Yun Hi Tu Mere Saath Rehna - An Abhimaan x Mishbir Fanfic (C29 : P16) - Page 10

Lovely! Its good to see poddars realize what a family is, what normal is. Hopefully they will use it to change things in PH and show unity to take stand for each other.

Originally posted by: Pinecone

Lovely! Its good to see poddars realize what a family is, what normal is. Hopefully they will use it to change things in PH and show unity to take stand for each other.

They really need to see how normal families function! Hopefully this will help them immensely.

Chapter Fifteen

Armaan rushed through the corridor, breathless. He was running late for his meeting. It was not a good look to be late for an appointment, even if the appointment was with his Badi Maa and Bade Papa. Finally reaching the cabin, he knocked.

“Come in,” Mishti's voice carried through the door.

Armaan went inside, apologizing. “Sorry! I know main thoda late hoon.”

“It's okay, Armaan,” Abir smiled. “Kabhi kabhi ho jaata hai. Aao.”

Armaan grinned at both of them, taking a seat. “Kaise ho aap dono? All good? Aaj achanak office bulaaya… Sab theek haina?”

“Sab theek hai, Armaan,” Mishti assured. “But we wanted to talk to you. Aur kaam se related baat thi toh socha office mein hi baat kar lete hain.”

“Jee, kahiye,” Armaan requested.

“Dekho, Armaan… Hum jo baat karne jaa rahe hain… Tum please humein galat mat samajhna,” Abir began. “Main aur Mishti kaafi time se yeh soch rahe the but samajh nahi aa raha tha ki tumse kaise kahein. Lekin, ab iss baat ko zyada waqt taalna nahi chaahte.”

“Aisi kya baat hai?” Armaan asked. “Aap dono please itna mat sochiye. Main kuch galat nahi samjhunga. Jiss tarah main aapse koi bhi baat share kar sakta hoon, aap bhi mujhse kar sakte hain. Main bhi toh aapki family hoon, jaise aap meri family hain.”

Abir smiled widely at his words. “You're right. Tum humaari family ho, Armaan. Dekho… Past mein jo bhi hua hai… I know you've made a lot of mistakes when it comes to Abhira. Lekin, galti sabse hoti hai. I'm very glad ki tumne samjha ki tumhaari galti hai, uss galti ko maana, aur sudhaara bhi. Aur ab tum yeh koshish kar rahe ho ki uss sabse aage badh jao. I know it's very difficult to do that.

Galti har insaan se hoti hai, lekin har koi usse accept nahi kar pata, sudhaarna toh bohot door ki baat hai. Aur jab tum itna kar rahe ho, we all recognize your efforts. Lekin, ek baar toh main kehna chaahta hoon… Mujhe pata hai tum Abhira se bohot pyaar karte ho, usse poori tarah support karte ho. But, agar pichli galti phir dobaara hui na, toh iss baar maafi nahi milegi, Armaan. Abhira ne bohot mushkil se khudko sambhala hai. Agar tumne ab uska saath choda toh woh toot jaayegi. Aur phir shayad woh tumhe kabhi trust nahi kar paayegi.”

“Bade Papa… Aap aisa kyun keh rahe ho? Mujhe phir koi galti hui hai kya? Abhira ko meri kisi baat ka bura laga?” Armaan questioned, worried. “I know maine bohot baar uske saath galat kiya hai, usse bina wajah blame kiya, usse bura-bhala sunaya. I accept all of it. Lekin, I promise… Main yeh sab phir nahi hone dunga. But agar phir bhi, anjaane mein mujhse kuch ho gaya hai toh aap please mujhe bataiye.”

“Aisa kuch nahi hai, Armaan! Relax!” Abir exclaimed. “Abhira ne humse kuch nahi kaha hai. Main bas tumhe yeh kehne ki koshish kar raha tha ki iss baar woh galti mat dohraana. Aur kuch nahi. I'm sorry. Shayad yeh sab kehne ke liye yeh sahi waqt ya sahi tareeka nahi tha. But main khudko rok nahi paaya.

It's just that… Abhira is my daughter. Uska dil tootega toh meri duniya ruk jaayegi. I can't bear to see her in pain. Isliye bas, thoda emotional ho gaya. I've seen the efforts you're putting in to make sure that everything is good now. Tum Abhira ko bohot support karte ho, and you never let her doubt how much you love her. And I really appreciate that. But, humne tumpe itna bharosa kiya hai toh please usse tootne mat dena.

I can't expect ki tumse phir kabhi koi galti nahi hogi, because that's impossible. Main tumhe daraana bhi nahi chaahta ki kal kuch gadbad ho jaaye toh tum humaare paas aane se hichkichao. But, I hope I can expect ki tum kabhi jaan-boojhkar Abhira ka dil nahi dukhaoge.”

