Yun Hi Tu Mere Saath Rehna - An Abhimaan x Mishbir Fanfic (C24 : P14) - Page 14

nice chapters . the awfull story line now what it is this ffs are saving grace keep writing

armaan will soon come out from this poddar family cluches atleast in this ff

I stopped watching the show for now.. atleast this story kept me interested in the show storyline.. what if the same happen in the show also. It would be lovely to see it. Alas, you have written this very beautifully dear. Keep it up. Please update fast....

Love the way this FF is progressing. Another nice update!

Loved the updates.. heavy emotional ones ! Looking forward to reading more!

Hey update soon.... waiting

Chapter Twenty Three

“Armaan, yeh sab kya ho raha hai?” Kaveri thundered the moment Armaan & Mishti reached downstairs.

“Ab aap jaanke kya karengi?” Armaan questioned. “Jab poochna chahiye tha tab toh aapne kuch poocha nahi. Bina soche-samjhe Abhira pe duniya bhar ke ilzaam laga diye aur usse gunehgaar bhi maan liya. Ab yeh dikhawa kyun?”

“Armaan! Yeh kya tareeka hai baat karne ka?” Kaveri shouted. “Bhulo mat hum tumhaari Dadi hain! Bado se baat kaise karte hain yeh sanskaar humne tumhe diye haina?”

“Main waise hi baat kar raha hoon, Dadi Sa, jaise mujhe karni chahiye,” Armaan stood his ground. “Aapne bhi toh koi kasar nahi chodi Abhira ki insult karne mein. Uske ghar mein khade hoke hi aapne usse itna kuch suna diya.”

“Uss ladki ki harkatein aisi hai toh iska ilzaam tum hum pe kyun laga rahe ho?” Kaveri asked. “Pehle kam tamasha kiya hai kya uss ladki ne? Har baar usne bas baatein bigaadi hain!”

“Abhira ne hamesha sab sawara hi hai,” Armaan insisted. “Aapko kabhi nazar nahi aaya ki usne kitna kiya hai iss family ke liye. Aapko toh woh kamiyaan dikhti hai jo Abhira mein hai bhi nahi, aur woh galtiyaan jo usne ki bhi nahi. Lekin, aaj galti aapki thi Dadi Sa.”

“Armaan… Jo hua usme Maa Sa ka kya dosh hai?” Vidya intervened. “Woh sirf sawaal kar rahi thi Abhira se. Itna bhi haq nahi hai kya unka?”

“Woh sawaal nahi kar rahi thi,” Armaan replied. “Faisla sunaa rahi thi. Yahaan aane se pehle hi aap sabne Abhira ko doshi maan liya tha.”

“Armaan, humein pata hai, beta,” Manisha tried to diffuse the situation. “Abhira ne bina soche-samjhe koi kadam nahi uthaya hoga. Usne yeh sab kiya toh koi wajah rahi hogi. Woh warna kyun aisa karegi?”

“Aap jaisa sochti hain, waisa ghar mein sab nahi sochte, Chachi Sa,” Armaan told her. “Yeh toh aaj humne dekh hi liya. Kisine yeh socha ki ek baar shanti se baithke baat karein? Samajhne ki koshish karein ki ho kya raha hai? Nahi. Sabke sab aa gaye aur baras pade meri Abhira par!”

“Toh ab pooch rahe hain,” Madhav said. “Yeh sab kya ho raha hai, Armaan? Kya Abhira bhi Manish Ji ki bachchi hai?”

“Nahi!” Armaan exclaimed. “Uss insaan se Abhira ka koi rishta nahi hai. Aur kabhi hoga bhi nahi!”

“Maani,” Mishti soothed. “It's okay. Tum itne hyper mat ho jao.”

“Badi Maa, aap jaanti hai uss insaan ka naam sunnte hi mera khoon khaul uthta hai. Pehle hi kya kam dard diye hain uss parivaar ne aap sabko? Akshara Maa ke saath jo hua uske baad Abhira unse koi rishta nahi rakhna chaahti hai. Yehi sabke liye sahi hai,” Armaan stated.

“Samdhan Sa,” Madhav ventured. “Aap hi bataiye. Yeh kya keh raha hai Armaan?”

It didn't slip Madhav's notice what Mishti had called her son. The rest of the family may not be aware, but Madhav knew the significance that nickname had for Armaan. Even he had never been allowed to use it. Just that one name was enough for him to understand what kind of relationship Armaan shared with Mishti. Perhaps, one closer than he'd ever shared with Madhav himself, or anyone else in the family either.

He did see, even now, how Armaan was sticking close to Mishti, far away from the rest of the Poddar family. He could see the tight grip Armaan had on Mishti's hand, to the point that his knuckles were going white. Yet, Mishti seemed completely at ease, though it had to be painful, being held so tight.

In that moment, Madhav realized that Mishti was more Armaan's mother than Vidya had ever been. He could see now that his complacency might cost him his son. He had never protected Armaan from the venom his mother had spewed on multiple occasions, had turned a blind eye when his wife had differentiated between his two boys, and had never really intervened when he saw that Armaan was being mistreated in the family. He had broken his son's trust so much that he had sought solace elsewhere, and had found another set of parents, ones who were capable of being there for Armaan in the way he needed.

It was a steep price, but one he was willing to pay. He had never been a good father. So now, he would not stand in the way when there were people to love Armaan. He would be happy for his son, and watch from the sidelines, like he had for all his life. But, if there was something he could do to make his son's life better, he would. Just as he was trying now.

