Sanjay's legal license was canceled, and he was arrested. It didn't come as a surprise. Those who had been watching the steady unraveling of Poddar Law Firm could see this outcome from a distance. His unchecked ambition, questionable ethics, and under-the-table dealings had finally caught up to him. For months, whispers of his misconduct had circulated through legal circles, and when the authorities finally made their move, it felt inevitable.
The arrest sent shockwaves through the firm, but what followed was perhaps even more jarring—there was no one left to take Sanjay's place. No successor to step in and stabilize the situation. The once-formidable Poddar Law Firm was leaderless, with no clear direction forward. Sanjay had run the firm with an iron grip, pushing aside anyone who might have challenged his authority, including Armaan, whose departure had left a void that no one had filled.
Kaveri Poddar, once the heart of the family's legal legacy, stood at the center of this collapse, her hands tied by her own choices. She had backed Sanjay, trusting him to carry the firm forward, while distancing herself from Armaan, who had always represented the values of integrity and fairness. Now, with Sanjay behind bars and no clear heir, she faced the harsh reality that the Poddar legacy was crumbling before her eyes.
Clients, already on edge after months of rumors, fled in droves. The remaining employees, demoralized and uncertain about their futures, stepped down leading to mass resigns. The firm, which had once dominated the legal scene, was now a shadow of its former self. Legal battles, financial woes, and Sanjay's public downfall all but guaranteed that the doors would soon close for good.
Charu, who was once rebuked even for the thought of pursuing a career, now rendered to be the only option for Kaveri Poddar. Life had come full circle. Charu, often dismissed as a mere shadow in the Poddar family, had spent years in the background, her ambitions quietly smothered under the weight of family expectations. Kaveri had always envisioned a girl's life following the traditional path—marriage, family, and playing the dutiful role in the Poddar household. A career had never been on the table, much less a leadership role in the family firm.
But now, with Sanjay's fall from grace and the firm teetering on the brink of collapse, Charu was the only one left. Kaveri, who had never entertained the idea of Charu stepping into such a role, found herself with no other choice. The irony wasn't lost on Kaveri. She had always believed that Charu wasn't suited for the harsh world of law, but now, she was forced to pin her hopes on her. Charu, who had been sidelined, now stood at the crossroads—her future tied to the very legacy that had once ignored her.
Charu isn't the one to step down. Not after she had been consumed with guilt all these years, believing she was the one responsible for the first crack in her Bhayya and Bhabhi's life. She had seen it all unfold—the tension, the arguments, the growing distance. She had been there, mute, when the entire Poddar family thundered against Abhira for not disclosing her past relationship. Charu had stood in silence as they tore apart Abhira's character, questioning her morals, her upbringing, and her worth. She hadn't defended her then, despite knowing deep down that the family's accusations were unfair, undeserved, and cruel.
That silence had haunted her for years. She had always regretted not standing up for Abhira, the woman who had shown her nothing but kindness. Abhira had been ostracized for trying to carve out her own identity, and Charu knew she had failed her when it mattered most. Now, with the firm in disarray and no one left to pick up the pieces, Charu saw this as her moment to make amends, to prove that a woman could rise in her career without compromising her values, without losing herself to the harsh judgments of the world.
She would show them all, especially her grandmother, Kaveri Poddar, who had always been so regressive, despite her power and influence. Kaveri, who believed that a woman's worth was tied to her role in the family, to her ability to play the perfect wife, mother, and daughter-in-law.
Charu had seen the way her grandmother wielded her authority like a sword, cutting down any woman who dared to challenge tradition. But times had changed, and Charu was ready to prove that the future wasn't bound by the old rules. She was going to prove, not just to the world, but to herself, that women could succeed on their own terms, without bowing to the pressures of outdated ideals. She would rebuild the Poddar name, not in Sanjay's corrupt image, but in the way it was meant to be, with integrity and fairness—values that Abhira and Armaan had always embodied. Charu would no longer be the silent spectator. She would be the force that changed everything.
