The morning sunlight filtered through the curtains as Armaan placed the empty breakfast plates in the sink.

He turned back toward Abhira, who was sitting at the dining table, gently caressing her small but growing baby bump.

“Abhira, it’s time for your daily dose of vitamins and supplements,” Armaan said with a playful grin, holding up the bottle of pills like it was a trophy.

Abhira scrunched her nose, already anticipating the bitter taste. “Do I really have to take them? They taste awful.”

“Yes, you do, Mrs. Armaan,” Armaan teased, walking over and sitting beside her. “They’re important for you especially when ur this tiny miny form is also supporting aur baby.”

Abhira sighed dramatically, leaning back in her chair as if the weight of her frustration was too much to bear. “But why do they have to taste like… like… chalky, bitter sand?” she complained, her voice carrying a hint of exasperation.

Armaan, who had been silently watching her, looked up with a mixture of concern and surprise. “Have you eaten sand before?” he asked, raising an eyebrow in disbelief.

Abhira’s lips curled into a sleepy smile, and she shrugged nonchalantly. “Well, once. Maybe more than once,” she admitted, her tone light as if she were discussing something trivial. “But honestly, the sand tasted better than these medicines.”

Armaan’s eyes widened, and he let out a short, disbelieving laugh. “Wait, you’ve actually eaten sand? More than once?”

Abhira nodded, her smile widening. “Yeah, okay, maybe it was a few more times than I care to admit. But it was usually when I was a kid, playing in the sandbox. I’m not saying it was a gourmet experience or anything, but compared to these pills… let’s just say the sand wasn’t as bad.”

Armaan shook his head, trying to suppress a grin. “I can’t believe you. So, are you telling me that you'd prefer eating sand over taking your medicine?”

Abhira laughed softly, the sound warm and soothing. “In a heartbeat. These pills are just… yuck. I’m convinced they’re designed to make you question your life choices.”

Armaan laughed, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “Because they’re secretly designed by evil scientists who want to make sure you don’t enjoy them.”

Abhira’s lips twitched, trying to hide a smile. “Well, those evil scientists are doing a great job then. Can’t you just crush them and mix them into something nice? Like chocolate?”

Armaan leaned in, his face close to hers. “Nice try, but no. You know what the doctor said.”

She sighed again, holding out her hand reluctantly. “Fine. Give me those dreadful things.”

He placed the pills in her hand, watching as she stared at them like they were her mortal enemies. “You know,” he said softly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear, “you’re doing such a great job, Abhira. I’m so proud of you.”

Her heart melted a little at his words, but she wasn’t going to let him off the hook that easily. “Flattery isn’t going to make these pills taste any better,” she quipped, though her eyes were warm.

Armaan grinned, his dimples showing. “How about this then—take them, and I’ll make you some of your favorite mango juice as a chaser?”

She raised an eyebrow. “Just mango juice?”

“And a foot massage later,” he added quickly, knowing he was bargaining for something big.

Abhira finally smiled, popping the pills into her mouth and swallowing them with a grimace. She made an exaggerated face afterward, sticking her tongue out like a child.

Armaan chuckled, leaning in to kiss her cheek. “You’re adorable, even when you’re grumpy.”

She playfully shoved his shoulder. “Only for you, Armaan. Only for you.”

“Lucky me,” he murmured, wrapping an arm around her as she rested her head on his shoulder.

They sat there quietly for a moment, content in their little bubble, the unspoken promise of love and support lingering in the air.

As Abhira settled into the couch, she felt a wave of fatigue wash over her, the kind that seemed to cling to her more each day.

She sighed, her hand instinctively moving to rest on her belly, which was just beginning to show the undeniable curve of new life.

Armaan soon returned with the glass of mango juice, and the moment she took a sip, a small smile graced her lips.

“This is perfect,” she murmured, closing her eyes as she savored the taste.

Armaan watched her, his heart swelling with love. “I’m glad you like it,” he said softly.

