ArHi FF: Yeh Saali Zindagi
Chapter 38-A
20th August, 2014
"There is no way that it is possible."
Arnav snapped, standing beside the bench where Anjali was sitting while Akash stood opposite them, leaning against the wall and watching them blankly. Since last night, they were gathered in the corridor, patiently waiting for any update from the doctor treating Anuj Raizada.
Eying the permanent frown on Anjali's face and Akash's somber expressions since the moment their mother had berated and revealed something which the three of them couldn't even fathom to believe, Arnav felt irritated and angry, on the verge of just confronting her once again and calling out her bluff.
Because truth to be told simply, he cannot believe his father to be so concerned about them that he would go and work behind their backs to protect and help them.
While growing up, he had learned that if Anuj Raizada helped anyone (including his own children), the deed was done with the intention of making them work for his own benefit. He couldn't ever believe the selfless love bullshit his mother had sprouted in front of them last night.
But clearly, he was the only one who was certain of it. Since his confrontation with their mother, Akash and Anjali constantly looked doubtful and uncertain of everything.
Arnav huffed, realizing that he need to do something as either of them didn't bother to respond to his statement. Clearing his throat, he started again "Come on, you both know him. He is not the man that Mom said he is. How can you think of believing anything she has told us?"
As his siblings didn't even pretend to react to his words, he desperately wished for his wife to come back soon, knowing that he was quickly losing his temper. Why the hell did he even let her go home last night? She would have understood his point of view.
Closing his eyes, he quickly remembered her parting words. Recalling the way she had hugged him tightly before whispering "Sorry Arnav but I need to leave. I should prepare the closing argument for tomorrow's hearing of Nia's case. I really wish I could stay here but I know you three should resolve this matter among yourselves."
And he smiled, feeling his temper cooling down immediately. He understood that she was trying to give them some space and time to adjust to everything but he just needed her with him.
Composing himself with a barely restrained fury bubbling in his mind, he spoke again "We all have been together since we both didn't even learn to walk and talk without you guiding us, Akash. You can't say that after all these years, you can just believe this."
Looking up, Akash stared at him in affection while Anjali stayed quiet.
Shrugging nonchalantly, he replied "I know what you are trying to say, Arnav. As much as I don't want to believe Divya Maa, I know for a fact that he didn't had to adopt me when he wasn't even getting any inheritance money for it. Agreed he always taunted and humiliated me, but it worked for me. It made me immune to any harsh words spoken by other people. It helped me in never losing my temper."
Snorting in disbelief, Arnav hissed "Come on, that man outright bullied you at every available opportunity. How can you be thankful for it at all?"
Looking away, Akash admitted in a small voice "Because it prepared me for what I had to face when I joined his party. I know most of the people think I am his puppet and they told me that on my face in the worst language that anyone can ever use. But I never reacted. You want to know why? Because I don't care about the insults that those people can utter. I only care about the people I love. You remember I told you that I was working with him to help you and Anjali. It wouldn't have happened if I would have lost my calm, Arnav. So trust me when I say that Bade Sahab made me focus entirely on what I want, not on what the others say."
Turning away swiftly, Arnav slammed his fist against the wall, closing his eyes in frustration. He tensed hearing Anjali clear her throat loudly before she spoke in a small voice "I don't want to acknowledge this ever, Arnav. But six years ago when I came to meet him, there was this black Bolero following me to the house. I didn't notice that back then. Now I remember how he was standing outside waiting for me. The five minutes I spent explaining everything to him about Vikrant's dirty deeds, he kept looking around and finally told me that he couldn't help me in any way. He told me to leave and kept watching as I drove away. That car followed me then as well. I guess I was too broken to notice that I was being followed. And after midnight when I was waiting for you outside the airport, some people attacked me. I fainted but they had the fair amount of time to finish me off yet when I woke up, you were there and I was alive. Even in New York, I kept thinking that I saw him but never found him whenever I looked back."
Groaning loudly, Arnav countered, turning around "All this can just be in your head, Anjali. Maybe it never happened. You are just imagining everything now that you have heard our mom's sad story about our father. He could have easily protected you if he wanted to. He could have just told us about it."
Shaking her head, Anjali met his eyes "He could have hired bodyguards for me and could have made sure that my food wasn't laced with poison. Still there were many ways to hurt me, Arnav and you know it. Being a powerful politician does have its advantages but it doesn't guarantee you full proof safety on your life. I hate him more than you do, trust me. And more than you, I don't want to believe any of it. But I cannot ignore the things going on in my mind anymore."
