Armaan arrived at Poddar Associates to finalize paperwork before his resignation took effect, a bureaucratic necessity that felt increasingly absurd. He was immediately met with a chill that had nothing to do with the office AC. Colleagues averted their eyes, their smiles vanishing as he passed. Juniors, once eager to please, now offered only stiff, uncomfortable nods. The atmosphere, once familiar, now felt subtly, undeniably hostile.

Sanjay stood near what was now Rohit's cabin – his old cabin – leaning against the doorframe, murmuring something to Rohit inside. Rohit glanced up as Armaan approached, his expression briefly flickering with something unreadable before he deliberately turned away.

What now? Armaan thought, a weary sigh escaping his lips. Ignoring the pointed stares and the unspoken disapproval hanging in the air, he headed towards the conference room, his designated temporary workspace. He stopped short at the doorway. Chaos reigned. Electricians and AC mechanics milled around a gaping hole in the ceiling where the central AC unit had been removed. Dust motes danced in the harsh fluorescent light.

"What happened here?" Armaan asked the nearest electrician, raising his voice over the clatter of tools.

"AC's out, sir," the electrician replied, barely glancing up. "Sanjay sir wants it fixed right away."

Sanjay, overhearing, stepped forward, a forced smile plastered on his face. "Of course, Armaan. Clients are expected. Meetings... business, you understand. This room is essential."

"Funny," Armaan said, turning to face Sanjay directly, his voice deceptively calm. "As far as I remember, yesterday the AC was perfectly functional. Air was quite cool, in fact." He paused, letting the implication hang in the air. Sanjay shifted uncomfortably, his forced smile faltering. "Tell me straight, Sanjay Uncle. I can read your face. This isn't about the air conditioning, is it? It's about this morning. You don't want me here, do you?"

Sanjay's forced pleasantries vanished, replaced by a tight-lipped irritation. "How dare you, Armaan?"

"Dare what? Speak the truth?" Armaan retorted, his own patience fraying. "Tell me what you want, Uncle. I'm sure you have a... subtle way of conveying it."

"Then listen," Sanjay said, his voice low and sharp. "It's... inappropriate for you to be here anymore. You've resigned. It's best if you just leave."

"Leave?" Armaan repeated, a sudden surge of anger coursing through him. "Because... because I'm not a 'Poddar' anymore? Is that it?"

"Don't be ridiculous," Sanjay scoffed, but his eyes flickered away.

"Ridiculous? You tell me, Phupha-sa. Because last I checked, I am Madhav Poddar's biological son. And as for 'resignation' – paperwork takes time. And to be precise," Armaan's voice hardened, mirroring Sanjay's earlier tone, "you are living in the Poddar house, aren't you? Not your own home. Don't even have a house of your own, isn't that right? An outsider, living here only because of your wife. She's a Poddar daughter, isn't she?" Armaan watched as Sanjay's face flushed a dangerous red.

"You!" Sanjay lunged forward, grabbing at Armaan's collar, but a hand, unexpectedly, intervened, stopping him.

"Enough, Uncle," Rohit's voice, tight with controlled anger, cut through the tense air. Rohit stepped between them, his gaze fixed on Armaan, a muscle twitching in his jaw. "Leave him alone."

Armaan turned to Rohit, surprised by the unexpected intervention. "Rohit? What—?"

"Why are you always like this, Armaan?" Rohit interrupted, his voice trembling slightly despite the forced bravado. "Always causing trouble, always... going after people? Just leave Uncle alone, okay?"

"What the hell, Rohit?" Armaan exclaimed, disbelief warring with a sharp sting of hurt. "What the hell is going on with you?"

"Watch your language, Armaan," Rohit snapped back, his eyes flashing. "Things have changed. You don't get to order people around anymore."

"Order people around? Rohit, what has happened to you? You weren't like this. You're my brother, remember?"

"Brother?" Rohit scoffed, a bitter twist to his lips. "Am I? Then why were you always... after my wife? Why did you interfere in my marriage?"

"Rohit, I told you, a hundred times, I wasn't—"

"You're just like... like Shivani," Sanjay spat out, his face contorted with genuine disgust, cutting Armaan off. "Always causing chaos, disrupting things that were perfectly fine. A... a home wrecker!"

"Sanjay!" Armaan roared, the insult hitting him with the force of a physical blow. He raised a hand instinctively, then froze, his fist clenching mid-air. Control yourself, Armaan. This is the office. Family image. People watching. His conscience, a last vestige of Poddar restraint, kicked in.

