''I will come later!" Abhimaan turned his face to the other side.

''Maan, come inside.'' Armaan said and Abhimaan entered the room.

''Papa, mera ek sawaal tha'' he muttered looking in his father's eyes, a soft smile playing on his lips.

''Pooch. Kya jaana hai tujhe? Kaunsa chapter?'' Armaan straightened himself up and Abhira pulled a chair for Abhimaan.

''Sawaal subject related nahi hai Papa,'' Abhimaan replied fidgeting his fingers, ''mujhse related hai''

''Pooch na beta, itna kaun shy hota hai?" Abhira patted his shoulder.

''Aap log itne kyun darr jate ho jab main late hota hoon? Main jaanta hoon, ki aapko meri fikar hai par darr kyun hota hai aapke chehro par?''

Armaan and Abhira exchanged a silent glance, their expressions a mix of shock and anxiousness   at Abhimaan's question. Armaan took a deep breath, trying to gather his thoughts before answering.

"Abhimaan, it's not about fear. It's about concern," Armaan began, his voice steady but with a hint of emotion. "We worry because we care about you. We want to know that you are safe, that nothing has happened to you when you're not home on time."

Abhimaan's eyes widened, his own realization dawning upon him. "I know that Papa. But why do you look so worried? It's not like I've ever been in trouble or anything."

Armaan and Abhira shared a knowing look before Armaan spoke again. "It's not just about trouble, son. It's about the unknown. As parents, we can't help but worry about all the possibilities, both good and bad, when you're not where you're supposed to be."

Abhimaan nodded, absorbing his father's words. "I understand now, Papa. I'm sorry for making you both worry. I promise to be more mindful of my time from now on."

Armaan's expression softened, a small smile playing on his lips. "It's okay, Abhimaan. We just want you to be safe. And remember, no matter what, we will always be here for you, waiting for you to come home."

Abhimaan felt a surge of warmth in his chest, grateful for his parents' love and understanding. He stood up, walked over to Armaan and Abhira, enveloping them in a heartfelt hug. "Thank you, Papa. Thank you, Ma. I will always come home, no matter what."

As they embraced, a sense of reassurance filled the room, a silent understanding passing between them. And in that moment, Abhimaan knew that no matter where life took him, his family would always be his safe haven, waiting patiently for his return.

Armaan and Abhira looked at each other a faint smile playing on their lips. They very well knew that Abhimaan, the ever curious one would repeat the same question again, after some period of time.

''I will never let you know Maan. I will die but will never let you know about the Poddars. For me and your mumma, you are sunshine and I will always protect you from the dark clouds of our past.'' Armaan vowed in his heart and hugged his son tighter while clasping his wife's hand.

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Rohit raised his glass, the clinking of crystal resonating through the air, as a smile spread across his face. Ronit, his son, joined in the toast, his eyes shining with pride, and Ruhi, his wife, beamed at the sight of her family bonding over shared success.

"Dad, Mom, I did it! I won!" Ronit announced, excitement evident in his voice.

"That's our boy!" Ruhi exclaimed, planting a loving pat on her son's back.

Ronit eagerly shared the news of securing a prestigious client - a client who had approached them for a high-profile case involving the clearing of unlawfully occupied lands. As champagne flowed and laughter filled the room, Ronit basked in the glory of his achievement.

Curious about the case, Ruhi inquired, "What was the case all about?''

''Mom, you know, that one client from Australia that had set up a foreign company in Udaipur? He came to us and gave us the case. And I won! Our firm has received another prestigious client. They wanted to clear the lands, where unlawful houses were made.'' Ronit replied sipping his champagne.

''I managed to clear that out and rest is history.'' he said beaming with pride.

''What about the people who were living in those houses? Shouldn't there have been some consideration for those affected? Maybe compensation or alternate arrangements?" Ruhita, Ronit's younger sister, interjected, concern etched on her face.

