The sun peeked through the curtains of Armaan and Abhira's cozy home, casting a soft glow on the peaceful scene inside. It was early morning, and the day promised to bring new beginnings. Abhira stirred first, the warmth of the sunlight pulling her from sleep. She turned to find Armaan still asleep beside her, his arm draped over her waist, his face peaceful.

A small smile tugged at her lips as she placed a small kiss on his forehead. Today was a big day for him, and for her too, but she knew that it meant something more to him. This was his new beginning-a fresh start.

Carefully, she slipped out of bed and headed to the bathroom to freshen up. A few moments later, Armaan groggily woke up, stretching as he realized Abhira wasn't beside him. He glanced toward the bathroom door, hearing the water running, and a smile formed on his lips. He knew today would be different, and for the first time in a while, it felt good.

When Abhira returned, dressed in her court attire, Armaan was already up and moving about the bedroom. He flashed her a grin as he pulled out his set of formals, laying it on the bed before heading for his shower. The morning hustle had begun.

By the time they were both dressed and ready for the day, the small kitchen was buzzing with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and breads being toasted. Abhira was busy at the counter, applying butter on bread for toast, while Armaan set the table.

"Are you nervous?" Abhira asked as she turned her attention to the food, plating up their breakfast.

Armaan paused, considering her question. "A little," he admitted, "but more excited than anything. It feels good, you know? To start something for myself."

She smiled, bringing the plates to the table. "You're going to be amazing. I just know it."

They sat down together, the simplicity of their breakfast- toast, and coffee-filling the air with a sense of calm. The clinking of cutlery was the only sound for a moment as they both took a few bites. Abhira's eyes sparkled with encouragement as she watched Armaan eat, knowing just how important this day was for him.

"When's your hearing?" Armaan asked, taking a sip of his coffee.

"Around 11," she replied. "It's a small case, but I'm hoping we'll wrap it up today. What about you? How do you plan to start?"

"I'm going to accompany you to the court after breakfast and get my independent practice license" Armaan said, a hint of excitement in his voice. "I want to get the ball rolling on setting up my independent practice. I already have a few ideas in mind."

Abhira nodded, pleased to see the spark in his eyes. She could feel his determination, and it filled her with pride. "I'll come help you later once I'm done."

"You don't have to-"

"I want to," she interrupted with a smile. "We're in this together, remember?"

Armaan chuckled, reaching across the table to squeeze her hand. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

They continued to eat, savoring the peaceful morning. When they had finished, Abhira cleared the plates while Armaan packed up his bag, preparing for the day ahead. The two of them moved in sync, their morning routine a well-practiced dance of efficiency and care.

Just as Armaan was about to step out the door, Abhira stopped him. "Wait," she said, hurrying back into the kitchen. She returned a moment later with a small bowl of dahi cheeni in her hands.

Armaan raised an eyebrow, a playful smile on his lips. "What's this?"

Abhira grinned, holding up a spoonful of dahi. "It's for good luck. You're starting something new today, so it's only right that you have dahi cheeni before you go. It's a ritual for success."

He laughed, leaning down so she could feed him the spoonful. "Anything to make sure today goes well."

Abhira beamed as he ate the dahi cheeni, her heart swelling with love and pride for him. She placed the bowl down and stood on her toes to press a soft kiss to his lips. "You've got this," she whispered.

Armaan smiled down at her, feeling a wave of calm and reassurance. "I love you."

"I love you too," she replied. "Now go out there and show the world what you're made of."

With one last kiss, Armaan stepped out the door, his heart lighter than it had been in weeks. Today was the beginning of something new, and with Abhira's unwavering support, he knew he could face whatever challenges came his way.

As Abhira locked the door behind them and they left for the court together, hand in hand, both of them felt ready for whatever the day-and their future-had in store.

The courtroom was buzzing with the usual hum of legal proceedings, but for Armaan, today was different. As he entered the courthouse, he felt a wave of calm and focus settle over him. It was the first day of his new beginning, and while the Poddar name carried weight in the legal circles of Udaipur, today was about stepping away from that and creating his own legacy.