He placed the tray with the oil and towels on the coffee table, then knelt down in front of her, carefully lifting her feet onto his lap.

He could see the faint lines of discomfort on her face as she adjusted herself, trying to find a position that eased the aches in her body.

“You’re so strong, Abhira,” he whispered, almost to himself, as he began to gently massage her feet.

The warmth of the oil spread under his hands, but it couldn’t fully hide the sight of her swollen ankles.

He rubbed her feet with tender care, trying to ease the discomfort that had become a part of her daily life.

“Does it hurt much?” he asked, his voice strained with concern.

Abhira opened her eyes, looking down at him with a soft, tired smile. “Not as much when you do this,” she said, her voice tinged with a weariness that broke his heart.

He nodded, continuing to work the tension out of her feet. But as he did, he found himself getting lost in thought, his mind swirling with emotions.

He had known that pregnancy would bring its challenges, but seeing her like this—seeing the toll it was taking on her—made it all so much more real, and so much harder to bear.

“I wish I could do more,” he finally said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Abhira frowned slightly, opening her eyes wider to look at him. “Armaan, you’re doing so much already. You’re here with me, every step of the way.”

He shook his head, his hands still moving in gentle circles. “But you’re the one going through all of this. The exhaustion, the swelling, the nausea… I can’t take any of that away. I just have to watch you suffer through it, and it’s… it’s killing me, Abhira.”

Tears welled up in his eyes as he spoke, the sight of her discomfort piercing him deeper than he ever thought possible.

He looked down at her feet in his hands, feeling the guilt weigh heavy on his heart.

“Armaan…” Abhira’s voice was soft, filled with emotion.

She reached out, her fingers brushing against his cheek, wiping away a tear that had escaped. “Don’t do this to yourself. This is our journey, and we’re in it together. You may not be able to carry the physical burden, but you’re carrying me. And that’s everything.”

He looked up at her, his eyes glistening with tears. “But I don’t want you to hurt. I don’t want you to feel like this.”

She smiled, though her eyes were glassy with tears of her own. “I knew this would be hard, but I also knew it would be worth it. I wouldn’t trade this for anything, Armaan. Not if it means we get to bring our baby into the world. Not if it means we get to build our family.”

Her words struck him deep, filling him with a profound sense of love and admiration.

He felt a tear roll down his cheek, and this time he didn’t try to hide it.

He leaned forward, pressing his forehead against her knee, his breath shaky as he tried to hold himself together.

“I love you so much,” he whispered, his voice breaking. “I’m so scared, Abhirs. I’m scared of what could happen, scared that I’m not doing enough, that I can’t protect you from all this pain.”

Abhira gently cupped his face, urging him to look up at her. When he did, she saw the fear in his eyes, the vulnerability he rarely showed.

“Armaan, you don’t have to protect me from this. We’re doing this together, remember? And when it gets too hard, we lean on each other. That’s how we’ll get through it. That’s how we’ll make it to the other side.”

He nodded, his throat too tight with emotion to speak. Instead, he reached up, taking her hand in his and pressing a kiss to her palm. “You’re everything to me, Abhi. You and our baby.”

“And you’re everything to us,” she whispered back, her voice thick with emotion. “We’re going to be okay. We’re going to be more than okay.”

Armaan pulled her feet closer, continuing the massage with a newfound determination, as if his touch could somehow ease all the discomfort she felt.

The news on the TV droned on, but it was just background noise to the profound connection they shared in that moment.

They didn’t need to say anything else. In the quiet of their living room, with the soft hum of the TV and the warmth of each other’s presence, they found solace.

It was in the unspoken understanding, the gentle touch of hands, and the shared tears that they knew they were not alone in this journey.

And as Armaan massaged her feet, each stroke a silent promise, he realized that they were stronger together than any fear or challenge they might face.

Their love, their bond, was the foundation upon which their family would be built, and it was unbreakable.