“Of course, Bade Papa,” Armaan readily agreed. “Aapne itna bola, mere liye yeh bohot badi baat hai. Warna toh kuch log pehli galti pe hi sazaa suna dete hain aur doosra mauka nahi dete.”

He couldn't help but think how his family had all but shunned him when he made a mistake, wasting no time in reminding him that he was an outsider and they'd done him a favour by accepting him into their family.

“Armaan, jab hum tumhe beta kehte hain toh sirf kehte nahi hain. Maante bhi hain,” Mishti told him. “I know ki Abhira se humaara khoon ka rishta hai, lekin tumse bhi toh humaara dil ka rishta hai… Aur woh sabse important hota hai. Tumne galti ki hai toh uski sazaa tumhe mili… Abhira ko manane mein tumhe bohot waqt laga. Lekin ab woh sab past hai, so we have to move on from it.

Tumhaari ek galti ki wajah se main nahi chaahti ki tumhaari aur Abhira ki poori zindagi barbaad ho jaaye. Isliye, tum yeh sab itna mat socho and just do your best. That's all we can do.

Agar koi tumhaari galti pe tumhe sahi raasta nahi dikha sakta, toh usse gussa karne ka haq bhi nahi hai. Toh unke baare mein tum itna mat socho. Always remember, that you have us in your corner. And we trust you.”

“Thank you, Badi Maa,” Armaan smiled, reaching up to wipe the tears that were threatening to fall from his eyes.

“Okay, okay! Bohot emotional baatein ho gayi!” Mishti clapped her hands. “Kaam ki baat kar lekin?”

“Yes, yes,” both Armaan & Abir chorussed.

“Armaan… Dekho, main ghuma-firaa ke baat nahi karungi,” Mishti stated. “Aaj humne tumhe yahaan isliye bulaya hai kyunki we want to offer you the position of our in-house legal counsel.”

“In-house…” Armaan trailed off, confused.

“Abhi Asha Kiran mein koi internal legal department nahi hai,” Mishti explained. “We have a lawyer on retainer, jisse hum generally approach karte hain in case we need anything, but there is no dedicated person who is looking after Asha Kiran exclusively. And I think ki ab iski bohot zaroorat hai.

Asha Kiran is growing so much every single day and there's a lot of things that require lawyers. Your routine things like applying for grants and stuff, but also things like the case you fought for us. There's a lot. And we think that you'll be perfect for it.”

“Aap itni badi responsibility mujhe dena chaahte hain?” Armaan asked, surprised.

“Of course,” Abir agreed enthusiastically. “We trust you. I don't think we would want anyone else for this job!”

“Aap yeh sirf isliye kar rahe hain kyunki main aur Abhira…” Armaan trailed off, the question clear.

“Can I be honest?” Mishti questioned bluntly.

When Armaan nodded, she said, “Main tumse jhooth nahi bolungi, Armaan. Yes, it is a part of it. Asha Kiran mere aur Abir dono ke liye bohot important hai. Itni badi responsibility ke liye hum ghar ke bahaar kisiko trust nahi karte. If you look at our operations, every department is led by someone from the family or extremely close friends. We have always kept this NGO close to us kyunki humaare liye itni important hai.

But, sirf woh baat nahi hai. Sirf ghar ki baat hoti, toh tumse pehle Abhira ka haq banta haina? Lekin, main aur Abir dono chaahte hain ki tum yeh position sambhaalo. Because, we have seen you work. Tum bohot achche lawyer ho. You're very good at what you do… Isliye tumne humein woh case jita diya jo 10 saalon se court mein tha. We're all very impressed with you. And not just Abir and I, other members of the board also think that you're the one who should be doing this for us.

Sach kahun toh agar tum yeh position accept nahi karoge, toh yeh position Asha Kiran mein exist nahi karegi. We will go back to the lawyers we have on retainer, but even then, we will expect you to take the lead on everything, because you will be the first person who we place our account with.

Aur… Hum family hain, Armaan. Mujhse koi baat chupi nahi hai. I know ki Poddar & Associates mein kya chal raha hai. Uss firm mein tumhaare alawa, main kisi pe trust nahi karti. Main hamesha yehi expect karungi ki NGO ko tum represent karo. But, I'm not sure ki Poddar & Associates mein yeh ho paayega. Kal agar Kaveri Ji ne humaara account Rohit ko de diya toh yeh baat mujhe bilkul manzoor nahi hogi.

Aur yeh baat shayad tumhe kadvi lage, but you deserve better. Unhone jo tumhaare saath kiya woh bohot galat hai. You've given so much to the family and to the firm aur unhone ek second nahi lagaya tumse sab kuch cheen'ne mein. I guarantee that will not happen here. I'm prepared to give it in writing ki yahaan tumhaare saath aisa nahi hoga.

Main yeh bhi nahi keh rahi ki tum abhi haan kehdo. Take your time and think about it. Phir hi koi decision lena.”