Krish was happy for his sister. Even if he felt that Charu would be overburdened with sudden responsibilities, he knew deep down that she would thrive. She always had a quiet strength about her, one that had been overlooked for years by their family, but Krish had never missed it. He had watched her grow, silently bearing the weight of expectations that were never meant to be hers. Now, she was stepping into the storm, and despite his worries, he couldn't help but admire her determination.
For years, Krish had felt helpless, even though he was flourishing in his own career. His success in the dance industry had brought him pride, but it had also carried a lingering guilt. Charu had sacrificed her ambitions, her voice, for the sake of family peace, and Krish had done little to challenge that dynamic. He had watched, from a distance, as she quietly absorbed the emotional fallout of the family's divisions, unable to defend herself or those she loved. He felt sorry for not being there when it mattered most.
When Abhira was ostracized and Charu stood alone, Krish had remained silent, caught in the web of family loyalty and tradition. He had known it wasn't fair, but he had allowed the weight of tradition to silence him. He regretted not standing by Charu when she needed him most, not being the brother she deserved in those crucial moments. But now, seeing her take charge, he felt a surge of pride. This was her moment, and Krish knew she was capable of carrying the legacy forward, despite the immense pressure. Charu was stepping into her own, and Krish was determined to be there for her this time, to support her in a way he hadn't before.
Krish made a silent vow to stand by her side, to never let her face these challenges alone again. This time, he would be the brother she deserved—her ally, her supporter, and her biggest advocate. The days of helplessness were over. Charu was stepping into her power, and Krish, proud and ready, would be there every step of the way.
Armaan couldn't be any happier with this development. After years of watching Charu's potential be sidelined by family traditions and outdated expectations, he was thrilled to see her finally taking control of her own destiny. Armaan had always believed in her abilities, even when no one else did. He had watched her navigate the complexities of family dynamics, often silently, but always with grace. Now, seeing her rise to the occasion, stepping into the role that no one had thought she could handle, filled him with pride. This was Charu's time to shine, and Armaan knew she would succeed where others had faltered.
Manoj and Manisha, meanwhile, silently prayed for Charu's strength. They had always been proud of her, but seeing her step up in such a challenging moment made their hearts swell with both pride and concern. They knew the path ahead would not be easy, but they also knew that Charu had been waiting for this moment her entire life. She was finally being given the chance to live her dreams, to prove to herself and everyone else that she was more than capable of handling the responsibility.
As much as they were proud, they also felt a sense of relief. Charu had always been destined for something greater, and they had watched her dreams be stifled for far too long. Now, she was being given the chance to pursue those dreams without having to compromise her values or sacrifice her integrity. It was the opportunity they had always hoped would come, and while they knew it would be a difficult road, they had faith in her.
Together, Manoj and Manisha prayed for her success, for the strength she would need to navigate the challenges ahead. But above all, they prayed for her happiness—that, at long last, Charu could embrace the life she had always deserved.
*After another 6 months*
Abhira finally cleared her debt with Armaan. The weight that had lingered between them for years was gone, and for the first time in what felt like a lifetime, she felt free. It wasn't just the financial debt she had paid off—it was the emotional burden, the silent strain that had hung over their relationship like an invisible cloud, suffocating and relentless.
Each repayment had been a step toward healing, a long, arduous journey fraught with introspection and growth. She remembered the initial days when the debt loomed over her like a shadow, casting doubt and anxiety into her thoughts. It was not merely a number on a piece of paper; it represented all the blames she endured, choices that were pushed upon her. It served as a constant reminder of her past, the ways she felt she had disappointed not just Armaan, but herself.
With every payment she made, she felt the chains of guilt loosening their grip on her heart. She had started to view each transaction not just as a financial obligation, but as a commitment to change, a promise to herself that she would no longer be defined by her past. Each amount transferred was a small victory—a chance to reclaim her dignity and sense of worth.