He walked through the familiar halls of the court, greeting a few old colleagues who gave him curious glances. Poddars were a name with substance and anything that happens with them is bound to become the talk of the town, and so was the news of Armaan’s Resignation.

Whispers followed him, as many couldn't help but notice that Armaan Poddar, once the cornerstone of the Poddar firm, was now filling out forms to start his independent practice. It didn’t escape anyone’s notice, and soon, the news spread across the courthouse like wildfire.

Yet, none of it mattered to Armaan. He had a purpose today, and that was to secure his independent license and begin the next phase of his career. He sat at one of the benches near the registry, his attention solely focused on the papers in front of him. The noise of the courthouse faded into the background as he carefully filled out each form, ensuring everything was in order.

Meanwhile, in one of the courtrooms, Abhira was standing confidently before the judge, arguing her case. She had been in practice for only a short time, but her sharp mind and dedication had already earned her respect among her peers. Today’s case was one she had prepared extensively for, and her focus was unwavering. Her voice carried through the courtroom as she made her points, her arguments precise and backed by solid evidence.

Armaan, having finished the formalities, handed in his forms and collected his receipt. As he made his way out of the registry, he couldn’t help but smile, knowing that he had taken the first step toward his new path. He glanced at his watch, realizing that Abhira’s case would still be in session.

Curiosity tugged at him, and he decided to see if he could catch a glimpse of his wife in action. He began to walk toward the courtroom where she was presenting her case, eager to see her in her element. But just as he neared the hallway, something made him pause.

A voice echoed from someone's phone nearby—a news anchor’s voice, loud and clear, breaking the usual courtroom quiet. Armaan’s attention snapped to the source of the sound, his steps slowing as he heard a familiar name: “The Poddar Mansion press conference is about to begin shorlty, say tunedas we bring to u lastest updates.”

His heart sank, and he stopped in his tracks. He glanced toward the man holding the phone, who was watching a live news feed with interest. Armaan stepped closer, unable to help himself, as the words from the screen became clearer.

He stood there rooted as one by one the accusations unfolded. The words hit Armaan like a punch to the gut. He felt the air leave his lungs, his heart racing as the accusations piled on. His hands clenched into fists at his sides, and his jaw tightened. It wasn’t just the words themselves—it was the way Sanjay and Rohit spoke with such ease, as if discarding him, as if he had never mattered.

He did know how did he master the courage to even stand on his feet at the moment, but gaining whatever remained within him, he left the court not knowing where he was going.

The afternoon atmosphere at the Poddar Mansion was tense. The grand halls, usually filled with the clinking of tea cups and the murmur of conversation, now echoed with an anxious silence. Dadi sa had called for a press conference, determined to reclaim the control she felt slipping away. Rohit and Sanjay had prepared for the meeting, with Ruhi ensuring the family was present. Employees, stakeholders, and members of the media had been invited. They all gathered in the grand conference room, where the Poddar family had held important announcements in the past.

Dadi sa sat at the head of the table, her posture stiff, her eyes cold and calculating as she watched the room fill. Rohit and Sanjay exchanged nervous glances knowing very well the web Kaveri Poddar had constructed to protect the Poddar name, but Kaveri Poddar's expression remained unreadable, her thoughts carefully hidden behind her steely exterior. She was preparing for a show of power, a demonstration that despite recent events, the Poddar legacy remained intact-and under her control.

As the last of the attendees took their seats, the press conference began. Reporters shuffled, adjusting their microphones and cameras. Some employees whispered amongst themselves, aware that the air was thick with tension. Stakeholders eyed one another, concerned about the future of the firm.

Dadi sa, however, was composed. She cleared her throat and began to speak, her voice carrying authority.

"Thank you all for being here today," she started, her voice strong. "The Poddar family has built this firm with great pride and dedication over the years. We have been a beacon of integrity and professionalism in the legal world. But recent events have caused concern-events that need addressing."

She paused, letting her words sink in, and glanced towards Rohit and Sanjay, who both wore grim expressions.

"As many of you know, my grand... Armaan Poddar, has recently resigned from the firm. His actions have been... unexpected." Her tone sharpened as she continued. "We believed in his abilities, trusted him to continue the legacy of the Poddar name. However, it has come to our attention that Armaan has not only abandoned the firm but has been actively working against it."

