Abhira lay motionless in the darkness, her body contorted in a fetal position on the cold floor.

The chill of the floor, once uncomfortable, had become a familiar numbness, mirroring the emotional numbness that had settled within her. The darkness enveloped her, its depths threatening to consume her, leaving her gasping for air amidst the crushing weight of her grief.

Time lost all meaning as Abhira's mind became a relentless replay of memories - the shattered remnants of her marriage, the love she had lost, and the dreams that lay in tatters. The oppressive silence was punctuated only by the ragged cadence of her breathing, a stark reminder of her fragile existence.

Her eyes, dry and tearless, felt like two empty wells, drained of all emotion. Abhira felt hollow, a mere shell of her former self, as if she had wept away her very soul. The cold floor seemed to seep into her bones, chilling her to the marrow, leaving her feeling lifeless and devoid of hope.

The silence was oppressive, a heavy, suffocating blanket that wrapped itself around her, squeezing the air from her lungs. It was punctuated only by the sound of her own ragged breathing, a harsh, uneven rhythm that seemed to echo through the empty space. The stillness was deafening, a palpable force that pressed down upon her, making it hard to breathe, hard to think.

Abhira's eyes, once bright and full of life, now felt dry and barren, drained of all tears and emotions. She had wept until she had nothing left, until her tears had exhausted her very being, leaving her a hollow, empty shell of the person she once was. The tears had flowed like a river, carrying with them all her hopes, dreams, and desires, leaving her feeling desolate and bereft.

She felt like she had cried out her very soul, like she had poured out every last drop of emotion, leaving her feeling empty, hollow, and dry. The pain had been so intense, so overwhelming, that it had left her feeling numb, like she was just going through the motions of living, without any real sense of purpose or feeling. Her heart, once full of love and laughter, now felt like a hollow, echoing chamber, devoid of any warmth or light.

As she lay there, Abhira felt like she was disappearing, like she was slowly fading away, bit by bit. She felt like she was losing herself, like she was becoming a shadow of her former self. Her thoughts were disjointed and fragmented, her mind a jumble of conflicting emotions and memories. She felt like she was drowning in a sea of despair, unable to find a lifeline to cling to.

The silence seemed to stretch out before her like an endless, desolate landscape, devoid of any comfort or solace. It was a silence that seemed to have a life of its own, a silence that whispered cruel taunts and half-truths in her ear. It was a silence that seemed to be waiting for her, waiting for her to surrender to its emptiness, to its desolation.

"Mumma chahiye!" Abhira whispered to herself, her voice barely audible, a faint tremble in the darkness. The words were a desperate plea, a cry for comfort and solace, a longing for the one person who had always been her rock, her safe haven. As she lay there, surrounded by the oppressive silence, Abhira felt a deep, aching void within her, a void that only her mother's presence could fill.

She wanted to be wrapped in her mother's warm arms, to feel her gentle touch, to hear her soothing voice whispering words of comfort and reassurance. She wanted to be transported back to a time when life was simpler, when her mother's love and care had been enough to make everything right. Abhira's heart yearned for the security and comfort of her childhood, for the sense of being loved and protected that only her mother could provide.

As she whispered the words again, "Mumma chahiye!", Abhira felt a lump form in her throat, and her eyes, dry and tearless until now, began to prick with unshed tears. The longing for her mother's presence became almost unbearable, and Abhira felt herself being pulled back into the darkness, the silence, and the despair.

As the darkness dissipated, a warm, ethereal glow enveloped the room. Abhira felt an unmistakable presence surrounding her, and as she lifted her gaze, she beheld her mother, Akshara, standing before her. But this was no ordinary apparition - it was Akshara's soul, radiating boundless love, warmth, and solace.

Abhira's head was gently lifted, and she found herself cradled in her mother's loving lap. As she looked up, she was met with Akshara's tender gaze, her eyes brimming with an overwhelming love and compassion. Resplendent in a pristine white suit, her hair styled to perfection, and a gentle smile adorning her face, Akshara embodied serenity incarnate.

Abhira's eyes widened in awe, and a profound sense of peace settled over her. With trembling fingers, she reached out to touch her mother's face, but her hand passed through Akshara's ethereal form as if it were mist. Abhira's fingers closed on empty air, and she felt a pang of longing and sorrow.

