This one shot is a take on the entire 'who will be the CEO' situation. Enjoy!

................

At Birla Hospital

'I have no issues with Parth Birla being appointed as the CEO' Abhimanyu's voice rang clear from the recorder. Mahima smirked and looked at Anand who smiled back. Her plan had been successful! She had tricked Abhimanyu into saying something she had wanted. She turned to the board and distorted the dialogue that Abhimanyu had just said.

Mahima: This recording is from our meeting earlier. As you guys heard, Abhimanyu wants Dr. Parth to be the CEO. I know aap sb usse dekhna chahte ho and kuch log hai jo uski wife ko dekhna chahte hai but Dr. Parth is a better choice.

Anand: Correct! Aur Akshara to yahan kaam bhi nahi krti. She works elsewhere and Abhimanyu is not interested so the person we should go with is Dr. Parth.

The duo highlighted how Parth is a doctor. The board was skeptic and despite a suggestion for Akshara, the popular choice was Abhimanyu- top surgeon and the face of Birla hospitals. However, now that he had clearly stated Parth's name, they accepted the choice.

Abhimanyu himself was never interested in power and knew well that Akshara had no interest in this position either. She could have agreed to be on the board but never as a CEO. For Abhimanyu, Neil was his choice. Neil had worked in the management and was passionate about it. Parth wanted a different career altogether. Then, Mahima blamed him for being partial and having personal problems with Parth. This led to a small argument and ultimately Abhimanyu saying he had no issues with Parth. Mahima cleverly used this to her advantage!

The board decided to appoint Parth and the meeting was dismissed.

...............

It was announced the next day that Parth Birla will take over Harshvardhan's position soon. This news spread like wildfire. Many opined how Abhimanyu himself or Neil would be a better choice as they never saw Parth at the hospital. The old staff knew him but they also knew how much Parth hated the hospital. Mahima scolded a few nurses when she got a whiff of this gossip and told how Abhimanyu appointed Parth. This was the next hot gossip then.

Dr. Arohi heard this news with a passive face. She was somewhere happy that Abhimanyu's position had not gotten any stronger than it already was. She picked up a coffee mug and sighed. Then, she fixed herself a sad face and walked upto Neil who was sitting looking at an inventory file.

Arohi: Coffee?

Neil looked surprised and took the cup.

Neil: Thanks! Why though?

Arohi: Nothing, I thought you'd want to talk. Specially since what happened....

She looked down with a sober expression.

Neil: what happened?

Arohi: Oh! You don't know..sorry..I-

Arohi acted as if she did not want to tell. Neil insisted and she told him how Abhimanyu picked Parth for Harshvardhan's position.

Arohi: Maine kaha tha na, tumhe wahi samajh skta hai jisne khud aisa kuch feel kiya ho....Abhimanyu ke liye tum sautele bhai hi ho...Parth uska cousin hai pr apna hai...tbhi to, tum yahan kaam krte ho, Harsh uncle tumhare papa hai, phir bhi usne Parth ka naam liya...tumhara kyu nahi?? He himself doesn't care about power lekin tumhare papa ki kursi pr tumhara hi haq hai na....aise tumse tumhara haq nahi lena chahiye tha...

Arohi instigated Neil. Neil had heard this from her many times that Abhimanyu didn't consider him like his own but Neil ignored it. This time, she had supported her argument with an incident so he could not deny. He felt bad and angry at Abhimanyu.

Arohi: I am sorry Neil. Tumse tumhara haq cheena gaya....lekin tumhe kamzor nahi padna chahiye. Mujhe dekho...Akshu sbki favourite hai pr mai mera haq nahi chodti, vo toh lekr hi rehti hoon...

Abhimanyu who was passing by heard bit of her conversation with Neil.

Abhimanyu: Kyun bhadka rahi ho mere bhai ko??

