Phoenix - Abhira Sharma's journey

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The singhania mansion stood majestically at the end of a winding driveway lined with towering palms, its grand facade a blend of classic Indian architecture and modern elegance. Intricate jali work adorned the windows, casting delicate patterns of light and shadow on the marble floors inside. The entrance was framed by blooming bougainvillea and lush greenery,with a vibrant burst of color. It has been years ,the mansion hasn't changed much.
Abhira stepped out of the car with naksh and kreeti guiding her in. She looked around to see the mansion which might be her home for a long time. She was nervous with the thought that she will have new people in her life whom she would have to call her family.

she stepped through the ornate wooden gates, Abhira felt a swell of emotions wash over her—anticipation, joy, and a lingering sense of loss.

A Elderly figure, stood at the entrance, his eyes twinkling with kindness. "Welcome home, Abhira," he said, his voice deep and welcoming. His hands enveloped hers, warm and strong, grounding her in this moment.
" Bilkul naira pe gayi hai, mein tumhara parnanu beta" Natik says affectionately looking at her. Abhira nods her head.

A chorus of voices echoed from within, and many people came rushing towards her. They embraced her, their laughter ringing like music in the air. Each hug felt like a stitch mending a wound, an invisible thread connecting her to a family she had long been denied. She was brought to the hall where she was made to sit in centre and people kept introducing themselves to her. They looked at her so happily, some got teary eyed seeing her.
" Meri bf aur naira di ki aakhir nishaani abir kitni pyaari hai" Mishti says cupping abhira's face affectionately and kissing her. Abhira was left touched by the emotions. When was the last time she received such genuine affections without doing anything.
“Abhira di Come, we have so much to show you!” her cousin, Meera, exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement. Her other cousin, cousin stood next to Meera waiting for her to come with them. When the cousins saw how the elders weren't leaving abhira, they dragged her amongst the protests of the elders who kept glaring at them.

Abhira was led through the intricately designed halls adorned with rich tapestries and portraits of ancestors, each step filling her with a sense of belonging she had never felt before.
As she entered a spacious room, abhira’s breath caught in her throat. The walls were painted a soothing cream, and the furniture was a blend of modern elegance and traditional craftsmanship. There were some awards on the shelves and some traditional ghurus.Then she saw a picture of a woman who looked familiar to her, she was dancing in the picture. She wanted to know more about her. She looked around and found A desk sat by the window, adorned with books on law and justice. “yeh aapka room hai, yeh naira nani ka room tha humne thoda changes kiya hai” meera said softly, her pride evident. “We know you're a lawyer and will become a very successful one soon”
Tears brimmed in abhira’s eyes as she took in the details—each piece carefully chosen, each corner filled with love. It felt like a sanctuary, a space where she could finally breathe freely, away from the suffocating shadows of her past.

Abhira was again brought back to the hall as some of the relatives were leaving and they wanted to see her one long time.
" We will meet you soon beta" The maheshwaris and rajvanshs bid her a farewell. The maheshwaris insisted that abhira come home soon and spend some days in maheshwari mansion. Abhira could not tell them a no she promised she would try to make some time.
Later abhira settled herself on the sofa, She was given her family album. She almost cried when she saw her mother's childhood photos. Natik and naksh recounted to her the family history, how everyone got separated. She came to know how her Nanu's side of family treated her mother and how the singhanias and maheshwaris have broken the realtions with them. Abhira had then recounted her life with her mother, how happy they were till destiny took everything away, she revealed about her and armaan, the poddar family. The struggle she faced with armaan and his family, the weight of their disdain over her fertility issues. She had felt like a ghost in her own life, constantly reminded of her worthlessness. Meera had squeezed abhira's hand softly showing her support , she hated that her cousin sister had to bear so much. Only if they had found her few months before. She hated the poddar family already. Beside her kabir was gritting his teeth controlling the curses he wanted to shout loudly at his cousin sister's in-laws.