“Abhira ki Mumma… Meri Akshu,” Mishti gave a relatively clean and abridged version of events to the Poddar family. They were not entitled to know all the deep, ugly scars that hid behind Abhira's sunny exterior. “Woh Mr. Manish Goenka ki poti thi. She was his eldest son's daughter. Akshu's parents passed away when she was very young. Uske baad se Mr. Goenka raised her. Well, I say raised kyunki aur koi word nahi hai iske liye, but he did the bare minimum. Akshu bachpan se hi hostels aur boarding schools mein badi hui.

She fell in love with a man and married him, but shaadi ke baad bohot problems hone lage unke beech. Uske devar ki death ho gayi ek hadse mein. Us waqt, Akshu was pregnant & she miscarried. Inn sabke beech, uske husband ne usse divorce de diya. Sasural ke saath-saath uska maayka bhi choot gaya kyunki uske devar ki shaadi uski choti behen Aarohi se hui thi. Sabne uski maut ka blame Akshu pe daal diya, jabki Akshu ki koi galti nahi thi.

Uss sabke baad, she met Abhinav. Usse pata chala ki uske twins mein se ek ab bhi zinda tha aur uss bachche ki khaatir, Akshu aur Abhinav ne shaadi karli. They were very happy in their little world, but jab Akshu ka ex uski life mein waapas aaya toh phir problems badhne lagi.

Akshu aur Abhinav sab kuch sambhaalne ki koshish kar rahe the, lekin Abhinav ki bhi ek accident mein death ho gayi, aur uske bas kuch dinon baad, Aarohi ki bhi. Aarohi's death was an accident, jisme Akshu ki bilkul galti nahi thi, but Goenkas ne usse hi blame kiya. In the end, she had to leave the house kyunki wahaan rehna uske liye bohot mushkil ho gaya tha.

Lekin phir, kuch dinon mein hi uske bete ki bhi ek landslide mein death ho gayi. Bas, uske baad… Akshu ka koi pata nahi chala humein. 22 saal humne usse dhoondne ki har koshish ki, but Akshu ka shayad poore parivaar se bilkul bharosa uth gaya tha. Isliye usne hum mein se kisi ke saath contact nahi rakha. Itne saalon baad jaake mujhe meri Abhira mili, woh bhi ittefaq se.

Toh haan… Agar dekha jaaye toh, Abhira ki ragon mein Mr. Manish Goenka ka khoon daudta hai, unfortunately. Par itna sab hone ke baad, woh ab uski family ka hissa nahi hai. Aur naa hi kabhi bann sakte hain.

Lekin, unki galtiyon ki saza main Abhira ko bhugatne nahi doongi. Uska haq main usse waapas dilwa ke hi rahungi. Aur woh dance academy Abhira ka haq hai. Woh academy uski Nani ne… Meri Naira Di ne shuru ki thi. Unke jaane ke baad, woh academy Akshu ki thi. Aur ab, woh Abhira ki hai.

So, no… Mrs. Poddar. Meri bachchi laalchi nahi hai. Woh besharam bhi nahi hai. Apne parivaar ki usse bohot parwaah hai. Aur isliye, woh apni Nani ka sapna poora karna chaahti hai. Unki dance academy ke zariye. Usne koi galat kadam nahi uthaya, aisa kuch nahi kiya hai ki mujhe usse sharminda hona pade. In fact, I'm proud of her. Usse apne haq ke liye ladna aata hai. Har insaan mein woh taakat nahi hoti. Meri Abhira mein hai. Aur iss baat pe mujhe bohot garv hai.”

Kaveri had the decency to stay mum at that. She didn't try to justify her actions, which was a surprise to Armaan. But, he was beginning to realize that in some corner of her heart, his grandmother was afraid of his Badi Maa. He had never anticipated that the mighty Kaveri Poddar might be scared of someone, but she was scared of Mishti Agarwal Rajvansh. There were no two ways about it.

But, he couldn't say he was surprised. Mishti was probably the fiercest person he had met. She had the strength to call a spade a spade, no matter what. Armaan had met very few people with a moral compass as strong as Mishti's. And even fewer people who had the grit to stand by their principles and stand up for what was right, irrespective of who they were up against.

With such a person standing against her, always ready to show her the mirror, Armaan could understand why Kaveri felt the need to step back for perhaps the first time in her life. Armaan only hoped that Mishti's presence would make Kaveri see the error in her ways, especially because Mishti was ready to list them down in excruciating detail, and do better.

“Jo hua woh theek nahi hua,” Vidya agreed. “Lekin, Samdhan Sa… Baat karne ka bhi ek tareeka hota hai. Abhira ko iss tarah kaagaz nahi bhejne chahiye the. Woh unke saath baithke saamne-saamne bhi toh baat kar sakti thi!”

“Saamne baithke baat karne Mr. Goenka ke paas poori zindagi thi, Vidya Ji,” Mishti defended. “Lekin unhone hi kabhi zaroori nahi samjha. Ab ek aise insaan ke liye jisse khud inn sab baaton ki parwaah naa ho, Abhira ko itna sochne ki kya zaroorat? Waise bhi, Abhira unhe apna nahi maanti. Aur gairon se toh aise hi taaluq rakhe jaate haina. Kya aap sab har uss insaan se personally jaake milte hain, jiske against aap case ladne wale hain? Nahi naa? Toh phir Abhira kyun mile?”