And now, standing at the end of it all, Abhira was content. She had come to understand that the journey toward financial independence was intertwined with her emotional recovery. She could look at herself without guilt, without regret, knowing she had made things right. The relief was palpable, washing over her like a warm tide. She felt lighter, unburdened by the weight of unresolved issues.
The clarity she felt now was exhilarating. She could approach life with a fresh perspective, unclouded by the burdens that had previously anchored her down. She was no longer just a woman with a debt to pay off; she was a survivor, a fighter, and, most importantly, a person capable of forging a new path forward. Abhira's heart swelled with hope as she envisioned her future, one filled with endless possibilities, and a deep-seated belief that she was worthy of the happiness she had long sought.
Armaan, too, was preparing for a fresh start. The bitterness and the lingering baggage of past misunderstandings had slowly unraveled over these months, each passing day chipping away at the walls he had built around his heart. Abhira clearing the debt was symbolic, representing not just a financial transaction but a profound turning point in their relationship. For him, it signified the end of an era filled with resentment and hurt, and the dawn of a new beginning—one steeped in hope and the potential for reconciliation.
The weight of their past miscommunications had once felt like an anchor, dragging him down into a sea of regret. He had spent countless nights wrestling with his emotions, replaying arguments in his mind, wondering where things had gone wrong. The pain of their separation had been palpable, manifesting in moments of anger and sadness that had overshadowed his daily life. But as the months passed, Armaan began to understand that healing required more than just time; it demanded forgiveness, acceptance, and a willingness to let go of the past.
The wounds of the past had healed, and with each passing day, he felt more at peace with his choices and the decisions that had led them to this point. He had embraced the lessons learned from their experiences—how misunderstandings could spiral out of control if left unchecked, how pride could often overshadow genuine feelings. Armaan recognized that, while they had both played a part in their relationship's unraveling, it was equally important to focus on the path ahead.
Now, as he prepared to meet Abhira again, he felt a sense of anticipation rather than anxiety. This time, he approached their reunion with an open heart, ready to embrace whatever came next. There were no more unspoken resentments, no more shadowed expectations looming over them. Instead, he envisioned a dialogue filled with honesty, compassion, and understanding—one that would allow them to express their feelings without fear of judgment.He reflected on the moments that had led them apart and acknowledged the pain they had both endured. Yet, rather than viewing these memories as burdens, he saw them as stepping stones toward a stronger bond. The realization that they could both grow from their experiences sparked a sense of optimism in him.
Armaan knew that rebuilding their relationship would take time and effort, but he felt ready for the challenge. He was determined to approach Abhira with kindness and patience, to listen as much as he spoke, and to show her that he had changed. This time, he was not just hoping for a reconciliation; he was committed to making it happen. He wanted to create a foundation built on mutual respect and support, one that would allow them to navigate life's ups and downs together.
As he stood at the threshold of this new chapter, Armaan felt lighter than he had in years. The future no longer felt daunting; it was a blank canvas waiting to be painted with shared dreams and aspirations. He was ready to embrace this fresh start, not just for himself, but for Abhira too, knowing that together, they could craft a beautiful story that transcended their past. The anticipation of their meeting filled him with excitement, as he imagined the possibilities that lay ahead for them both.
Author's note:
I sincerely apologize for the delay. This chapter has been lying in drafts for more than a month. I was somehow still not satisfied with this.
My initial thought process was to pen down changes in Poddar family dynamics, post-Abhira's exit. I never planned to write about Abhira's journey. But I enjoyed covering that part as well. I believe I concluded all the open aspects of this book. It was mentioned previously that this book will have an open ending. I openly acknowledged that I'm incapable of writing Happy moments😬.
With this chapter, I conclude this book.
'Journey Post Separation - Poddar Family' will be marked complete officially.
I would like to thank all of you for your immense support and patience throughout the journey. This is my first-ever attempt at writing and I think I climbed a step up even if I couldn't reach the top.
Once again, sincere apologies if you aren't satisfied with the outcome.