Armaan stood in front of the mirror, carefully adjusting his tie. His expression was focused, but a flicker of tension was evident in his eyes.

Today was the final hearing of a high-profile case that had consumed months of his life.

The stakes were incredibly high, not just for him, but for the their law firm. Winning this case would mean justice for the victim and a turning point in his career and also fortune to the law firm.

As he adjusted his tie one last time, he felt a soft touch on his arm.

Abhira had entered the room quietly, her presence bringing an immediate sense of calm. She wrapped her arms around him from the side, resting her head on his shoulder.

"You’re going to do great," she said softly, her voice filled with reassurance.

Armaan smiled, placing his hand over hers. "Thanks, Wifey. I just… want everything to go right today."

Abhira gently pulled away and stood in front of him, reaching up to straighten his coat collars and adjust the knot of his tie. "You’ve worked so hard for this, Armaan. There’s no doubt in my mind that you’ll win."

Her words were comforting, but she could still see the nervousness in his eyes.

Abhira knew how much this case meant to him, not just professionally, but personally.

This case had been as much a part of her life as it had been Armaan’s. They had worked side by side for months, tirelessly gathering evidence, strategizing, and preparing for each hearing.

Abhira had been Armaan’s right hand, his partner in every sense, not just in life but in their work as well.

But as her pregnancy progressed, things had changed. The long hours and the stress began to take a toll on her health.

Both she and Armaan knew that continuing at the same pace could pose risks to their baby, risks neither of them were willing to take.

It hadn’t been an easy decision, but they had sat down one evening and mutually agreed that Abhira would officially step down from the case.

Armaan had been adamant about it at first, not wanting her to push herself too hard, and though Abhira had initially resisted, she knew deep down that it was the right choice.

Even though she stepped back from the forefront, Abhira couldn’t completely detach herself from the case.

She continued to assist Armaan from behind the scenes, reviewing documents, offering insights, and helping with research.

They spent countless late nights going over the details together, Abhira working from the comfort of their home while Armaan kept her updated on every development.

She could feel the weight of his dedication, the countless hours he had poured into preparing for this day.

She placed a gentle hand on his cheek, her thumb brushing against his stubble. "I believe in you," she whispered, looking into his eyes.

Armaan let out a slow breath, some of the tension easing from his shoulders. "Thank you," he said, his voice steadying. "You always know how to make me feel better."

After a moment, he took a step back, pulling on his coat as he prepared to leave.

But before he did, he turned to Abhira with a concerned expression. "Make sure you take care of yourself today. Have your medicines on time. I’ve already called Reema; she’ll be here soon to stay with you until I get back. And Mrs. Sethi from next door will check in on you too."

Abhira chuckled softly, shaking her head. "You’re spoiling me, you know that?"

Armaan shrugged, a small smile playing on his lips. "I’m not taking any chances with you. I’d rather be safe than sorry."

He leaned in, pressing a tender kiss to her forehead. "I’ll be back as soon as I can. Just stay comfortable and—"

Before he could finish, Abhira gasped lightly, her hand instinctively moving to her belly. Armaan stopped in his tracks, concern flashing across his face.

"What is it? Are you okay?" he asked, immediately worried.

Abhira smiled, her eyes twinkling with a secret. "You’re forgetting something," she teased, holding her hand out in a fist.

Armaan looked puzzled, glancing around the room. "Forgetting something? I’ve got my bag, my wallet… What am I missing?"

He opened her fist, only to find it empty. He looked up at her, still confused.

Abhira chuckled softly and then placed his hand on her belly. Just as his palm settled against her skin, he felt a faint, but distinct, kick.

His eyes widened in surprise, and then softened as he realized what she meant.

"The baby wanted to say, ‘Best of luck, Papa,’" Abhira said, her voice filled with warmth. "And you were about to leave without taking his/her wishes."

Armaan’s heart swelled with emotion as he felt another gentle kick against his hand. He smiled, leaning down to press a kiss to Abhira’s belly. "Thank you," he whispered, his voice thick with love. "I needed that."