“Abhira unhe bhale hi apna nahi maanti, lekin woh humaare toh kuch lagte hain!” Vidya exclaimed. “Apna nahi toh Rohit ke baare mein hi soch leti. Manish Ji uske sasur hain. Iss sabka unke rishtey pe bhi toh asar padega!”

“Maa!” Armaan cried. “Yeh kya baatein kar rahe ho aap? Rohit ka rishta sambhaalne ki zimmedaari Abhira ki kyun hogi? Aur waise bhi… Abhira ab uss ghar ki bahu thodi hai. Dadi Sa ne toh iss baat ka khaas khayaal rakha hai ki sirf Ruhi hi unki pota-bahu kehlaye. Toh phir Abhira ke kuch karne ya na karne se kya farq padta hai?”

“Yeh kya bakwaas kar raha hai tu, Armaan!” Vidya shouted. “Maa Sa ke baare mein tu aisa kaise bol sakta hai? Aaj bhale hi Abhira humaare ghar ki bahu nahi hai, lekin kisi na kisi din toh bann hi jaayegi na! Usse yeh sab sochna chahiye tha!”

“Jis din woh bahu banegi uss din dekhenge, Maa,” Armaan replied. “Lekin, yeh baat toh tab bhi nahi badlegi… Main Abhira ko bina wajah kisi ke aake jhukne nahi doonga, phir woh chahe parivaar ka koi sadasya ho ya bahar wala. Uski galti pe beshak usse sazaa milni chahiye, lekin jab usne kuch galat nahi kiya toh sirf isliye kyunki woh ghar ki bahu hai, woh maafi nahi maangegi.

Aur aaj jo bhi hua, usme Abhira ki koi galti nahi thi. Bin matlab tamasha Ruhi ne create kiya. Agar woh ya Mr. Goenka 2 minute baithke papers achche se padh lete, toh unhe tabhi hi samajh aa jaata ki Abhira kis haq se uss academy pe haq jata rahi hai. Usne sab kuch clearly likhke bheja tha. Lekin wahaan sabne bina papers achche se padhe hi faisla le liya aur yahaan ladne aa gaye. Toh aap bataiye… Isme galti aap sabki thi ya Abhira ki? Kaayde se toh aap sabko usse maafi maangni chahiye. Magar… Aap sab usse bade hain, aur usse kabhi achcha nahi lagega ki aap usse sorry bole.”

Vidya had no reply to Armaan's words and had to accept defeat. Intellectually, she did understand that Abhira was not at fault in anything, yet she was upset. She had expected better from Abhira. She thought that Abhira would have thought about their family and their reputation before pulling such a stunt. She thought that Abhira would keep the family above her own selfish desires. But clearly, she was wrong.

Vidya could only hope that this didn't end badly for Rohit. Already, his marriage was going through a rough patch. Ruhi had come back home only a few weeks ago. The two of them were still trying to work out all the issues they had. Then, to add this on top of everything else… Vidya worried that they might not be able to survive it.

It grated her that Abhira's actions directly impacted her Rohit like this. Had Ruhi been in Abhira's place, Vidya was sure she would have chosen to keep peace in the family rather than chase after materialistic dreams. Ruhi had always been like that. For her, family was always the first priority. That's why Vidya liked her so much, why she had insisted on marrying Rohit to her, despite the elder Armaan being unmarried. She had thought that a wife like Ruhi, who was so understanding and mature, would make things easier for Rohit. She had easily adjusted within their family unlike Abhira. She understood her responsibilities really well. She would have never done something like this.

Vidya knew that Abhira was a nice girl. Armaan loved her immensely, and she could also see that Abhira loved Armaan too. She was happy for the two of them. Yet, when Abhira did things like this, she couldn't help herself. The annoyance that crept within her was only a natural consequence of Abhira's actions. But, it was only for now, she consoled herself. Once Armaan married her, Vidya would make sure to teach Abhira how to be a good daughter-in-law and wife. Maybe then, she wouldn't embarrass them like she had today. Comforted by that nation, Vidya let the current argument go. There was no point in going over everything in circles. What had to happen had already happened and couldn't be changed. Instead, Vidya would use this time to make sure that Abhira's actions didn't have unpleasant consequences. She was Abhira's mother, after all. This was the least she could do.

Arghh vidya.. can’t wait to see r reap what she has sown soon ! Do update soon!

I get so angry with Vidya nowadays.....

Nice chapter....loved madhav's analysis.....make the poddar's understand the situations in the upcoming story....and even some glimpses in the Goyanka's family..

continue soon.... waiting

Chapter Twenty Four

Manish Goenka was a defeated man. He had been for a lifetime. After all, he had survived both his sons. Which parent ever dreamt of out living their own child? None. But, only now was he realizing that he had not only outlived his sons, he had also outlived both his granddaughters. And that, really, was a fate worse than death. Manish would not wish it on even his worst enemy.

If that wasn't enough, he hadn't even known that his little Akshu had left this world so many months ago. He was aware of the circumstances under which Abhira had first married Armaan, and it had been more than a year since their wedding. Akshu had been dead for months and he hadn't even known. Because he had hung up on her when she'd called him.

He remembered how she'd sounded then… As if it was difficult for her to string two words together. The tenor of her voice had belayed the fact that she was struggling to speak. Yet, he had been too worked up to listen, too embroiled in Ruhi's feelings to think about Akshu's. And, he had then hung up on her. Not a day went by when he didn't regret it. One action taken in the heat of the moment and everything had changed.