Abir slid a stack of papers in front of him. “This is what we want to offer you. Ek baar isse padhlo, think about it, consult whoever you want. Tumhe jitna time lena hai lelo. There's no pressure from us.”

“Sabse pehle toh aapne mujhe iss kaabil samjha ki aap mujhe itni badi zimmedaari saunpe, uske liye thank you,” Armaan expressed. “Main sach keh raha hoon… Jitna vishwaas aap dono ne dikhaya hai, jitni respect aur pyaar aapne mujhe diya hai… Utna toh meri family bhi kabhi nahi de paayi. Thank you.”

“Ab hum bhi toh family hi haina,” Mishti smiled. “Tum iss family ka hissa ho, Armaan. Please yeh kabhi doubt mat karna.”

“Mujhe toh actually samajh hi nahi aa raha ki main kya bolu,” Armaan confessed. “Aap dono ko toh naa bhi nahi bol paunga.”

“Kyun?” Mishti questioned. “Tum daily soap ki bahu ho?” Armaan shook his head.

“Over enthusiastic employee ho?” She pressed. Armaan shook his head again. “Nahi.”

“Yeh tumhaara year of saying yes chal raha hai?” She further interrogated.

“Aap kya bol rahin hain, Badi Maa?” Armaan questioned, confused, making Abir laugh. “Haan ya naa mein jawab do,” he advised.

“Nahi,” Armaan dutifully replied.

“Toh phir tum mana kyun nahi kar paoge?” Mishti probed.

Taking a deep breath, Abir added, “Armaan, yeh sirf ek offer hai. Koi order nahi. Mishti aur mujhe laga ki tum iss role ke liye perfect ho, isliye humne tumse poocha. Final decision will always be yours, beta. Tumhe agar lagta hai yeh tumhaare liye sahi direction nahi hai toh tum bejhijhak mana kar sakte ho. Please, yeh sochke zabardasti haan mat kehna ki humein bura lagega. I promise, humein bilkul bura nahi lagega. This is your career. Tum humse zyada achche se samajhte ho tumhaare liye kya sahi hai aur kya nahi. Isliye, sirf apne dil ki suno. Pressure mein aake koi decision mat lena.”

“Thank you, Bade Papa, Badi Maa,” Armaan said. “Main achche se sochke aap dono ko jawab doonga.”

“That's my boy,” Abir cheered. “Chalo, ab yeh meeting khatam hone ki khushi mein ek cup chai ho jaaye? Ekdum kadak adrak wali.”

Armaan chuckled. Trust Abir to make light of such a serious situation. “Ek chai toh banti hai,” he agreed.

— — —

Armaan came back home, lost in thought. Of course, he was contemplating the job. He had thought of little else since the words had come out of Mishti's mouth. Even as they drank their tea and made jokes, a part of Armaan kept thinking about it. The contract was right there, begging to be read.

Armaan knew that Abir & Mishti wouldn't ever try to exploit him or mooch off him, yet he did want to study the contract in detail before moving forward. Abir & Mishti were family, but Kaveri was also his family. His Dadi Sa hadn't thought twice before ousting him from a position that he had earned with his hardwork and dedication. And now, he was wary of making commitments without having a clear picture. He didn't want to feel that way ever again.

When Dadi Sa had given Rohit not just his cases but also his cabin… It had felt like a slap in the face. Yes, he was happy for Rohit. His little brother was advancing in his career and Armaan wouldn't begrudge Rohit that. But there were other ways to elevate Rohit that didn't involve demeaning him. Kaveri and Sanjay had only been trying to humiliate him and Armaan understood that very well. Yet, he had quietly accepted their decision, because he did feel guilty.

No matter what, Armaan had been involved in the mess that had almost ruined all their lives. He had failed to draw boundaries with Ruhi, had failed to come clean with not just Ruhi about his feelings, but also with Rohit & Abhira, and had landed them all in this impossible situation. He had ruined everything in one swoop, and no matter if everyone else forgave him, Armaan would carry the guilt of it forever. Rohit had already lost too much because of him, and giving up his position at the firm seemed like a small way to recompense everything that had gone wrong. And well, when had he ever been able to deny his grandmother? Dadi Sa's word was the law of the land and Armaan had followed. Even if it hurt.

But, it didn't matter. None of that mattered. He finally had a lead. Despite basically being fired from the firm, Armaan hadn't looked for a new job because it had felt like betrayal to his family. But this was different. He hadn't gone job hunting. The job had come to him. And, he wasn't going to be working for a rival firm or a competitor, but with an NGO, making people's lives better. More than anything else, he wasn't trading his family for outsiders. He would get the chance to keep working with his family if he agreed. On the face of it, it seemed stupid to deny this opportunity.

