Kaveri was beyond pissed off with Armaan. She mentally noted that she really needs to do something quick to regain her control over Armaan.
There marked the beginning of Armaan's new exhaustion. Kaveri overworked Armaan beyond his limits. Sanjay used this opportunity to enact his own revenge on Armaan owing to lack of information on Abhira Sharma. Though Armaan has a natural talent as an Advocate, he is Sanjay's junior in their firm so as soon as Sanjay caught hold of Kaveri overworking Armaan, he happily contributed his part. A couple of weeks rolled by, and Armaan was at his wits end.
A very tired Armaan dragged himself painfully one evening into the Poddar house only to witness all the family members rejoicing Rohit's return. Armaan's happy that his little brother is alright, but something twisted inside Armaan. He realised that he did not belong in that cozy circle. He realised that his so called family can never be this selflessly happy for him. In the back of his mind, he heard a voice saying that his Papa and his chachu will be happy for him selflessly. But was it enough? Armaan realised that it was not enough. Armaan realised that he wanted more. He realised that the people who makes him feel as an outcast is not really his family. But they are his family, or are they not? Armaan sighed and walked towards his "not really his" family.
Madhav: Is the Poddar law firm has inadequate Advocates or something? Why is Armaan's being overworked for the past few weeks?
Kaveri angrily glared at her son and Armaan gave his father a weak smile.
Madhav: Come take a seat Armaan and have some juice.
Armaan: *cheerfully* How are you Rohit? And tell me all about your solo trip!
Before Rohit could say anything Kaveri butted in.
Kaveri: Rohit go and freshen up! And Armaan you are young in age, so an obvious junior in our firm, if you can't handle the work pressure then I seriously doubt your future as a successful lawyer.
Armaan was beyond pissed and he saw his Papa gearing up with a befitting reply, to avoid a verbal spat which will increase Armaan's headache. He motioned Madhav not to say anything. And Madhav angrily huffed.
Manoj: But maasa! Armaan can't work effectively if he was this exhausted?
Sanjay: So Manoj, you want Armaan to never come out of his comfort zone and win only 3 or 4 case per year just like you.
That statement triggered a huge argument to break out between Madhav, Manoj, Kaveri and Sanjay. Vidhya, Kajal and Manisha stood in the background without having the guts to interrupt the fight and all the cousins left the room leaving Armaan behind. Guess it was too much to ask for a happy family time with his "not really his" family, Armaan though to himself.
_________________________
The next day...
Sanjay received a call from the Minister enquiring him about the whereabouts of Abhira Sharma. And this frustrated Sanjay so much. He's 100% sure that Armaan is lying about not knowing Abhira Sharma's whereabouts. So a pissed off Sanjay walked towards Armaan's cabin to torment him some more. As soon as Sanjay reached Armaan's cabin, he looked at the file in his hands. Elsewhere Manoj was also going through the files regarding the same case, Sanjay was planning to burden Armaan with.
According to the outside world, Manoj Poddar was a successful man in his personal and professional life, as he's well settled with his wife and 2 kids, and he's contributing his part to their family law firm. But little did anyone realise his feeling of not being enough. His Jijasa's taunt yesterday was the haunting reality of his hidden misery.
This case was a highly sensitive one and the client, who approached the Poddars law firm is of high profile so the Poddars accepted the case forgetting their moral compass. Their new client Vikash Mehra was accused of Honour Killing by his own daughter Shanaya Mehra. Shanaya Mehra was an educated women, who fell in love with her late husband and married him against her father's wishes. Vikash loved his only daughter to the moon and back, but what she did has humiliated him in front of their extended family and business partners. His daughter eloped with a poor man. His status was deeply affected by his daughter's idiocy and so in rage he shot that man who manipulated his daughter by faking love for her and Shanaya lost her dear husband forever.
Vikash is now in the epitome of an unstable state, though his love for his daughter protected her life, he's not ready to stake his name anymore in the society. So he approached the biggest law firm in the city "Poddars law firm" to prove him as not guilty. But day by day, his insanity was reaching the sky. All the online petitions and physical protests held by his bold daughter against his action was causing him huge loss in business. His daughter downright turned down all of Vikash's attempts to talk with her to withdraw the case. But Shanaya was hell bent on fighting for justice.
One look at the case file and Armaan rejected to fight for Vikash Mehra.
Armaan: Fufasa I can't fight for such an inhuman cause. I'm willing to offer my support to Shanaya Mehra against her father.
Sanjay: Our firm accepted Vikash Mehra as the client not his daughter. And you are backing off from the promise made to our client and humiliate Maasa.
Armaan was spellbound. Does their family law firm only choose client based on their wealth and not on humanity? Armaan felt disgusted at the mere thought.
Armaan: No Fufasa this is wrong of us to accept such a cruel murderer as a client. I won't fight for him.
Sanjay: This new case was tagged under your name, so do the honours yourself by rejecting the client. But keep it mind Armaan, Maasa will not be pleased if we lost a high profile case by your actions.
Without saying anything, Armaan extended his hands for taking the file. And went towards the waiting room where Vikash Mehra was seated. Sanjay followed closely to not miss a scene to rat Armaan out to Kaveri for loosing this case from their hands, on their way Abhira phone called Armaan.
_________________________
Dear readers, thank you so much for voting my work 💟