Later, when he had realized what he'd done, he had reached out, tried calling. After numerous failed tries, a stranger had answered the phone, stating that the number had recently been purchased by him. With no way of finding Akshu without that number, he had given up. He now realized he shouldn't have. Maybe, he should have tried looking for her, if only to know why she'd called him after 22 long years.

Clearly, she had been trying to tell him about her daughter while she was on her deathbed. Despite everything that had happened between them, she had remembered him, tried to reach out to him, because she trusted him to take care of Abhira. Even though he had never done right by her, Akshu still believed in him. He had shattered that trust once again with his inaction. Akshu had died thinking that he didn't care about her enough to even have a minute long conversation with her.

Which couldn't be farther from the truth. Akshu was his very heart. Ever since the first day that he had held her, she had carried a piece of him with her. Manish loved all his grandkids, but Akshu had always had a special place in his heart, right from the moment that she had stopped crying when he first picked her up. Neither Kartik nor Naira had been able to soothe her cries, but the moment Manish had held her, she had given him a gummy grin and reached out for his spectacles. Since that very second, Akshu had cemented herself as the favourite grandchild.

Manish had never done anything to show her that, though. Unknowingly, and many a time, even knowingly, he had chosen Aarohi over Akshu. Aarohi was the younger sibling, and everyone had expected Akshu to be the mature elder sister and put up with Aarohi's tantrums. Even Manish. Mishti's words rang in his ears. Not one word of what she'd said had been false.

After Sirat's death, they had thought it best to keep Akshu & Aarohi separate. Given the circumstances, they had felt it was better for Akshu to be sent to boarding school. After that, Akshu had spent most of her life away from the family. Despite spending so little time with them, whenever she was home, Aarohi would never miss an opportunity to taunt Akshu, and they had done nothing. They had all felt that it was just a phase and that Aarohi would outgrow it, but she never had. The hatred she felt for Akshu only multiplied as it went unchecked, and things spiralled so far beyond control that it ended in Akshu leaving them forever.

Manish should have done better. He should have made Aarohi understand that everything was an accident. Just as he should have made Ruhi understand that too. He had repeated his mistakes. Ruhi was Aarohi reborn in every sense of the word. She, too, had grown up with everything handed to her on a silver platter, had never been denied anything, had always been everyone's top priority in their house, much like Aarohi had been. And while spoiling your child was understandable to a certain extent, they had all overdone it.

That is not to say that Ruhi hadn't had her own difficulties. She had a traumatic childhood, losing so many people close to her one after the other. Manish had tried his best to make sure that she never felt their absence in her life, but in doing so, had raised her to become a brat who would throw a tantrum whenever things didn't go her way.

It had been that brattiness that had kept Akshu away for so long. And now, she would never come home. And neither would Abhira. Abhira very clearly held all of them in contempt for what had happened, as was her right. She had suffered so much for no fault of her own, and Manish had been behind almost all of her miseries. If he had handled things better, Abhira's life would have been much different than what it was. Maybe, Akshu would still have been alive and Abhira wouldn't have had to know how it felt to lose her mother.

He couldn't fault Abhira for her anger. One thing that he knew with stark clarity about Abhira had always been that she loved her mother more than anyone else in the world. Her mother had been her only family, so it was understandable that the two of them shared a strong relationship, having had to rely on only each other for so long. He had always admired that about Abhira & her mother too, how the two of them had made their way in this world with only each other. Knowing that he had hurt Akshu, the person Abhira loved most, he would have been surprised if her reaction would have been anything other than what it was.

That is not to say that it didn't hurt. Oh, it hurt so much, to realize that his great-granddaughter had been in front of his eyes for more than a year and he hadn't even known. It hurt to be on the receiving end of her anger, no matter how justified. It hurt to see the warmth in her gaze transform into cold aloofness. But what hurt most, was the way she had publicly disowned him, had stated that he was nothing to her. That little girl, his own flesh & blood, who he had loved even before he knew who she really was to him, had turned her back on him in an instant. It broke his heart that he had hurt her enough to take such a big step.

“B-Nanu, aap bilkul tension mat lijiye,” Ruhi said, pulling Manish out of his miserable thoughts. “Woh Abhira hogi jo bhi… Lekin main usse aapse kuch nahi cheen'ne doongi.”

“RUHI!” Manish shouted, making her step back. “Bas kar! Ab toh bas kar. Abhira behen hai teri.”

“Maine kaha na… Woh meri kuch nahi hai,” Ruhi insisted. “Main nahi maanti usse apna.”

“Nahi maan'ne se sach nahi badlega,” Manish replied. “Woh teri behen tab bhi rahegi.”

“Nahi! Woh meri behen nahi hai. Aur waise bhi… Woh kaunsa humein apna maanti hai, B-Nanu. Keh diya na usne ki humaara koi rishta nahi hai. Toh phir aap kyun uski tarafdaari kar rahe hain?” Ruhi questioned. “Aap usse mujhse zyada pyaar karte haina? Wohi aapke liye sab kuch hai. Aapki pyaari Akshu ki beti hai, toh woh zyada important ho gayi. Main hoon hi kaun? Haina?”