Raising his hands in surrender, Arnav said in mock approval "Real nice, guys. Well you can make yourself believe all this crap but I won't. So I am just going to walk away. And really, this is getting pathetic."
About to walk away in frustration, he froze as Anjali added softly "Maybe we are. But none of this denies that he ignored us. He never cared about us enough to show it. You know that a child needs love more than anything from the parents. But he and mom never gave that love to any of us. So maybe we forgive him for all of this, but I won't forgive him for not loving us enough to not give a damn about anything else. I still hate him. He still has a lot to make up for, to each one of us."
Ignoring the streak of relief spreading through his heart at her words, he walked away, choosing to ignore their sighs of disappointment and stood in the opposite direction to his siblings, knowing that even that was a big deal for him.
He won't forgive Anuj Raizada. Ever.
"What the HELL?"
Looking up from his phone, Arnav stared cautiously as an angry looking Khushi made her way over to him, dressed in a violet saree trimmed with red lace around the border, her black coat hanging by the crook of her left arm. Strolling right up to him, she pointed her index finger at him accusingly, ignoring the way Akash and Anjali turned to stare at them from afar "You lied to me, Arnav. AGAIN."
"What??" Arnav asked, looking dumbstruck.
Rolling her eyes, Khushi crossed her arms against her front, replying in exasperation "Come on. About my father? I just met the doctor who was treating Anjali. The moment I started threatening him with the legal implications of his actions, he broke down, telling me everything was my father's doing and you knew about it. Care to tell me exactly when were you going to tell me?"
Grasping her elbow, Arnav spun her around, looking over his shoulder at his sister "Calm down, Khushi. I know I should have told you yesterday itself but I just can't believe the doctor's words without doing any search on our own about the matter. I would have told you once I was sure of it."
Staring at him quietly, Khushi wrenched her arm away, her eyes flashing in anger "You could have done that after informing me as well!!!"
"DAMMIT!!!" Arnav shouted, hissing his reply through clenched teeth "I was trying to protect my wife from getting hurt. I just didn't want your relationship with your parents to suffer because of it. God forbid, you know you just made up with them."
Looking distraught, Khushi glanced away making Arnav move forward instinctively, raising his arms to hug her when she backed away suddenly, panicked. Resting her palm against his chest, she whispered harshly "Please don't!! I just spent the whole night preparing arguments for the hearing and when I come here, I get to know about this. You aren't the person I want to see or touch right now."
"Come on, Khushi. I love you. I was just protecting you." Arnav urged.
Shaking her head vehemently, Khushi declared "But I DON'T need it. I just want you by my side. Is it too much to ask?"
Not giving him any chance to reply, she continued "You know right now, I don't need this. I should focus on winning the case. So I am just going to go. And please don't follow me there. I don't want you to. I will talk to you later, okay? Bye."
Giving him a hurt look, Khushi started walking back the way she had come as Arnav followed "Khushi come on!!! I am sorry!!!"
"Save it." Not looking back at him, she turned around the corner, leaving him behind. Taking out her phone as tears started trickling down her face, falling eventually on her saree, Khushi made a call, her mouth curling in a cruel smile as it went to the voicemail directly.
"Dad, we need to talk!!"
"All rise!!"
Rushing inside the courtroom, Khushi quickly took her seat as everyone stood up, watching Devyani Kapoor enter. Ruffling through the stack of papers in her hand once more, she checked her phone as Devyani sat down and nodded "Please sit down everyone."
Picking up her pen, Devyani started writing something down as she announced "Let today's hearing commence. The prosecutor and the defending lawyer, please stand up."
Heaving a sigh, Khushi placed her phone on the table as she stood up, staring ahead as she felt Sahil Awasthi do the same from the corner of her eyes. Clasping her hands together against her waist, she waited impatiently watching Devyani study their faces for a moment, ignoring the way Vikrant was staring at her from the convict box. Nodding to herself, Devyani uttered "Mrs. Khushi Raizada, you can present your arguments first."