Yet, Armaan could already imagine the chaos this decision would bring. No matter that he wasn't doing anything wrong, Kaveri would blame him. She would call him an outsider and a traitor. So would Sanjay. Given how things were, he wouldn't be surprised if Rohit expressed similar sentiments either. He knew he couldn't really count on his parents to support him. Yes, they were trying to be better and had been trying to show him that they did love him, but Armaan was under no delusions that they would ever stand up to his grandmother staunchly enough to make a change.

Kajal would, at best, stay out of it. At worst, she would support her husband because that's what she always did. And while Manisha and Manoj might understand where he's coming from and maybe, just maybe, even try to support him, Armaan knew that their opinion held little weight in the family. The chorus gang wouldn't even be allowed to talk on the subject.

So, Armaan knew he would have no one in his corner if he decided to go work at Asha Kiran. He would have to fight this battle alone. And if he was going to take such a huge step, he would have to make sure it was worth it. Which is why he would need to read the offer ASAP.

Determined, he started to his room, only to collide with Ruhi on the way. “Dekhke nahi chal sakte!” She screeched. When Armaan looked down, he realized that she'd spilt juice all over his clothes. And his bag as well.

“Ruhi! Tumhe dikhaayi nahi deta kya?” He exclaimed, hurriedly unzipping his bag, his heart in his mouth. He reached inside and pulled the folder out, frantically turning pages to make sure everything was in order.

It boiled Ruhi's blood to see him react like that. Some papers were more important to him than she was? He didn't even glance in her direction, busy as he was with checking his papers. How dare he?

“Tum mujhse kya keh rahe ho?” She argued angrily. “Dekhke tum nahi chal rahe the! Mere saare kapde kharaab kar diye!”

But, Armaan still didn't pay her any attention as he checked his files. He couldn't afford to mess up the contract. Though he knew that neither Abir nor Mishti would think badly of him if he asked for another copy, he didn't want to start this potential new journey on the wrong foot. Once he was satisfied that everything was in order, he breathed a sigh of relief.

“Main tumse baat kar rahi hoon!” Ruhi shouted, finally making Armaan look her way, now that he had made sure his papers were safe. “Tum dekhke nahi chal sakte the? Saara juice mere kapdo pe gira diya!”

It was then that Armaan realized that some of the juice had also spilt onto her saree. “Ruhi, mere paas yeh bakwaas ke liye time nahi hai. Kapde kharab ho gaye hain toh change karlo! Itna scene create karne ki kya zaroorat hai?”

“Oh… Main scene create kar rahi hoon?” Ruhi taunted. “Matlab galti tumhaari lekin scene main create kar rahi hoon! Waah!”

“Frankly, Ruhi. Tumhe jo karna hai karo. Bas… Mujhe aur meri life se door raho! Tum apne husband pe focus kyun nahi karti? Yahaan yeh faltu ladaayi karna zyada zaroori lagta hai kya tumhe?” Armaan asked. Without waiting for a reply, he said, “You know what? I don't care. Main yahaan tumse behes karke apna time waste nahi kar sakta!”

Saying so, he turned around, walking back out of the house, only to be stopped by Manisha. “Armaan, beta!! Kahaan jaa raha hai?”

“Abhira ke ghar!” Armaan called back, not even bothering to turn around. He had more important things to deal with than Ruhi's pettiness. He would go over the contract with Abhira. It would be a good learning exercise for her, and he knew she would not steer him incorrectly. Her advice was of utmost importance to him. Eager to see her, he rushed out of the house, his previous encounter already forgotten, leaving a seething Ruhi behind.

Chapter Sixteen

All the cousins had gathered in the living room for a fun day, but Abhira was lost. Armaan had told her he had an important meeting but hadn't given any details other than that, and she couldn't stop thinking about it. Ever since Rohit had taken over the firm, Armaan hadn't had any involvement at work. Rohit hadn't wanted Armaan's guidance at all, deeming it an unnecessary interference. With no cases to work on after the Asha Kiran dispute had been settled, Armaan had been spending all his time at home. Now, all of a sudden, he had a meeting. She was hoping to hear some good news. Maybe Dadi Sa had decided to bring Armaan back on board. Even a single case would suffice. Anything to get Armaan back to work.

“Abhiruuuuu!” Shreya, Kunal's granddaughter, called. “Kahaan khoyi hui hai jabse?”

“Aur kahaan khoyi hogi, Di!” Dhriti, Atul's daughter, laughed. “Humaare jeeju ke baare mein soch rahi hogi. Right, Abhira Di?”

“Haan, bhai,” Ketan, Ketki's son, agreed. “Abhira ko humse kya? Usse toh bas Armaan se matlab hai.”

“Aisa nahi hai, bhaiya!” Abhira protested. “Aap log bas bina wajah ched rahe hain! Main bas aise hi kuch soch rahi thi.”

“Armaan ke alawa tu kisi aur ke baare mein sochti bhi hai?” Hrishi, Abir & Mishti's grandson, exclaimed. “I'm surprised. Mujhe laga tu sirf uske aur uski family ke baare mein sochti hai.”