“Chup ho jaa, Ruhi! Bhagwaan ke liye, chup ho jaa!” Manish begged. “Tu aisa soch bhi kaise sakti hai? Tu bhi meri bachchi hai, utni hi meri hai. Utni kya… Abhira se zyada tu hai meri. Uss bachchi ke liye toh main kuch nahi kar paaya, lekin tere liye maine sab kuch de diya, Ruhi. Phir bhi tujhe yeh lagta hai? Abhira bhi meri hai, lekin aaj se pehle yeh baat mujhe pata bhi nahi thi. Par tujhe toh paal-poske maine bada kiya hai. Shayad meri hi parvarish mein kami reh gayi, tabhi aaj yeh din dekhna pad raha hai.

Bachpan mein hi tujhe samjhana chahiye tha, ki jo Aarohi ke saath hua woh sirf ek accident tha. Humne hi kabhi kuch kaha nahi… Aur tere gusse aur zidd ki wajah se Akshu ko roka bhi nahi. Haan, uss waqt main gussa tha… Lekin, waqt ke saath hum sab sambhal jaate. Jo bhi hua ho, aisi naubat nahi aani chahiye thi ki Akshu ko ghar chodna pade.

Ab bas, bohot ho gaya, Ruhi. Ab tu badi ho gayi hai. Iss baat ko samajh ki yeh sab sirf ek hadsa tha. Aur iss sab mein Abhira ki toh koi galti bhi nahi hai. Kya bigaada hai usne tera jo tu usse itni nafrat karti hai?”

“Kya bigaada hai? Yeh aap pooch rahe hain? Aapki zabaan uski tareef karte thakti nahi aur aap pooch rahe hain ki mujhe usse kya problem hai? Uss ladki ne mujhse sab kuch cheen liya, B-Nanu.

Uski wajah se Poppy mujhe chodke chale gaye. Unke saath mera Abhir bhi chala gaya. Apne Papa aur Bhai ke bina mujhe bada hona pada, kyunki woh dono Abhira se mujhse zyada pyaar karte the. Unke liye Akshara Masi aur unka bachcha mujhse zyada important tha!

Itne saalon tak unke bina rahi main. Akeli badi hui. Sab choot gaya. Phir jab meri zindagi mein Armaan aaya… Abhira ne usse bhi mujhse cheen liya. Mera pyaar uski wajah se adhoora reh gaya. Uss ladki ke liye Armaan ne mujhe shaadi ke mandap pe akela chod diya! Agar Abhira nahi hoti toh aaj meri aur Armaan ki shaadi ho chuki hoti!!” Ruhi cried, oblivious to, or uncaring of the fact that her husband was standing a mere two feet away from her.

Rohit stumbled at her words, unconsciously taking a step back. However, no one paid any attention to him, their entire attention on Ruhi. Rohit's head buzzed, blood rushing to his ears. Everything became a faint echo around him, his vision blurring. He knew nothing but those words that Ruhi had just uttered. Ruhi was going to marry Armaan? Had almost married him? Had it not been for Armaan backing away, would Rohit have come back to a wife who was also his sister-in-law? Just how far had things gone in his absence? How had his family approved of this? How had his mother and grandmother allowed it? Was Abhira right? Was it just Ruhi who was holding on? Had Armaan really moved on? He would not have left Ruhi at the altar otherwise, right?

In a way, he could understand Ruhi's bitterness. Being left at the altar had to be an extremely humiliating experience. But, it all worked out in the end. So, why would she still hold a grudge over it? Clearly, she still hadn't moved on. She had feelings for Armaan. Why else would she bring this up now? His resolve strengthened. He had to quash all her hopes such that she never even thought about Armaan ever again, didn't spare him a second glance. He had to give Ruhi a reason to scorn Armaan deeply.

Unbidden, an idea struck him. Ruhi still resented Armaan for choosing Abhira over her. How much would that bitterness grow if Armaan actually married Abhira? Especially now, when Ruhi knew just who Abhira actually was? When she already hated Abhira, and not just for whatever happened with Armaan? A lot, he concluded. Maybe, this was the best course of action. He would have to convince the family to get Armaan & Abhira married. That would be the final nail in the coffin of Ruhi & Armaan's past. Maybe then, his wife would actually, truly, move on from his brother and see him.

While Rohit made his plans, Ruhi continued her tirade, unaware of how things were about to change for her. “Aur ab toh usne aapko bhi cheen liya, B-Nanu! Aap uske liye mujhse lad rahe hain! Aap jaante hain ki aapke alawa mera iss duniya mein koi nahi hai, phir bhi. Uske paas itna bada parivaar hai! Rajvansh family ka har insaan uske liye jaan dene ready hai. Lekin, mere paas toh sirf aap, B-Nani, aur Surekha Nani hain. Phir bhi aap mujhe chodke uski taraf se baat kar rahe ho!

Itna sab hone ke baad aap kaise expect kar sakte ho ki main uss ladki ko kabhi apni behen maanungi? Mera aur uska sirf nafrat ka rishta ho sakta hai. Aur kuch nahi!”

“Bas, Ruhi!” Manish scolded. “Bas… Ab aur nahi. Mujhe pata hai ki iss baat ka tujhe sadma laga hai, lekin tu zara sochke bol! Jabse kya anaab-shanaab bake jaa rahi hai. Main kuch keh nahi raha tha iska yeh matlab nahi hai ki jo tere mann mein aaye tu woh bol de.

