The next morning in Mumbai, the small apartment was buzzing with energy as Charu prepared for her big interview. The sun had barely risen, but the chorus gang was already up, filled with a mix of excitement and mischief. Charu, in particular, was pacing the room, her nerves getting the best of her as she fixed her shirt collar for what seemed like the hundredth time.

"Why does it keep sitting weird?!" she muttered under her breath, staring at herself in the mirror. She huffed in frustration, her hands flying to adjust her hair next.

Krish, Aaryan, and Kiara sat sprawled across the living room couch, watching Charu with amused expressions. They had been silently enjoying the show, but when they saw her getting flustered, they knew it was time to step in.

"You know, Charu Di," Aaryan began, leaning back and stretching his legs out. "They say the more you fuss over something, the worse it gets."

Krish nodded sagely. "Yeah, maybe you should just... relax a little?"

Charu shot them both a glare. "Oh, really? You think it's that easy? This is my first big interview in Mumbai! I need to look perfect!"

Kiara rolled her eyes, getting up from the couch. "You already look perfect. Just breathe, Charu Di." She walked over and gently fixed the collar for her. "There, see? Much better."

Charu let out a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart. "Okay, okay. Maybe I’m overthinking it.”

"Absolutely," Krish smirked. "And we can't have that, can we? We need you to nail this interview so you can buy us all pizza tonight when you get the job."

Charu raised an eyebrow. "Pizza? Really?"

"Yes," Aaryan grinned, pulling his phone out. "I've already picked the place, so no pressure or anything."

Kiara laughed, shaking her head. "Stop it, you two. Charu Di, don’t listen to them. Just focus on being your best self, and you’ll be fine."

Charu smiled nervously, her hands smoothing down her shirt one last time. "You guys are lucky I love you."

Krish hopped up from the couch and stood beside her, pretending to examine her from head to toe. "You know, I think you missed a spot. Maybe a little more lipstick?"

Charu gave him a playful swat. "Shut up, Krish! I'm not wearing any lipstick."

"Exactly my point," he winked, dodging another swat. "But seriously, you’re going to do great. Just walk in there and show them who Charu really is—confident, smart, and absolutely unbeatable."

Kiara leaned in to give her a quick hug. "And if things go wrong, just imagine Aaryan spilling coffee all over himself. That should help."

Aaryan raised his hands in defense. "Hey! Why am I the go-to embarrassing scenario?"

"Because it’s always you," Kiara teased, making them all burst out laughing.

Charu’s nerves began to fade as she joined in the laughter, feeling the love and support from her siblings. With their banter filling the air, she realized how lucky she was to have them by her side.

"Alright, alright," Charu said, feeling lighter now. "I’ll do my best—and if I do nail it, I promise pizza’s on me tonight."

Krish clapped his hands. "Now that’s what we like to hear!"

Charu stood in front of the mirror, making the final adjustments to her outfit, Krish, Aaryan, and Kiara huddled in the kitchen, whispering conspiratorially. They emerged moments later, carrying a small bowl of dahi cheeni.

"Alright, superstar," Krish said, grinning as he held up the bowl. "You know the drill. Before every big moment, we need to feed you this. It's the secret to success."

Charu eyed the bowl with a skeptical smile. "You're just saying that because you’re hungry and want an excuse to eat half of it."

Aaryan nudged her playfully. "Half? We're aiming for all of it."

Kiara laughed, holding out a spoonful of the dahi cheeni. "Aaryan we know u are always hungry. But yeh charu di ke liye hai toh sonchna bhi mat!"

Charu rolled her eyes but obliged, letting Kiara feed her the first bite. As soon as she did, Krish and Aaryan dove in, each scooping up some for themselves.

"Hey!" Charu exclaimed, laughing. "Wasn't this supposed to be for me?"

"Technically, we need good luck too," Aaryan said, his mouth full. "If you do well, we all benefit."

Krish nodded, wiping his mouth. "Exactly. Plus, what kind of siblings would we be if we didn’t support you with a full stomach?"

Charu shook her head, her heart warming at their antics. She smiled at the bowl that was now half-empty. "You guys are unbelievable. But thank you, seriously."

