Maitri pulled out and into the reports she had with her, again. A few minutes later she looked up, eyes wide. "When did she last donate blood?"

Armaan looked at Vidya and Madhav. "A few months back, bhabhi."

"Why?"

"Madhav had been shot. She was our only option." Dadi Sa said softly.

"Weren't you warned Armaan. She could have died on that table." Maitri said coldly.

"She was adamant."

"And you couldn't make her see sense? What good would her blood have been if she had.." Maitri didn't finish the sentence, but Armaan heard her loud and clear.

"She loves Papa, Maitri Bhabhi. She would have been devastated. He is my father too. I.. am sorry."

"She's fine right now." Vidya said fearful of Maitri's tone.

"No mam. Like Roohi said, she is running a huge risk of not making it out of a pregnancy alive." Maitri said icily. "Because your family member needed blood and she was the only option. You dare call her names, when this is your fault?"

Vidya gasped.

Maitri turned to Madhav with a sad expression. "I'm sorry to drag you into this, Mr Poddar. I know my Abhira. She would do everything in her power to protect her people and you have probably given her a lot of love. I know where she was coming from. I would do everything in my power to protect Parth Papa and Manyu Chachu too." She said.

"I don't blame her for stepping up or Armaan for letting her. I am just trying to tell you guys that her issue, whatever risks have come forth, were not her fault. They were consequences of an action from months ago. An action she did out of the goodness of her heart and her love for this family."

"Now. One report that was not even translated properly for you people by your doctors, has landed her in a panic attack. Your wife, the woman who should have been her mother, manhandled her. Do you even see how harsh you are Mrs Vidya Poddar?"

"If someone were to tell you.. you are infertile. Would it not break your heart into pieces? If someone were to tell any of the girls here, the way you just told our daughter, that she cannot give another family's son a family, how would you as parents and loved ones react to that?" She demanded.

Vidya didn't respond.

Maitri looked at Roohi, who had tears of pain and panic in her eyes. She wanted to feel bad for Roohi, but Maitri knew the truth. This panic was not Akshara's fault. This insecurity that festers in her heart— was caused by no one other than Roohi herself. She had a family that doted on her. She had a mother who wanted to raise her to be strong, independent, not a pathetic woman who ran after a man who wasn't hers. She had a masi who had sacrificed her own peace, her family to give her a stable, love filled childhood away from trauma.

She was not alone in this world. Yet, she chose to live in fear, she chose to be insecure of losing people who had forsaken the world in her favor. They had given their own child up to the cruelties of the world in favor of raising her, spoiling her with their love. So. Much. So. That. They. Abandoned. Akshara.

"Your family is blaming her, Madhav uncle, accusing her and breaking her heart." She said was on the verge of tears seeing the girl who was so full of life and laughter a year ago, bundled in her brother's arms, so small, so fragile, so damn broken.

Her heart broke anew every time she looked in his direction. She shone so bright, before.

"Do you know how your declaration of her being infertile translated for her? For your own son? The shock both the children went through three days before they were to celebrate being married with their families in attendance?"

"I didn't want my son to—" Vidya tried to reason but was interrupted by Shivansh.

"Your son? Your son?! The man you stripped of all freaking rights just a few weeks ago? The man your family disrespected and called 'Sautela' at the drop of a hat, because Rohit was hurt. Aapko Armaan ki fikr hoti toh abhi ap Rohit ki zid ko justify karne ke liye Abhira Armaan ki shaadi nahi karwa rahi hoti. Just to assure your son that his wife won't cheat on him, aap meri behen ko har roz ek naye tamashe ka hissa nahi banati. Apne bacchon ko sambhalti. Abhira ki maa hone ka farz nibhaati." he said calmly.

"She might die if she gets.. pregnant and tries to go through with it?" Madhav Poddar asked.

"Yes . It is a very real possibility." Maitri said softly.

"No.." Armaan gasped. "No bhabhi. You can't say that."

"Armaan, the doctor was right in this regard. She is very weak, beta. She may not survive child birth." Maitri said weakly.

"What do we do?" Armaan looked at Maitri like she were a lifeboat. "Please, bhabhi. I'll do anything. I will.. trust me bhabhi. Don't do this to me. I can't lose her."

"Hum sirf koshish kar sakte hain Armaan. Teri agneeparikdha ho jayegi beta."

"Mai uske liye aag me kood sakta hoon. Ap bas hukum karo." He said firmly.

"Blood transfusions karne honge, throughout her pregnancy. Every week and nine weeks postpartum. Iron rich diet chahiye. No stress. No raised voices. NO DRAMA." Maitri ticked off her fingers. "Do you understand?"

Armaan nodded. Yes. Always. Yes.