Arohi was shocked. She had not expected to be caught during her instigation. She thought she will stay on the sides after she lights up all these relations on fire and enjoys the show like usual. She composed herself and decided to give it back.

Arohi: bhadka nahi rahi hoon, sachi keh rahi hoon...

Abhimanyu: Really? Aur sach kya hai????

Arohi: Ki tumne Neil ka haq cheena hai..uske deserving hote hue bhi uski jagah Parth ko choose kiya jo hospital me interested bhi nahi hai... Harsh uncle se tumhari relationship to kharab hai hi, tum nahi chahte Neil ki bhi acchi ho...ki vo apne papa ki kursi pr baithe...tum sautela maante ho Neil ko-

Abhimanyu: BS DR. AROHI!! TUMHARI BAKWAS SUNNE KA TIME NAHI HAI MERE PASS. I DON'T NEED TO JUSTIFY ANYTHING TO YOU!! ...chal Neil..

He turned and saw Neil did not follow him. Abhimanyu felt shocked and confused. He again called Neil.

Abhimanyu: Neil? Do you actually believe this girl??

Neil-...

Abhimanyu: NEIL! BOL NA! Do you?

Neil: Haan!!! I do..pehle nahi manta tha pr ab mujhe lgta hai Arohi sahi kehti hai..

Abhimanyu took a step back. The brother whom he loved like his own child was behaving like this. Abhimanyu told him that the decision wasn't his but Neil did not listen and left angrily.

Abhimanyu felt the blow and left as well. Arohi took the untouched cup and sat down enjoying the coffee herself.

....................

Later, At Birla house

Parth was shocked to hear of this but Shefali forced him to accept it.

Parth: Pr I don't like this and I don't have experience.

Shefali: Experience to kaam krne se hi aata hai na Parth aur tum family ka socho, Harsh Uncle ke resign krne se situation kharab hai so someone needs to fill in. Abhimanyu is a busy doctor aur tum akele thodi ho, half of the family works there- everyone will help and support you!

Parth agreed and Shefali nodded at Mahima who was standing behind at a distance.

Mahima: Everything is falling into place.....bs ab kl ghar me Harsh ko dhyan se ye baat kehni hogi taki usse bhi ye decision accept hi krna pade..

Mahima went to her room, happy. Meanwhile, Manjiri could not forget what Akshara told her. She realised Harshvardhan does see her as a maid only. She is only for his beck and call. She could not see all those signs of disrespect. Moreover, when Abhimanyu told her how much her broken relationship affected her, it made her think the sacrifice she did for her family benefitted no one. She wanted to talk to her sister and clear her head.

She moved towards Mahima's room and heard her celebrating with Anand. Manjiri was shocked to hear that her own sister could manipulate her son whom she called like her own. Manjiri felt like her whole head would burst.

Manjiri: Ye kaisa parivar hai kanhaji? Ye hai mera parivar? Jahan bina soche apne faide ke liye kissi bhi rishte ke saath aise khel khelte hai....

Manjiri went to Abhira's room where Akshara was organizing her shelf as she knew its messy state irritated Abhimanyu.

Akshara: Maa!...aiye na??

She saw Manjiri's serious face and left her work.

Akshara: kya hua maa! Sb thik hai na?

Manjiri: Kuch thik nahi hai beta....

Manjiri wiped her tear.

Akshara: Maa! Baitho na...batao kya hua...

Manjiri told Akshara whatever she heard. Akshara felt mad that they manipulated her husband. Abhimanyu came there distraught and saw his two most favourite people. He went towards them and expressed his grief. Neil misunderstanding him had really cut him deep.

Manjiri told Abhimanyu how Mahima orchestrated everything. Abhimanyu felt angry- he hated being manipulated like this.

Akshara: Mujhe to Arohi pr gussa aa raha hai!! How dare she poison Neil against you!!??

Akshara never had a beautiful bond with her younger sister regardless of how hard she tried but she admired Neil and Abhimanyu's bond. Arohi destroying it did not sit well with her.