Once the playful chaos died down, Charu found herself standing in front of a small photo frame in the center of the room. It was the picture from the kabaddi competition day—the one where Armaan had playfully tugged on Abhira’s pigtails while Abhira sulked, the chorus gang in the background giving exaggerated expressions of surprise and amusement. That day had been filled with so much joy, and the memory of it tugged at Charu's heart.

She traced her fingers over the glass, her smile fading into something more bittersweet. Memories of the last time she had started a job, full of excitement and promise, flooded her mind. Back then, Armaan and Abhira had been her biggest cheerleaders, encouraging her, supporting her every step of the way. But that opportunity... she hadn’t lived up to it the way she had hoped. She had let it slip through her fingers.

“I’m sorry I disappointed you both last time,” Charu whispered, her voice low but filled with determination. “But not this time. I promise I’m going to make you proud. Any day now, you’ll see.”

Her eyes grew misty as she continued to stare at the photo, recalling how Armaan had always pushed her to reach her potential and how Abhira had always been there with her calm, reassuring words. They were family in every sense of the word, and even though they were miles away, she still felt their presence in her life.

Krish, Aaryan, and Kiara noticed the change in Charu’s demeanor as she stood in front of the frame. Krish came up behind her, gently placing a hand on her shoulder.

"They're already proud of you, Charu," he said softly. "But yeah, I know what you mean. We’ll all make them proud. Together."

Charu nodded, feeling the familiar rush of emotion but grounding herself in the love of her siblings. She gave the photo one last look before standing tall, wiping away the small tear that had escaped.

"I’ll make sure of it," she murmured, more to herself than anyone else. "I won't let this chance slip by."

The chorus gang huddled around her for a quick group hug, all of them feeding off each other's energy and excitement.

"Alright," Kiara said with a grin, pulling back and straightening Charu’s coat once more. "Now go out there and show them what Advocate Charu is."

Charu nodded, the nervousness in her heart slowly transforming into determination. With a final glance at the photo of Armaan and Abhira, she turned, ready to embrace whatever lay ahead, confident that this time, she wouldn't let anything hold her back.

She gathered her documents and hand bag and headed for the door, the chorus gang followed her out, still joking and teasing, their lightheartedness making the morning feel even brighter.

"Go get ‘em, tigeress!" Krish called after her with a grin.

"And don’t forget, confidence is key!" Aaryan added, trying to strike a motivational pose, which made Charu laugh out loud as she waved them off.

As the door closed behind her, the apartment felt a little quieter, but the bond they shared left an undeniable warmth in the air. The chorus gang might have been in a new city, but their sibling love and banter made even the biggest of days feel just a little bit easier.

________

T

he soft light of early morning filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow across the room. Armaan stirred first, feeling the familiar weight of Abhira’s head resting on his chest. He shifted slightly, his gaze falling to Abhira’s belly, where their baby slept soundly. With a smile tugging at his lips, he reached down, gently placing his hand over Abhira’s stomach.

"Good morning, little one," he whispered softly, his voice full of warmth. "Are you ready for another big day with Mumma and Papa?"

As if in response, a small flutter kicked back beneath his hand, making Armaan chuckle. Abhira, still half-asleep, stirred beside him. "What’s so funny?" she mumbled, her voice groggy.

"Your little partner-in-crime is already making plans for the day," Armaan teased, gently rubbing her belly. "We’re going to have our hands full with this one."

Abhira blinked her eyes open, smiling lazily. "I would have not wanted it any other way" she murmured, her hand coming to rest over his. "And, you better get used to it, Papa. This baby’s going to have you wrapped around their tiny finger in no time."

Armaan leaned down, pressing a kiss on her temple. "Already am."

They spent a few quiet moments like this, soaking in the peace of the morning before the day would whisk them away. After a while, they both began to get up, knowing they had a packed schedule ahead. Abhira, still groggy but focused, began to pick out something to wear—a comfortable yet professional outfit that would be appropriate for the office and their doctor's appointment.

As she stood in front of the mirror, adjusting her outfit, Armaan walked up behind her, a mischievous glint in his eyes. He held up a small kajal stick, one she hadn’t noticed him grab.

“What are you doing with that?” Abhira asked, raising an eyebrow.

