Feet & Arms
She was given chai much like everyone else, and then the second time too as people started to leave
JV or Judge Vaidya sahib appeared almost half hour after 7
There were two other people waiting for him at that time
The assistants brought his bag and gown and he walked in simply with no airs
Looked around the room and paused on her face
He smiled a little politely
She got up immediately
"Hello... Mr. Vaidya? she said nervously
"Please sit... please sit... I will need some time to freshen up and moisten my throat he smiled
She nodded dazedly as if she had heard that voice before
The other two that were waiting woke from their slumber and stiffened...
Over 20 minutes passed and he appeared walking over to the men waiting spoke to them kindly
Held both their hands as they begged and handed the files to his assistant and then made his way to her
"I am Avantika Gupta she said wasting no time
He looked confused at first, then a look of shock passed through his eyes, then a glint of affection, sparkling
"Aap bhi aayin Chandan ke saath? he asked sincerely
"Oh NO... NO sir... I am here looking for Chandan she said dejected that even he didn't have a clue where the lil munchkin was
"Aap nahi laayin? he was shocked
"They took him from his school
"Who "they?
"Umm.. some lawyers and a court employee and some Delhi Police folks "The principal said she began to cry
"Please sit he said
Went inside and returned 15 minutes later
"Ms Gupta, they are on their way. I am sorry this happened
"They were on their way ever since I came here she screeched
"they stopped to buy him clothes and shoes
"Ufff she crashed sobbing, realizing she can never have the kid back
"Ms Gupta, will you have tea?
"I already h... had she fought a lump
"They are almost here he said
"I cant live without him she begged
She fell at his feet, on to her knees, clamped her hands and begged "Please... I am sorry for not letting you see him, can he PLEASE LIVE WITH ME? she begged
"Umm he appeared tearful
He quickly helped her up
"I want to be with him she said firmly wiping her tears
"Ms Gupta
"I am the only family he has she said accidentally
His expression changed to sadness
"He is my grandson he cleared his choked up throat
"I am so sorry... I didn't mean it in a bad way... Srishti asked me to raise him, the doctor at Fortis hospital will vouch for it. I promise she pleaded
"He is the only reminder of my son the judge teared up
"Please sir
He swallowed, grunted... paused.. walked away, turned back... grunted and sighed and "Ms Gupta it's the court's order, he belongs to his biological family he said and walked out
She cried her heart out the next 20 minutes and picked up her purse and walked out the gates
Her mother had sent her details of Sobti Continental
She had also promised Dad's contact in Bareilly would help bring her back to Roorkee in the AM
She read the texts in daze as she started her car completely overlooking the Toyota Camry enter the giant gates with its floodlights on, in the back seat a little 5 year old boy slept in the arms of his chachu Harit Vaidya
Advocate Anjali Awasthi
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