay on his back, his arm loosely draped around Abhira’s waist, their legs tangled together. Abhira’s head rested on his chest, her hair falling in soft waves over his shoulder. Her breathing was slow and steady, a rhythm that Armaan unconsciously matched, the comfort of her presence lulling him deeper into his dreams.

Normally, Abhira would’ve been the first to wake up. Ever since she resumed her independent practice three days after their marriage, her mornings had become structured, filled with preparation for court hearings and client meetings. She was determined to build her practice and carve out her own path, a fact that Armaan admired deeply. But today was different. Today, Abhira had the day off, a rare and much-needed break, and they had indulged in the luxury of staying up late, watching movies, and relishing each other’s company without the pressure of the next day looming over them.

Armaan stirred slightly, half-conscious as he registered the warmth beside him, the soft weight of Abhira’s body pressed against his. He sighed in contentment, his mind drifting lazily to the plans he had made. On days, while Abhira had been at court, Armaan had spent the entire afternoon lost in thought. Breaking free from the Poddar firm and everything that came with it had been hard. It had left him feeling unmoored, unsure of what direction his life should take now that the ties to his past were severed.

But yesterday, after days of contemplation, something had clicked. He knew what he wanted to do. He had finally decided, and the clarity had filled him with a sense of calm. He planned to tell Abhira about it later today, during their usual evening walk in the park. It had become a ritual for them, a quiet time to talk, to breathe, and to simply be together. He smiled to himself, thinking of how he’d share his plans with her, knowing she’d support him as she always did.

But for now, sleep still held them in its embrace. The world outside continued to move, but within their small haven, time seemed to slow. They were safe here, away from the pressures of the Poddar family, away from the chaos that had surrounded them for so long.

As the hours passed, evening began to settle in. The soft rustle of leaves outside the window and the occasional distant sound of traffic drifted into the room, but neither Armaan nor Abhira stirred. They were both lost in the comfort of each other’s presence, the weight of the world left behind for just a little while longer.

For now, sleep was all they needed. But soon, they would wake, and when they did, the conversation they would have later that evening would mark a new chapter for both of them—a chapter that was theirs to write, free from the shadows of the Poddar name.

As the morning sun began to sink lower into the sky, the first sign of life in the small apartment came with a soft groan from Armaan, who blinked his eyes open, stretching lazily. The warmth of Abhira’s body still pressed against him brought a sleepy smile to his lips. Gently, he brushed his fingers through her hair, trying to nudge her awake.

"Hey, sleepyhead," he whispered, his voice low and teasing. "It’s already afternoon already."

Abhira let out a soft, tired mumble, not yet ready to break free from the comfortable cocoon of their bed. She snuggled closer to him, making it clear that getting up was the last thing on her mind. Armaan chuckled softly, pressing a kiss to her forehead, but the movement seemed to wake her a bit more. She opened one eye, giving him a playful glare.

"Who’s fault is it that we stayed up watching a movie at midnight?" she murmured, her voice thick with sleep, but a smile played on her lips.

"You didn’t exactly protest," he shot back with a grin.

With a reluctant groan, Abhira finally rolled away from him, stretching her arms above her head before sliding out of bed. She turned to face Armaan, her hair tousled and her cheeks still slightly flushed from sleep, but she looked beautiful in the soft afternoon light. Armaan couldn’t help but stare for a moment before he swung his legs off the bed to join her.

They freshened up quickly, sneaking in small moments of affection as they passed each other in the bathroom. Abhira was brushing her teeth when Armaan slipped behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and planting a kiss on the back of her neck. She laughed, swatting him playfully with her free hand.

"Armaan! You’re impossible!" she said, her voice full of amusement.

"Just appreciating how lucky I am," he murmured into her ear before releasing her, winking in the mirror as he grabbed his own toothbrush.

Once they were both dressed and ready, they made their way into the kitchen. The plan was to whip up a quick brunch, and they decided on sandwiches and coffee—something simple, but perfect for the two of them.