Armaan grinned, leaning in as he carefully placed two small black dots behind her ear. “One for you,” he whispered, placing the first. “And one for our little troublemaker,” he added, placing the second dot.

Abhira smiled softly, her heart melting at the gesture. “To ward off the evil eye, huh?”

“Exactly,” Armaan said, pressing a playful kiss to her cheek. “Can’t have anyone or anything trying to mess with my girls.”

Abhira shook her head, amused, but deeply touched by his thoughtfulness. “You really think of everything, don’t you?”

“For you two? Always.” Armaan stated as a matter of fact.

As they moved to the kitchen for breakfast, the morning routine shifted into its usual playful chaos. Armaan was in his typical role of making sure Abhira ate a decent meal while she fussed over something on her iPad.

Abhira sat at the table, one hand scrolling through her iPad, reviewing emails and case notes, while the other occasionally waved off Armaan, who was trying to coax her into taking a bite of the paratha he had prepared.

"Abhira, seriously," Armaan said, holding up a piece of paratha dripping with ghee. "You need to eat. The baby needs to eat. Put the iPad down for just two seconds."

"Two seconds is all I need to reply to this email," Abhira muttered, still focused on her screen. "I'll eat right after, promise."

Armaan sighed dramatically, setting the plate down with a teasingly exasperated look. "Fine. I’ll just sit here and watch you ignore your husband while our poor baby waits patiently for food. No big deal."

Abhira finally looked up, arching an eyebrow. "You're being dramatic."

"Maybe. But you love it," Armaan quipped, crossing his arms over his chest.

She smirked, tilting her head as she shut off the iPad and placed it down on the table. “Alright, fine. Feed me then.”

Armaan grinned, his eyes lighting up with victory as he picked up a bite of the paratha and brought it to her lips. “See? Was that so hard?”

Abhira took a bite, smiling as she chewed. “Not as hard as dealing with you, that’s for sure.”

He leaned in, pretending to be offended. “Oh, now it’s my fault?”

“Always has been,” she teased, her eyes twinkling.

They shared a few more moments like this, trading playful banter, Armaan feeding her small bites between teasing comments. As much as they enjoyed the little arguments, it was their way of showing love, both of them wrapped up in the comfort of their shared routine.

When they finished, Abhira stretched and stood, feeling content and full, her hand resting on her belly. “You spoil me,” she said, leaning in to give Armaan a quick kiss.

“Call it what u may, but I am just making sure my wife and baby are taken care of,” Armaan replied with a smirk. He kissed her forehead, lingering for a moment before stepping back.

“Now let’s get going. Big day ahead, and you’ll need all the energy you can get.”

Abhira nodded, her heart warm from the love they shared, ready to take on whatever the day would bring.

At Pinnacle Legal, Dev paced down the corridor, his brow furrowed as he checked his watch. He had just been in Armaan's cabin, only to find it empty. Where could Armaan have disappeared to now?

Sighing, he made his way to Abhira's cabin. If Armaan wasn’t in his own cabin, chances were he was with her. With a knock, he opened the door.

And there they were—Armaan and Abhira, standing by her desk, clearly engaged in a bickering match. Dev froze at the door, his lips curling into a smile as he quietly observed the scene in front of him.

“I told you,” Abhira was saying, her voice laced with both frustration and amusement, “that file goes into the top drawer, not the bottom one! You never listen.”

Armaan scoffed, crossing his arms over his chest. “The top drawer is too crowded. Bottom drawer makes more sense.”

Abhira rolled her eyes. “Crowded? Half of the top drawer is empty! You just don’t want to admit I’m right.”

“I’m not admitting anything,” Armaan muttered, his tone defiant but playful.

"Of course you won’t. You're Khadusmann Dadaji Armaan—always so stubborn," Abhira retorted, her hands on her hips now, her eyes sparkling despite the mock irritation.

“That’s rich coming from you,” Armaan shot back, his voice tinged with amusement. "Mrs. I’m-always-right-and-everyone-else-is-wrong."

Dev chuckled quietly to himself. He couldn’t help but appreciate how these two bickered like an old married couple over the silliest things. And yet, it was never mean-spirited. It was almost like their way of showing affection, as odd as that might sound.

Clearing his throat, Dev finally made his presence known. “Am I interrupting something?”

