~~~ The Ghosts Between Us ~~~~

Chapter 1 -

Abhira stared at the attorney, her mind struggling to process the words she had just heard.

"Excuse me… can you repeat that? I’ve inherited what?"

Across the desk, Advocate Naina Mishra smiled, not unkindly. "Miss Sharma, as I was saying—your uncle, Krish, recently had his will disclosed. According to it, the vast Singhania Mansion is now yours. Congratulations."

Abhira heard the words, but they refused to sink in. Someone she had never met—her mother’s cousin—had left an entire mansion to her? But… why?

She fumbled with the glass of water in front of her, nearly knocking it over before catching it just in time. "I… I’m sorry. I’m just a little clumsy," she blurted, still trying to make sense of everything.

"It’s okay, Abhira," Naina reassured her. "I understand. It’s a lot to process. But it’s true—Krish wanted this. Apart from being my client, he was a dear friend. He longed to reach and connect with your mother, but time wasn’t on his side. She passed away before he could, and it devastated him. His only way to make amends was through you and your brother."

Abhira swallowed, the weight of those words settling in. "And he thought… wealth could make up for years of lost love and affection?"

Naina sighed. "No, it can’t. But trust me, if Krish could have traveled across oceans to meet you, he would have. By the time we found you, his cancer had already reached its final stage. This was the only way he could reach out and be there for you and your brother"

A new family. A new legacy. A year ago, she was an orphan. Now, she was meeting new relatives every month.

As if sensing her turmoil, Naina gently slid a box across the desk. "Krish knew you might not know much about your grandmother’s family, so he collected everything he could—old photographs, videos, letters about your great grandparents, your grandmother Naira and his grandfather Naksh. There’s also a letter inside. Everything Krish wanted to say to you but never got the chance to."

Abhira hesitated, staring at the box. A part of her wanted to reject it. Another part—the part that has always craved for a family —ached to know more.

"Can I take the legal papers with me as well?" she finally asked. "I’d like to go over everything."

"Of course," Naina said with a warm smile.

And with that, Abhira stepped out of the chamber, carrying a box full of memories and the papers to a mansion that now belonged to her

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"Okay, beta. Come home soon. We’ll talk after that."

Manish Goenka was speechless—a feeling he rarely experienced. It had been years since Keerti’s death. Even longer since he had heard her voice.

But he still remembered that day—the day Keerti and Naksh had stormed out of this very hall, their anger blazing, their voices shaking with betrayal.

And they had every right to be angry.

Naksh and Keerti had confronted him after he sent Akshara away—a decision he made to pacify Aarohi. What choice did he have? Aarohi had been shattered after Sirat’s death, drowning in grief and resentment, unwilling to even look at Akshara. No one had been able to console her or make her see sense. And Akshara… the ever-sacrificing, ever-loving sister, had chosen to leave, promising to return only when Aarohi was ready to call her back.

When Naksh had found out, he had wanted to take both Akshara and Kairav to America, away from all of it. But Akshara refused—she wouldn’t abandon her sister. Desperate, Naksh and Keerti had turned to him, hoping he would make Akshara see reason.

But what had he done?

He had refused.

Because he had been selfish.

He couldn't bear the thought of Kartik’s last memories—his grandchildren—leaving him forever. He had chosen his own needs over theirs. And in his desperation, he had gone further—he had barred the Singhanias from meeting Akshara.

The memory of Naksh and Keerti’s betrayed eyes haunted him.

He could still see their faces when he threw the court orders in their hands—papers that ensured they could never approach their niece and nephew again. And after that, they had left. Stormed off. Never to be heard from again.

Then, one day, the news came. Naksh was dead.

Late-stage cancer. Gone before he could even say goodbye.

It had shattered Keerti. And before Manish could reach her, before he could beg for forgiveness, before he could tell her about Akshara’s son, about Kairav’s wedding, about how he had revoked those cursed court orders…

She was gone too. A heart attack.

He had been too late. Again.

