Note- The next update will be after 16th December 24 as I've my end semester exams.

This part is based on track of baby's naming ceremony (episode no 1482 aired on 24/11/24).

The scene starts at Poddar Mansion, inside the naming ceremony was going on while outside, the nurse and Rohit were talking.

Rohit : Tell me how much money do you want to keep your mouth shut ?

Nurse : I don't want money. But I want justice to happen and for this I'll tell your wife that actually Mrs. Abhira Armaan Poddar's baby didn't survive and this baby is hers not Abhira maam's.

Before Rohit could say anything to the nurse there was a sound. Rohit was horrified realising that someone had heard the truth. He turned back and saw a broken Ruhi who had heard the whole conversation. Rohit tried to explain to Ruhi but she didn't pay any heed to him and went inside and Rohit also ran behind her. While inside,

Priest : Now announce the baby's full name & then his mother will make him lay down in the cradle and say blessings in his ears.

Armaan : Pandit ji ! Ruhi has decided a name for baby. Ruhi, tell the name. Where did she went ? All searched for her but she was nowhere to be found.

Abhira : Let it be Armaan ! He is our bsp so we should keep his name. Also, Ruhi wasn't interested in naming him. I've thought of a good name for my baby, my bsp. We'll keep that only.

Armaan reluctantly agreed to Abhira. The priest performed the necessary rituals and indicated Abhira to announce the name but before she could do that, Ruhi announced the name from the entrance.

Ruhi : Ansh ! Ansh Ruhi Birla.

She took the baby from Abhira and moved towards the cradle. She laid the baby in the cradle, lovingly kissed his forehead and gave blessings in his ears. All were too shocked to even speak anything. They were brought back by Abhira's shout.

Abhira : Ruhi ! How dare you snatch my right ?

Abhira was going to slap her but Ruhi held her hand midway and instead slapped her hard. All gasped in shock.

Ruhi (furious) : How dare I ? How dare you snatch my child from me and claim him as yours ? I never knew that to give this family a heir and become everyone's favourite you'll stoop so low that you snatched my son as your baby died. But you didn't stop there, when I was grieving for my child whom you were proudly claiming yours, you taught to become mahaan in everyone's eyes by proposing the idea of co-parenting my own child with me. How cheap ?

All were too shocked to react as they were seeing a new avatar of Ruhi who can burn anyone who try to take her son away from her. Manish's voice brought them back from their reverie.

Manish : Ruhi ! You're misunderstanding. Abhira is your sister... how can she do this with you ?

Ruhi : Why can't she do this ? Atlast she is her mumma's daughter. Like mother like daughter, mother committed a paternity fraud and daughter committed a parental fraud.

Abhira (dumbfounded) : Paternity fraud ? Par.nanu what is she speaking ?

Manish : Abhira...

Ruhi : What a mind blowing acting Abhira ! You'll get an Oscar for this. You're really not aware that your mother had a son from her first marriage and she did a paternity fraud by hiding about his existence from his real father and claiming him to be her second husband's, your father's child. She also became a lawyer to justify her crimes. You also did the same thing with your loving husband and dear devarsa. But now truth has come out and I won't let you all come near my son and will take him.

Abhira (Teary-eyed) : No ! You're lying. You can't take my son away, he is my bsp.

She moved towards the baby to prevent Ruhi from taking him away but Ruhi pushed her away. Abhira would've fallen if Armaan wouldn't have caught her.

Abhira (crying) : Armaan ! See what she is saying ? He is my bsp, my son. Tell her that he is my baby. How can she claim him as hers and take him ?

Armaan : Ruhi ! Listen....

Ruhi slapped him twice.

Ruhi : You Listen Armaan Poddar, I stayed silent when you gave me fake promise that you'll always love me only on which you couldn't even stay true for a year also forget about lifetime. I stayed quiet when you ditched me on the altar as you suddenly realised your love for your dear Abhira. But today, I won't stay quiet as its about my son, already you separated him from me for a long time but mind it I won't let anyone snatch my baby from me now not even your dear brother who didn't thought once about me in front of his so-called bhaiya-bhabhi.

Rohit : Ruhi ! Listen bhabhi actually didn't know the truth infact nobody knew the truth except me and bhaiya. You were in coma and their baby died. That's why, I gave him.....

