17- Who is right?

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Armaan stood in the center of the empty cafe, his words echoing in the open. His family and Abhira, everyone wearing expressions ranging from shock to betrayal, hung on his every word.

"The events were making me mad Manoj uncle," Armaan's voice quivered with emotion. "I did not have any option left, and I did what I thought was right. It was for me, for Abhira, and for all of you. I know I've made you all hate me, miss me, curse at me, but believe me, it was for everyone's sake."

He paused, looking at each person in the cafe, trying to gauge their reactions before continuing. "Dadisa never wanted me to become the next legal head. I didn't want to live in that house, that suffocating environment. None of the Poddars, except you two and Papa, felt like my own."

Armaan's words hung heavy in the air as he talked about his struggles, the sacrifices he'd made, and the love he had for Abhira. He recounted moments of realization, moments that forced him to confront the harsh realities of his life and his relationships.

"Abhira changed me. She made me see the truth, the reality that Granny had tried to shield me from. I left her, yes, but for her betterment. And about leaving Abhira--let me clear this up--I did leave her but for good, for her betterment, I freed her from all the relations she had in that house with me and my family. I HAD FREED HER. I ACCEPT THAT MY WAY WAS WRONG--I COULD HAVE TALKED BUT AFTER SOMETIME THEY WOULD HAVE FOUND OUT AND ABHIRA AS FAR AS I KNOW--SHE IS AN EMOTIONAL PERSON AND GETS EASILY CARRIED AWAY BY THE SWEET WORDS. I WANTED HER TO GROW INDIVIDUALLY. I WANTED HER TO PROVE WHAT SHE REALLY WAS--AND SHE PROVED. I will not force her accept me because in true sense I have betrayed her and her faith and love for me. I had promised her that I will stay with her no matter what but I couldn't. I have failed my promise but I know somewhere she has understood what I did and why I did that. It is her choice to leave me, to curse me, to slap me, to kick me wherever she wants, to file a case against me, to ruin me--I AM READY. I AM READY FOR THAT. I HAVE NEVER FORCED HER TO ACCEPT MY LOVE''

Armaan's voice wavered as he spoke of his undying love for Abhira, his willingness to let her go if that's what she wanted. "I will not force her to accept my love. I will respect her decisions, even if they mean leaving me. I will always love her, silently, from a distance, even if she chooses another path.''

They all fell silent as Armaan's words settled in everyone's hearts. His vulnerability, his raw emotions, and his unwavering love for Abhira painted a portrait of a man who was willing to sacrifice his own happiness for the sake of the woman he loved.

''I have an objection'' Abhira stood up and spoke.

''Proceed'' Manoj replied.

''Like Armaan said about my behavior and my emotional connection with the word family--as toxic as they may be, it is because I yearn for a family. I only had my mother as my family and did not know about her whereabouts and her family. When I popped up a question, she would remain silent or just ignore me or divert the question. From that I knew that she was never going to disclose about her family and hence I stopped asking her. Armaan regarding this is correct but that does not mean he will just leave me with a letter--not even stating that when he will be back and leaving me with negative sentences. And on top of that he had severed all the ties with me--had written that and what is bittersweet liberation. YOU DECIDE WHAT YOU WANT AND I WILL DECIDE WHAT I WANT. I UNDERSTAND YOUR REASON FOR LEAVING THE FAMILY AND ME WAS CLEAR BUT THAT DOES NOT MEAN SEVERING ALL THE RELATIONS ARMAAN. YOU DID NOT FIGHT YOU CHOOSE TO FLIGHT. And this proves that--you weren't strong enough to fight. I stayed in Mussoorie, restarted again and I achieved success. You too have achieved success but at what cost---severing ties with your father, your mother, your brother, your uncle and aunt? I understand your feelings for Rohit and your grandmother and Sanjay uncle but what about your mother and father? Okay lets leave your mother--but what about your father-- your biological father? Did you ever think of him? DID YOU? I KNOW HE HAD FAILED AS A FATHER BUT YOU WERE HIS SON, RIGHT? WHAT DID YOU DO? FLED? LIKE YOUR FATHER AGREED TO DO A SECOND MARRIAGE INSTEAD OF STANDING UP FOR HIS LOVE. YOU HAVE COMMITTED THE SAME MISTAKE BUT IN A DIFFERENT WAY. Who is right and who is wrong here--you just think. And about leaving me--I need some time to process this. Don't think that I have forgiven or forgotten. Just think calmly and after realizing what all you have done and what all I have done in these three years--we will meet after six months. Here at this hotel--in this cafe.''

Armaan looked at Abhira, flabbergasted. He couldn't believe what he had just heard.

"That's a good decision. Both of you will meet here after six months--and then decide what is to be done," Manoj said with a finality in his tone before leaving the cafe, followed by Abhira and the rest of the members, leaving Armaan and Rohit sitting in stunned silence.

Rohit reached out a hand to place it on Armaan's shoulder, offering silent support. Armaan appreciated the gesture but his mind was racing with thoughts of what could have led to this moment.

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A SHORT UPDATE AFTER A LOOOOOOONG TIME BECAUSE I WAS BUSY WITH STUDIES, TUITIONS AND ALL.

WHAT DO YOU ALL THINK ABOUT THIS CHAPTER?

DON'T WORRY-- ALL WILL BE WELL.

AND ABOUT THE SIX MONTHS TIME GAP--ITS JUST ONE CHAPTER LEAP.

I REALISED THAT BOTH ABHIRA AND ARMAAN ARE AT FAULT.

ABHIRA HAD FORGOTTEN HER TRUE SELF AND WAS TRYING TO WOO DADISA--BY BECOMING VIDYA--SHE WAS EAGER TO GET HER AASHIRWAAD KNOWING THAT KAVERI IS NOT THE ONE TO BE EASILY PLEASED.

ARMAAN AND MADHAV'S CONNECTION WAS THE SAME--BUT THEY HAD DIFFERENT REASONS.

MADHAV MARRIED SHIVANI AND DID NOT STAND BY HER WHEREAS ARMAAN LEFT EVERYTHING AND FLED BUT FOR ABHIRA'S GROWTH--WHICH IS WRONG AS WELL AS PARTIALLY RIGHT.

WHAT DO YOU ALL THINK?

DO DROP IN YOUR VIEWS ON THIS!!

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