Part- 9
Armaan's career as a freelance lawyer began with uncertainty, but it didn't take long for him to find his stride. Away from the shadows of the Poddar family and their legacy, he discovered a renewed sense of purpose. The freedom to choose his cases, work at his own pace, and build his reputation on his own terms was liberating.
His first few clients were small businesses and individuals who had heard of his reputation as a sharp, reliable lawyer. Word spread quickly about his meticulous work ethic, his ability to dissect complex legal issues, and his dedication to his clients. Armaan's name soon became synonymous with trust and excellence in legal circles.
He took on cases that challenged him, ones that larger firms often overlooked. His passion for justice and his ability to connect with his clients on a personal level set him apart. He wasn't just a lawyer; he was an advocate who genuinely cared about the outcomes of his cases. This approach earned him the loyalty of his clients and a growing list of referrals.
Armaan also started writing legal articles and blogs, sharing his insights and knowledge on various legal matters. His writings caught the attention of legal publications, further establishing him as an authority in his field. He was invited to speak at legal seminars and workshops, where his eloquence and depth of knowledge impressed both peers and aspiring lawyers.
With time, Armaan began to take on more significant cases, representing clients in high-profile legal battles. His courtroom presence was commanding, his arguments compelling, and his victories numerous. He built a network of contacts in the legal world, including judges, fellow lawyers, and influential figures in the business community.
Financial success followed naturally. Armaan's income as a freelance lawyer surpassed what he had earned at the family firm. But more importantly, he felt a deep sense of fulfillment. He was thriving on his own merits, without the weight of the Poddar name influencing his career.
Despite his success, Armaan remained humble and grounded. He never forgot the struggles of his early days or the people who had supported him along the way. He began mentoring young lawyers, offering them guidance and opportunities, just as he had once received.
Armaan's flourishing career was a testament to his resilience and determination. He had carved out a space for himself in the legal world, one that was entirely his own. And with each passing day, he grew more confident that leaving the Poddar family was the right decision, not just for his career, but for his own peace of mind.
When Armaan received the papers transferring authority from the Poddar firm, it hit him harder than he expected. The crisp, official documents were a stark reminder of the ties he was severing, not just professionally, but personally. The firm had been more than just a workplace; it was intertwined with his identity and his family's legacy. The thought of signing away his rights felt like closing a chapter of his life that he had never fully written.
But Armaan didn't allow himself to dwell on the hurt. He knew this was a necessary step in his journey toward independence and self-discovery. Without hesitation, he picked up the pen and signed the papers. The decision, though painful, was one he had made long before the documents arrived.
Madhav, sensing the finality of the situation, urged Armaan not to give up his rights. He couldn't understand why Armaan was so willing to let go of everything they had built together. But Armaan was firm in his resolve. He calmly explained that his decision wasn't about giving up, but about letting go.
He articulated what he had been grappling with for some time: staying connected to the Poddar firm—and to Kaveri Poddar—was suffocating him. The firm had become a symbol of everything he no longer wanted to be a part of. It was filled with expectations, obligations, and a history that weighed him down rather than lifted him up. The family, particularly Kaveri, represented a love that had grown toxic, tainted by manipulation, control, and unresolved conflicts.
Armaan acknowledged that he still loved his family. That would never change. But he had come to realize that this love was no longer enough to justify the sacrifices he was making—sacrifices of his mental health, his personal growth, and his sense of self. He had to choose between living in the shadow of the Poddar name or stepping out into the light on his own terms.
Signing those papers was his way of choosing himself. It was a declaration that he would no longer be defined by the Poddar legacy or Kaveri's expectations. He was carving out a new path, one that was free from the ties that had bound him for so long.
Though the decision wasn't easy, Armaan felt a profound sense of relief once it was made. He was no longer tethered to a past that didn't serve him. Instead, he was free to move forward, focusing on the future he was building as a freelance lawyer—a future that was entirely his own.
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Kaveri hadn't expected Armaan to sign the transfer papers so quickly. She had braced herself for a confrontation, a battle of wills that would see him clinging to his rights at the Poddar firm. But instead, the papers had come back signed without a word of protest. It was like being doused in a bucket of cold water—shocking, disorienting, and unsettling. The ease with which he had severed ties left her feeling hollow, as if she had lost more than just a business partner; she had lost a connection, even if it was a strained one.
Sanjay, on the other hand, was pleased with the outcome. He had long believed that this was the best course for everyone involved, that Armaan's departure would finally allow them to move on. But Kaveri couldn't share his sense of relief. The family had fractured in ways that felt irreparable.
Manoj and Manisha had left the house, taking Aryan and Kiara with them. Their departure had left a palpable emptiness in the home, a void that Kaveri couldn't ignore. Vidya had retreated into herself, spending most of her time holed up in her room. She had become a ghost in her own home, appearing only to disappear for days at a time. Kaveri knew that Vidya was visiting Madhav and Armaan, seeking comfort in their presence.
Kaveri had tried to mask her unease with sharp words, taunting Vidya whenever she returned from visiting Madhav and Armaan. It was an attempt to provoke a reaction, to maintain some semblance of control over a situation that was rapidly spiraling out of her grasp. But Vidya no longer took the bait. She would listen quietly, her expression impassive, until one day she finally spoke up.
"I could leave, you know," Vidya had said calmly, her voice steady. "I could go stay with my husband and son, build a life away from all of this. But I'm still here, Maa sa. Not because I need your approval or your validation, but because I want to see if you'll ever feel remorse for what you've done. I'm here because, despite everything, you gave me a place in this family when Madhav Ji was distant. And for that, I can't just abandon you, not even now."