Both Armaan and Abhira turned to look at him. Armaan straightened up immediately, while Abhira simply flashed Dev a knowing smile.

“Dev Sir! Just the person I need,” Abhira said, turning her attention away from Armaan and toward Dev. “Tell him, isn’t it obvious that the file should go in the top drawer?”

Dev raised an eyebrow, looking between the two of them. “Uh… well…” He glanced at Armaan, who was giving him a warning look, clearly hoping he wouldn’t get dragged into this.

But Dev grinned mischievously. “Yeah, I’m with Abhira on this one. Top drawer makes sense.”

Armaan threw his hands up in exasperation. “Oh, come on, not you too! I thought you were supposed to be on my side, Dev.”

Dev smirked. “Delha Armaan, I’m just being practical here. The top drawer is easier to access, and it’s not like it’s overflowing with stuff.”

Abhira shot Armaan a triumphant look. “See? Even Dev Sir agrees.”

Armaan narrowed his eyes at Dev. “Traitor.”

Dev chuckled, walking further into the room and leaning against the edge of Abhira’s desk. “It’s not treason, Armaan. It’s logic. You know, that thing we lawyers are supposed to be good at.”

Armaan pointed at Dev, shaking his head. “I don’t know why I even bother with you two.”

Abhira laughed, reaching up to ruffle Armaan’s hair in a playful manner. “Because you love me and are best friends with Dev Sir.”

Armaan grumbled, but there was a smile tugging at his lips as he leaned into her touch just a little. “Yeah, yeah. Whatever.”

Dev folded his arms, watching them with a fond expression. “You know, I could get used to this. Witnessing you two bicker every day is becoming the highlight of my afternoons.”

Armaan shot him a mock glare. “Don’t you have something better to do than enjoy watching us argue?”

Dev shrugged. “Not really. Plus, this is way more entertaining.”

Abhira laughed. “See? You’re providing entertainment now.”

Armaan sighed dramatically. “Great. I’m a walking circus act for you two.”

“Exactly,” Dev said, grinning. “Now, if you’re done arguing over file drawers, I actually came here to find you, Armaan. We’ve got that client meeting in ten minutes.”

Armaan shook his head, muttering under his breath, “Right, the meeting. But just for the record, I still think the bottom drawer is better.”

Abhira shook her head, smiling as she placed her hand on his arm. “We’ll agree to disagree.”

As Armaan grabbed his file, Dev threw him a teasing glance. “All set for the meeting, Mr. Bottom Drawer?”

Armaan glared at him playfully as they walked out of the cabin. “You’re never going to let me live that down, are you?”

Dev laughed. “Not a chance.”

Abhira watched them leave, a fond smile on her lips as she shook her head at their banter. She loved how even in the most mundane of moments, there was always warmth and laughter to be found between the three of them.

__________

The Poddar household had fallen into a strange silence since they had moved into Shivani's house four days ago. It was a house that carried a history none of them could escape—a house they had once scorned but now depended on for shelter. The spacious, well-maintained house had become a reluctant sanctuary for the family, but its walls seemed to echo the mistakes of the past.

Manoj and Rohit spent most of their days sitting at the dining table, their laptops open, browsing through job portals and sending out applications. But every attempt seemed futile. Their past failures and the tarnished reputation they had built over the past 3 years made it nearly impossible for any firm to consider them. They'd receive rejections or, worse, no replies at all. Their egos, once bloated by the family name and wealth, were now deflated, leaving them both frustrated and humiliated.

"I can’t believe it,” Rohit muttered as he stared at yet another rejection email. "Years at the top of the law community, and now no one even wants to give me an interview."

Manoj sighed, shaking his head. "This is going to be harder than we thought, Rohit. We’re paying for every wrong move we made."

Their conversation fell into uncomfortable silence, both of them too ashamed to acknowledge the full extent of the mess they had created.

In the other part of the house, Vidya and Manisha were sitting at the kitchen table, trying to stretch out the meager funds they had left. Madhav’s salary would come in a week, but until then, they had to survive on what little they had. Every penny counted now, and it was a far cry from the lavish life they were once accustomed to.