He lowered his hand, gritting his teeth, his voice dangerously low. "I'm not here to tolerate this... hostility. Behave yourselves. And if you don't know something, Sanjay Uncle, don't you dare speak about my mother. Not ever." He turned sharply and walked away, the suffocating office air suddenly feeling unbearable.

He hailed a taxi, needing to escape the poisoned atmosphere of Poddar Associates. He directed the driver to his usual refuge – the quiet park, the bench where he had once carved the names of his family.

Reaching the familiar spot, the late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the park. The air, though cooler than the stuffy office, still carried a faint undercurrent of city heat. He sank onto the wooden bench, its surface rough and slightly splintered beneath his fingers. This place, once a sanctuary, now felt... different. The usual gentle breeze felt oppressive, the shade offered no real solace. The peace he usually found here was absent, replaced by a simmering agitation, a restless energy that mirrored the turmoil in his mind and heart.

The morning's confrontation, the cold pronouncement of his professional demise, replayed relentlessly in his thoughts. And Sanjay's cruel insult, the venomous comparison to his mother, Shivani, burned like acid. He felt a slow heat rising within him, a simmering fury threatening to boil over. He longed to talk, to vent, to find some release, but to whom?

Abhira... Kaveri's radar was fixed on her. Any visible connection, any perceived interference, would only make things worse for her. His father... he would be home late, weary from his demanding work. Armaan didn't want to burden him, to drag him back into this family drama, not when he had finally found a measure of peace. His stepmother... she was loyal to Kaveri, to Rohit. Manisha aunty and Manoj... kind, yes, but ultimately powerless against the family matriarch's will. Kajal aunty... firmly on the opposing side after his "proposal" – Abhira. The cousins... too young, too caught up in their own lives, to truly understand.

He was alone. Utterly, completely alone in this. He would have to navigate this, to fight this, on his own. Then, a faint flicker of something sparked in the darkness of his thoughts. Abhira. He wasn't entirely alone. He had learned resilience, learned to face adversity, watching her, learning from her quiet strength. He had absorbed her spirit, her unwavering determination. He had learned from Abhira the art of surviving, the art of facing miseries head-on.

And now, it was time to put those lessons into practice.

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

Abhira was waiting for Armaan's arrival.

Counting the tiles on the floor a third time- she saw Rohit coming inside and Ruhi coming from the door to receive him.

''Ruhi?" A visibly surprised Rohit asked his wife.

''I was waiting for you'' Ruhi replied softly displaying a facade of affection for her husband.

''Oh...hmm'' Rohit hummed in response.

Ruhi with a smile on her face took Rohit's bag and followed him inside.

Abhira felt something fishy. Ruhi's smile was a smug smirk. It was not a clean smile.

Abhira then saw Sanjay smiling all by himself.

He was always stoic but today he was smiling.

She felt uneasy. Something wasn't right.

She then saw Armaan.

He had told her not to pick him up. His voice had sounded dull on phone.

Armaan was all dull and grave. As if a tragedy had struck him.

Abhira went to him, concerned.

''Armaan?" She held his hand.

''I am fine Abhira and hungry too! Can we eat?"

''Sure. But you look not so fine.''

''I will talk. We will talk. But first food''

Abhira with a smile on her face went inside to set everything.

Armaan walked inside the house quietly.

All were present in the hall except fir Sanjay.

Armaan wanted to beat him hard and let him see the stars. He wanted to kick him between his pants.

Controlling his anger he climbed up the stairs-- plastering a happy smile on his face-- so that no one will question him. He didn't wanted to be questioned actually.

Changing into his night t shirt and pajamas he was going downstairs when he saw Ruhi struggling with a bandage.

There was no one present upstairs.

Armaan decided to call someone.

Ruhi sensing Armaan's presence-- decided to act.

''Ah! This bandage! Its making things worse..''

''Rohit!" Armaan shouted but there was no answer.

Perhaps they are busy watching tv'' Armaan mused to himself.

Ruhi sensing that her act was not making Armaan flinch decided to do something.

She intentionally stepped on her saree and tripped.

''Ouch!"

Armaan seeing Ruhi on the floor went to aid her unaware that Rohit was in the room finding a bandage for Ruhi. The fan speed was at max and the tv was on full volume downstairs. There was no chance of any noise.