Main bohot tadpa hoon, Ruhi… Apni Akshu ke liye. Ab woh toh nahi rahi. Lekin please, mujhe meri Abhira se door mat kar. Main tere aage haath jodta hoon. Please, iss nafrat ko, inn kadwi yaadon ko bhulakar Abhira ke saath ek nayu shuruat karne ki koshish kar. Woh shayad mujhe kabhi maaf nahi karegi, lekin tujhe kar degi. Woh bohot samajhdaar ladki hai. Meri galti ki sazaa tujhe nahi degi woh.

Aur kuch nahi toh… Tere sahaare hi main uski zindagi ka hissa bann jaunga. Please, Ruhi. Apne B-Nanu ke liye itna karde. Please.”

“B-Nanu, yeh aap kya bol rahe hain? Main keh rahi hoon ki main usse koi rishta nahi rakhna chaahti. Main usse aapka kuch nahi cheen'ne doongi. Aur aap chaahte hain main uske saath suleh karne ki koshish karoon?” Ruhi questioned.

“Nahi!” Manish exclaimed. “Tu usse nahi rokegi. Abhira ne kuch galat nahi kiya hai. Sirf apna haq maanga hai. Aur woh main usse de dunga! Academy uski hai.”

“Manish Ji!” Swarna cried. “Yeh aap kya keh rahe hain? Aao woh academy usse kaise de sakte hain? Akshara ka humse koi rishta nahi hai, toh uss lihaaz se ab Abhira ka bhi koi rishta nahi hai. Woh bhi toh keh rahi thi ki usse humse koi rishta nahi rakhna? Aur rishta nahi, toh haq bhi nahi.”

“Haq toh uska hi hai, Swarna,” Manish stood his ground. “Naira woh academy Akshu ke naam kar chuki thi. Uss lihaaz se, jab Akshu ne ghar choda, woh academy usse tabhi hi mil jaani chahiye thi. Humne hi usse nahi di. Aur meri bachchi ne maangi bhi nahi.”

“Kis haq se maangti woh?” Swarna snorted. “Woh ghar se isliye gayi thi kyunki apni behen ka khoon kiya usne. Aise mein aap usse academy de dete? Le beta, tune apni choti behen ko maar daal, lekin yeh property rakh apne Bade Papa ki taraf se. Aisa kehte aap usse?”

“Swarna!” Manish thundered. “Bas. Bohot sunn liya maine tum sabka. Ab aur nahi. Academy main Abhira ko de dunga. Aur sirf wohi nahi… Uske saare haq usse milenge. Woh bhi iss ghar ki bachchi hai. Usko apna har haq milega. Aur iss sab mein tum sab kya sochte ho, usse mujhe koi farq nahi padta.

Akshu ke saath maine bohot galat kiya hai. Ab, Abhira ke saath main har galti sudhaarne ki koshish karunga. Aur agar kisiko uss baat se problem hai, toh mujhe maaf karein. Lekin, mera faisla ab nahi badlega!”

Saying so, Manish walked out of the living room, intent to follow through on his words, leaving behind a heartbroken Ruhi.

__ __ __

Abhira woke up to feeling blissfully warm all over. For a second, she was confused, but as her eyes fluttered open, she realized that she was in bed with Armaan, who had wrapped her up in his arms. Her head had been resting on his chest, her arms thrown around his stomach, while their legs were tangled together in a mass of limbs. She smiled, snuggling closer to him. Her movement alerted Armaan, who dropped a lingering kiss on her hair. “Hi,” he whispered softly.

“Hi,” Abhira smiled.

“Kitne baj gaye?” She questioned, feeling a little disoriented by the darkness.

A laugh rumbled through Armaan's chest and Abhira grinned, squeezing him tight to feel every vibration. “Almost dinner ka time ho gaya hai, ma'am. Aap poore din se so rahi thi! Badi Maa abhi bas 10-15 minute pehle hi neeche gayi hain. Woh bhi jabse tumhaare uthne ka wait kar rahi thi, lekin aapko toh apni neend kuch zyada hi pyaari hai, Sharma Ji!”

Abhira sighed. “Bohot pareshaan kar diya na sabko? Meri wajah se sabko kitni problem ho rahi hai. Shayad yeh sab karna hi nahi chahiye tha mujhe.”

“Ira, aisa kuch nahi hai,” Armaan immediately protested. “Sabko tumhaari chinta hai kyunki sab tumse bohot pyaar karte hain. Tum zyada ulti-seedhi cheezein mat socho. Everyone is really proud of you, especially Badi Maa. Woh kitni khush hain ki tum apne liye stand le rahi ho. Haan, yeh waqt thoda mushkil hai, lekin kisi ko tumse koi shikayat nahi hai.”

“Lekin, meri wajah se problem toh sabko ho rahi haina,” Abhira argued. “Especially tumhe, Badi Maa, aur Bade Papa ko. Mere peeche rehte ho teeno ki kab mujhe zaroorat pad jaaye. Apni toh life jeena hi chod di hai.”

“Abhira!” Armaan reprimanded. “Tum aisa soch bhi kaise sakti ho? Tumhe pata haina… Tum hum teeno ki top priority ho. Tumhaare paas nahi rahenge toh kiske paas rahenge? Aur yeh kisne kaha ki humaari life ruk gayi hai? Aisa kuch nahi hai. Yeh problem sirf tumhaari hai kya? Hum sabki hai. Ek baar sab sort ho jaayega toh everything will be back to normal. Bas sirf kuch dinon ki hi baat hai.”