Natik  listened to abhira intently, nodding with understanding. “ Abhira beta tum bahut strong woh bilkul apni maa aur nani ki tarah, tumhari nani aur tumhari maa ek galti kardiya beta that I don't want you to make. They did not know when to walk away from realtionships, they always sacrificed. Naira lost her life and akshu learnt the hard way but I hope you don't do the same. Apni self respect and dignity ko kisse ke samne mat juka na beta, the realtionship which will demand you to do so it's better it dies. Me and others will never demand anything of you, this is your life you can take your decisions we will support you. It's your first' day here, I don't want to stress around things. You can take your time and decide things. For now, have your lunch and take rest. You have been through too much, you need to take proper rest and refresh yourself” he said, his voice a gentle caress that warmed her heart.

Abhira leaves to her room obeying Natik.  His words are still not leaving her mind, was it better to end her relationship with armaan and poddars. She was too confused and struggling to decide. She laid on her bed, thoughts occupying her mind. Her phone rang next to her, armaan's name flashing on the screen which she did not care to pick up. She did not want to, he only seems to care about her when he feels she can go away from him. She did not want his so called care and love now. She wanted time to decide about their relationship, but right now she felt she could finally move forward in other aspects of her life. She could build a future, not just as a lawyer, but as a woman who was unapologetically herself. She will never again trade her self respect and dignity for anything in the world.

In the living room, the elders sat side by side on the sofa, their expressions heavy with concern. The flickering light from a nearby lamp cast soft shadows on their faces, revealing the lines of worry etched deep from years of watching their family navigate heartache.
" Kya hum abhira di ko unke sasural mein jaane dengi? " Meera asks not understanding why the elders are giving abhira the chance to decide, yes forcing things weren't the way the elders deal with but sometimes it's necessary..what if abhira di decides to go back, meera would lock her sister in home but never send her back to that family because of whom abhira was holding back her tears while speaking.
" Kabhi nahi" Kabir says quickly, " we will not let that happen"
" Kabir, meera shant raho. We have only met abhira today and with great difficulty convinced her to go home with us. If we start forcing decisions on her, she will suffocate and would want to run away from here" Keerti says to her grandchildren who did not look happy with the words but still agreed for the time being.
" Only if we had found her at time, such things could have been avoided" Naksh says, with a hint of sadness in his voice.
Natik with a furrowed brow, speaks softly but firmly, his voice steady
" Whatever happened has happened, we can't change anything. Now let's shower abhira with lot of love and support. The things we could not do for akshu we will do for our abhira"
Meera and Kabir nod in agreement, their expressions a blend of determination and protectiveness for their cousin sister.
" We are thinking we should organise a big family gathering. Dance, music and reminiscing memories of everyone. Abhira di can again meet all people this time more freely" Meera suggested her eyes brightening with the thought. “She deserves to feel cherished, to know that her happiness matters.”
" After the gathering, the children can divide their time and spend a few days in the maheshwaris and rajvansh house with abhira . The families have been insisting that abhira stay with them this will also help abhira to familiarise her bonds with them and keep her little distracted" kreeti suggested.
Natik and naksh agreed with kreeti. The change of environment and cities and meeting new people in the family who loves her might help abhira mentally. The poddars have broken her mentally, she needs love and peace to recover and get back to normal.
Meera and Kabir quickly spring into action, their laughter breaking the tension. They start making a list of family members to be invited, all preparations to be done, number of days they will spend in particular relatives houses.
They decide to decorate the living room with flowers, using vibrant marigolds. As they work, they decide all the ways they can make abhira feel welcomed and special. Their shared joy helps to ease the heaviness in the room. The evening light filters through the windows, casting a warm glow as they finish their preparations.

Natik, kreeti and naksh sat listening to all the things the grandchildren were planning for abhira with happiness but  a quiet determination was already settled among them that—they will stand by Abhira, no matter the road ahead.