As Armaan continued massaging Abhira’s feet, the soft background hum of the TV barely registered in their minds.

They were lost in their own world, in the comfort of each other’s presence. But suddenly, the serene atmosphere was shattered by a breaking news alert that filled the screen.

“Breaking News: Poddar and Poddar Associates Declares Bankruptcy” the news anchor announced, her voice urgent and sharp.

Armaan’s hands froze mid-massage, his breath catching in his throat. He looked up at Abhira, who had also turned her gaze toward the TV, her eyes wide with shock.

The name that had once loomed so large in their lives, the name they had fought so hard to distance themselves from, was suddenly back, pulling them into a past they had left behind.

The screen flashed with images of the once-prestigious Poddar and Poddar Associates building, now shuttered and abandoned.

The news anchor continued, “Reports suggest that the firm’s financial collapse was hastened by Sanjay Bansal, a controversial figure who took over the management a few years ago. Sources indicate that Bansal’s mismanagement and alleged fraudulent activities have left the firm in ruins. The Poddar family, once prominent in the business world, now faces multiple legal battles. Rohit Poddar and Manoj Poddar, key figures in the firm, are currently under investigation, and there are rumors that the family could lose their home.”

Armaan’s heart pounded in his chest, a mix of disbelief, anger, and confusion swirling inside him.

He glanced at Abhira, whose face had gone pale. The Poddars were a name that held so much weight, so much history, and now, seeing them brought low like this felt disheartening.

“They actually… they actually went under,” Armaan murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.

Abhira slowly nodded, her mind racing as the implications of the news sank in. “I can’t believe it,” she said softly. “They were untouchable. Or at least they seemed that way.”

The anchor continued, “In addition to the bankruptcy, it is reported that the Poddar family’s assets are being seized, and their lavish lifestyle is in jeopardy. The once-proud family is now facing the possibility of eviction from their ancestral home.”

Armaan’s hands fell away from Abhira’s feet as he sat back, his mind reeling. The Poddars—Rohit, Manoj, and even their entire legacy—had been intertwined with so many people’s lives, including his and Abhira’s, in ways that were both painful and complicated.

Four years ago, he and Abhira had made the difficult decision to sever ties with them, leaving behind a world of expectations, judgments, and control.

They had built a life together away from the Poddar name, and now, that name had come crashing back into their lives.

“Armaan…” Abhira’s voice was shaky, filled with uncertainty. “What does this mean for us? For them?”

He shook his head, unable to fully process the news. “I don’t know, Abhira. I… I never thought I’d see this day. They were always so… powerful. So sure of themselves.”

Abhira reached out, taking his hand in hers. “Do you think they’ll reach out to us? I mean… with everything happening?”

Armaan’s jaw tightened, his thoughts racing back to the last time he had spoken to Rohit and Sanjay.

The arguments, the accusations, the bitter words exchanged before he and Abhira had walked away for good.

He hadn’t looked back since, determined to build a life free from the Poddar influence. But now… now everything was different.

“I don’t know,” he said again, his voice low. “Maybe.”

Abhira squeezed his hand, her thumb brushing over his knuckles in a soothing gesture. “Whatever happens, we’ll figure it out together. Just like we always do.”

He looked at her, her steady gaze grounding him in the midst of his swirling thoughts. “I’m just worried, Abhira. About what this could mean, and demand from us now. We’ve worked so hard to get away from that world, to build something real, something ours.”

“And we have,” she said firmly. “No matter what happens with the Poddars, nothing can take away what we’ve built together. We’re stronger now, Armaan. We can face whatever comes our way.”

Armaan nodded, though a part of him still felt uneasy.

The Poddars had a way of pulling people back into their orbit, and he didn’t want to get caught up in their chaos again, especially not now, when he had so much more to protect—his marriage, his unborn child, the life they had fought to create.

The news continued to play, but neither of them was really listening anymore. Armaan’s mind was filled with memories, fragments of conversations and moments he had tried to bury.