"What is the meaning of that?" Dadi Sa asked. "Aaj yeh discussion kyon ho rahi hai?"

"Pregnant hai Abhira. 6 weeks." Armaan said calmly. He needed to protect her from this very moment. If that means the family has to know, then so be it.

Every single head other than the Birla siblings jerked up at the news.

"And Dadi Sa. If you have a comment, keep it to yourself. Yeh shaadi aapke ego ko soothe karne ke liye ho rahi hai. Humara rishta kabhi toota hi nahi tha."

Abhira looked up weakly. "Maan?"

"You okay? I'm so sorry, aise ek aur function kharab ho gaya humara."

She didn't respond.

He nodded in understanding. "Are you happy, Ira? Your instinct was right." He asked trying to cheer her up.

Abhira looked down.

"Baby.. talk to me. Are you scared?" He asked gently.

"I know tu mujhe kisi bhi keemat pe abortion ke liye consent nahi degi. Toh aj se, abhi se. Tum iss ghar ke har jhagde, har yudh se door rahogi."

"Kisi ke haq ke liye, tumhe ladne ki koi zaroorat nahi hai. Tum sirf khud pe aur baby pe dhyaan dogi." he said firmly.

Abhira looked at her brothers who greeted her with warm, brilliant, bright smiles. "Congratulations shehzaadi saheba." They both said in unison.

Roohi practically fell over in shock. Her husband caught her. "Roohi?"

"Mai behen hoon tum dono ki. Tumhe mai dikh bhi rahi hoon?" Roohi asked.

"Nahi. Kyonki tujhe dekhne ke liye bahot log hain Roohi. Meri Abhira ke paas jo pariwar tha bhi, usse bhi tu methodically Abhira ke khilaaf kar chuki hai." Abhir said coldly.

Maitri looked at her, who was looking at Abhir longingly. "kya hua Roohi? Mansoobe choor choor hogaye tumhare? Kya expect kia tha, Abhir tujhe dekhte hi teri taraf ho jayega? Abhir uss ladki ki dhaal hai jiska jeena tune mushkil kar rakha hai. Just because you think she stole your one true love from you. Look at Armaan, look at him Rooh, and tell me that man has eyes for any other woman."

Roohi shook in place, panic written all over her face. "Teri jagah Aru chachi hoti na baccha, woh thookti bhi na kisi aise aadmi pe jisne unhe poore mann se maang ke na liya hota."

"Woh try kar rahi hai, Mrs Birla." Rohit said firmly. "Uske aur Armaan ke beech me kuch nahi hai."

Shivansh smiled. "Pehli baat toh woh doctor hai, tehzeeb se naam lijiye biwi ka meri. Aur Armaan Bhai hai aapka. Bada bhai Baap jaisa hota hai. Aapke bhai ne aapke liye bahot kia hai. Gusse me yeh mat bhooliye. Galati Armaan ki hoti toh hum dono me se koi bhi uske saath khada nahi hota, Abhira ko uski parchaayi se bhi door rakhne ki himmat hai hum me."

"Aap Roohi ke father ki chavi hain, Rohit. I hope aap dono ka relationship vaisa ho jaisa chachi ka tha Neil chachu ke saath." He said calmly. "I hope that Roohi understands, one day that you are her future. You can love her like she's meant to be loved. But, the fact is that she doesn't know that right now."

"How dare you and your wife accuse her?" Swarna asked.

"The very same way she accused Abhira. The very same way she stole her engagement ring to try and manipulate this family into hating my sister. The very same way she has made it her life's mission to disrespect Abhira, her family and her parents every chance she gets."

"Jaise maa baap khone ka dard kya hota hai, Roohi ne kabhi mehsoos hi na kia ho. Aap aur Roohi, Abhira ko har mod pe akela chodne ki baat karte hain. Maayra kaise de diya aapne uss bacchi ka, Badi Maa? I'm surprised. Roohi ne yeh hone kaise Diya?"

"Agar tu Neil chachu ki beti nahi hoti hai Roohi, agar humare haath nahi baandhe hote Akshara Birla ne, toh teri life bahot alag hoti."

"Mere Maa Papa ko maara bhi toh.. Akshara Masi ne hi tha na? Bhool gaye aap log, ya kisi ne bataya hi nahi kabhi?"

Shivansh chuckled sarcastically. "Hum nahi lad sakte Roohi tum se. Humari Rooh ko maar dia hai Goenkas ne, panic, trauma aur emotional manipulation me daba diya hai. Woh 6 saal ki rooh better thi. Tujhse samajhdar thi. Inhone tujhe bachane ki koshish hi nahi ki. Bas teri nafrat ki feed karte rahe. Kyonki woh easy tha. Kyonki uss ghar me kisi ko accident aur murder me fark kabhi samajh me hi nahi aaya."