As they stood side by side at the kitchen counter, Abhira took charge of prepping the ingredients while Armaan busied himself with brewing the coffee. Every now and then, he would sneak a glance at her, watching as she expertly sliced the vegetables, humming softly under her breath. At one point, he leaned in and stole a slice of tomato right off the cutting board, popping it into his mouth with a cheeky grin.

"Hey!" Abhira playfully smacked his arm. "Those are for the sandwiches!"

"Couldn’t resist," he teased, leaning in to steal a quick kiss. Abhira shook her head, laughing, but her eyes softened as she returned the kiss just as quickly.

With the sandwiches finally assembled and the coffee ready, they sat down at the small dining table. The conversation was light and filled with laughter, both of them cherishing the simplicity of the moment.

"So, what’s the plan for today?" Abhira asked between bites of her sandwich.

"Well," Armaan began, a mischievous glint in his eyes, "we have a whole house to clean, and let’s not forget the laundry."

Abhira groaned, though her smile never wavered. "Right. The glamorous life of newlyweds," she said, rolling her eyes in mock exasperation.

"Hey, we’ll make it fun," Armaan promised, reaching across the table to take her hand. "And besides, we’ll do it together."

With their brunch finished, they got to work on the cleaning. Armaan tackled the living room while Abhira took on the bedroom, both of them moving around the apartment with a sense of rhythm that came from knowing each other’s habits so well. But even as they cleaned, the romance lingered in the air. Armaan would pass by her and drop a kiss on her cheek, or Abhira would toss him a playful smile as she folded laundry.

At one point, while Abhira was sorting through the laundry in the bedroom, Armaan appeared in the doorway, leaning against the frame with a smirk. "Need help?"

"I’ve got it," she said, her eyes twinkling. "You can handle the floors."

The cleaning continued, and they eventually found themselves back in the living room, tidying up the last of the mess from the day before. As Abhira folded the blankets from their movie night, Armaan snuck up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and pressing a kiss to the side of her neck.

"You know," he murmured against her skin, "I think we deserve a reward for all this hard work."

Abhira turned in his arms, a knowing smile on her lips. "And what did you have in mind?"

"How about another movie before the walk? No midnight showings this time," he added with a chuckle.

Abhira laughed, nodding in agreement. "Alright, deal."

As they finished up their chores, the apartment now clean and filled with a sense of accomplishment, they collapsed onto the couch, exhausted but happy. The day had been productive, yes, but it had also been filled with the kind of small, intimate moments that made their bond even stronger.

And as they curled up together, ready to enjoy another afternoon in each other’s company, Armaan couldn’t help but feel that, despite everything, they were exactly where they needed to be—together, building a life that was entirely their own.

As the evening deepened, the sky took on shades of gold and pink, casting a warm glow over the quiet neighborhood. Abhira and Armaan walked hand in hand, their steps in sync, the light breeze carrying with it the scent of blooming flowers from nearby gardens. They had decided earlier that a walk would be the perfect way to unwind after the day, and so they strolled along the concrete paths, enjoying the simple pleasure of each other’s company.

Abhira leaned slightly into Armaan, her head resting against his shoulder as they moved. There was a sense of peace between them, a rare and cherished feeling after everything they had been through. But beneath Armaan’s calm exterior, there was something stirring, something he knew he needed to tell her.

He glanced down at her, the weight of his thoughts pressing on him, but he wasn’t nervous. He knew Abhira would understand. She always did. Taking a deep breath, Armaan slowed his pace, gently tugging her to a stop under the soft shade of a tree by the path.

"Abhira," he began, his voice steady but thoughtful, "there’s something I’ve been thinking about… something I need to talk to you about."

Abhira lifted her head, sensing the shift in his tone. She gave him a soft smile, her eyes full of understanding. "What is it, Armaan?"