The Poddars were a chapter of his life he had thought was closed, but now, it seemed that chapter was reopening, whether he wanted it to or not.

He looked at Abhira, who was still holding his hand, her eyes filled with concern and love.

In that moment, he knew that no matter what happened next, they would face it together.

The Poddars might have been their past, but they wouldn’t let them dictate their future.

“We’ll be okay,” he said, more to himself than to her. “We’ll get through this.”

Abhira nodded, her expression resolute. “Yes, we will.”

And with that, they sat in silence, the weight of the past pressing down on them, but with the strength of their bond holding them up.

The silence between Armaan and Abhira lingered, heavy with unspoken thoughts and emotions.

The news continued to flash scenes from the Poddar estate, showing reporters gathered outside the gates, speculating on the downfall of one of the city’s most influential families.

The sight of it all felt haunting to the two of them, like a distant dream creeping back into reality.

Abhira shifted slightly on the couch, her hand still intertwined with Armaan’s.

She could feel the tension in him, the way his jaw clenched, his muscles tight with the weight of old wounds reopening.

She knew this news was more than just a headline for him—it was a reminder of everything they had fought so hard to leave behind.

“Armaan,” she began softly, her voice careful, “if the Poddars need help in future… would you want to?”

He didn’t answer right away, his eyes fixed on the TV but not really seeing it.

He was lost in the flood of memories, of bitter arguments and broken promises.

Finally, he turned to her, his gaze intense and filled with a resolve that made her heart ache.

“No,” he said firmly, his voice low but resolute. “I won’t help them, Abhira.”

Abhira looked at him, searching his face for more, for the depth of emotion she knew was there. “Are you sure?” she asked gently, though she already knew the answer. “I mean, they’re in a terrible place right now. Maybe…”

“No,” Armaan interrupted, shaking his head. “After everything they’ve done, after what they put us through… I can’t, Abhi. I won’t.”

He paused, his hand reaching out to cover hers, and then, almost instinctively, he placed his other hand on her belly, where their baby was growing.

His touch was gentle, protective, and she could see the pain in his eyes as he spoke.

“You know what they did to us,” he continued, his voice thick with emotion of that one haunting memory from the past. “The way they treated us, the way they tried to control our lives, manipulate us… and the things they said about you, things they did to our baby. I haven’t forgotten any of it.”

Abhira’s eyes softened as she listened, the memories of those dark days resurfacing in her mind too—the harsh words, the cruel judgments, the memory of that one day they wish to erase from their life, the pressure they had faced to conform to the Poddar family’s rigid expectations.

She remembered the nights they had spent worrying, the tears they had shed together, and the fear that had gripped them as they fought to break free.

“I can’t go back to that,” Armaan said, his voice cracking slightly. “I can’t risk losing everything we’ve worked so hard for, everything we’ve built. I won’t let them take our happiness away. I won’t let them hurt us again.”

His hand tightened slightly on her belly, as if to emphasize his point, as if he were trying to shield their unborn child from the shadow of the past. “I won’t let them take any of it from me, Abhira. Not you, and not our baby. I can't loose you again.”

Tears welled up in Abhira’s eyes, not because of the pain of the past, but because of the depth of love and fear she could hear in his voice.

She reached up to cup his face, her thumb brushing away a tear that had slipped down his cheek.

“You won’t lose us, Armaan,” she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. “We’re right here, and we’re not going anywhere.”

He closed his eyes, leaning into her touch, letting her words wash over him like a balm on an old wound.

But even as he took comfort in her presence, the fear lingered, the fear that the Poddars might somehow find their way back into their lives.

“I just… I can’t go through that again,” he confessed, his voice barely above a whisper. “I can’t let them pull us back into their world. I can’t risk it, Abhira. I won’t.”