"Aapne kabhi Roohi ko yeh samjhane ki koshish hi nahi ki, ki woh accident tha. Aapki Akshara khud phaansi charh jaati agar unhone ne jaan boojh kar apni Aru ko kharoch bhi di hoti. Iss desh ki badi se badi kachehri ke darwaze jaiye."

"Woh case, 22 saal pehle wala. Har jagah accident samjha gaya. Galati car mechanics me thi, jiski wajah se gaadi ne control khoya. Kisi kachehri ne, kisi judge ne Akshara Birla ko gunehgaar nahi kaha aur apne, unke guilt ridden, heartbroken confession ko sach Maan ke unhe Ghar se nikal diya."

"Woh badi behen thi Aru chachi ki. Unka dil kitna toota hoga apni choti behen ki laash ko dekh kar?! Akshara chachi ne emotions me ek line boli, while she was halfway through her sanity having lost her husband and her sister in a span of months, Aur aapke dimaag me yeh nahi woh shayad bhavnao me behke aapse kuch keh rahi hai. Shayad, madad maang rahi hai."

"Accident?" Manish Goenka gasped.

"Apko seriously laga ki Akshu chachi ne yeh sab jaan boojh ke kia? Apne bacchon ko jaante nahi the kya ap?" Shivansh asked surprised.

"I'm honestly surprised at you." He scoffed. "Itna bada business itne saal profit me kaise Raha, Mr Goenka."

"Shivu bhaiya.." Abhira gasped out breathlessly. "Please."

Shivansh chuckled, "Kuchh nahi bola mene, Iru. Tu panic mat kar. Armaan.. kamre me leja. Araam karo dono. Mostly you, little miracle. Tabiyat theek rakhni hai agle 8 maheene. Ek dum tip top. Perfect bacche chahiye hume khilane aur bigadne ke liye."

A strangled sob escaped her throat as she looked at her brothers. Her heart was aching so hard it was difficult to breath. At this point, she wasn't sure what the pain was for. The family's inhuman treatment of her a few minutes ago, or her desperate need to just feel safe.

"Mujhe ghar jaana hai. Maa chahiye." She sobbed. Every single heart that cared for this little miracle sank collectively. Her brothers, Maitri and Armaan pulled her into a group hug all at once. The elders of the Poddar house and the kids stood rooted to their spots.

They couldn't bring Akshara back even if they wanted to. And believe me. They wanted to bring the world down at her feet in that moment. They never wanted her to cry again.

"Tune pehli baar kuch maanga jo hum tujhe nahi de sakte. Maaf karde betu." Abhir said softly. Abhira continued to sob in their arms, continuously asking for her mother.

No one else dared. No one else, when Manisha Chachi tugged the two men holding her on either side away and pulled Abhira in her arms. She started to hum a lullaby, trying to soothe her as she sobbed.

Abhir started to sing O Kanha for Abhira. Her favorite lullaby, a piece of their mother.

Every other person in the room stood shocked witnessing the scene. "When she had all of this family, why did she ever say she was an orphan?" Sanjay phupha sa asked no one in particular.

No one could answer. For no one knew the complex strength of family bonds in that house. No one could decipher why this sibling set was so protective, so determined to stay. She was their miracle. Their salvation, their gift from God. No one in that place had treated Abhira like a basic human being. What would they know of the men and women, girls, boys and elders alike who had venerated the ground she walked on, what would a mother who had broken her heart just half an hour ago know of the woman whose heart clenched at the sight of Abhira's tears.

"I'm calling Manyu Chachu." Maitri said hoarsely. "We need to take her home."

"Shaadi hai unki!" Rohit gasped.

"Shaadi ek saal pehle ho gayi thi Rohit. Aur dikhawe ki shaadi kitni hi Dhoom dhaam se manayi jaye, tikti nahi. Man se ki hui shadiyan ek kaale dhaage ke dam pe saat Janam ka saath de deti hain." Armaan said calmly.

"Inn dono ki shaadi ko Akshara Birla ne bless kia tha. Abhimanyu Birla ne bless kia tha. Bura mat maaniyega, par unke alawa iss ghar me zyada apne hain nahi inn dono ke." Abhir said firmly.

"Aap Abhira ko leke jao, bhabhi. Mai aata hoon kaam samet ke." Armaan said softly. "Please meri Abhira ka khyal rakhna."

"Kaam simat jayega jab simatna hoga. Ghar chalo jamai sa. Docman se baat karo. Mann halka karo. Khud itni takleef me hoga dil toh Abhira ko kaise shaant rakhoge?" Abhir asked gently. "Sab theek tabhi hoga jab tumhare ander sabse ladne ki himmat hogi."