"How did it come to this?" Manisha whispered, her hands trembling as she looked over the grocery list. "We don’t have enough for everything, Jethani Sa. Even basic things are starting to feel like luxuries."

Vidya bit her lip, trying to maintain her composure. "We’ll have to make do, Manisha. Madhav ji, Manoj and Rohit are doing everything they can... We can’t let them down."

Their eyes filled with unshed tears as they nodded silently, feeling the weight of the burden on their shoulders. The once-strong Poddar women were now fighting just to keep their family afloat.

In a small corner of the house, Kajal sat curled up on a low bed by the window, her gaze vacant as she stared outside, her mind far away. The weight of her reality pressed down on her chest, making it hard to breathe. Her children were gone, taken from her by their own choices. Her husband was in jail, and every day the reality of her family’s fall from grace weighed on her like a boulder she couldn’t move.

Tears filled her eyes, but she didn’t cry out loud. She had no tears left to shed, only the dull ache of regret that gnawed at her soul. Everything her husband had done—his greed, his arrogance—had led them to this point. And she couldn’t help but blame herself for standing by him for so long, enabling his behavior without realizing how deep they were sinking.

"If only I had... if only we had stopped him earlier..." she whispered to herself, her voice broken. But the words felt useless now, meaningless against the tide of destruction that had washed over them. Her heart ached for the family she had once had, for the life she had once known.

Madhav, standing at the doorway, watched his mother quietly. Kaveri Poddar hadn’t been the same since they’d arrived here. She had grown more withdrawn, her usual sharpness and fire dimmed. It was as though stepping into Shivani’s house—the very house she had once disdained—had crushed a part of her spirit. Madhav could see the toll it was taking on her.

He sighed deeply, his own heart heavy with the burden of seeing his family so broken. His wife, Vidya, and Manisha were struggling, but they were holding on. Kajal, on the other hand, was sinking. And then there was his Maa Sa.

Madhav’s eyes drifted to the living room, where Kaveri sat silently in the armchair. She hadn’t said much since they’d moved in. The house that once belonged to Shivani—a woman she had despised—was now her home. The irony was too bitter for her to swallow, and Madhav could sense it every time he looked at her.

Kaveri's psyche was a complicated one, her pride and sense of control shattered. She had spent years trying to assert her dominance over the family, ensuring that her decisions were the ones that shaped the Poddars’ future. But now, her hands felt empty. Her reign had ended, and the house she sat in reminded her of every failure, every choice she had made that led them here.

Kaveri's thoughts churned as she stared at the walls of the house. Where did it all go wrong? she wondered. Armaan and Abhira had been so central to the family, and yet, she had driven them away. Her arrogance, her refusal to accept Abhira, and her obsession with tradition had destroyed what could have been a united family.

"I thought I was protecting our legacy," Kaveri whispered to herself. "But in the end... I destroyed it."

The stick of karma had hit hard, and now Kaveri could do nothing but sit in the house of the woman she had wronged for so long. Every moment spent there was a reminder of the choices that had led to their downfall.

Madhav, seeing his mother like this, felt a pang of pity and frustration. He had always been the one to speak out, but even now, there were no words that could undo the past. All he could do was hope that, in time, they would find a way to rebuild. But for now, they had to survive, piece by piece, as a family that had lost everything but still clung to each other.

________

Abhira walked through the busy corridors of Pinnacle Legal, the sound of her heels tapping lightly against the polished floors. Her presence commanded attention, yet there was a warmth that made people gravitate toward her. With a smile on her lips and a nod for every colleague she passed, she exuded grace and confidence, a woman who had earned her place here through perseverance and dedication. The aura she carried was one of quiet power—strong but approachable.

As she made her way toward the section where interviews for assistant lawyers were taking place, Abhira glanced around, noticing the nervous candidates waiting in line. They sat with resumes clutched in their hands, the tension in the air almost palpable. A small smile tugged at her lips as memories of her own journey rushed back to her. She remembered walking into Dev’s office years ago, a fresh law graduate, anxious to find an internship and prove herself. How far she had come since then.

Her mind wandered to the struggles she had faced—long nights, cases that seemed impossible to win, and the burden of expectations. Yet, through it all, Armaan had been her rock, standing by her, supporting her with unwavering belief. And Dev... his guidance had been instrumental in shaping her career, helping her navigate the complexities of the legal world. It hadn’t been an easy journey, but here she was now, stronger, wiser, and victorious.

