Phoenix - Abhira Sharma's journey

Decision

After the showdown with the goenkas and poddars, Abhira had a restless night. She could not sleep and was pondering on her future with the poddar family. Still now, she pushed hers and armaan's relationship back of her mind thinking that she will confront about it when her mind is ready to ponder about it but now she is forced to think about it and decide about it seriously. Manisha's sudden flip had her wondering about the Poddars, none of them are her own and she will never make the mistake of thinking about that. The same manisha chachi and Manoj chachu who always embraced her warmly now suddenly turned cold towards her because the consequences did not fit them. The chorus gang flip here and there whenever they feel too. She doesn't want to think about vidya, Ruhi and fufa sa, they are vile people she has met in her life. Rohit was a puppet and gets manipulated easily and armaan after what he did early morning she doesn't know if she ever knew him. The only people in that family who are sane are Dadi sa and madhav papa, dadisa is no saint but she at least has some brain and madhav papa she feels pity for him and will always respect him but it's time she sorts out few things in her personal life. Her professional life will take off, she has a supportive family to fall back if she experiences failure but for now she needs to end few things permanently. Abhira finally sleeps after resolving to sort a few things.

The next morning when everyone had finished their breakfast, Abhira took a deep breath before speaking
“I have made a decision,” Abhira began, her voice steady. All eyes turned to her. She took a deep breath. “I am going to seek divorce from armaan.”
There was a brief silence. Abhira knew with how much difficulty she has reached this decision. Her heart was still heavy but it was her mind which empowered her heart. No matter how much armaan claims he would leave his family for her but in a long run it was not going to work, Armaan will still care for his family and come under their emotional blackmailing and she can't deal with it anymore.
Natik’s forehead creased, and kriti clasped her hands tightly. Abhira braced herself for protests or pleas for reconsideration, but what followed surprised her.
Naksh exhaled deeply, leaning back in his chair. “Finally,” he muttered under his breath, rubbing his temples. Muskaan’s eyes glistened, not with sadness, but with relief. Meera and kabir looked little happy.
“I was wondering when you’d say this,” kriti said softly, reaching out to hold abhira’s hand. “You’ve suffered enough, beta.”
Meera jumped up, clapping her hands together. “Thank God! I was waiting for you to get rid of that—” she stopped, glancing at everyone, “that family.”
Abhira blinked, her resolve momentarily shaken by their unexpected reaction. “You… you’re not angry? Or disappointed?”. She knew her family did not like the poddars but this was not the usual reaction she expected, they did not care that she was going to be divorcee and what about the society.
“Disappointed?!” Naksh scoffed, pushing off the wall to sit beside her. “Abhira,No  we are not, you’ve put up with that family's nonsense for months. Armaan doesn't even support you as strongly as he should. We’ve all seen how that family disrespects you and how unhappy you’ve been. If anything, I’m proud of you for making this decision.”

After a pause Naksh continued, " just promise me no matter what happens you will not turn back and go back to armaan or that family. That's the mistake both your mother and grandmother did and they paid it with their life"
" No nanu I will not" Abhira promises him understanding his emotions.
Natik cleared his throat. “Beta, we wanted you to be happy, but we didn’t want to interfere unless you were ready. Marriage is not a punishment. If it’s not working, it’s better to end it.”

Abhira felt a wave of relief wash over her. “Thank you,” she said, her voice trembling slightly. “I was so nervous about telling you all. But now, I need to take the next step.”
She straightened her back, her expression firm. “I’m going to the poddar house to tell him and his family. I want to do it face-to-face.”
Muskan stiffened. “Are you sure that’s wise, abhira? You don’t owe them anything. We can easily send them the divorce papers” Everyone agrees with muskan
“I know, Maasi,” Abhira replied. “But I need to do this. For my own closure.”
“I’ll come with you,” Kabir said instantly, his tone protective.
“And me!” Meera added eagerly.
Abhira smiled. “Yes, I’d like both of you with me. But no one else.”

“Wait,” Kairav, interjected. He had been quietly listening to the conversation. “I’ll come too. Someone has to deal with elders if things get heated.”

“No, mamu,” Abhira said firmly, standing up. “This is my battle. I can handle it.”

Kairav looked skeptical but nodded reluctantly. “Alright, but call me if you need anything.”

As Abhira walked to the door with Meera and Kabir in tow, Natik called out, “Remember, beta, we’re with you no matter what.”
Abhira turned, her heart swelling with gratitude. “I know, parnanu. And that’s all I need.” The family smiled her at her in encouragement as abhira left the place with kabir and meera

As Abhira stepped out of the house,The cool breeze ruffled her hair, but she didn’t feel its usual calming effect. Her heart pounded in her chest, each beat echoing the weight of the decision she had made. Kabir and Meera flanked her, their presence grounding her, but her mind was elsewhere, focusing on the task ahead. She had to face armaan and the poddar family one last time.

The ride to Poddar’s house felt interminably long. Despite the bustling streets outside, an eerie silence settled within the car, only broken by the occasional hum of the engine or a passing horn. Meera sat beside Abhira, fidgeting with her phone, while Kabir was unusually quiet in the front seat. Abhira looked over at her brother, his usual confident demeanor replaced by an intensity she hadn’t seen in a while. "Kabir, are you okay?" she asked softly.

He didn’t look at her immediately, his eyes fixed on the road ahead. Then, after a moment, he nodded. “Yeah, I’m just... trying to figure out how it’ll go. I know you’ve made up your mind, but I still Know armaan will try to talk you out of this. I don't want that” “I’ve heard his speeches enough times,” Abhira replied, her voice steady. "I know how he operates. He can’t manipulate me anymore. This time, I’m doing it for myself, not for him, or anyone else." Meera chimed in from the back, her voice laced with impatience. “I just want to see the look on that family's face when you tell them.” Abhira nods at her sister, feeling a faint stir of relief between the tension. “You’re not even the one who has to deal with the fallout.”
"Doesn't matter Di" Meera quipped. "You deserve peace, and I’ve never seen you at peace with that family. It’s like watching a plant wilt in the sun." Abhira’s smile faded, and she turned her gaze out the window, watching the familiar streets pass by. Poddar's house was just a few blocks away now, and with each turn, she felt the weight of what she was about to do press down on her chest. But this time, there was no turning back.

After all the comments and dilemma I decided to let abhira find her happiness away from poddars and goenkas. I started this ff pissed off by armaan's behaviour of ignoring abhira and I named this ff on abhira's name. I decided I will continue with what I initially wanted to do. So abhimaan fans sorry from my side