Murmurs erupted from the audience, confusion spreading across faces as they exchanged glances.

Dadi sa pressed forward, her tone growing harsher. "Armaan has been tampering with sensitive information from within the firm. Information that he had access to, thanks to his position and the trust we placed in him. He has been passing this information to other firms, attempting to undermine the very foundation of our business."

The accusations hung in the air like a dark cloud. Rohit and Sanjay both nodded solemnly, playing their parts in the charade. Reporters began scribbling furiously in their notebooks, and some employees gasped in shock.

"Armaan has betrayed the Poddar name," Dadi sa continued, venom slipping into her words. "He is no longer the man we thought he was. His resignation was not an act of integrity but a calculated move to weaken us. His disloyalty has already caused several clients to leave and employees to seek other opportunities. He has done this with malicious intent, with the goal of destroying everything we have built."

Sanjay leaned in, his voice adding fuel to the fire. "Armaan has always been ambitious, but none of us realized how far he would go to satisfy his greed. He's been in contact with competing firms for months, ensuring that when he left, he would damage us beyond repair."

Rohit joined in, his tone seething. "He's passed on confidential client lists, strategic plans, and even financial documents to rivals. This is why we've lost so many clients recently. Armaan wanted to bring down the Poddar firm from the inside."

Dadi sa's face hardened as she nodded at their words. "We will be launching a full investigation into Armaan's actions, and we will ensure that justice is served. He has betrayed not only this firm but also his family. We trusted him, and he has shattered that trust."

The room buzzed with whispers, the tension mounting. Dadi sa looked around, her eyes narrowing as she saw the reactions. She knew she had planted the seed of doubt, that this would create a ripple effect throughout the business world.

"I assure you," she continued, her voice laced with authority, "the Poddar firm will survive this betrayal. We will emerge stronger than before. But it is important for everyone to know the truth-Armaan Poddar is no longer associated with this firm, and his actions will not be tolerated."

Sanjay stepped forward again, addressing the stakeholders. "For those concerned about the future of this firm, rest assured, we are taking immediate steps to recover from the damage caused by Armaan's actions. We will rebuild stronger, and the Poddar name will continue to stand for excellence in the legal field."

Rohit, feeling the growing momentum, added, "Armaan's betrayal won't break us. We will not allow him to destroy what generations of our family have worked so hard to build."

As the accusations piled up, the room was filled with shock, confusion, and anger. Dadi sa sat back, satisfied with how the narrative had unfolded. She had successfully turned the focus away from the firm's own shortcomings and placed the blame squarely on Armaan's shoulders.

The press had already started buzzing with questions, but Dadi sa cut them off, asserting, "This press conference is over. We will release a formal statement soon. Until then, we request your patience and understanding as we navigate this difficult time."

With that, she rose from her seat, signaling the end of the event. Rohit and Sanjay followed suit, their expressions grim but triumphant, knowing they had painted Armaan as the villain in this story.

But as they left the room, a shadow of doubt lingered in the air. Some of the employees and stakeholders weren't convinced. While the Poddar name still held weight, many couldn't ignore the uncomfortable truth-Armaan had always been the firm's backbone, and without him, things weren't looking good.

Dadi sa, however, was too caught up in her own fury and determination to see the cracks forming beneath her. As she walked away, she believed she had regained control. But what she didn't realize was that the consequences of her actions were far from over.

As the doors of the Mansion closed for the reporters and other who attended the conference, the ripples of the explosive accusations spread through the Poddar Mansion like wildfire. Word of Dadi sa's declaration against Armaan had reached every corner of the house, and the air was thick with tension. The once proud and united family had already fractured, but this, what had just transpired, threatened to deepen the divide even further.

In the living room, Madhav paced restlessly, his jaw clenched, fists tight. Vidya sat silently on the couch, her face drained of color as she held onto a photo frame of her family, staring at the image of Armaan. Her heart ached, not just from the pain of what was happening to Armaan, but from the realization that her family had come to this point.

Manoj stood by the window, his arms crossed as he took in deep breaths to calm himself, while Manisha sat beside Vidya, rubbing her back gently, trying to offer her sister some comfort.