As she entered the interview area, Mr. Khatri, the head of the election committee, greeted her with a warm smile.

"Mrs. Poddar, it’s wonderful to see you," he said, walking over to her.

“Good morning, Mr. Khatri. How are things going?” Abhira asked, her voice professional yet friendly.

“We’ve had some promising candidates so far. I’ve been keeping an eye on them, but it’s still early in the process,” Mr. Khatri replied. “I’ll make sure you get the shortlist by the end of the day.”

“Thank you. I’m sure we’ll find someone capable," she said, glancing briefly at the line of candidates again.

As they exchanged a few more pleasantries, Abhira’s mind wandered back to her cabin. She excused herself politely and began walking toward it when a voice from the interview room caught her attention.

"Ms. Charu Bansal."

The name echoed through the corridor, and Abhira stopped abruptly, her heart skipping a beat. The blood drained from her face, her breath hitching.

That name.

One from her past.

That name along with many other's carried a weight she wasn’t ready to confront.

Her hand instinctively moved to cradle her baby bump, as if to protect both herself and the life growing within her from the dark memories that flooded her mind. She could feel her pulse quicken, the walls around her seeming to close in.

The name one among many more brought back haunting recollections—of betrayal, hurt, and fear. The past was far too heavy, and even though she had worked hard to move beyond it, it still lingered, like a shadow she could never fully escape.

She tried to turn around, to walk away, but her feet felt glued to the ground. The weight of the past was too much, suffocating her, and she found herself unable to move. The air seemed to thicken, her vision blurring as the emotions overwhelmed her.

Just as she felt her balance falter, a firm hand caught her arm, steadying her before she could stumble.

“Abhira,” came the familiar voice of Armaan, his tone laced with concern.

She looked up, meeting his eyes, and in that moment, the fear she had been trying to suppress was mirrored in his gaze. His hold on her tightened as if he was trying to shield her from the storm inside her. The room around them seemed to fall away, leaving only the two of them standing there, locked in a silent battle against the past that still haunted them both.

“Are you alright?” Armaan asked softly, his voice barely above a whisper as he cupped her face with his free hand.

Abhira’s breath trembled as she exhaled, her hands gripping his arms for stability. “Armaan, vo tumne suna”

His expression softened, understanding the flood of emotions she was grappling with. “Suna maine Abhira,  but main hun na kuch nahi hoga.”

He gently rested his hand over hers on her bump, offering reassurance. “We’ll face whatever comes together, Abhira. Don’t let any fragment of the past have power over us anymore.”

She nodded, though the fear still lingered. But with Armaan by her side, the heaviness began to lift, and she took a deep breath, finding some sense of calm in his presence. The memory of the past would always be there, but with him holding her, she felt strong enough to face it.

Armaan knew what exactly was going on within Abhira, for he himself was feeling the same storm within. Any shadow from their past brings them pushes them back to the same pit of grief and pain they try so hard to escape from.

Armaan glanced back to the corridor of the interview section hoping against all odds that the name they just heard should not be the same from their past.

But then he saw a unfamiliar face stand up and walk to the room and he let out a shaky breath. He pulled abhira out of his embrace and turned her face so she could see the same unfamiliar face that would bring the Storm in her mind to rest.

"Koi aur hai Abhira, bas naam same hai aur kuch bhi nahi" he rubbed her back she the trembling in her body fadded.

As they started to walk back to their cabin they failed to notice another call for the same name, probably because their minds were already to preoccupied.

"Ms. Charu Bansal"

This time Charu stood up with a confident smile as she stepped into the interview room ready to take a leap in her life.

__________

How was it. Do let me know your views.

We have a small flash back series of 3 to 4 chapters before we come again to the present.
Where first the chorus gang and abhimaan meet and later the Poddars and Abhimaan.

The TS will take some time before the first chapter is out for I am still shaping it.

Now I have received a lot of requests for saving the baby and making it sound like some serious complications exist. But again the story Is about Abhimaan emerging from the pain of that lost joy.
And trust me, I have a better ending planned so pls give it a fair chance.

~TheLostSoul