Manjiri: Mai humesha parivaar ka sochti rahi aur dekho na...meri behen mere bete ke saath games khel rahi hai, meri bahu ko ghar ke member ki tarah treat nahi krte aur mujhe toh jiska jo man hota hai keh deta hai.....pta hai Akshu, Abhi mere liye humesha ladta tha aur iske baad tune mujhe support kiya...wrna meri sagi behen jo mujhse pehle se yahan hai, usne kabhi mere haq ki baat nahi ki....pr bs ab! Mai in ek tarfa rishto ki lash nahi dho skti...parivar sbse banta hai, ek sbke liye kare aur dusra use misuse kre- ye parivar nahi hai...

Manjiri announced that Akshara's words made her realise how she was nothing but a glorified staff member for them, not a housemate and decided to divorce after all. Abhimanyu hugged his mother and looked at Akshara with teary eyes, silently thanking her for giving strength to his mother. Akshara smiled. Manjiri broke the hug at pulled Akshara in the circle too. Abhira sat down with Manjiri and discussed how the family had been exploiting them and her.

Abhimanyu: ek baat yaad ayi, mai pta nahi kaise bhool gaya tha...maa! jb mai Goenka house rishta lekr gaya tha na- Taiji ko pata tha mai Akshara ke liye rishta lekr gaya hoon, aur to aur, maine unhe picture bhi dikhai thi...

Manjiri felt more sad and angry that her sister ruined such a beautiful day for her son and recalled how many months her children had suffered. They decided all ends now!

.................

Next Morning, Birla House

Everyone came down for breakfast. Manjiri and Abhira were missing.

Harshvardhan: Ye Manjiri kahan hai? Manjiri!! Mera sugarfree nahi hai yahan!!

Mahima: Aur ye cereal bhi meri pasand ka nahi hai! Manjiri ne dekha nahi kya ki konsa bowl kiski chair ke samne rakha gaya hai!?

Parth: Abhimanyu Akshara bhi nahi hai yahan!

Abhimanyu: We are here.

Abhira and Manjiri came dragging their suitcases behind them.

Anand: kahan jaa rahe ho...

Abhimanyu: Apko humse kya hi fark padta hai?!

Mahima: Kaise baat kr rahe ho Abhimanyu?! Akshara, tum batao..

Akshara: Mujhse toh apko aur bhi koi farak nahi pdta toh rehne hi dijiye..

Abhimanyu: suspense khtm krta hoon....but first things first, maa..

Manjiri came forward and gave some papers to Harshvardhan.

Harshvardhan: ye kya hai?

Manjiri: Divorce papers!!

Harshvardhan: KYA?!

Manjiri: Hindi me talakh ke kagaz kehta hai..

Harshvardhan: Ye pta hai mujhe...pr kyu??

Manjiri: Ek reason hai toh bataun pr list bohot lambi hai and utna time nahi hai waste krne ko...

Anand: Achanak kyu Manjiri??

Manjiri: Achanak kahan bhaisahab? Itne saal laga diye...bohot saal jhel liya maine...ab age ki zindagi me sukoon chahti hoon...

Harshvardhan: Iss umar me koi divorce leta hai?? Badnami hogi meri

Manjiri: vo meri problem nahi hai..I have signed the papers and you should sign them too. Lawyer akr le lega..

Abhimanyu stood proud. Akshara had told him to let Manjiri speak for herself and he was glad he listened. Manjiri just needed time and strength but she can fight her own battles.

Abhimanyu: Ab doosri cheez...(to Parth) congratulations Dr. Parth! As a CEO aaj apka pehle din hai..

Parth: thanks..??

Abhimanyu: Aur ye apka pehla kaam...(gives him an envelope) first resignation.

Parth/Anand: What?!?!

Mahima: Aur tum ye kyu kr rahe ho?