Ruhi (sarcastically) : Wow Abhira ! You're so much talented that even now your devar is hiding your deeds. Rohit now I'm not that Ruhi who will trust you blindly that Ruhi had died the moment you took away her son. Are you kidding me that the ladies of your family who have experience and have brought up many kids in these many years couldn't see that the baby their elder son & daughter-in-law is claiming as their's don't resemble them in anyway. Or they were so happy that there is someone to take the name of Poddars and Poddar Firm to new heights that they didn't care about the fact that who've given birth to him ? Or did your dear brother bought a fake law degree for his wife for fulfilling her late mother's wish ?

Armaan (shouted) : Ruhi ! I know we've done wrong with you. We're sorry for that but please don't drag Akshara maam and her dream for which she & Abhira had done so much hardwork.

Ruhi (with fire in her eyes) : Thank you the Great Armaan Poddar for apologising and admiting the fact that you all did wrong with me. What wrong did I ask ? A lawyer notes minute details also and your wife being a lawyer who boosts so much about this couldn't even differentiate between a pre-mature and a full time baby. Do I look a fool to believe your baseless excuses ?

Rohit (pleading) : Ruhi ! Listen to me, I know I've done wrong with you but trust me I love you and our baby alot. You were in coma and I wasn't sure that when you will wake up. That's why I gave baby to bhaiya-bhabhi so that he get mother's love.

Ruhi felt disgusted hearing Rohit and moved towards the cradle but he holded her hand to prevent her from leaving. Ruhi turned around and slapped him twice.

Ruhi : Don't you dare touch me from those hands from which you gave away my son as if he is a toy without even thinking about my feelings. I was in coma Rohit didn't die that you gave away my son. Couldn't you alone do his upbringing for sometime ? Isn't he your son also ? Doesn't your blood run inside him ? Or his upbringing was always just mine responsibility ? You've always done this Rohit, whenever there is any difficulty you've ran away instead of facing it. When our relationship was falling, you just blamed me and didn't reflect on  your own actions which led us to separate. You said, you love me, right ? Rohit nods his head.  Then didn't you feel an inch of pity towards me when I was mourning for my own child who is alive ? Didn't your conscience told you to tell me the truth when I was begging to everyone to return my child ? How conveniently you gave my son to your bhaiya and bhabhi ? Didn't you just for once taught about me when you were brutually snatching my rights, dreams and child whom I've kept in my womb for nine months, whom I've nurished with my love and blood, my world from me ? I really doubt that if you ever loved me or I was just a way for you to fulfill your mother's wish and your own needs ?

Rohit (heartbroken) : Ruhi ! I know I've hurt you alot but my love for you is pure. Those moments which I've spent with you are the most beautiful and memorable moments of my life. This baby, our son is the symbol of our love, our union. Please don't question my love towards both of you due to my one mistake. I won't be able to bear it. I've cherished you with all the love that my heart have for you. This baby is a piece of my heart, I know I've committed a sin by giving our baby, symbol of our love, our Ansh to bhaiya-bhabhi. I was emotionally broken at that time, there was so much happening around that I couldn't think stataight. I don't know what came into my mind at that moment and I gave Ansh ? Even I love him alot, he has my blood also. I've also waited to hold him in my arms for nine months. You both are my life....

Ruhi : You love us ? Rohit tearfully nods his head. That's why from the time you got to know about your dear bhabhi's pregnancy, your priorities changed, instead of taking care of us your bhabhi became your priority. The time when I just needed your love, care, time and attention, you were busy fighting with me. The time which I just wanted to enjoy with you, my husband & child's father and when I just wanted your support you weren't there. You refused to understand my fears and insecurities in the past few months and left me alone. You didn't care to console me when I was grieving for my presumed dead baby as if mine and my baby's existence doesn't even matter to you. Rohit nods negatively and tried to hold Ruhi's hand but she moved back. From the time, I woke up from coma, you have just fought with me either when I refused to co-parent with Abhira or when I refused to feed the baby as I thought him to be Abhira's. My pain, choice and decisions didn't matter to you. You claim to love Ansh but then also you stayed silent about his patentage when he was crying hysterically due to hunger. You tagged me as an emotion less person who doesn't even care for a child but mind it I refused to feed someone else's baby, tell me what kind of father are you Rohit Poddar who doesn't even care for his own blood ? I've tolerated enough, now me and Ansh are leaving and will never return.