He took both her hands in his, looking down for a moment before meeting her gaze again. "My entire professional life has been tied to the Poddar firm," he said, his words measured and deliberate. "I was expected to join the firm as soon as I graduated, and because of that, things came easily to me. Cases were never hard to find because I was a Poddar, and that name carried weight. The clients we had were willing to give me opportunities—not because I had proven myself yet, but because of my family name."

Abhira listened quietly, her brows furrowing slightly as she sensed where this was going. Armaan’s grip on her hands tightened slightly, as if to ground himself as he continued.

"The cases I won… those were because of my hard work. I know that. But looking back now, I realize that many of those opportunities wouldn’t have come my way if I hadn’t been part of the Poddar legacy." His voice softened, a trace of bitterness slipping through. "And now, after everything… after they used me for years, they discarded me like I was nothing."

He shook his head slightly, the hurt and realization clear in his eyes. "I was nothing more than a commodity to them, someone they could use for their benefit. And when I no longer fit their plans, they threw me out."

Abhira’s heart tightened in her chest, hearing the pain in his words, but she waited, knowing he wasn’t finished.

"I’ve spent so much time thinking about it," Armaan continued, his voice growing firmer, "and I’ve come to a decision. I don’t want my professional life to be tied to them anymore. I don’t want to depend on the Poddar name, or any firm for that matter."

Abhira’s eyes widened slightly, her heart already swelling with pride as she began to understand where this was leading.

"I’ve decided to start fresh," Armaan said, the determination clear in his voice. "I want to build something of my own, from the ground up. No family name, no firm behind me. I want to start my law practice independently. I want to prove to myself—and to everyone—that I can stand on my own two feet without the Poddars, without anyone else pulling the strings."

There was a beat of silence as his words sank in. Abhira stared at him, her heart full as she absorbed the magnitude of what he was saying. Then, without hesitation, she stepped closer, wrapping her arms around him in a tight, heartfelt embrace.

"Armaan," she whispered against his chest, her voice thick with emotion, "I’m so proud of you."

He let out a breath, his arms slipping around her, holding her close. "You are?"

"Of course," she said, pulling back slightly to look up at him. "I’ve always believed in you, but hearing you say this… it just proves what I’ve known all along. You’re strong, Armaan. You don’t need anyone else to make you who you are. And starting fresh, on your own terms… that takes courage. I’m proud of you for taking this step."

Her words were exactly what he needed, filling him with a sense of reassurance and hope. He cupped her face in his hands, leaning down to press a gentle kiss to her forehead. "I couldn’t do this without you, Abhira," he murmured, his voice soft.

"You won’t have to," she replied with a smile. "I’ll be right here, beside you."

They stood there for a moment longer, wrapped up in the warmth of their love and the promise of a new beginning. Then, with a playful grin, Abhira pulled away slightly.

"You know what this calls for?" she asked, a mischievous glint in her eye.

Armaan raised an eyebrow. "What?"

"An ice cream party!" she declared, laughing as she tugged him along the path.

He laughed, his heart lighter now. "I like the way you think."

They made their way to a nearby ice cream stall, picking out their favorite flavors and enjoying the simple treat as they continued their walk. As they strolled, laughing and sharing bites of each other’s cones, they noticed a small group of children nearby, their clothes tattered and their faces lighting up as they watched the ice cream stall from a distance.

Abhira’s heart softened at the sight, and without a word, she nudged Armaan, pointing toward the kids. He smiled, already understanding what she wanted to do. Together, they approached the vendor and bought several more ice creams, handing them out to the children with warm smiles.

The kids’ faces lit up with pure joy as they accepted the treats, their laughter filling the air as they thanked Abhira and Armaan. It was a small gesture, but it filled their hearts with happiness.

As they made their way back home, hand in hand, their smiles were wide, their hearts full. It wasn’t just the ice cream, or even the celebration of Armaan’s decision. It was the feeling of being together, of facing the world as a team, ready for whatever came next.

And as they walked back to their little home, they knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, they would face them side by side, stronger together than ever before.

*..*..*..*..*..*..*

What do u think Kaveri is planning ??

~TheLostSoul