Abhimanyu: Really you are asking this!! The woman who manipulated board into thinking ki Parth bhai ko maine select kiya hai!!?

Mahima looked at him blankly.

Parth: Maa! Ye kya keh raha hai..

Abhimanyu: and sad thing is, I never cared about power! Neither did Akshu! Hum dono ko CEO banna hi nahi tha... pr khudko meri maa jaisi kehne wali masi aur mere idol, mere mentor tauji- dono ne mujhse jhoot kahan, mere saath chaal chali..

Manjiri also blamed her for playing games and revealed how she knew about Akshara being Abhimanyu's choice from the start and still let the confusion occur. Harshvardhan was also shocked that his brother and bhabhi played such a game with his son. Neil sat feeling ashamed, he did not know how to say sorry yet he somewhere still believed Arohi and was a little confused.

Abhimanyu: Anyways, you guys only saw me as an asset to the hospital. Aaj mai doctor nahi hota to mujhe aap log puchte tk nahi. I am not a son of this family but an object for you all...and I have decided I don't want to live like this...

Akshara: so we are leaving this house.

Abhimanyu: Forever! And don't worry, I don't want anything from you guys. So, Mrs sorry, DOCTOR Mahima Birla, apka hospital, ghar- sb- apko Mubarak ho!

Saying this, he held Akshara's hand in his right and Manjiri's in his left. The staff pulled their suitcases out feeling bad for the three. Abhimanyu looked at the house that held his childhood and trauma. Manjiri saw the house she always wanted to hold together, something she kept above herself. Akshara looked at the two people who meant so much to her and then the house that only ever gave them pain. The three had a bittersweet smile and turned a deaf ear to whatever the others were saying and left.

After this, Abhira and Manjiri went to Goenka house. They told everything to Goenkas. They were shocked but respected their decision. Akshara called Arohi and slapped her tight.

Arohi: Akshu!

Akshara: chup!

Manish: Akshu ye kya kr rahi ho!!

Akshara tells them how Arohi manipulated and ruined Neil & Abhimanyu's relationship.

Akshara: Khud to behen ban nahi payi aur jinka rishta accha tha usse bhi barbaad kr diya....dekh Arohi, tune bachpan se lekr aaj tk mere saath bohot kuch kiya hai pr maine sb ignore kiya, maaf kiya lekin mere pati aur meri family ko dukh dene wale ko mai kabhi maaf nahi karungi...

She tells them how Arohi was the one who took the DNA reports and started the whole chain of misunderstandings in the first place.

Akshara: teri bohot galtiyan maaf ki hai teri behen ne pr aaj ek patni tujhe saza degi...

Arohi: Yeah right!!

Akshara: You really think I can't, well, let's see...

Akshara took her phone and clicked send. Soon everyone's phone buzzed. Everyone looked at the notifiction and saw that it was a mail from Akshara.

Arohi: ye kya hai??

Kairav: Koi video hai..

Vansh: ye to Aru hai, pr ye aise kyu chal rahi hai?

Akshara: mai batati hoon, Dr. Arohi- best intern- ne hospital ke andr, on duty hote hui bhi un-prescribed medicines khakr nashe me gadi chalai thi....Hospital ne car wale incident ke liye tujhe maaf kr diya kyunki mere Abhi ne tujhe saza nahi milne di...pr hospital ke andr kiye hue kand pr toh action le skta hai na hospital...

Arohi: Akshu!!??? You will ruin my career!!!

Akshara: You ruined Abhi's relationship with his brother! You ruined my maa's peace for nights and mere saath jo kiya hai vo toh bhool hi jao kyunki vo batane baithi toh kayi din lagenge...aur konsa tujhe bina baat ke saza milegi? Jo kiya hai ussi ki saza hai na....ye sb tune khud kiya hai- toh bhugat ab! Ye video maine Dr. Mahima Birla ko bhi bheja hai....along with proof of your MD kaand- your fraud exam pass's copy that I downloaded from your mail! Have a good time sorting this mess Arohi! Reap what you sow!