Armaan nodded, relieved. Abhir pulled him into a hug. "Hum sab saath hain, Armaan. Birlas never leave their own to face anything alone."

Armaan, despite himself, tightened his grip on the younger man. "I'm so sorry. I'm so.. so sorry."

"It's okay. It's okay, Jamai Sa. Sab theek ho jayega." Abhir tried to lighten the atmosphere and rubbed his back.

Armaan chuckled. "You're my favorite Saale Sahab."

Abhir grinned. "I know."

Armaan and Abhir collectively turned to look at Abhira who was close to sleeping in Chachi Sa's arms. Armaan smiled, genuinely after what felt like hours.

They both walked up to her and Armaan, delicately plucked her off the deewaan, tucking her safely in his arms. "Ira.. betu uth. Paani pee.. kuch kha fir ghar jaana hai." He said gently. "Uth ja Mera baccha."

"Maan.." She gasped, as her eyes struggled to open.

"Maan is right here. Maan is with you betu. Ghar jayenge. Manyu papa ke paas. Uth thoda paani pee." Armaan also coaxed her.

"Tired." She whined into her brother's shoulder.

"I know my little miracle. But just a sip of water will do. Phir tu so jaana wapis se." Abhir said quietly. "Mera accha bacha hai na. Bas aankh khol ek baar. Dawai leke soja."

Ten minutes later. Abhimanyu walked in and made a beeline for his children. "Abhir?"

"Dawai li hai. Abhi soyi hai. Quiet docman." He said gently.

"I'm here to bring all of you home. Who's she going with?" Abhimanyu asked in a quieter voice.

"Me and Armaan with Ira. You and bhaiya bhabhi." Abhir explained.

"I'll drive. She's feeling safe with you right now." Armaan observed.

No one had paid attention to Roohi, who had stood up from her place and was looking at Abhimanyu unblinking.

When Abhir stood up from the couch with his sister in a princess carry, ready to leave, Roohi's trance broke. She gasped. "Poppy.."

Armaan's hands stilled on his sides and Abhira very obviously snuggled into Abhir's arms — though no one could really tell if that was because of her being asleep, or another bout of panic.

"Poppy.. ap ek baar miloge bhi nahi mujhse?" She asked through a constricted throat.

Abhimanyu didn't move, nor did he respond to Roohi. "Abhir, Shivansh, Chalo. Its been a long day for all of you. We need to get home."

"Woh apki apni beti bhi nahi hai!" Roohi shouted. "Ek do kaudi ke driver ki beti mujhse zyada important kaise ho gayi aapke liye?"

Now. Everyone knew that Abhira was awake when she tugged at her brother to let her stand. And everyone was scared to see her reaction. Nothing happened. For a long, deadly minute, no one moved and then, just in the blink of an eye, Roohi was holding her cheek, a bluish purple bruise already forming on her face.

Abhira walked back to her brothers and held Abhir's coat sleeve, playing with the fabric. She didn't say anything but if anyone who knew her really looked into her eyes, they'd know that she was so angry she could kill.

"Ira ko bahar leke jao, Abhir." Abhimanyu said in a deadly calm voice. "22 saal baad saheen, tameez sikhana humari hi responsibility hai."

Roohi growled at Abhira. "Tumhari himmat kaise hui—"

"Tumhari himmat kaise hui? Tumne Abhinav Sharma ki disrespect kaise ki, Roohi?" Abhimanyu asked coldly. "Woh bhi unke bacchon ke saamne. Tumhe sharam nahi aayi, yaad nahi raha ki kitna pyaar kia tha unhone tumhe?"

Roohi looked at him surprised. "Aap unki side le rahe ho jinki wajah se aap aur abhir 6 saal ek doosre se door the?"

"Mai unki side le raha hoon Roohi Poddar jinki wajah se mere dono bacche aaj Zinda hain." Abhimanyu said coldly. "Tumhare liye bhi pita se kam nahi the woh, actually. Par tum yeh sab bhool gayi ho."

"Khudgarz toh Roohi thi hi, aapne usse Naashukra bhi bana diya Badi Ma? Pehle Akshu, ab Abhinav— kisi ka pyaar, kisi ka dulaar yaad nahi hai issey?" Abhimanyu asked Swarna.

He scoffed. "Apse kya expect kar sakta hoon. Apne Arohi aur Akshu ke saath bhi toh yahi kia tha. Maa dono ki gayi thi, lekin Akshu ne saari zindagi khud ko blame kia, aur aapne yeh ensure kia, ki Aru bhi usse kabhi maaf na kare. Ap sirf accidents ko trauma banana jaanti hain, behno ke rishte kamzor karna jaanti hain. Bas."