''Thank you'' Ruhi muttered and Armaan nodded-- feeling uneasy seeing her gaze on him.

And that's when Rohit entered the spot.

Armaan not noticing Rohit went downstairs and rushed inside the outhouse unaware that Rohit had seen him with Ruhi and had clenched his fists.

Without any delay Abhira and Armaan started gobbling their food.

Abhira sensing Armaan's change in demeanor decided to ask him out.

''Armaan'' she began. Armaan who was doing the dishes turned to her.

''Today-- after your departure-- I was welcomed in the firm with all ugly and uncomfortable stares. Doubtful actually. The stares were questioning my current position. Sanjay uncle had the A.C taken out from the conference room-- it was all dusty. It was his usual cheap trick. I had caught him snd he had told my biological mother a home wrecker-- our fight was escalated, Rohit had started as usual and I had left from there. I am coming from my place. The bench....''

''You did not even tell me that. You are telling me now?"

''The cycle is never-ending Abhira. You will say something- Grandma will blame you- Rohit too has left your side. Why to take so much tension. Its my problem- I will solve it. And remember Abhira-- the one who defaults will be the one to pay the damages. This is another rule in relationship''

''I am also your other half Armaan. Your better half''

''Not in my mistakes Abhira. A person when makes a mistake never makes it by asking others. The person is solely responsible for the mistake he has committed. Understood?"

Abhira nodded in agreement.

''Point to be noted''

''You can guide be nevertheless. But my mistake is my mistake none of your mistake''

''Ok. Fine. If you have time-- shall we watch a movie on Netflix?"

''Sure!"

''Ok then-- I am bringing my laptop. You sit.''

''Ok''

After watching a crime thriller movie and discussing the punishments quite seriously and finding loopholes after the ending, Armaan getting himself a good night kiss on his cheek- wished Abhira a good night and exited the outhouse.

While coming back he saw Rohit trying to fix his bike.

Armaan felt nostalgic. When Rohit had become a law graduate- Armaan had gifted him a bike.

They both used to ride together. They both used to go out on a boys night-out eating all sorts of fast food, enjoying the cool winds in the streets of Udaipur.

A smile automatically stretched out on Armaan's face.

How happy were those times!.

As Rohit tried to fix a nut into a bolt- Armaan seeing that it was the wrong tool he was using, came to him and handed him the correct tool.

Rohit seeing Armaan lost his cool.

''I don't need your help!" He shouted making Armaan intimidated at first.

''The bike will break down Ro--"

''Enough is enough! I am not a baby. And why you should help me always? I am a grown up now!"

Hearing the commotion Abhira rushed to the spot and then other members gathered one by one.

''Every time-- I was told to take help from you! Homework-- Armaan will do. Test preparation- Armaan will help you. Application- Armaan will write. Choose law- Armaan will teach. Need money- Armaan will give. All the things- Armaan will sort out! Why? Why the hell you will sort out? Am I a thumb sucking baby? Can't I do things on my own? Armaan  this, Armaan that-- Even my marriage had happened because you had told my wife to do so. You are always after my marriage. Ruhi is trying day and night to mend things between us but you always come and give her a reminder that you are her previous love. Even now you were concerned and was sticking to her when she was hurt! Why are you after my life?  
Love your wife-- Armaan will love instead of me!"

''ENOUGH IS ENOUGH ROHIT PODDAR!"

Armaan's voice thundered.

''What do you think of me? That I am a home wrecker? I have moved on. I have already said that. And I had called you multiple times before going to Ruhi. Were you deaf? And about my concern-- there's something called humanity!"

''Humanity? Huh! Its love. You have not moved on! And you will never let me live in peace with my wife. You are after her. She is trying hard but you are cursing her hard work. Why? Because you cannot see us happy!"

''One word again and I will thrash you Rohit Poddar''

''Rohit behave- he is your elder brother!" Abhira snapped back.

''He ie not ny own brother.  He is not our blood. He is my step brother'' Rohit said loudly which made Armaan's heart shatter into pieces.

''For him- I LEFT MY FAMILY. I LOST MY WIFE. I LOST MY LOVE. AND NOW AFTER I AM GETTING BACK ALL I HAD LOST, HE IS AFTER ME-- AGAIN. HE IS A HOME WRECKER. And Abhira-- I know you are a blind supporter of him. You are blinded by love''

''Abhira is not to be blamed here. I repeat- NO ONE WILL BLAME MY ABHIRA. IT IS ALL MY FAULT. I AM ASHAMED OF MY FAULT BUT ITS NOT ENTIRELY MY FAULT-- RUHI TOO HAS A PART.''