Abhira (Panicked) : No ! You can't take my bsp. I'm his mother. Armaan tell her that he is our son, we're his parents. See, even Rohit is siding with her for her happiness. Tell her that she can't leave with my baby and that their baby has died not ours.

Armaan (crying) : Abhira ! This is the truth this baby isn't ours but Ruhi and Rohit's. Our BSP died even before coming in this world.

Abhira : No ! You're lying. Pointing towards Ansh. He is our baby, our BSP.

Abhira refused to believe that in actual the baby was Ruhi's and not hers. Everyone felt bad for both Ruhi and Abhira as one was grieving for her child even when he was alive while the other who had actually lost her child was celebrating. Abhira tried to come near Ansh but Ruhi didn't let her.

Ruhi (firmly) : I told you not to come near my child. I don't care who believe you or not but neither I will trust you nor will come in your loving husband's or your dear devarsaa's words.

Swarna : Ruhi ! I know that you're hurt but even Abhira is in pain. Poor her, till now she wasn't even aware that her child is dead. She loves Ansh alot, don't separate her from him. Not as a mother but as a maasi she can love and pamper him.

Ruhi : Wow ! B.nani you can see the pain which this situation has inflicted on Abhira but not me. But what can I say to you when my feelings and pain doesn't even matter to my own husband. Its not new for me as from the day you have met Abhira when you didn't even know the truth, you supported her. I've become invisible to you. I know even though now you're saying to me that atleast let Abhira near my son as his maasi but I know that later, Abhira won't be able to cope with this tragedy and eventually you'll tell me to give my son to her. You've always did this, first between my maatashree & her mumma, then between me & billa boy and now me & her. In the past you got her mother married to the man who left my maatashree at the altar though initially you disagreed to that alliance and broke her heart and trust. You promised me that my poppy will become my papa, I'll get a complete family but what happened maasa died and you forgot about my pain & maatashree's loneliness and just saw Akshara masi's grief and billa boy's pain and decided that they should get married to give a complete family to billa boy. But I won't wait for that moment and will take my son away now only.

Rohit (pleading) : No ! Don't leave Ruhi. Please I beg you. I'm sorry, give me whatever punishment you want but please not this.

Ruhi didn't anything and took Ansh upstairs. After sometime, Ruhi descended the stairs with her's and Ansh's luggage. All moved towards her with a hope to stop her from leaving.

Kaveri : Ruhi ! I know that Rohit's and Armaan's actions have caused you alot of pain but you can't take our grandson, the heir of our family away from us and if try to do so, then we'll definitely go to court and will make sure that we get his custody.

Ruhi (firmly) : You want to fight for his custody then happily go to court. But just for a remainder, court grants the custody of a new born to his mother only that's me. Also I'll make sure that no visiting rights are given to you. Also soon my lawyer will bring divorce and custody papers tell your grandson to sign them without creating any problem or I'll make sure that your grandsons & your dear grand daughter-in-law won't be able to call themselves a lawyer anymore due parental fraud.

Kaveri was shocked hearing Ruhi. It was as if she was seeing a new avatar of Ruhi who won't spare anyone who try to separate her from her child which made her feel scared.

Rohit : Ruhi ! You want to bar me from practicing as a lawyer, then happily do it but I won't sign on the divorce and custody papers till my last breath. I won't let my one mistake snatch my love and family from me. I promise, I will become world's best husband for you and best father for Ansh. But please don't separate me from you and Ansh. I won't be able to live without you both, jaan. You don't want to live with Abhira bhabhi, fine I'll take you both away from here. Just you, me, Ansh and our love. But please don't go away from me. I'll die without you.

Ruhi didn't pay any heed to his pleadings and started going, Rohit held her hand to prevent her from leaving but she released her hand and removed her nuptial chain, threw it on floor and rubbed the vermillion from her hair partition,  erasing Rohit's existence in her life and breaking their relation. It seemed that she was giving a closure to their marriage. All gasped in shock. Rohit felt that someone has thrown ice-cold water on him. She went from there and didn't even turn back. He ran behind to stop her but fell down and she was gone far away. After sometime, Krish and Madhav came there and dragged him back. It seemed that though Rohit was alive but his body has no soul in it.