Ronit shrugged, taking a sip of his drink, "They'll figure it out. They broke the law, they'll face the consequences. They are jailed for now. Compassion doesn't win cases, Ruhita. I'm an advocate, not a saint. My focus is on victory - for my client, for our firm. That's what matters."

Disheartened by her brother's callous attitude, Ruhita excused herself, grappling with the stark contrast between Ronit's pursuit of success at any cost and her own belief in the importance of empathy and justice.

"He's lost sight of the bigger picture. Winning isn't everything if it comes at the cost of others' well-being," Ruhita muttered to herself while coming inside the house library.

''He's an arrogant one Ruhita'' She heard her grandfather Madhav.

''Dadu,let me help'' Ruhita ran to him and held his wheelchair. 

Madhav had suffered an injury during a mission and that had left him crippled since fifteen years.

''Ruhita, your elder brother is all about winning. Winning isn't everything beta. What you told is true but the people in this house are barely aware of that. And those who are aware are ignorant towards it or are ignored.'' Madhav replied gravely.

''We cannot do anything Dadu. Ronit bhaiya along with Aryan chachasa and Sanjay phupha dadu and Manoj dadu have created the strongest and the most sought firm in the whole Rajasthan. We cannot go against them otherwise the consequences will be worst.''

''You are right. No one probably is in my sight that can challenge them.''

''What about Bade papa and his fam..'' Ruhita asked but was shushed by Madhav.

''Sssh! Don't speak louder Ruhita, if anybody hears then there will be a huge argument in the house. My elder son and my elder daughter in law left because of the indifference they faced. I long for their return but I don't pray for their return because I know this house is no longer a HOME.''

''This house is no longer a home Dadu. What is the use of this big house, posh interiors when no one is happy!'' Ruhita exclaimed, tears glistening in her eyes.

''Except you, me, Krish and Maa-sa, everyone is happy and satisfied with the new change which is devastating. Even with all the riches, we aren't happy because we know a gem is lost, peace is lost and happiness is measured in terms of profits.'' Madhav replied gravely.

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''THIS IS SO WRONG!'' Abhimaan muttered under his breath seeing the latest news on his instagram handle.

''What?'' Raunak peeked into Abhimaan's phone, while stuffing a hot kulcha in his mouth which Abhira had prepared.

Abhira had prepared masala kulcha for everyone and Raunak and his family had come over for dinner- along with the chole masala, Raunak's mother Roli had prepared. The elders were having a chit chat inside the house and the boys- Raunak and Abhimaan were eating together sitting on the porch of the house, enjoying the night view.

''What is so wrong in this news buddy?'' Raunak questioned.

''See, Ronit Poddar is one of the most sought advocates and he is the member of the prestigious and most sought after- PODDAR AND PODDAR ASSOCIATES. Being the best   for giving its legal services, the firm has earned a name and its members have earned fame and name too. I did not expect Ronit Poddar to be too harsh. The people who had illegal homes are jailed!. The houses constructed were illegal and he did right by removing the plots, but he did not give compensation and I am sure that he did not convey the people what law actually is. See Raunak, abiding by the law is correct but one has to see the other side as well. What about those people who lost their homes? What if they don't get a house? The people living there might be less educated or may have less knowledge about law or no knowledge at all! Mr. Poddar should have given them some amount of compensation or at least should have spoke to them regarding the law. This is not fighting for the right, this is pure business. When I become a lawyer, I will abide by the law, fight for the truth, keeping a check on my actions and thinking about the two sides, rather than fighting for gain!''

''Mister Pattar pattar, concentrate on food now. When you graduate, you will talk about this.'' Raunak replied and kept Abhimaan's phone down.

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DID YOU ALLLIKE THE GLIMPSE OF THE PODDAR CLAN? WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT RONIT AND RUHITA?

RONIT HAD A GLIMPSE BUT IN THE NEXT CHAPTER HE IS GOING TO HAVE A FULL ROYAL ENTRY!

HERE'S A GLIMPSE OF PODDAR FIRM AND PODDAR MANSION AFTER 23 YEARS.

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