''See- again he is blaming Ruhi. Why? Because your Abhira is blamed!" Kaveri shot back at Armaan, her tone laced with bitterness.

''You can never become our family Armaan! You cannot!" Kaveri said with her head held high.

''Mom!" Vidya and Madhav interrupted but she gestured them to stop.

Manisha tried to speak but was silenced.

Armaan did not utter a word. He quietly went inside the mansion.

Abhira tried to interfere but she remembered Armaan's words.

''He is not in a mood. It is better to talk to him tomorrow.''

Abhira thought and went inside-- her heart tightening inside her chest. She could feel Armaan's pain.

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

Armaan sat in his room with his door closed. Tears fell from his eyes, wetting the pillow he was resting his chin on.

''Outsiders are not allowed''

''You are nothing without this family!"

''You are not my own brother!"

''You are a homewrecker!"

''You are not our blood!"

''Rohit is my own blood''

The echoes of hurtful words reverberated in his mind, each one like a dagger piercing his heart.

The weight of these words crushed Armaan's spirit. He couldn't bear the burden of their expectations and judgments any longer. Clenching the pillow tightly, he threw it in a fit of anger. The pillow collided with a metal showpiece on the table, knocking it down with a loud crash.

The sound of metal clanging against the floor filled the room, drowning out the chaotic thoughts in Armaan's mind. As the noise faded, a strange calmness washed over him. In the silence that followed, a new emotion began to stir within him - a dark, ominous feeling that he could not name.

They had wounded his pride, attacked his sense of self-worth. But in this moment of solitude, surrounded only by the metallic echoes of his emotions, Armaan found a spark of defiance igniting within him. He realized that he was more than just a pawn in their family dynamics, more than a scapegoat for their insecurities.

With a newfound sense of determination, Armaan wiped away his tears and stood up, facing the closed door of his room.

It was time for the family to see the change. Time for them to accept their mistakes. Their sins.

But first he had to atone for his sins he had made in the past one year.

''This is now going too far!'' he said to himself clicking his tongue.

''This is enough now. I need to atone for my sins then I will make them realize. I need to go out from this prison called home. I need to leave. I need to find myself first. I need my me time. I need to know myself.''

He walked towards the table and on his chair- taking seven sheets of plain paper from the drawer.

After writing something in the seven sheets- he took out his laptop and typed something on it. Walking towards his cupboard-- he took out a suitcase and packed it with all his essentials. Zipping it up-- he changed into a black formal shirt and black trousers.

''Its time to show them who really am I.  It will take some time-- some years after all good things take some time. I am sorry Abhira-- but I have to break you again. This time it will be harder but it is for your own good. You are destined to fly high. I will not chain you. I will not keep you here. You will automatically shift to your Mussoorie home tomorrow. It will be good for us. Abhira forgive me for what I had done and what I am doing now. And if not-- now then it will be never. My love will always be alive for you-- you are free to leave me. You are free from this hell of a family.'' Armaan said looking at Abhira's photograph.

He wanted to keep it inside the suitcase but he left it on the table. Intentionally.

Seeing her photos for the one last time he deleted it from his phone completely.

Taking his grey suitcase-- he opened the door of his room.

Taking a deep breath, he made a silent promise to himself - to break free from the chains of his family's blames and accusations, to embrace his own identity, and to forge a path that was truly his own.

He had made a firm decision now. And it was impossible to stop him.

--------------------

Another update.

A twist in the tale actually. What do you all think?

Abhira is not with Armaan.

But don't worry good things take time.  Please believe your author. I hope you all will.❤️❤️❤️

This chapter tells us the feelings Armaan is experiencing from the start. It only made sense when Abhira came into his life.

Armaan is going to prove himself

And I want Armaan to know himself first. I want him to grow individually. I want the same for Abhira.

As long as Armaan is in Poddar house- he will receive outsider treatment because he is with Abhira.

As long as Abhira is in Poddar house  she will hear taunts and be blamed every time.

There will be individual growth of two leads and then as a couple.

Don't worry the separation chapters will be few.

Both need space and time now.

Believe me the ending will be happier and beautiful.