He straightened up, his confidence renewed. "Now I’m ready."

Abhira smiled, her eyes shimmering with affection. "Go win that case, Armaan. We’ll be waiting for you."

Armaan gave her one last look, filled with love and determination, before he finally turned to leave.

As he walked out the door, he knew that no matter what happened in the courtroom today, he had the best support system waiting for him at home.

Abhira watched as Armaan walked out the door, her heart swelling with pride and love.

He was out there, carrying their shared dream, their shared efforts, to its final conclusion. And she knew, with unwavering certainty, that he would make them proud.

Abhira whispered to herself, "We’ve come this far together, and no matter what happens, we’ll always have each other. That’s all that matters."

As Abhira stood in their quiet home, her mind began to drift back to a day that had left a deep scar in both her and Armaan's hearts—the day they left the Poddar house.

It was a day filled with heavy emotions, a day that had tested their bond and reshaped their lives forever.

The memory of that day was still vivid. They had gathered in the grand living room of the Poddar mansion, the air thick with anticipation and unspoken tension.

||~FLASHBACK~||

4 Years Ago.

The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the grand patio of Poddar Mansion, where the entire family had gathered at the behest of Dadi sa.

The air was thick with anticipation as everyone waited for the matriarch to make her important announcement.

Dadi sa, with her stern yet knowing expression, surveyed her family, her eyes lingering on Armaan and Abhira, who stood side by side.

There was a hint of sarcasm in her gaze, a subtle smirk playing on her lips as if she already knew the storm she was about to unleash.

Armaan noticed the look in her eyes and felt a knot of unease tighten in his chest. He had always known Dadi sa to be a shrewd woman, but today, there was something different, something ominous about the way she was regarding them. Yet, even in his wildest thoughts, he was not prepared for what came next.

With a firm voice, Dadi sa began, “It’s time for me to take a step back. The Poddar and Poddar firm must now be guided by the younger generation, those who will carry our legacy forward.” She paused, letting the weight of her words settle in.

The family exchanged puzzled glances, unsure of where this was leading.

Dadi sa’s gaze once again fell on Armaan and Abhira before she turned to the rest of the family. “I’ve decided,” she announced, “that Rohit will take over as the head of the firm.”

A collective gasp rippled through the patio. Eyes darted between Dadi sa and Rohit, who looked just as shocked as everyone else.

But for Armaan, the shock was something far deeper. He stood there, frozen, his expression a mask of defeat. Hurt, disbelief, and a profound sense of betrayal warred within him, but no words escaped his lips.

He had dedicated his life to the firm, poured his heart and soul into it, only to be sidelined in an instant.

Abhira, sensing the turmoil within him, tightened her grip on his hand, her eyes filled with empathy and understanding. She knew exactly what this decision meant to him, how much it would cut him to the core.

Before anyone else could react, Madhav stepped forward, his eyes blazing with anger. “Maa sa, this is wrong!” he exclaimed, his voice trembling with fury. “It should be Armaan heading the firm, not Rohit! Armaan is the one who has proven himself time and time again. He is capable, experienced, and an exceptional lawyer. Everyone knows this!”

Dadi sa’s expression remained unyielding as she turned to Madhav. Her voice, dripping with sarcasm, cut through the tension. “Rohit is my saga pota, my true blood and flesh. A Poddar by birth and by right. That makes him the rightful heir to the firm.”

Madhav opened his mouth to retort, but Dadi sa wasn’t finished. “If you had chosen law, Madhav,” she continued, “the firm would have passed on to you, and then to Rohit. But you never showed interest in our family’s legacy. Therefore, Rohit is the best candidate to take over.”

The patio fell into a stunned silence. The weight of Dadi sa’s words hung heavily in the air, leaving everyone reeling. Armaan remained still, his heart breaking in ways he never thought possible. Abhira held onto him tighter, her presence a silent vow of support.

Madhav clenched his fists, the injustice of it all burning deep within him.

As the silence stretched unbearably, Manoj, who had been quietly observing the unfolding drama, finally stepped forward.