“Bhaiyu,” Abhira warned. “Woh sab meri bhi family hain. Of course, I think about them!”

“Toh matlab tu abhi unke baare mein hi soch rahi thi?” Ramya, Hrishi's sister, questioned. “Main bhi kya hi pooch rahi hoon. Of course, you were thinking about them!”

“Main yeh soch rahi thi ki tum log poora din mujhe pareshaan karne mein nikaal doge toh hum movie kab dekhenge!” Abhira exclaimed. “Bas mauka milna chahiye. Sabke sab ekdum naha-dhoke hi mere aur Armaan ke peeche pade rehte ho! Kuch aur entertainment dhoond lo life mein!”

“But this is the best entertainment,” Raj, Abir & Mishti's other granddaughter, argued. “Tera chehra kaise laal-laal ho jaata hai Jeeju ka naam lete hi.”

“Abhira!!” Armaan called out, entering the house. “Abhira!!”

“Lo!” Shrey, Shreya's brother, cackled. “Aa gaye humaare Jamai Sa. Waise yeh toh maan'na padega. Aag dono taraf barabar ki lagi hai. Kyun, Hrishi?”

“Yeh baat toh bilkul sahi kahi tune,” Hrishi agreed. “Humaare Armaan Sa ko bhi bilkul Abhiru ke bina chalta nahi hai.”

Armaan walked into the living room to the cousins' loud laughter as Abhira glared at all of them. “Hello???” He greeted them, the question visible in his tone.

“Aaiye, aaiye,” Raj laughed. “Aapka hi intezaar ho raha tha. Ab kamse kam Abhira film pe dhyaan degi!”

“Film?” Armaan asked. “Kaunsi film?”

“Koi bhi nahi,” Abhira answered. “Tum inhe chodo. Mujhe yeh batao kya hua tha? Kaisi thi meeting? Kiske saath thi? Sab theek haina?” She fired questions one after the other.

“Haan,” Armaan replied. “Mujhe uske baare mein hi baat karni hai. Chalo mere saath!” He held Abhira's hand, intent on pulling her upstairs.

“Kahaan?” Ramya stopped them. “Tum dono kahin nahi jaoge. Sit here and watch the film with us.”

“Ramya, mujhe Abhira se bohot important baat karni hai. Please, jaane dona,” Armaan requested.

“Tumhe toh hamesha hi Abhira se kuch important baat karni hoti hai,” Shrey commented. “Hum sabko pata hai woh ‘important baat' kya hai. No bahana, Armaan. Aao aur sabke saath baitho.”

“Aur kya! Waise bhi romance ke liye toh saari life hai tumhaare paas,” Shreya added. “Ab sab cousins mile hain toh thodi masti honi chahiye na!”

“Main pakka isko thode time mein le aaunga. But abhi urgent kaam hai. Please,” Armaan repeated.

Before anyone could protest, Kunal entered the scene, halting their banter. “Jaane do unn dono ko,” he told them. “Armaan keh raha haina usse zaroori baat karni hai. Woh dono baad mein aa jaayenge.”

Turning to Armaan & Abhira, he added, “Tum dono jao. Aur araam se baat karo.”

“Thank you, Nanu,” Abhira smiled. She pulled Armaan up the stairs. As Armaan passed Kunal, Kunal kept a hand on his shoulder and gave him a reassuring squeeze. Mishti had already informed Kunal about her & Abir's decision to approach Armaan and Kunal could understand the dilemma Armaan found himself in. He just hoped that in the end, Armaan made the choice that was better for him, not the one he felt would be better for the family.

Once in her room, Abhira made Armaan sit down on the bed. “Baitho,” she gently instructed, pushing him onto the bed. She took a seat beside him. “Ab batao. Kya hua? Sab theek haina?”

Wordlessly, Armaan reached into the bag he was carrying and gave the papers to Abhira. Abhira took them and glanced at them, confused. “Yeh kya hai?”

“Badi Maa wants me to join Asha Kiran as in-house counsel,” Armaan breathed, making Abhira look up in shock. “What?!”

Armaan nodded. “Aaj unhone ne hi mujhe bulaya tha. I was at the NGO. Badi Maa aur Bade Papa… They both suggested this.”

“Aur tumhaara kya khayal hai?” Abhira asked him.

“I don't know,” Armaan admitted. “Maine toh contract tak nahi padha ab tak. But I'm already leaning towards it, Ira. Yeh zameen wale case mein kaam karke mujhe itna sukoon mila main tumhe bata bhi nahi sakta.

Aisa nahi hai ki maine kabhi pehle pro-bono cases nahi lade hain, but firm mein hamesha se hi iss baat pe zyada gaur nahi kiya gaya. I mean, we're a business. Aur aise cases se business toh nahi chal sakta na. Iss wajah se sirf bare minimum social cases mein main involved rehta tha. NGO ka case bhi waise hi mere paas aaya tha. But, it was such a fulfilling experience.