"They've gone too far this time," Madhav muttered under his breath, barely able to contain his growing anger.

"We need to confront them," Manoj said, turning from the window, his eyes narrowing with determination. "Maa Sa, Jija Sa, Rohit-this is beyond personal now. They've publicly destroyed Armaan's name, and for what? To save their pride? Their ego?"

Vidya, who had been quiet until now, finally spoke up, her voice laced with pain. "They've called my son a traitor. They've accused him of betraying the family. Armaan would never..."

Manisha nodded in agreement, her voice soft but firm. "We cannot let this go. Armaan has been nothing but loyal to this family, to this firm. They've taken everything from him and now they want to destroy his reputation too."

Madhav stopped pacing and turned to face them. "We confront them now. This cannot be left unanswered." His voice was resolute, and there was no question of hesitation. He couldn't stand by any longer while his son's name was dragged through the mud.

Dadi sa, Sanjay, and Rohit entered the hall after finishing up their discussions with some remaining stakeholders. The tension in the air was palpable as Madhav led his family into the room.

Dadi sa was still seated at the head Chair, looking smug with satisfaction, while Sanjay and Rohit stood beside her, discussing their next steps. The moment Madhav, Vidya, Manoj, and Manisha entered the room, the atmosphere shifted.

Dadi sa looked up, her expression hardening immediately. "What is the meaning of this?" she snapped, seeing the storm brewing in Madhav's eyes.

"You know exactly what this is about, Maa Sa," Madhav replied, his voice low but seething with barely controlled rage. "What you just did out there-those accusations you made against Armaan-how dare you?"

Sanjay, feeling emboldened by the press conference, scoffed. "Armaan deserves everything that was said. He's the reason we're losing clients and employees. He betrayed the firm-"

"That's enough!" Madhav's voice thundered through the room, cutting Sanjay off abruptly. "You don't get to accuse my son of betrayal. You think we don't see what's happening here? Armaan built that firm-he kept it running. And now, because of your incompetence, you're losing everything, so you decide to pin it all on him?"

Sanjay sneered, stepping forward. "Armaan is no saint, Bhai Sa. He's been planning this for months. Passing confidential information to other firms, trying to ruin everything the Poddars built."

Manisha couldn't hold back any longer. "Armaan never needed to do that! His success was based on his own hard work, not because of your so-called family legacy. The clients trusted him because of his skill, not because he was a Poddar."

"You've never been able to stand the fact that Armaan was the one who kept this firm afloat," Manoj added, his voice cold. "And now that he's gone, you're scrambling to find someone to blame for your own failures."

Dadi sa rose from her chair, her face a mask of fury. "Armaan betrayed this family the moment he walked out on us. He chose to leave, and now he will face the consequences of that decision. This family's name will not be dragged down because of him."

Vidya's eyes flashed with anger as she stepped forward. "This isn't about family pride, Maa Sa. This is about your ego. You couldn't stand the fact that Armaan defied you, that he walked away from this toxic environment. So now you're trying to ruin him, to destroy everything he's worked for."

Dadi sa glared at Vidya, her voice cold. "I will not be lectured on family by someone who allowed her son to disgrace us. Armaan brought this on himself."

Madhav stepped in front of Vidya, his anger palpable. "No, Maa Sa, you brought this on the family. You let your pride and arrogance blind you. You cast out the one person who could have saved this firm. Armaan did everything for this family, and now you've publicly humiliated him. You've destroyed the one thing that held this family together."

Sanjay, unwilling to back down, spat out, "Armaan was never part of this family. He always thought he was better than the rest of us."

"That's because he was!" Madhav's voice was sharp, cutting through the room. "He was better than you, Sanjay. Better than you and Rohit combined. He worked harder, he earned everything he achieved, and you couldn't handle it. So now, you smear his name to save your own."

Rohit, red-faced with anger, snapped, "You think Armaan's some kind of saint? Despite knwoing what he did to ur son Maa Papa."

"He walked away because he was done with your manipulation!" Vidya cut in, her voice shaking with emotion. "And now you've turned your backs on him. But mark my words, Armaan will rise again, and when he does, you'll regret every lie you've told."