Abhira nodded, understanding the depth of his pain and the protectiveness that had always defined him. “We won’t let them,” she assured him, her voice steady despite the tears in her eyes. “We’ve come too far, Armaan. We’re stronger now, and we’ll keep moving forward, together.”

He opened his eyes, looking at her with a mixture of gratitude and love. “You’re right,” he said, his voice stronger now. “We’ll face whatever comes, but we won’t let them drag us back down.”

Abhira leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to his forehead. “We’re a team, remember? And nothing—not even the Poddars—can break us.”

Armaan pulled her closer, wrapping his arms around her as if trying to shield her from the world.

And as they held each other, the world outside continued to spin, with all its chaos and uncertainties.

But in that moment, in the quiet of their living room, they were together, united in their love and their determination to protect the life they had created.

No matter what the future held, they knew they would face it side by side, with the strength of their bond as their guiding light.

As Armaan stood up from the couch, his movements were deliberate and heavy with the weight of his emotions.

He carried the tray with the oil and towels back to the kitchen, his steps slow and measured.

The sound of his footsteps grew fainter as he disappeared around the corner, leaving Abhira alone on the couch.

Abhira watched his retreating figure, her heart aching as she saw the strain in his shoulders, the tension in his posture.

The love they shared was profound and unwavering, but it was clear that the news about the Poddars had struck a deep chord within him.

She knew that despite everything, his feelings for them were complex, tangled with years of history, familial ties, and unresolved emotions.

She took a deep breath, her gaze lingering on the spot where he had left.

“Armaan,” she called softly, her voice carrying a note of vulnerability. “I know deep down you still care about them. They’re your family. You can’t just shut off that part of your heart.”

There was a pause, and she heard his footsteps stop momentarily in the kitchen.

He didn’t respond immediately, but she knew he was listening.

“It’s because you have a pure heart,” she continued, her voice steady but filled with tenderness. “You can’t see them in pain. It’s not just about what they did to us, or to our baby or what they didn’t do. It’s about who you are. You feel their suffering because you’re compassionate. You’re kind-hearted, and that’s what makes you who you are.”

She spoke from a place of understanding, knowing that his struggle wasn’t just about rejecting the past but also about reconciling his deep-seated values with the reality of their situation.

Abhira knew that no matter how much they tried to distance themselves, the bond of family was hard to sever completely, and Armaan’s heart was still tethered to that past.

“I see how much this is affecting you,” she said softly. “And I see how much you care, even when you try to hide it. It’s okay to feel conflicted. It’s okay to hurt. But remember, you don’t have to carry this burden alone.”

A moment later, Armaan reappeared in the doorway, his face etched with a mix of determination and sadness. He looked at her, his eyes reflecting the inner turmoil he was feeling.

“I just don’t want to risk our happiness,” he said quietly, his voice hoarse with emotion.

Armaan sat on the floor beside her hugging Abhira by her waist, “I can’t let their problems come between us, especially not now.”

Abhira nodded, her gaze softening. “I know. And we won’t let it. We’ve come too far to let anything tear us apart.”

He looked at her with a deep, grateful expression. “Thank you for understanding,” he said. “It means more to me than you know.”

Abhira squeezed his hand gently. “We’re in this together, remember? Whatever happens, we face it as a team. We protect what we have, and we keep moving forward.”

He nodded, a small, reassuring smile breaking through the sadness. “Yes, together.”

And as they sat there, holding each other close, the weight of the past and the uncertainties of the future seemed a little lighter.

In their shared silence, there was a profound sense of unity and strength.

They knew that whatever challenges lay ahead, they would face them with the same love and resilience that had brought them this far.

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

Another chapter.. done and dusted.

Past waits to be unfolded in the next chapter, which would be more from the Poddar fams point of view and less of abhimaan.

As of the question most people asked me, abhira is nearly 6 months pregnant in the story.

Poddars would have their share of redemptions before they get back to/with armaan and abhira.

Do Vote and Comment ur thoughts.

~TheLostSoul