I think it was because… main Badi Maa aur Bade Papa ke saath kaam kar raha tha. The energy and motivation they bring is so unparalleled. Tumhe pata hai, itne log NGO kholte hain, zaroorat mein logon ki madad karne ki koshish karte hain, lekin sab sachche dil se nahi karte. Bohot log yeh sab sirf dikhawe ke liye karte hain. But not Badi Maa and Bade Papa. Unn dono se zyada dedicated shayad hi koi hoga. Unhe sach mein kitni fikr hai, Ira. Har ek insaan ki jiski woh help kar sakte hain, woh karna chaahte hain. They have so much love to give. Woh dil se chaahte hain ki woh society mein change laaye, kisi ki zindagi ko behtar banane ka jazbaa jaise unki ragon mein daudta hai.

It's such a change from what I'm used to. Firm mein toh sab sirf paise ki baat karte hain. Iss deal se itna profit hoga, iss deal mein itne billable hours hain, yeh client bohot achchi fee offer kar raha hai… Iss sabke aage toh koi sochta hi nahi hai.

And I agree, paise important hain. Paise ke bina zindagi kabhi nahi chal sakti. Lekin, uske alawa bhi toh cheezein hai jo shayad zyada zaroori hai. Maine hamesha se ghar mein bohot paise dekhe hain, Abhira. Aur shayad maine itne paise dekhe hain isliye main yeh keh raha hoon, lekin paise se mujhe itni khushi kabhi nahi mili jitni mujhe yeh case jeet ke mili.”

“Main tumhaari baat samajhti hoon,” Abhira agreed. “Paise bohot important hote hain, Armaan. Yeh baat main tumse zyada achche se jaanti hoon. Lekin, paisa hi sab kuch nahi hota.

Yes, it brings a lot of comfort in life, but agar ghar 10 bedroom ke badle 2 bedroom ka ho, aur gaadi Mercedes ke badle Fiat bhi hona… Toh bhi theek hai. Magar agar humaare principles galat ho toh baat bilkul theek nahi hai.

But, baat sirf paison ki yaa seva ki nahi hai, Armaan. Firm jaisi bhi ho… Woh ghar ki baat hai. Aisa thodi hai ki woh firm sirf tumhaari workplace hai. Woh Poddar family ki legacy hai. Kya tum woh chod paoge?”

“Ab chodne ke liye bacha hi kya hai?” Armaan breathed. “Dadi Sa ne bhale hi mujhe fire na kiya ho but kaam toh cheen liya na. Puraane cases sab Rohit ko de diye aur naye cases mujh tak aa nahi rahe. Pehle toh firm mein sab pro-bono cases main handle karta tha lekin aajkal koi aisa case bhi nahi hai kyunki iss saal ka target already achieve ho chuka hai. Toh ab aisa case firm mein ab agle saal hi aayega. Tab tak main kya karunga?”

Abhira had no answer for that. “Ek baar yeh contract padh le phir?” She asked. Armaan nodded and the two of them went through it together.

It was a great offer. Armaan would have a lot more autonomy than he had ever had at the firm. He would be in-charge of the entire department. He could hire more people at his own discretion on the basis of his workload. He would be involved in a lot of major decision-making processes as well.

The contract also promised a better work-life balance with fewer hours than he was pulling at the firm. Yes, the perks were fewer than what he had at the firm, but the overall compensation they were offering was much better than what he earned now.

At Poddar & Associates, Armaan didn't have any separate money. All his fee was transferred into the family account after he was allowed to keep a small cut for his personal expenses. That's how it had always been for all family members who worked there. But, at Asha Kiran, his entire salary would be his alone. They also promised a lucrative bonus. Honestly, Armaan was surprised to see a rewarding salary structure given that Asha Kiran was a non-profit. But, knowing Abir & Mishti, he could see why it was so. They had no need for money given that the family business was thriving, and also knowing that Abir's apps had made them enough money to live comfortably for the rest of their lives.

But, really, what clinched the deal was the clause that clearly stated that neither could Armaan quit, nor could the company fire him, without a notice of two months, and only in the presence of reasonable grounds. After the way he had been removed from his position at the firm, this really meant a lot to him. He knew that this clause was present only for his benefit, to show him that they would not oust him from his job like he'd been before. Asha Kiran had one of the lowest employee turnover rates that he'd ever seen. And, he wouldn't be just an employee. He would also be family. If Armaan said yes, he knew he would never resign of his own volition. He would only leave if Abir or Mishti wanted him to leave. So, to have this security that things would not change overnight, meant the world to him.

“This is a good offer,” Abhira finally murmured. “Honestly, main tumhaari jagah hoti toh turant accept kar leti.”

“It is a great offer,” Armaan agreed. “Which is why I'm even more confused. Main kisi ka dil nahi dukhana chaahta, Abhira.”