And now, years later, another cruel blow. His grandson was dead.

Manish Goenka was tired. Tired of losing his children, one after another. He wanted to scream at the heavens, to curse the gods for this endless suffering. In the same breath, he wanted to fall to his knees and beg.

Beg for forgiveness.
Beg for death.

"Please… please let me go before Abhira, Abhir, and Ruhi. I cannot bear to lose anyone else."

A voice pulled him from his grief.

"Par Nanu… are you okay?"

He looked up through blurry eyes. Abhira stood at the entrance, concern etched across her face. He hadn’t even realized he was crying.

She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him.

"It’s okay, Par Nanu. Everything is going to be fine."

In that small moment, relief engulfed him. He knew Abhira had questions—so many questions.

And he was ready. Ready to answer them all.

Even if it meant losing her forever.

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Abhira sat in her mother’s room—no, her grandparents’ room before that—surrounded by a lifetime of memories frozen in photographs. Her great-grandparents, her grandmother, people she was related to but had never even met. Faces that told stories she didn’t know, histories that felt both hers and entirely foreign.

Her mind was still reeling from her confrontation with Par Nanu. No, not Par Nanu. Manish Goenka. The old, selfish man who had stolen her mother’s happiness for his own convenience. A man who chose control over compassion.

Disgust churned inside her. At him. At the fate that had condemned her mother to endless struggles. But more than anything, she felt sick at herself—for ever believing that man was family.

Bhai had warned her, but she had refused to listen. Just like she had refused to see the truth about her marriage.

Armaan.

Abhira closed her eyes. The divorce had been finalized just a week ago. That chapter of her life was over—officially, legally, and permanently. And maybe it was time to close another one.

She had made peace with one truth—she would never stop loving Armaan. But she also knew another: Armaan would never be hers.

That didn’t mean she couldn’t move forward. That didn’t mean she couldn’t take control of her life.

Maybe it was time to focus on her career. Maybe it was time to learn about the family she had never known.

Her fingers hovered over her phone for a moment before she made her decision.

She dialed Naina’s number.

It was time to move forward.

I don't watch this serial, and I have never participated in discussions in this forum, except for a few occasions because of special invitations.

However, the thread's title and your character analysis drew me in and compelled me to read every word.

You have an extensive comprehension of human behavior and are an excellent psychoanalyst. This is my small way of expressing appreciation for your outstanding expressiveness.

Originally posted by: Viswasruti

I don't watch this serial, and I have never participated in discussions in this forum, except for a few occasions because of special invitations.

However, the thread's title and your character analysis drew me in and compelled me to read every word.

You have an extensive comprehension of human behavior and are an excellent psychoanalyst. This is my small way of expressing appreciation for your outstanding expressiveness.

Thank you so much. It really means a lot.

Amazing resd. You finally did the one thing that I doubt we would get in the show - Abhira realising that her Par nanu has destroyed so many lives and actually confronting and being angry with him.

Baaki I really want to see how you get Ab & Ar together in that ghost house

Basically not a fan of rishta- but damn this is one of the best stories I have read, hands down. The way you have weaved the story, blending their emotions, it’s really too good! Please keep writing!

p.s sorry for barging into your thread uninvited. The title drew me like a moth to a flame

Originally posted by: missFiesty_69

Basically not a fan of rishta- but damn this is one of the best stories I have read, hands down. The way you have weaved the story, blending their emotions, it’s really too good! Please keep writing!

p.s sorry for barging into your thread uninvited. The title drew me like a moth to a flame

No .No . Your most welcome. I hope you continue to read

Thank you for kind words.

Originally posted by: Apsvenky

Amazing resd. You finally did the one thing that I doubt we would get in the show - Abhira realising that her Par nanu has destroyed so many lives and actually confronting and being angry with him.

Baaki I really want to see how you get Ab & Ar together in that ghost house

Thank you.

I hope you like what I have planned for Armaan Sa.

wonderful where she is independent and moves forward.

do tag me please