Vidya's words hung in the air, cutting through the tension like a knife. They left Kaveri stunned, forcing her to confront the reality she had been avoiding. Vidya's loyalty wasn't rooted in fear or obligation; it was a conscious choice, one made out of a complex mix of gratitude, duty, and hope. Vidya wasn't staying because she needed Kaveri, but because she wanted to witness something that Kaveri herself had been unwilling to acknowledge—remorse, change, a glimmer of the person she had once been before ambition and pride had taken over. Kaveri was left without a retort for the first time in a long while.
Krish and Charu were more distant than ever. Through the grapevine, Kaveri had heard that Krish had finally found his footing as a dancer, a passion he had kept hidden from the family for so long. The whispers of his growing success reached her ears, tales of performances that captivated audiences, of a talent that was flourishing beyond the confines of the life she had envisioned for him. Yet, despite his achievements, Krish hadn't come to her for validation. He hadn't shared his triumphs with her, hadn't sought the praise she would have readily given had his path aligned with her expectations. Instead, he moved forward with a quiet confidence, carving out a space for himself in a world that Kaveri barely understood.
This indifference stung more than Kaveri cared to admit. She had always believed that she knew what was best for her children, that her guidance was essential for their success. But now, as she watched them slip further away, she was forced to confront the painful reality that they were finding fulfillment in ways she hadn't anticipated—or approved of. Krish's distance was a silent rebuke, a reminder that her influence was waning, that the bonds she had relied on were fraying.
Krish and Charu's growing distance was a bitter pill, but Kajal's plight weighed heavily on her heart in ways she hadn't anticipated. Kajal,the daughter who had always been there, now looked distraught and fragile. Kaveri had assumed that Kajal's sadness stemmed from missing her husband, Sanjay, who was now more consumed with the Poddar firm than ever, especially after Manoj and Armaan's departures. But in truth, Kaveri had failed to see the depth of Kajal's despair.
Kajal's life, which had always seemed so picture-perfect, was crumbling. Her marriage had long been a source of silent suffering, a pain she had borne with resilience, finding solace in the warmth and support of her family. But now, that support system was fracturing, and the once reliable refuge of family was slipping away, leaving her adrift in her misery. Kaveri had been too caught up in her own struggles to notice the cracks in Kajal's façade, the way her daughter was slowly unraveling, losing the emotional and mental strength that had once been her hallmark.
Kajal's visits to Kaveri became less frequent, her presence in the house more like a fleeting shadow than the comforting figure she had once been. She no longer found the peace she had once sought in her family's embrace, the solace that had helped her endure the hardships of her marriage. Instead, she felt isolated, cut off from the very people she had always turned to for support. Kaveri had missed the signs, had overlooked the toll that the family's disintegration was taking on her daughter. Now, as Kajal's spirit dimmed, Kaveri was left to grapple with the painful realization that she had failed to protect her only daughter.
The house, once filled with the laughter and chaos of a large, loving family, was now quiet, the emptiness echoing through its halls. Kaveri was surrounded by the remnants of a life she had tried so hard to build, but which now seemed to be crumbling around her. The choices she had made, the decisions she had believed were for the best, had driven her children away, leaving her to face the consequences of her own ambition and pride. Kajal's suffering was a harsh reminder that in her pursuit of control and success, Kaveri had lost sight of what truly mattered—the well-being and happiness of her children. Now, all she could do was watch as her family slipped further away, knowing that she was powerless to bring them back.
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Armaan had started therapy shortly after the transfer of authority from the Poddar firm. It was a step he had long resisted, but he finally acknowledged that he needed help to navigate the complex emotions that had been building up inside him. The guilt of wronging Abhira weighed heavily on his heart, a constant reminder of the mistakes he wished he could undo. He knew that until he confronted this guilt, he would never truly be free.
Therapy became a safe space for Armaan to explore the depths of his pain, regrets, and unresolved feelings. His thoughts often drifted to Abhira during these sessions. He missed her more than he could put into words, and there were countless times when he wished he could see her again, just to tell her how deeply sorry he was. But every time the urge to reconnect grew strong, so did his fear. He couldn't bring himself to ask Madhav for help in reaching out to her.The thought of facing Abhira while he was still battling his inner demons felt overwhelming.
As the therapy sessions progressed, Armaan slowly began to find clarity. He realized that before he could face Abhira, he needed to face himself. There were wounds within him that needed healing, and guilt that needed addressing before he could make things right with her. The therapy helped him understand that while he longed to see Abhira, he couldn't do so until he had made peace with his past and found a way to forgive himself.
One detail gnawed at him during these sessions—the amount of money credited to his bank account every month. Armaan knew it was sent by Abhira, a gesture that both comforted and pained him. It was his way of feeling ensured that she is fine and flourishing, even from a distance, but it also served as a stark reminder of what he had lost. The monthly deposits were a lifeline that tied him to her, but they also underscored the unresolved tension between them, the unspoken words and unhealed wounds that kept them apart.
Armaan decided that he would only seek out Abhira once he had worked through his issues. He didn't want to burden her with his unresolved emotions or risk reopening old wounds before he was truly ready to make amends. Meeting her again would be meaningful only if he came to her as a better, more whole version of himself—someone who had faced his mistakes and learned from them.
So, he continued his therapy with renewed determination, focusing on sorting out his own demons before he could attempt to heal what was broken between him and Abhira. It was a slow, often painful process, but Armaan knew it was the only way forward. Only after he had done the inner work could he hope to approach Abhira with the sincerity and clarity that she deserved. The monthly credits from her, though a reminder of his failures, became a motivation to strive for the peace and redemption he so desperately sought.
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