Looking grateful, Khushi reached behind her to pick up the stack of papers before walking forward, presenting them to Devyani "Your honor, as I suspected, the search team found my client in Vikrant's Chaudhary's house yesterday. She was being held captive there against her will. A team of doctors has already checked her, confirming the fact that she was raped twice. The doctor's report clearly shows that Vikrant Chaudhary is responsible for this heinous act. "
"I object your honor, the report might be manipulated by the prosecuting lawyer to frame my client. There is no proof of its authenticity." Sahil pointed out, strolling to stand beside her.
Turning slightly to look at him, Khushi explained coldly "I have the health report of my client from not one team of doctors but several others, approved by the court for their authentic data and reports. Your honor, the similar facts being presented in every report proves the truth of the situation. Not everyone favors manipulating others. Besides I am not rich enough like your client to bribe everyone, Mr Awasthi."
Controlling the urge to smile as a few chuckles erupted inside the courtroom, Devyani turned to Sahil "Do you have anything to say in defense of your client?"
Looking nervous suddenly, Sahil replied "Your honor, I don't have the evidence to support my claims but my client firmly believes that he is being wrongly framed for someone else's crime. I request the court to provide me some time so that I can find suitable evidence to support my claims."
"No you don't." Startled, Devyani stared as Khushi retorted in anger, facing her opponent "Your honor, he doesn't have anything to save his client and he won't even find one. He is just trying to delay the verdict."
"Mrs Raizada, you aren't allowed to talk like this in the court. I hope you know that. It's customary for the court to hear both the sides of any case without giving any special treatment to anyone." Devyani reminded her curtly.
Meeting her eyes, Khushi bit out "I know that your honor. I also know that the court never goes lenient on any convict."
"Watch your words, Mrs Raizada." Devyani warned again, "This is my last warning to you before I start charging fine for your rude and inappropriate inside this room."
"Go ahead then, your honor." Khushi challenged, her voice rising suddenly "If it takes saying harsh yet true words inside this very room to make everyone see the truth, then be it. I am ready to pay the fine for it. Vikrant Chaudhary here, first made unwelcome advances on my client, then abducted and raped her, kidnapping her once again when she tried to reach to the police. Yesterday, the police finally found her in his house. What more evidences would this case need before it is decided that this man is guilty indeed? This man is standing in front of me, getting his lawyer to delay the verdict of this case again and again while my client is in hospital, getting treated for what he had done to her. What kind of justice is this, your honor?"
Her eyes softening a bit, Devyani whispered "We understand your client's plight."
"NO YOU DON'T!!!" Khushi roared, turning her head to look down her nose at everyone present in the court "You don't know a thing about my client's plight, your honor. When a woman is raped, her dignity and respect gets shredded to pieces because of men like Vikrant Chaudhary. While the girl lives the rest of her life with her head hung low, they just grin like they had achieved something big. Most of them never even realize the impact of their act on the victim. After a girl gets raped, the society never leaves her alone, taunting and humiliating her until she commits suicide or run to another town to escape the torture. Her own family wishes for her death or either hides her like a curse. A rape is worse than a murder, your honor, because the girl has to relieve the moment for the rest of her life while a human only experiences few minutes or hours of pain before succumbing to death."
Her lips trembling in pain, she added "The worst thing about it is people never understand a girl never wants to get raped yet they treat her like it's her mistake all along. My client was brave enough to approach the police. She needs justice not false assurances of her lawyer or the judicial system of this country."
Heaving a sigh, Khushi pressed her hands against her face as she bent forward a bit, losing her composure for a moment, unaware of the pin drop silence inside the courtroom. Not looking up, she stood and made her way to the chair silently.
"Mrs. Raizada, are you alright?" Devyani asked nonchalantly.
Khushi nodded, clasping her hands together in tension, now aware of the eyes watching her every movement. She tensed as Devyani cleared her throat. Raising her chin in defiance, she gathered her strength once again and looked up "Yes honor."
"Very well, then." Devyani stated, scribbling something down before looking up, her eyes full of determination "The prosecuting lawyer has made a very valid point in the court today. Mr. Awasthi, the court rejects your appeal of giving you some time to find evidences to support your claims. The court never wants any victim to suffer because of the delay in the verdict of any case."
"But, your honor..."