“I know, Armaan,” Abhira reassured. “But, think professionally. This is about your career. Tum apne baare mein sochke decision lo. Not on the basis of what anyone else will think. Agar tumne abhi galat decision liya na, toh tum saari zindagi bohot regret karoge.

Dekho, main jhoot nahi bolungi. Agar mera decision hota toh main tumhe NGO join karwake hi maanti. It's a job profile that you've admitted to being keen on, the pay is pretty decent, aur mujhe pata hai ki wahaan log bhi achche hi honge. Badi Maa aur Bade Papa wahaan honge tumhe support karne, tumhe guide karne. Everything about this job is great.

Lekin, decision mera nahi, tumhaara hai. Agar tumhe lagta hai ki firm ke saath jude rehna hi better hai, toh main tumhe poora support karungi. Tum apna time lelo. Achche se socho. Aur phir decide karo.”

“Soch hi toh nahi paa raha,” Armaan sighed.

“Jab main aise confused hoti hoon na, toh ek pros & cons ki list banane ki koshish karti hoon. Usse bohot help hoti hai,” Abhira advised. “Tum bhi try karke dekh sakte ho.”

Armaan rested his head on her shoulder, humming. “Sochta hoon iss baare mein bhi. But, tum mere saath hona? Chaahe mera jo bhi decision ho.”

“I promise,” Abhira told him. “I just want you to be happy, Armaan. Woh firm mein ho yaa NGO mein, isse mujhe farak nahi padta, as long as tum apne faisle se khush ho.”

“Thank you,” Armaan murmured, reaching to kiss her cheek. Abhira smiled, rubbing her hand up and down his back in a soothing gesture.

Sometime later, they wandered downstairs. Everyone was engrossed in the film. Abhira pulled Armaan to the far end of the couch and pushed him onto it, taking a seat beside him. When Armaan opened his arms for her, she wordlessly hugged him close. Any other day, she might have resisted, knowing her cousins would tease them endlessly, but today, Armaan needed her and she understood that. She wouldn't deny him any comfort. Armaan sunk into her embrace, his entire body relaxing under her touch, making Abhira smile.

After the movie, they all ate a dinner of pizza and garlic bread. The Rajvansh kids kept the atmosphere light and breezy, joking around. They even managed to pull a few laughs out of Armaan which made them all happy. While Kunal might not have told them what had happened, they all understood that Armaan was going through something and needed their support. So, they did their best to cheer him up. Finally, when it was time for him to go, Hrishi, as the eldest, took it upon himself to speak to Armaan.

“Armaan,” he addressed his brother-in-law. “Main nahi jaanta ki tumhaare mann mein kya chal raha… Aisi kya baat hai jo tumhe itna pareshaan kar rahi hai. But, I just want you to know, ki tum akele nahi ho. Hum sab hain tumhaare saath. We trust you and we support you. Tumhe kabhi bhi kisi bhi cheez ki zaroorat hogi na… Tum bejhijhak mujhse aake kehna. Tumhaara yeh bhai tumhe sab laake dega.

I promise, Armaan… Tum chaahe jis bhi raaste chalo, tum humein hamesha apne saath paoge. We won't turn away from you. Tum hum sabki family ho. I know humne kabhi explicitly kaha nahi, but we all love you. And not just because you're Abhira's boyfriend. Hum tumse pyaar karte hain, Armaan. And we're always here for you, no matter what. Yeh baat please hamesha yaad rakhna.”

Armaan didn't know what to say to that. He had never felt the protection and support of an elder sibling in his life ever before. As the eldest in the house, he had always tried to be there for the kids, but there was no one who he could turn to in times of need. All his cousins were much younger than him, and they would never be able to fill that hole in Armaan's life. He'd made his peace with that. But Hrishi's words brought with them all his deeply buried desires. Of having someone to rely on, the way he tried to be there for his cousins. He couldn't believe he was lucky enough to find that one relationship he never thought he'd ever get to experience.

“Thank you, Bhai,” he choked out, falling into Hrishi's arms. This was the first time Armaan had called Hrishi that, but it felt natural as breathing, addressing him as such. Hrishi reached up to ruffle Armaan's hair, exhaling sharply as tears pricked his eyes.

“Hum bhi hain!!” Raj pouted, joining the hug. One by one, all the Rajvansh siblings crowded around Armaan, assuring him that he would always find them in his corner. Abhira stood at a little distance, observing the scene unfolding in front of her with a bright smile. When Armaan's eyes met hers, he silently extended his hand out from the mass of bodies he was surrounded by and Abhira laughed, immediately taking his hand in her own and intertwining their fingers. Armaan gave a disbelieving laugh and clutched her hand tight, basking in the love he was being smothered in, finally finding some much needed respite.

After everyone had calmed down from the emotional display, Armaan reluctantly left for the Poddar Mansion, Abhira insisting on dropping him there. At the gate of the house, Armaan turned to Abhira, gathering her in his arms for the umpteenth time that day. “Everything will work out,” Abhira reassured him yet again. “Tum dekhna.”