The room fell silent for a moment, the tension hanging heavy in the air.

Dadi sa, refusing to back down, spoke again, her voice cold and final. "The decision has been made. Armaan will face the consequences of his actions. And if you want to stand with him, then you're no longer welcome in this house."

The words hit hard, but Madhav, Vidya, Manoj, and Manisha stood their ground.

"Armaan doesn't need this house, or this family," Madhav said firmly. "And neither do we. You've already destroyed everything that mattered. All you have left now is your pride, and soon, even that will crumble."

With that, the four of them turned and left the room, leaving Dadi sa, Sanjay, and Rohit standing in the wreckage of what had once been a family. The divide had deepened, and there would be no going back.

Abhira stood at the gates of the Poddar Mansion, her hands trembling as she fumbled with her phone, dialing once again. Her eyes were wide with panic, her breaths shallow, and fear gripping her heart. But no matter how many times Abhira called, there was no answer.

She had completed the formalities of the case and stepped out of the court room where the only discussion that was going on was the press conference.

With every new information that reached her ears, a unknown sense of fear started to grip her heart. The mind clouded with anger but her heart ached for the man she loved. The family he had considered everything was breaking him, little by little.. piece by piece.

She searched for her phone, wishing for Armaan to be ohk, regretting not being there for him in this moment. She dialed his number but the phone was switched off. She dialed again hoping to get a different response from the other end only to receive the same response again.

Her mind flashed a negative thoughts which she was quick to brush away, her Armaan was safe and she would find him. She knew time was less and hence she had to do something immediately. The next thought that crossed her mind was tracking Armaan’s location and hence she rushed to Poddar Mansion to seek Madhav’s help.

"Papa!" Abhira's voice cracked as she called out, pacing back and forth in the driveway. Her heart pounded in her chest as she looked toward the house, hoping to see him emerge soon. "Papa, please come outside please.!"

A moment later, Madhav came rushing out of the mansion, concern etched into his face. "Abhira, beta kya hua?" His tone was urgent as he closed the distance between them, his eyes scanning her face for answers. "Sab theek hai na, Armaan theek hai na?"

Abhira swallowed hard, trying to keep herself from falling apart, but the weight of her fear was suffocating. "Papa, I need your help." Her voice was shaky as she clutched her phone tightly. "Can you... can you trace Armaan's phone? Please."

Madhav frowned, his confusion deepening. "Trace his phone? What's happened, Abhira? Where is Armaan?"

Tears welled up in her eyes, but she blinked them back, determined to stay composed. "I-I was in the middle of a hearing when the press conference aired live. I didn't know... I didn't know it was happening. But other lawyers in the court, they-they told me that Armaan saw it. He saw everything."

Madhav's expression grew darker. "He saw it?" His voice was tense, understanding dawning on him. "The press conference where they-"

"Where they accused him," Abhira finished, her voice strained with anger and heartbreak. "He saw it, Papa. And since then... since then, I can't find him." Her voice cracked, and she clutched at her chest as if trying to steady the storm inside her. "I've been trying to call him, but he's not picking up. I don't know where he is, and I'm scared. What if something happened to him?"

Madhav's jaw clenched, and he quickly pulled out his phone, stepping aside to make calls. His eyes flickered with determination as he dialed, knowing that every second mattered. "I'll get in touch with some people. We'll trace his phone, find out where he is."

Vidya and Manisha, who came to the hall hearing abhira placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. But even they looked restless, their face mirroring the same fear that Abhira felt deep inside.

Abhira's eyes darted toward the mansion, her heart hammering in her chest. The once familiar place, where she had laughed, cried, and built dreams with Armaan, now felt like a battleground. Her fingers curled into fists as the adrenaline surged through her veins, every fiber of her being ready to confront those who dared to wrong the man she loved.

Today, she wasn't the Abhira they knew. Today, she was a lioness, with fire in her eyes, ready to burn anyone who hurt Armaan into ashes. She saw Dadi Sa, Sanjay and Rohit in the grand living room, and details of the press conference rang in her head.

