Betrayed - ch 11 pg 33 - Page 5

Beep... beep... Neetu hears in the background. Confused as to where Kalpi is, she asks into the phone, "sweetly, what's that sound I can hear." Ignoring her mother's question, Kalpi says instead, "mummy, I have sent Dev to you. If you look around, I am sure you will spot him." Looking around, she spots him seven meters away. Neetu who was lounging by the poolside at a resort in Goa , calls out, "here Dev." Then says into the phone, "why have you sent your father's bodyguard..." worry gnawing, adds, "what is going on... what's happened?" "Come home mommy," Kalpi says.

Dev walks up to Neetu and says, "ma'am, there is a small emergency. A chartered flight awaits you."


Three days later, Ragav walks into Judge Chatterjee's office, curious as to why the judge called him personally asking for this meeting. Walking in, he is surprised to see Attorney Kumar, his father inlaw's lawyer seated, chatting away with the judge.

Smiling the judge calls out, "Mr. Singhania please come in. Have a seat," he gestures towards the empty seat on his left. Nodding solemnly as he wonders why he is here, Ragav gives out a warm greeting as he takes his seat.


"Gentlemen let's get the ball rolling, shall we," the judge says aloud. Leaning forward, the judge takes the documents that was on the coffee table, turns to ragav and says, "I understand that you wish to end your marriage to Mrs. Kalpana Singhania. are these the divorce papers you gave her?"


Frowning, ragav takes the divorce papers, stares at the divorce papers and replies slowly, "yes. they. are."


"Great," the judge says, adding, "if you could sign next to your wife's signature so that we can proceed with the divorce."


Surprised by the ease and speed, he says, "Kalpi..." attorney Kumar interrupts him immediately, saying, " my client does not wish to meet you. Judge Chatterjee has been kind enough to exempt her presence and expediate the process." Glaring at ragav, he adds, "all you need to do is sign the divorce papers."


Annoyed, ragav threatens the lawyer, a childish desire to be difficult, "what if I don't sign?" The judge intervenes, saying, "I have already had a detailed conversation with your wife. i understand that you have achieved the purpose for why you married and why you asked for the divorce. You have confirmed that you initiated this divorce. There are extenuating circumstances here. Your signature is mere formality. I will be issuing the divorce."


Reprimanded for misusing something pure as marriage, ragav signs the divorce papers in a huge as annoyance and guilt eats at him. Accepting the signed divorce papers from him, the judge the. Proceeds to sign the divorce nisi certificate. Handing one copy to attorney Kumar and the other to ragav, he says, "I shall issue the divorce absolute in three weeks."


Frowning at the speed, ragav says, "shouldn't it take six weeks." "Like I said, there are extenuating circumstances here, hence the absolute decree shall be issued in three weeks," judge Chatterjee replies.


"Whatever...", ragav thinks, "why am I even bothering... I should be happy that I am getting my freedom sooner than I anticipated." Saying his goodbyes, ragav heads towards the door, stops and turns to the attorney and asks, "how is she?" Attorney Kumar, looks at him coldly and replies, "it is no longer any of your concern." Nodding, ragav replies, "you are right" turns back towards the door. Stops and turns to face the Attorney and says with equal coldness, "have her call me. There is something important I want to discuss with her." Without waiting for a response he walks out of the room.