“Thank you, Armaan,” Abhira whispered. “I know all this is very difficult for you. I promise, main sab kuch jald se jald sort karne ki koshish karungi.”

“Koi jaldi nahi hai, Ira,” Armaan promised. “Mera saara waqt toh waise bhi tumhaara hi hai.”

“So cheesy, mere silly boy!” Abhira laughed.

“Only for you, my silly girl!” Armaan chuckled, kissing her forehead. Abhira's stomach growled, breaking the moment. “Chalo, dinner ke liye chalte hain,” Armaan suggested.

“Yes, please!” Abhira agreed.

Downstairs, Abhira was greeted with hugs and kisses from the rest of the family. Armaan smiled, happy that she had people in her corner who cared so much. Silently, he took a seat beside Misha, who squeezed his hand, greeting him with a wide smile. “All good?” She asked softly.

Armaan nodded in answer. “All good, Masi.”

“Chalo… Heera, Maani,” Mishti ordered. “Dono ne subah se achche se kuch khaya nahi hai. Ab dinner ke liye koi nakhre nahi. Got it?”

“Yes, Badi Maa,” the couple chorussed. Abhira looked at Armaan in question, confused at the nickname, but Armaan only smiled and shook his head. He'd tell her later.

The atmosphere at the dining table was light. Everyone kept cracking jokes to make Abhira smile. She really appreciated their efforts to make sure she didn't think about the events that had transpired earlier in the day, but sadly, those things were not easily forgotten. Ruhi's accusations and Manish's pleas rang in her ears, as did the cruel words that both Kaveri & Sanjay had spouted without hesitation.

What hurt her the most though, was Vidya's behaviour. She had genuinely accepted Vidya as a mother, and had thought Vidya had accepted her just as wholeheartedly. But, maybe she had been too quick in trusting the woman. After all, before she had gotten to know about the deal marriage, Vidya had always been a loving mother-in-law to her, and then had changed her tune without a moment's hesitation. Just as easily as she had broken all relations, she had also accepted them, after Abhira had convinced Madhav to go back to her.

She had been too ecstatic by Vidya's acceptance to realize how hollow it actually was. But thankfully, she had found out quickly enough. Vidya would only love her when it was convenient. If Abhira was the perfect daughter-in-law and wife that Vidya envisioned, she would continue to be the favourite. But, one toe out of line, and Vidya would back away. She would have to be careful in the future. Abhira now understood that she couldn't get swept away in her feelings and forget the past so easily.

Not everyone was like Armaan. Not everyone would realize their mistakes, acknowledge them, apologize, and genuinely try to do better. Armaan had done all that & more, and foolishly, she had equated Armaan's efforts, his love for her, with that of Vidya. She had thought that just because Armaan loved her so dearly, so did Vidya. She was grateful that she had realized the truth before it was too late, before her trust shattered when Vidya did something big.

“Ira, Jaan… Kya hua?” Armaan softly whispered, pulling her out of her musings.

“Huh?” She asked, confused.

“Khana kyun nahi kha rahi ho? Kis soch mein itni doobi hui ho?” Armaan questioned, gesturing to her mostly untouched plate.

“Kuch nahi,” Abhira shrugged. “Bas aaj subah ke baare mein soch rahi thi.”

“I know it's difficult,” Armaan said. “But kisi aur cheez pe focus karne ki koshish karo. Woh sab baatein khane ke baad, okay? Abhi achche se kha lo. Bhook lag rahi thi na tumhe? Aur dekho… Sab tumhaara favourite hai!”

Abhira nodded and dug in. She was extremely hungry. No one brought up the Goenkas for the rest of the dinner and Abhira was grateful for it. Armaan's antics did provide somewhat of a distraction for her, especially after he joined Ramya in a competition over who could crack the lamest joke. He won, of course, being the Khadoosmaan Dadaji that he was.

It was after dinner that Kunal approached her. “Abhira… Beta, let's talk?” He asked softly.

Abhira nodded. Pulling Armaan along with her, Abhira followed Kunal, Abir, and Mishti to the study. “Kya baat hai, Nanu?” She asked once they were all seated.

“Abhira, I've been thinking about the Goenkas,” Kunal admitted. “Dekho, notice toh humne bhej di hai. But, I don't think woh log itni easily academy tumhaare naam kar denge. Itna tamasha hua hai aaj. I'm a little worried.”

“Nanko is right,” Mishti murmured in agreement.

“Aur especially agar Mr. Bansal unka case ladenge,” Abir added. “Hum sabko pata hai he doesn't like you, Heera. Woh apna gussa bhi iss case ke zariye nikaalega.”

“Toh ab humein kya karna chahiye?” Abhira wondered out loud.

“I think it would be beneficial agar aage sab proceedings mein tum kisi senior lawyer ko bhi involve karlo,” Kunal suggested. Abhira looked like she was about to protest, but Kunal continued. “Abhira, main tumhaare skills bilkul doubt nahi kar raha. Tum please aisa kuch mat socho. Lekin, tumhe zyada experience nahi hai, beta. Aur Sanjay Bansal bohot tedha aadmi hai. Uske saath deal karne tumhe kisi experienced lawyer ki zaroorat hai.”