His face was stern, his voice steady as he spoke up in defense of Armaan. “Maa sa,” he began, his tone respectful yet firm, “with all due respect, this firm that you speak of so highly—this legacy—it’s been built by Armaan over the years. The clients we have, the reputation we’ve earned, it’s all because of Armaan. Most of these clients trust us because of him, because of his word.”

Manoj’s words echoed through the patio, a stark reminder of the truth that everyone knew but few were brave enough to speak.

Madhav, emboldened by Manoj’s defense, added, “Rohit is fairly new to all of this. He doesn’t know the ins and outs of what’s been happening in the firm, especially in the past year. And let’s face it, he lacks the experience needed to lead.”

A murmur of agreement rippled through the family, but before it could gain momentum, Sanjay, who had been silently seething, stepped forward, aligning himself with Kaveri Poddar.

“Rohit is capable,” he insisted, his voice sharp, “and he can gain the experience he needs. He’ll have my full support in building the firm.”

Madhav’s eyes narrowed as he turned to Sanjay, a scathing look in his gaze. “Your guidance won’t help him flourish, Sanjay,” he spat, his anger barely contained. “Instead, it will degrade his reputation—and the firm’s—because you’re a horrible lawyer, and everyone knows that.”

The words hung in the air like a slap, shocking everyone into stunned silence. Dadi sa’s voice cut through the tension, sharp and reprimanding, “Madhav! How dare you speak to Jamai Sa like that?”

But Sanjay wasn’t about to back down. His pride wounded, he shot back, “I am a reputed lawyer, Bhai Sa and all of Udaipur knows it. I’m the legal head of this firm, and where does Armaan even stand to become the head?”

The moment those words left Sanjay’s lips, Armaan felt as though the ground had been ripped from beneath his feet.

He stumbled slightly, the weight of it all almost too much to bear, but Abhira was there, quick to lend him support, her presence anchoring him to the moment.

Dadi sa, her voice cold and unyielding, continued, “The Poddar firm is our family’s legacy, and it will be inherited within the family. Rohit is a true Poddar, and he will inherit it.”

For Abhira, that was the final straw. The last thread of control snapped, and fury laced her gaze. She knew exactly what Dadi sa was doing.

Armaan had confided in her during a vulnerable moment that he believed Dadi sa was trying to push him out of the firm, angry and resentful.

Abhira knew the root of that anger—Dadi sa’s disapproval of their marriage, of Armaan’s defiance in choosing love over tradition.

Dadi sa had never accepted their union, and now she was trying to break Armaan, piece by piece, snatching away everything he held dear.

But as Abhira glanced at Armaan, who was a broken mess, the hurt and betrayal evident in his eyes, she felt a steely resolve harden within her.

She would not let Dadi sa win. She would not let Armaan lose everything he had worked so hard for, everything he cherished. Even if it meant standing against everyone present, Abhira was ready to fight for him, to defend him with everything she had.

And as she held onto Armaan’s hand, she silently vowed that she would never let him face this battle alone.

The air in the patio grew tense as Abhira, her eyes blazing with resolve, stepped forward to confront Dadi sa.

“Dadi Sa, if we are talking about the family legacy,” she began, her voice steady and clear, “then let’s not forget that Armaan is very much a part of it. He is also a Poddar, whether you want to admit it or not.”

A murmur of shock rippled through the gathered family members, but Abhira continued, unwavering. “Armaan is the son of Madhav Poddar and Shivani Maa, born after their marriage. Just because you didn’t approve of their marriage doesn’t mean that it was any less valid, and it certainly doesn’t mean that Armaan’s birth was a joke.”

Her words sent a jolt through the family, and for the first time since Dadi sa’s announcement, Armaan looked up.

His eyes, filled with a mixture of pain and disbelief, met Abhira’s. She stood there, fierce and unyielding, like a shield in front of him, his rock in this moment of turmoil.