They returned back, all were there except Abhimaan, Rohit didn't say anything and dragged himself towards his room. Though everyone were angry on him due to his actions but were feeling sad seeing his state but deepdown all knew that he himself was responsible for his state. He reached his room and threw everything & broke all the things kept there. Every corner of the room reminded him of the moments he spent with Ruhi and the beautiful journey they shared together as a couple whether it was when Ruhi confessed her love for him first time or when they took their relation to the next level, their passionate nights, late-night romantic drives, their delight after knowing about Ruhi's pregnancy, their dreams about their child, the moment when he first time took Ansh in his arms. All the memories bought a bittersweet smile on his face as he himself had ruin his blissful life, his happy marriage and his beautiful family by deceiving his wife, his jaan by giving their Ansh to his bhaiya-bhabhi. Finally, he broke down and cried alot. Finally, the sun rose signifying a new morning but it wasn't cheerful for Poddars as they had lost their grandson their heir, at one side Abhira refused to believe that her baby had died in her womb only and accussed both Ruhi & Rohit of manipulating the records which made Armaan feel terrible after seeing her in such a state while on the other side, Rohit didn't come downstairs from last night. He felt ashamed that due to his actions his marriage and family was on the verge of breaking down. A servant came to Rohit's room who till now didn't realize his presence as he was busy adoring a photo of him and Ruhi during her pregnancy. His eyes were swollen due to continuous crying, the servant's heart broke for him as he had always seen a cheerful Rohit who would calm everyone in difficult times but today he himself has lost his spirit. He again called him this time more louder which broke his reverie.

Rohit : What happened ?

Servant : Ruhi ma'am has come & is saying that she wants to meet you. She is waiting in the garden.

Rohit (gladly): Ruhi has come, Has Ansh also came with her ? The servant nods. Why is she  waiting outside ? (To himself) What type of question am I asking ? ofcourse she wants maa to welcome three of us. (To the servant) Clean the room, put fresh lilies and tell maa to prepare the veneration plate (aarti ki thaali) till the time I'll also get ready. My Rooh and Ansh have returned.

After sometime, Rohit happily moved towards the garden after instructing everyone. The moment, Rohit entered the garden he was met with a beautiful sight, Ruhi was busy playing with Ansh and had smile on her face which he had not seen from a long time while Ansh was also at peace in her arms which he had never seen on his face before. He happily back hugged her scaring her and kissed her on cheek which made Ansh started crying as he wasn't pleased seeing his papa so close to his mumma & wasn't happy with the idea of sharing her. Ruhi kissed Ansh's cheeks to calm him.

Ruhi : Aww ! What happened my baby ? Mumma is here only and she loves you the most baccha.

It seemed that Rohit's eyes popped out hearing her while Ansh gave his father a winning look. They both were busy giving looks to each other which made Ruhi irritated seeing two kids fighting as she noticed everything but didn't say anything and maintained her focus on Ansh. The two would've continued giving each other looks if Ruhi hadn't interrupted them.

Ruhi (Firmly) : Rohit ! I need to talk to you.

Rohit : Ofcourse we will but not here in our room. I told maa to bring veneration plate to welcome the three of us, come.

All were there, even Abhimaan who had come outside after hearing Ansh's cries. Vidya was standing there with veneration plate and was glad that Rohit and Armaan's actions didn't separate her from her grandson. Abhira moved to take the baby in her arms but Ruhi backed away.

Abhira (Crying): my BSP ! Give my child to me.

Ruhi (firmly) : I already told you yesterday that your truth is out now and he is my son. So, stop claiming him as yours.

Vidya : Ruhi ! It's a difficult phase for her also. She will understand as time passes. Come, I'll welcome you three.

Ruhi : I didn't return back but came here to give this divorce in which it's stated that we're taking divorce with mutual agreement and custody notice to your son in which its clearly mentioned that neither he nor anyone of his family members will have a right to visit Ansh or interfere in the decisions which I'll take for him or the way I'll do his upbringing.