“Nanu theek keh rahe hain, Ira,” Armaan agreed. “Phupha Sa ke against ladna kaafi mushkil hoga. And not just because unhe tumse zyada tajurba hai. He fights very dirty and he's not always ethical. Mujhe unke kaam karne ke tareeke se hamesha bohot issues rahe hain, but woh Dadi Sa ke favourite hain toh kabhi meri chali nahi.

But yeh situation bohot naazuk hai. We can't afford any mistakes. Isliye, I think yeh best course of action rahega.”

Abhira looked at Abir & Mishti who both also nodded in acquiescence. “Haan, Heera,” Abir stated. “Dekh… Tu iss waqt baaki sab side mein rakh. Humein academy milna sabse zyada important hai. Baaki sab nahi. Agar kisi aur ki help lene se sab smoothly ho jaata hai, toh humein wohi karna chahiye.”

“Kisi aur se kyun?” Mishti questioned. “Armaan karega Abhira ki help. Woh itne time se Mr. Bansal ko jaanta hai, iss sheher ke sabse achche lawyers mein se ek hai. And we can trust him more than anyone else.”

“No!” Abhira immediately vetoed the idea. “Armaan iss sab mein involve nahi hoga.”

“Kyun?” Armaan asked. “Main kyun tumhaari help nahi kar sakta? Badi Maa theek keh rahi hai.”

“No, Armaan,” Abhira stood her ground. “Pehle hi iss sabke wajah se bohot tamasha ho chuka hai. Agar tum meri side loge toh Dadi Sa aur Maa ko bilkul achcha nahi lagega. Phir aur bada bakheda khada ho jaayega. Aur meri wajah se tumhe Rohit ya Ruhi ke aur taane sunn'ne pade, yeh baat mujhe bilkuk manzoor nahi hai. Isliye tum iss case se door hi raho.”

“Abhira, yeh kya bol rahi ho tum?” Armaan fired back. “Yeh sab faltu ki baatein hain. Tum yeh sab kyun soch rahi ho? None of this is more important than you.”

“Mere liye hai, Armaan,” Abhira insisted. “Main tumhaari pareshaani aur badhaana nahi chaahti. Waise bhi meri wajah se tumhaare aur baaki gharwalon mein hamesha kuch na kuch tension chalti rehti hai. Ab main aur kuch karke woh badhaana nahi chaahti. Humein Dadi Sa ko manane ki koshish karni hai, unhe aur gussa dilaane ki nahi. Aur tumhe pata hai ki agar tum officially, mere lawyer banke, mera saath doge toh woh abhi jitna gussa hai usse double se bhi zyada naraaz ho jaayengi.”

Armaan wanted to argue, but was stopped by Abir. “Heera sahi keh rahi hai,” he stated. “Sirf apna kaam asaan karne woh tumhe aur mushkil mein nahi daalegi. Aur bhi options hain, humaare paas. Aur waise bhi, iss waqt usse tumhaari bohot zaroorat hai, Armaan… As her partner, not her lawyer. Yeh karne se cheezein aur complicate ho jaayegi.”

“Toh phir hum kisse bulaaye?” Kunal asked. “Jisse hum completely trust kar sake? Who will only have Abhira’s best interests in mind? Aur jo Poddars aur Goenkas ki involvement dekhke peeche nahi hatega?”

Abir took a deep breath and turned to his wife. “Ek insaan hai,” he breathed. “Who fits the bill perfectly.”

“Kaun?” Mishti asked him.

“Mishti,” Abir whispered, taking her hand in his and scooting closer to her. “I know it's difficult… Lekin, Abhira ke liye tumhe yeh karna hoga.”

“Kya karna hoga?” Mishti questioned, confused.

“It's time,” Abir told her. “To go back home, Mishti.”

Mishti gasped, her hands falling from Abir's. Abir immediately grasped them again, holding on tight. “Mujhe pata hai yeh tumhaare liye bohot mushkil hai. Lekin tum bhi jaanti ho this is the best course of action. Please, Mishti. Humein Heera ki khushi ke liye yeh karna hoga. Aur… Main hoon na tumhaare saath. I promise, we'll handle it together.”

“Bade Papa,” Abhira intervened. “Main nahi chaahti ki Badi Maa mere liye kuch aisa karein jo woh nahi karna chaahti. We can continue brainstorming. Koi solution toh mil hi jaayega.”

“Nahi,” Mishti cut her off. “Abir is right. Isse better koi solution nahi hai. I'll do it.”

“Badi Maa…” Abhira tried to reassure her that everything would work out, but Mishti didn't let her say anything.

“Nahi, Gudiya Rani,” Mishti said. “It's been a long time coming. Shayad, yehi sahi waqt hai. Bohot bhaag li main. Ab aur nahi. I'll do this. For both of us. And for Akshu. And Naira Di. Tu dekhna, sab kuch bilkul theek ho jaayega.”

•••••

Okay, so I gave in. I had been resisting introducing the Singhanias, but they just wanted to be a part of the plot so bad! But, they will not have a huge role. They'll be more like cameos, dropping in from time to time on special occasions like birthdays and festivals. The main parental figures for Abhimaan will continue to be Mishbir!

Anyway, please drop me a line to me let me know how you liked this chapter!! I hope you guys are having fun with the fic just as much as I am. Thank you so much for reading! <3

Loved it.. I am waiting for the day.. when arman choose mishbir's NGO firm over Poddar firm. Loved the portrayal of Manish's realisation over how much was a failure he is.. Rohit is such a selfish character. Pyaar main pagal. He still can't see Real Ruhi.

Will wait for new chapters..