Akshara bid adieu to her family and broke all ties with Arohi. Abhimanyu felt sad for her but couldn't help but feel happy as well- Akshara chose him above all, after all!

...................

Later, Abhira and Manjiri were sitting at a cozy, family-style restaurant. They saw a huge family over for dinner.

Abhimanyu: Maa, Akshu- I know how much family matters to you both and I am sorry-

Akshara: Family matters Abhi aur family ka saath kahan choda hai? Tum aur Maa hi meri family ho...

Manjiri: Aur aaj jo hua vo toh bohot pehle kr dena chahiye tha...apni maa ko maaf kr de beta...himmat jutate jutate bohot saal nikal gaye..

Abhimanyu shook his head and smiled.

Abhimanyu: bs ab no senti baaten. Aaj se hum teeno ek nayi shuruat karenge! Together!

Akshara smiled and nodded. Manjiri blessed her kids.

........................

Abhimanyu asked his friend to rent him his empty flat for a short while. Akshara resigned at her work place and served notice period while Abhimanyu signed as a visiting hospital at Birla to finish up his pre-committed surgeries. It took him three days but he only went to work and stayed away from the other Birlas. He also clarified that he never voted for anyone. Whosoever the board decides should be there decision but he takes away his name as he won't be a part of the hospital. Then he organized a camp to handle his regular patients and refer them to other efficient doctors.

Manjiri gave divorce to Harshvardhan. After all lose ends were tied, Abhira and Manjiri shifted to Delhi where Abhimanyu had received an offer from a very reputed hospital and Akshara too had some offers. Together, they started a new life.

...........................

An year later;

Birla house had completely changed. Without Manjiri to look after, there was no one to manage the staff. Regardless of how much they paid for hired help, work was never satisfactory. The hospital too fell into bad times. Harshvardhan's reputation was ruined and he could never join back. Parth never wanted to be CEO and the pressure from his parents and wife made him have a meltdown mid meeting. He resigned and left to live as a freelance musician in Mumbai and explore his options there. Anisha was already living there so he had no trouble. Shefali took a transfer to Mumbai as well and tried to rekindle her relationship with Parth. Nishtha left for higher studies and refused to come back- even on holidays.

Now, the house was empty save the three Birlas- Anand, Mahima and Harshvardhan. While Harshvardhan tried to make situation better at home, Anand and Mahima had to pick up the pieces of their tattered reputation at work. They were all alone in handling the hospital. The board stepped up and appointed an outsider CEO reducing the power of Mahima and Anand by a great deal.

As for Goenkas, their life wasn't affected much. They maintained zero ties with Birlas except their daughter and her family in Delhi. Arohi was the only one affected. She now worked at a small clinic as no hospital would hire her with the track record. Her only hope was to gain some credit while working at the clinic and get a degree- ethically this time so that someday she may be back in her game again. Her shining career had taken a huge setback of her own making.

.

Abhimanyu claimed a good reputation for being a talented professional in a short while. Akshara joined as a music therapist in the same hospital and finally, Abhimanyu's wish to work with his wife came true.

Manjiri slowly regained her confidence and now teaches music to special needs children at an NGO. She had lost touch with her music but was slowly getting her groove back. Neil called them one night, regretting his behaviour. They forgave him quickly. Neil too had left Birlas and joined the ops team of a large MNC in Bangalore.

Toxic people are like life-sucking parasites. It is better to take a brave step and remove them than a life full of pain and humiliation. Manjiri and Akshara realised how wrong they were to ruin their peace of mind over people who never considered them anything. They were very happy and understood what a true family is- the one that supports and loves unconditionally. It criticizes, corrects and celebrates. It maybe small but if the bond is true- nothing else matters.

.......................

PS: I know ye mere extreme wale khayali-pulao hai aur ye show me kabhi nahi milne wale...

xoxo