Dadi sa's face twisted with contempt as she saw Abhira. "What is the meaning of this?" she demanded, her voice sharp and cutting through the silence. "You dare you come in here after everything?"

But before Dadi sa could continue, Abhira's voice, cold and furious, cut through the air like a whip. "I'm here to make sure you understand just how much you've crossed the line today."

Dadi sa stood from her seat, her face flushed with rage. "How dare you speak to me like that in my own house! Do you forget who I am?"

Abhira's eyes flashed with a fire that no one had seen before. Her voice, steady and unwavering, was laced with the venom of betrayal. "It's because of my mother's upbringing that I'm not disrespecting you this very moment, Dadi sa. But after what you did today, after how you publicly humiliated and accused Armaan of something so vile-" her voice cracked, but the fury didn't waver, "-I don't even know what I'm capable of anymore."

The room was silent, save for the tension that grew with every word she spoke. Sanjay and Rohit exchanged uneasy glances, this shade of abhira was new.

Abhira turned her gaze toward Sanjay first, her eyes narrowing. "You call yourself a lawyer, yet you're nothing more than a coward, hiding behind lies and manipulation. You think blaming Armaan will save this firm? You've never had an ounce of the respect that Armaan commanded, and you never will."

Sanjay's face flushed with anger, but before he could respond, Abhira moved on to Rohit. "And you, Rohit," she said, her voice dripping with disgust, "You couldn't stand in Armaan's shadow, let alone fill his shoes. You talk about loyalty, about family, but you were never interested in either. You've always been about your own gain, and now you're willing to destroy your own brother's life for it."

Rohit opened his mouth to speak, but the fury in Abhira's eyes silenced him. She was far from finished.

Finally, she turned back to Dadi sa, the matriarch who once held the family together, now reduced to a figure blinded by pride and bitterness. "And you," Abhira said, her voice cold, "You've spent your life building a legacy, but you'll be the one to destroy it with your own hands. You've cast aside the one person who made this family proud, who kept this firm standing. Armaan gave everything for this family, and you threw him away because your pride couldn't handle his love for me."

Dadi sa glared at her, her voice shaking with rage. "Armaan betrayed this family! He chose to leave-"

Abhira stepped closer, her voice low and dangerous. "He left because you left him no choice. But let me make one thing clear to all of you," she said, her eyes burning with unrelenting fire. "If anything happens to Armaan-anything-I will make sure that the Poddars face me in court. And believe me, I will not rest until I've brought you all to justice for what you've done."

The room fell deathly silent as Abhira's words settled like a heavy weight on the family. Dadi sa's face twisted with fury, but there was something in Abhira's gaze, something unbreakable, that silenced her.

"And if the court isn't enough," Abhira continued, her voice icy and resolute, "I will find ways worse than you can imagine to make sure you all pay for what you've done to Armaan. This isn't a threat-it's a promise."

"Abhira, Armaan's phone was untraceable for a while, but..." Madhav lowered the phone, his expression grim yet with a sliver of relief. He met Abhira's eyes, the weight of his words heavy on his tongue.

"But what, Papa?" Abhira's voice was barely above a whisper, her hands trembling.

"Ten minutes ago, his phone pinged near your house," Madhav said, his tone careful. "That's the last known location. He's there."

Not waiting to listen any further, Abhira turned on her heel and walked out of the mansion, leaving behind the stunned, silent figures of the Poddar family. She was done playing by their rules. Today, she had drawn the line, and if they dared cross it again, there would be no mercy.

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

A few things I wish to ask.

1. Do you people feel the story is very centric to Armaan and Not Abhimaan. Somebody a day of two ago mentioned this that I have made abhira the consoling figure for Armaan and nothing else. Do you people really feel it this way ??

2. Is the story very slow paced ??? Would u people want me to speed up things ??

A few things I wish to clear.

1. Since Armaan is a well established lawyer already and also a very big name in the faternity, I believe showing him struggling to find basic of cases will be off track. So instead I plan to show him building the lost trust in himself as well as other due to the conference for which I plan to get one character back.

2. I would be ending the Flashback after this press conference drama is resolved and move to the present for a few chapters only to come back to the flashbacks.

~TheLostSoul