Abhira pressed on, her tone now laced with a sharp edge as she turned her gaze back to Dadi sa. “Over the past year, while Rohit was gone, everyone in this house and the firm saw how relentlessly Armaan worked. He stretched himself thin, working through days and nights to handle everything, all while you did nothing but strip him of his responsibilities and his dignity.”

She could feel the weight of the family’s eyes on her, but she didn’t falter. “I watched him,” she continued, “working tirelessly through the nights, taking on the stress that should have been shared, all because Rohit was gone. And where was Sanjay, who now claims he will guide Rohit? Nowhere to be found.”

Armaan, overwhelmed by the flood of emotions, reached out and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. “Abhira, stop, it's okay.” he murmured, his voice filled with concern.

But she shook her head, her determination unshaken, “No, Armaan,” she said firmly, her eyes locking onto Dadi sa’s.

“Look at him,” she demanded of Dadi sa. “Despite everything you’ve done—removing him as the legal head because he chose to side with me, taking away his cabin, his cases, all because he loves me and stood by me—he still stands here, telling me to stop, to not defend him.”

Dadi sa’s face darkened with anger, her composure slipping.

The insult was too much, and her voice rose, trembling with fury. “How dare you speak to me like this!” she spat. “You are an outsider, Ladki! You have no right to interfere in my family matters. You should be grateful that the Poddars gave you shelter and a place to live when you had nothing, and now you have the audacity to question me and my decisions?”

But Abhira was undeterred.

She met Dadi sa’s glare with a cold, steely gaze. “Your decision is wrong,” she retorted, her voice unwavering. “And we both know why you’re doing this. It’s not because you think Rohit is capable. It’s because of your stubbornness, your obsession with defeating me. You’re trying to break Armaan piece by piece, just because he chose to love me despite your disapproval.”

The truth of her words hung in the air, heavy and undeniable. The family watched, stunned, as the confrontation between the two women reached its boiling point.

Abhira stood her ground, unflinching, ready to fight for Armaan, even if it meant going against Dadi sa and the entire Poddar family.This broke the last thread in Armaan and he lost his cool.

As the confrontation reached a fever pitch, Dadi sa, her face twisted with disdain, fixed her cold gaze on Abhira. “You,” she sneered, “you’ve always been a home-wrecker. It’s because of you that Armaan is leaving this family behind, betraying everything we’ve given him.”

The accusation hung heavy in the air, and Abhira felt as if the ground beneath her feet was slipping away. Dadi sa’s words cut deep, but what came next was an even more brutal blow.

“That is part of her upbringing Maa Sa, isn't it?” Sanjay spat, his voice dripping with venom. “What kind of mother did you have, to raise you to trap rich men? You learned well how to bewitch someone like Armaan.”

Abhira’s breath hitched, and she tried to defend herself, her voice trembling, “Don’t you dare speak about my mother like that Fufa Sa.”

But Dadi sa cut her off with a sharp laugh, cruel and heartless. “You don’t know the value of family, Ladki, because you don’t have one. You’re nothing but an outsider, trying to destroy what we’ve built.”

The words felt like a dagger to Abhira’s heart. She could feel the tears burning behind her eyes, the emotional wounds ripping open with each of Dadi sa’s cruel barbs.

The family, stunned into silence, watched as Dadi sa unleashed her wrath, her evil laughter echoing around them.

“If you truly ever belonged with this family,” Dadi sa continued, her voice a taunting whisper, “Armaan would never have chosen between some random girl and us. We did everything for him—gave him a home, a name, education, fame—and yet he’s thrown it all away for you. He’s forgotten his place, all because of you.”

The last thread of control within Armaan snapped. His blood boiled as he walked up to Dadi sa, his voice trembling with anger. He could nkt let this happen.

The girl his dadi sa was blaming was the only person in his entire existence, stood up for him and her mother, for God's Sake she had sacrificed her life for him.

“Stop it,” he commanded, his voice rising. “Stop blaming Abhira and her late mother for everything!”

But Dadi sa was relentless.

She looked at Armaan with icy disdain, her lips curling into a cruel smile. “Look at you, still defending her. How pathetic. You’re nothing but a paraya—an outsider, just like her.”