She looked up at her mother's face, searching for answers. Akshara's gentle smile and loving gaze remained unchanged, but Abhira sensed a deep sadness behind her eyes. It was as if Akshara was trying to convey a message, but the boundaries between the worlds prevented her from doing so.

Abhira's heart ached with the realization that her mother was truly gone, and that this was just a fleeting glimpse of her loving presence. She felt tears pricking at the corners of her eyes as she whispered, "Maa..."

Akshara's gentle touch sent shivers down Abhira's spine as she stroked her hair. "Betu, I'm here," she whispered, her voice barely audible, but filled with warmth and love. "I'll always be here for you. You're not alone, Abhira."

Abhira's eyes welled up with tears as she poured out her heart to her mother. "Mumma, why me?" she asked, her voice trembling with emotion. "Why do I always have to face these challenges? Why do God always test me?"

Abhira's eyes welled up with tears as she poured out her heart to her mother. "Mumma, why me?" she asked, her voice trembling with emotion. "Why do I always have to face these challenges? Why do you and God always test me?"

Abhira's voice trembled with emotion as she sought validation from her mother. "Maa, was I right in fighting for bhai's justice?" she asked, her eyes searching Akshara's face for reassurance.

Akshara's face lit up with a warm smile as she nodded gently. "Haan, betu... tumne bilkul sahi kiya," she whispered, her voice filled with pride and affection. "Tumne apne bhai ke liye insaaf ki ladai ladhi, aur tumne use nyay dilwaya. Tumne apne parivaar ki izzat aur samman ko bachaya."

Abhira's voice cracked as she whispered "Armaan", the name hanging in the air like a sorrowful sigh. Her eyes welled up with tears, and her face contorted in anguish, as if the mere mention of his name had reopened a deep wound. Akshara's expression softened, her eyes filled with compassion and understanding, as she gently wrapped her arms around Abhira, holding her close.

Akshara's voice was laced with wisdom and experience as she gently stroked Abhira's hair. "Sometimes, beta, it's necessary to let people go, no matter how hard it hurts," she said, her eyes filled with empathy. "Kabhi kabhi, logon ko khud se door jane dena hi sahi hota hai, Abhira. It's a difficult lesson to learn, but it's essential for your own growth and happiness."

"Abhira toh meri strong beta hai naa, Abhinav ji aur meri sabse strong beti," Akshara said, her voice filled with conviction.

"Woh toot nahi sakti na! She's a fighter, my Abhira."Abhira looked up at her mother, her eyes searching for guidance.

The sudden absence of Akshara's presence left Abhira feeling bereft and abandoned. The darkness seemed to close in around her, making her feel small and vulnerable. Abhira's eyes frantically scanned the empty space, yearning for one more glimpse of her mother's loving face.

 But Akshara was truly gone, leaving behind only the faint scent of her perfume and the memory of her gentle touch.

Abhira's voice cracked as she whispered, "Mumma..." The silence that followed was deafening, and Abhira felt a wave of despair wash over her. She slumped forward, her head in her hands, and let out a sob, mourning the loss of her mother's presence all over again.

............

As Abhira prepared to leave the Goenka villa, Abhir suddenly appeared in the hallway, accompanied by Manish, who was pushing his wheelchair. Abhir's eyes locked onto Abhira, and he signaled Manish to stop the wheelchair beside her.

Abhir's eyes narrowed slightly as he gazed at Abhira, his expression a mix of concern and curiosity. "Kaha ja ri ho Abhira?" he asked, his voice tinged with a gentle urgency, as if he sensed that something was amiss.

Abhira's jaw set in determination as she replied, "Armaan ko apna jawab dene ja rahi hun, bhai." Her voice was firm, but Abhir detected a hint of vulnerability beneath the surface. He could see the pain and hurt still lingering in her eyes, and his heart went out to his sister.

Abhira's voice was laced with a mix of sadness and determination as she revealed her plans. "He's signed the divorce papers, and now it's my turn. I'm going to sign them and return them to him," she said, her eyes locked on Abhir's, as if seeking his understanding and support.

Abhir's eyes widened in surprise, and he exchanged a stunned glance with Manish. "Divorce papers?" Abhir repeated, his voice laced with incredulity. "Abhira, you're going to sign the divorce papers and give them back to Armaan?"

Manish spoke up, his voice soft and gentle. "Abhira, are you sure you're ready for this? Signing those papers will mean the end of your marriage, and there's no going back." Abhira nodded again, her eyes welling up with tears, but her expression unwavering.