All were shocked hearing Ruhi while Rohit was shattered as he had a hope in his heart that he could mend things and finally will get a chance to live a content life with his family. He refused to sign the papers and was continuously asking for a chance to mend things but Ruhi was firm on her decision. With no option left, Ruhi threatened to file a case of parental fraud on Abhimaan and Rohit. Thus, finally Kaveri interfered in between fearing that this could damage their reputation in society and destroy their image in the field of law firms and gave Rohit her swear to sign the papers. Rohit was shocked hearing her but soon realised her reasons behind this and was forced to sign the papers. Time passed and soon it was fifteen days since the truth was revealed but Abhira still refused to believe the truth and wanted to meet the baby and refused to have her meals and medicines properly even though Armaan was assuring her that soon she will get the baby back but her condition was deteriorating and even Goenkas wanted Poddars to get the custody as for them only Abhira's happiness mattered not Ruhi's. Thus, Armaan came forward to fight the case from Rohit's side and assured him of winning as he knew that even though custody will be with Rohit, still Abhira can stay close to the baby and do his upbringing. But Rohit rejected the idea as he knew Armaan's motive behind this. He was determined to get both his love and child back and this time neither he will give nor let anyone else's snatch his or Ruhi's rights on their child. Hence, he himself decided to fight the case. The days passed in a blur and the date of the hearing arrived. Ruhi's lawyer presented all the evidences and said that though Ruhi doesn't wish to file a case against anyone keeping in mind the impact this will cause on the rest of the family members who are innocent but she wants a full custody of Ansh with no involvement of Goenkas and Poddars in his life. But Rohit pleaded to the judge that his actions were result of his past trauma of not having a stable & happy family due to parents constant fights, alot of things happening at that time which prevented him from thinking straight and a fear that maybe in the most important phase of life - childhood, his son would be deprived of his mother's love for uncertain time period nothing else and he was guilty of it. He reasoned that the past have made him realised that he was wrong that only a mother could the give the needed love & affection to a child but if situation is such then even a father can fulfill this void for time being if he wants. He stated that he has realised that both parents are equally responsible for a child's good upbringing and he wants to be a part of his son's life, love him, make him a good human being and equally contribute in his upbringing. Though he knows that Ruhi will love Ansh to fullest & give him everything which he'll need, give him the best upbringing, make him a good human being and will never let their son feel the void of a father in his life. But still he wants to fulfill his duties towards Ansh and be an active part of his life by co-parenting with Ruhi. He also said that due to one decision, he was going to give a life long trauma to his piece of heart, his son of separation from his mother and a fake identity immediately after his birth and he doesn't want to give him another  trauma. He claimed that the Poddars were innocent in all this and unconditionally love Ansh and assured that neither they will interfere in the way Ruhi wants to do Ansh's upbringing nor will try to separate her from him. He clearly said that though he doesn't want to get separated from Ruhi but he knows that he can't force her to live with him as already his actions have caused her alot of pain and thus, with a heavy heart he will part ways with her but he isn't willing to get separated from his son, his peice of heart, his Ansh. With this he concluded and after, alot of thinking the couple were granted a divorce by the court with a decision that they will co-parent their son keeping his best interest in mind. The Poddars were given visiting rights but were warned to respect boundaries and keep the child away from the conflict. While Goenkas were denied any visiting rights due to their partiality between kids first between Akshara and Aarohi, then Abhir and Ruhi and lastly, Ruhi & Abhira which caused emotional trauma and alot of stress to innocent souls. The court denied visiting rights to Abhimaan due to the past they shared with Ruhi and Abhira's denial to belive that Ansh isn't her child. Abhira behaved violently after hearing the court's orders and started screaming. She moved towards Ruhi to snatch Ansh who started crying due to panic and Ruhi pushed her away. Armaan couldn't control her and she again ran towards Ruhi but this time Rohit interfered in between and safely took Ruhi and Ansh from there. After alot of requests, they together started journey from court which was not just to Ruhi's new home but to her individual journey to reflect on her past and learn from it, be fir on her decision to give Ansh a life full of unconditional love and free of insecurities, fear and trauma. It was her journey to heal from the past wounds which were given by people who were once her everything. The journey was of Rohit to reflect on his past actions and decisions and the damage they've caused, his desire & efforts to make things right between Ruhi and him but at its own pace and after giving time to Ruhi to heal from the past wounds through co-parenting Ansh. His determination to get his family back, gain Ruhi's trust and to make Ruhi return in his life with her own wish and not with force. It was a journey of Ruhit separated as partners but together as parents who were willing to go to any lengths to give their son all the love, make him a good human being, give him a childhood which they were deprived of and were determined to give a healthy and stable environment to their son to grow and not let their separation affect his future. But only god knows what future has hold for the three of them. It's still question that whether they will stay like this forever or will become a family in every sense which only future will answer.

                   The End

Words- 4700

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Writer
Yuvika