Armaan sighed heavily, willing himself to believe her. “I'm telling you,” Abhira insisted. “End mein sab kuch theek ho jaata hai. Aur agar na ho, toh woh the end nahi hota.”

Armaan chuckled. “Tum yeh SRK ka dialogue suna ke mujhe khush karne ki koshish kar rahi ho?”

Abhira pulled back, gobsmacked. “Tumhe yeh dialogue pata hai?!” She asked.

“Of course,” Armaan rolled his eyes. “Just because main tumhaare jitni picturein nahi dekhta iska yeh matlab nahi hai ki main dekhta hi nahi hoon. I've watched Om Shanti Om.”

“Oh my god!” Abhira exclaimed. “Seriously, Khadoosmaan? Aur tumne mujhe bataya bhi nahi? Main faltu mein hi tumhe itna boring samajhti thi?”

Armaan laughed. “Abhi toh aisi bohot cheezein hain jo aap nahi jaanti, Sharma Ji!”

“Unacceptable!” Abhira growsed. “Mujhe tumhaare baare mein sab kuch jaan'na hai, my silly boy.”

“My silly girl,” Armaan whispered softly. “Uske liye humaare paas apni poori life hai.”

Abhira nodded slightly, moving forward to rest her forehead on Armaan's. “You're right,” she agreed.

“Abhira!” Kunal's voice broke their moment. The two of them looked up to see the man in question by the door of the Rajvansh Villa. “Bohot late ho gaya, beta,” Kunal continued. “Chal, ghar aaja.”

“Yes, Nanu!” Abhira replied. She turned back to Armaan and reached up to kiss his forehead. “Zyada tension mat lena. Sab achcha hi hoga.”

Armaan nodded and reluctantly let Abhira go. “Good night, Ira.”

“Good night, Armaan,” Abhira replied, walking towards Kunal, who was still waiting. He extended his hand for Abhira to take, which she did. Before walking inside, Kunal turned to Armaan and said, “Abhira is right, Armaan. Tum dekhna… End mein sab kuch theek hoga. Mishbha, Bhai, and I trust you. Tum kuch galat nahi karoge, I know.”

“Thank you, Nanu,” Armaan smiled. “I'll try to not disappoint the trust you've shown in me.”

“Tum chaaho toh bhi nahi kar sakte,” Kunal assured. “Remember, Armaan… Yahaan koi sahi ya galat faisla nahi hai. Sirf yeh sochke faisla lena ki tum kya chaahte ho.”

Armaan nodded once more. “I will,” he promised. Kunal smiled and finally turned, dragging Abhira inside with him. But not before Abhira slyly blew Armaan a kiss, which he pretended to catch, rubbing his palm over his heart, making Abhira blush. Once they were inside, Armaan turned and left as well, a renewed energy in his movements. He felt better now that he had Abhira's support. With her by his side, he didn't have to worry about anything.

He went inside the house, oblivious to the two pairs of eyes who had witnessed the entire exchange. Rohit had talked Ruhi into taking a drive with him, wanting to spend some time with her and had inadvertently watched the entire conversation unfold. While it made Ruhi's blood boil to see Armaan so clingy with Abhira when he never did so with her, to see him so comfortable with Abhira's family when he still referred to her B. Nanu as Uncle, Rohit was deep in thought, perhaps realizing for the first time that his brother truly had moved on from Ruhi. Maybe, he'd been too wrapped in his own beliefs to see what everyone else had seen so clearly. Maybe, Armaan really wanted nothing to do with Ruhi and was intent on starting a new life with Abhira. Maybe, just maybe, he'd been too harsh on his brother. But, before the thought could fully form in his head, his eyes fell on a seething Ruhi. And what good did it do him if Armaan moved on, when Ruhi clearly hadn't? He needed to do something, he concluded. He had to make things such that Ruhi would have no choice but to move on from Armaan and focus on their relationship. Because, Ruhi might say with her mouth that she didn't care about Armaan, but her eyes told a different story altogether. And Rohit would be damned if he let Armaan snatch his wife away from him a second time.

Ekdum mast hai story continuation....

Would love poddhar family reaction

Do continue soon...

Waiting for Poddar family reaction and hoping Armaan moves out when he marries Abhira. Can see Rohit, Fufasa and Kaveri being horrible.

Wonderful FF, made for a perfect weekend read😀

Oh my!! This has been a lovely read. I have missed Mishbir so very much, and I love this twist on things. It’s good to see you writing, and writing well. Good luck with the rest of your story. I can’t wait to read

Wonderful update,waiting 4 nxt update

Originally posted by: ashsamik

Ekdum mast hai story continuation....

Would love poddhar family reaction

Do continue soon...

Thank you so much! Glad you're enjoying. <3