"Now, the court has reached to the conclusion of this hearing and case." Devyani announced, ignoring Sahil's protests completey "After hearing every argument and facts, seeing all of the evidences, the court has found Vikrant Chaudhary responsible for sexually harassing, kidnapping and raping a 21 year old girl, Nia Sharma. He is found guilty under section 300, 304, 314 of the law. Keeping the fact that he is a politician in consideration, the court is bound to set an example to the rest of the people by not being lenient when it comes to deciding his punishment. Guilty of sexual harassment, kidnap and rape, the court sentences him 15 years of imprisonment as punishment. Also, the court orders him to pay Nia Sharma an amount of 2 Crore as compensation. At the end, the court orders the police to file another case against Vikrant Chaudhary for kidnapping a famous politician, Anuj Raizada as well, as depicted in the reports of the house search conducted yesterday."
Bringing the hammer down the gravel, she announced "The case is adjourned. And Mrs Raizada, you are to pay an amount of ten thousand rupees as fine to your rude behavior in the court today."
Nodding her head, Khushi watched everyone leave, a smile slowly creeping on her face, battling the exhaustion crowding her features.
"You won the case, I will give you that."
Jerking her head up, Khushi looked away from her papers, meeting the eyes of the man she loathed very much, standing in front of her, cuffed and surrounded by police officers. Cautious, she watched as he stepped forward, his lips curling in a dark smile.
Gathering everything, she stood up, tilting her head up to stare at him, her gaze triumphant "Yeah?? Well, I just realized that no matter how much time it takes to put people like you behind bars, it's worth every effort. Good luck spending 15 years or more in the jail."
Letting out a laugh, Vikrant shook his head as if he understood something she didn't "Whatever you did was impressive, still it's not enough to keep me there for that long, darling. I will be out sooner than you expect."
"I don't think so." Khushi smirked "Even if you did, I will be right here to put you back. You have no idea, do you? You have made an enemy who is out for your blood, Vikrant. Our fight will continue till one of us is dead. Mark my words."
Vikrant scowled, leaning forward "No, you have no idea of what you have done, pretty girl. You are playing a game you can't win. I always win and I will win this one as well."
Crossing her arms against her front, Khushi stared at him in challenge silently. Not stepping back as he stepped forward, she barely blinked as he breathed against her face, staring down his nose at her "In 24 hours, I will make you sorry for everything you have done. I promise you."
Khushi tsked, laughing humorlessly "Don't make promises you can't keep, Vikrant."
Raising his handcuffed hands to trace his fingers against her face, Vikrant whispered "You know last night when I was alone in my holding cell, I thought about the different ways of punishing you for this. First I thought I will rape you like those boys raped your best friend, remember?"
Khushi flinched slightly, not saying anything.
Noticing her reaction, Vikrant grinned "Then I realized it's too easy. I will not lay a hand on you. No I won't do that."
Pausing dramatically, he leaned forward, whispering in her ear "I will hurt your new family. I will make them hate you so much that they will leave you. No matter what you say, they will not take you back. Your husband will hate you. Arnav will hate you. And the shame of what happened to them because of what you did, will kill you slowly. Very slowly, I promise. In fact, I think committing suicide will be an easy way out of this pathetic life for you."
Startled, Khushi growled, feeling a fist wrap around her heart in fear "Don't you dare!!!"
"Watch me, sweetheart." Vikrant called out after him, walking away with the police officers taking him to the police van outside.
"Congratulations, Mrs Raizada..."
"Mrs Khushi, what is your opinion..."
"No comments, please." Khushi bit out, pushing through the crowd of lawyers and reporters surrounding her outside the court roughly, not waiting for her bodyguards to reach to her in a hurry, ignoring the yelled praises and questions at her. Reaching to her car, she took the back seat, instructing the driver to take her to the hospital.
Whipping her phone out of her purse, she frantically dialed a number, pressing it against her ear as she prayed for the person to pick up her call.
"Khushi??" Arnav's voice reached her ear, making her sigh in relief as he continued "Are you okay? Look I am sorry about..."
"Forget that." Khushi interjected "Is everyone still waiting at the hospital for your father to wake up?"
"Yes." Arnav replied, baffled after hearing the panic in her voice "Except Anjali went to home few minutes ago to rest. Are you okay?"
"Who else is not there, Arnav?" Khushi insisted, ignoring his question.
"Well.." Pausing for a moment, Arnav replied in a thoughtful voice "I haven't heard from Shyam since yesterday. Your father too isn't answering my call. That's it. Everyone else is here. Why?"
"No no no no." Khushi chanted, a sense of dread spreading through her body. This didn't look good.
At all.
Edited by uv-crazyfan - 10 years ago
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