Armaan had reached his limit. He had endured veiled insults, of feeling like he didn’t belong, but now it was too much.

For the first time, he looked Dadi sa directly in the eyes, his voice firm and full of conviction to protect both his and Abhira’s self respect.

“I am not some illegitimate child, Dadi sa,” he declared, his voice echoing through the stunned patio. “I am a Poddar, and I deserve to be treated as such.”

The family gasped, shocked by Armaan’s boldness. But he wasn’t finished.

“I’ve worked tirelessly for this firm, for this family,” he continued, his voice breaking with emotion. “I’ve earned my place here. I’ve sacrificed everything, and yet you’ve always treated me as less than Rohit, as less than anyone in this family.”

Just as Dadi sa was about to retort, Rohit stepped in, his voice laced with venom, blinded by hate he had for his brother. 

“You’re just jealous? That’s what all of this is about, isn’t it?” he said. “You’re acting out because I for the first didn’t get something that was used first by you?”

Before Armaan could respond, Vidya stepped in, her voice calm but firm. “Rohit, watch your words. This isn’t about jealousy.”

Manisha joined her, her voice filled with quiet fury. “What does Armaan have to be jealous of, Rohit? He’s a capable lawyer, one who can turn even the most hopeless case into gold. He’s earned everything he has.”

Rohit’s face twisted with anger at the support Armaan was receiving. “First, you snatched my wife from me, and now you’re trying to take my family too! Papa never loved me; he always loved you more. And now, even my real mother says I’m wrong, all because of you!”

The bitterness in Rohit’s voice was palpable, but before Armaan could process it, Abhira interrupted, her voice filled with exasperation. “Rohit, stop it. Armaan alone isn’t responsible for your marriage failing. Ruhi was just as involved. It wasn’t just Armaan—Ruhi was also part of it.”

Dadi sa’s eyes gleamed with malice as she seized the opportunity to strike again. “So, you’ve brought Ruhi into this, Ladki? Just because you’re jealous that she proved to be a better daughter-in-law than you?”

Rohit added fuel to the fire, his voice laced with accusation. “Even if Ruhi was involved, she’s now making efforts to mend our marriage, but Armaan keeps interfering. He doesn’t want us to move on. He’s a cheap man, still lusting after his brother’s wife.”

The words hit Armaan like a physical blow. He stumbled back, his mind reeling, unable to believe what he was hearing.

Rohit’s words echoed in his head, each one cutting deeper than the last.

Abhira’s heart broke as she saw the look on Armaan’s face, a look that told her he was shattered beyond repair.

She tried to defend him, her voice rising in desperation, but before she could say anything, Armaan placed a hand on her shoulder, his touch gentle but firm.

She looked up at him, her eyes meeting his, and she could see the storm raging within him, his eyes red with unshed tears and fury.

Armaan held her hand tightly as he turned to face the Poddars, his family—no, the people who had once been his family. He took a deep breath, the words he was about to say weighing heavily on his heart.

“From this moment on,” he announced, his voice filled with finality, “consider Armaan Poddar dead. I am not your family anymore. I’ve had enough.”

The shockwave of his words rippled through the patio, leaving everyone stunned.

But Armaan wasn’t done. The pain of years of silent suffering, of always feeling like an outsider, of never truly being accepted, spilled out in a torrent of emotion.

“All my life, I’ve given everything to this family,” he continued, his voice shaking. “I worked day and night to build this firm, to uphold the legacy you’re all so proud of. But it was never enough, was it? No matter how much I did, how much I sacrificed, you never saw me as one of you.”

His voice broke as he remembered the pain of his childhood, the way he was always treated differently. “I was just a child when I realized that I would never be loved the way Rohit was. That no matter what I did, I would always be the outsider, the one who didn’t belong.”

Tears welled in his eyes, but he didn’t let them fall. “But I stayed. I stayed because I thought maybe, just maybe, one day you would see me for who I really am. That you would see how much I’ve done for this family. But now I see it was all for nothing.”

