The Sinhas were at their dinner table. Everyone couldn't help but notice that Swadheenta was deeply worried about something. She was not at all interested in eating and was playing with the food. Adarsh had been noticing this aloof behavior of hers ever since she returned from work today. Finally Suhasini spoke,
" Swadheenta, if you are still annoyed at what I told you in the office today then I am really sorry for it. I never meant to hurt you. It is just the reality that I was trying to make you see..."
"No mom, it's nothing like that."
Swadheenta tried to assure her.
"Look dear.. We all can see that you are not eating. So there is definitely something that is bothering you. And both of us know what it is "
Suhasini reiterated.
Swadheenta knew she was right. So didn't say anything.
The others were totally clueless about what was going on between the two. So they looked at Suhasini questioningly . The latter was still looking at Swadheenta and when she didn't speak, continued
" I know this firm is now as much yours as it is mine but the thing is, I cannot see it going to ruins in front of my eyes. I have built it up with my sweat and blood. It is like my own child. I guess you can understand that. "
Swadheenta nodded .
Suhasini went on, " it is important that we cater to rich and powerful clients as well. Fighting for the poor and downtrodden is fine. It will give you name and fame in the society. But these poor clients won't help you pay your bills. Our firm has started running losses. The elite clients have stopped coming to us because we have this reputation of being the Savior of the masses. It is just a matter of time before... "
Suhasini couldn't continue anymore. She got up and left the table.
Swadheenta was sitting silently, lost in her thoughts when Adarsh entered with two cups of coffee. He sat down beside her and offered her one,
" Do you remember our first coffee date?"
He asked gently.
"Yes, after I got a stay order in Ahuja uncle's land grabbing case. Both you and mom helped me so much with that case. She told me that time that she was helping me because she wanted to get justice to those poor people. Then why today.. ?"
Adarsh was trying to make the mood light but his wife has gone off to a whole other tangent.
"See Swadheenta, it's not always the poor who have been wronged. Sometimes they are also the perpetrators. I have seen many such instances being in this job. And you know it is not possible to reach such heights in your career that mom has done by taking only their cases."
Adarsh tried to show her things from Suhasini's point of view.
Swadheenta was not so much sure,
"I don't know Adarsh. You know I respect her a lot. She is my idol. I really admire the way she fights her cases. But somewhere our ideologies do not meet. I had told you earlier that I don't want money or fame. That is not why I have taken up law as a career. This is the reason I was skeptical when mom asked me for becoming a partner in her firm."
"Come on Swadheenta, don't tell me that you want to break the partnership now. I would rather advice you to have a sensible chat with mom and then come to any conclusion "
Adarsh said.
Swadheenta just nodded in silence.
"Have you made all the arrangements?"
Suhasini asked Manohar without lifting her eyes from the book she was reading.
"Yes, just the way you told. It will be on both Abhay and Asad's name... But tell me one thing, on one hand you are asking me to change the system and on another you are reasoning with Swadheenta against taking poor people's cases. You really confuse me at times "Manohar could not read his wife's mind.
Mannat Har Khushi Paane Ki
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