He looked around at each member of the family, his heart breaking with every word. “You talk about family, about legacy, but where was that family when I needed it? Where was the love, the support, when I was the one holding everything together?”

His gaze settled on Dadi sa, his voice filled with the pain of betrayal. “You, Dadi sa, more than anyone, made me feel like I was nothing. Like I was just a pawn in your game. But no more. I’m done playing by your rules.”

Armaan’s words hung in the air, heavy and final. The family stood in stunned silence, unable to comprehend the magnitude of what had just happened.

“Since I’m the cause of so many problems in this house,” he began, his eyes sweeping over the stunned faces of his family, “and since I’m no longer treated as part of this family, I’ll do what you all seem to want. I’ll leave the Poddar house and resign from the firm.”

The words hit like a thunderbolt, leaving everyone reeling.

“With Abhira by my side,” Armaan continued, his tone unwavering despite the pain beneath it, “this house will go back to the way it was before. Back to normal. Because the truth is, both of us have always been outsiders here.”

A collective gasp escaped the family.

Vidya, unable to bear the thought of losing her son, rushed forward and grabbed Armaan’s arm, her eyes pleading with him. “Armaan, don’t say this. You’re my son. How can you leave us like this?”

Armaan’s heart broke at the sight of her tears, but he knew he couldn’t waver now.

He hugged her tightly, holding onto the warmth of her embrace one last time. “Maa, please don’t stop me,” he whispered, his voice cracking. “If I don’t walk away today, both Abhira’s and my self-respect will be destroyed. I can’t let that happen.”

Vidya sobbed into his shoulder, but she knew he was right. This was a step he had to take, even if it tore her apart.

Just then, the chorus gang—Krish, Charu, Kiara, and Aryan—came rushing forward, their faces pale with fear and sorrow.

They clung to Armaan, their voices trembling as they pleaded with him. “Bhaiya, please don’t leave! We would be lost without you.”

Armaan’s heart twisted painfully as he hugged each of them, drawing strength from their love.

“I’m just a call away,” he assured them, his voice thick with emotion. “I’ll always be there for you. But today, I have to do this. For my sanity.”

With tears streaming down their faces, the chorus gang reluctantly let him go, watching helplessly as Armaan turned to Abhira.

He took her hand in his, their fingers interlocking in a silent promise of solidarity, and together they began walking toward the outhouse, away from the family that had been his home.

Just as they reached the threshold, Dadi sa’s voice rang out, sharp and mocking. “You’re nothing without the firm, Armaan. You’ll regret this. Mark my words—you’ll come crawling back.”

Armaan stopped in his tracks, his back rigid. Slowly, he turned to face Dadi sa, his eyes blazing with determination.

“My skills, my knowledge—those aren’t tied to the Poddar legacy,” he retorted, his voice strong and unyielding. “Those are my abilities, and I’ll build my life using them. I don’t need the Poddar name to succeed.”

With that final declaration, he turned back to the outhouse, his grip on Abhira’s hand tightening. They walked inside, shutting the door behind them, cutting off the world that had just torn them apart.

The moment the door clicked shut, Armaan’s facade of strength crumbled.

His legs gave out beneath him, and he collapsed to the floor, his body wracked with sobs. All the pain, all the heartbreak he had been holding in for so long, came pouring out in a torrent of tears.

Abhira knelt beside him, pulling him into her arms as he cried hysterically, his anguish echoing in the small space. She held him tightly, whispering words of comfort, even as her own heart shattered at the sight of the man she loved in so much pain.

But she knew, as she held him close, that they would get through this—together.

They had to. And no matter what, they would rise above the ashes of this broken family and build something new, something stronger, out of the love they had for each other.

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

Ohk So I must confess, with such cute sceans being shown on TV daily, Mera dimag yeh confrontation wale scean likh hi nahi paa raha.

Damnnn Armaan Sa and his Silly Girl are looking damn cuteeeee.

As of this chapter, do tell me kaisa laga.

~TheLostSoul