Jab Koi Baat Bigad Jaaye ch10 p94, epi-p99 - Page 71

Originally posted by: niniborn2rule

update???

Chapter 10:

Everyone is shocked again, hearing this. Just then the clock strikes 5 and the court is adjourned. All the family members start moving out of the courtroom. They don't even realize when Kapil Solanki, who was sitting in the last pew joined them silently. As soon as they reach their cars, they are surprised to see him. He walks upto Shyama, saying, "Agli hearing me tum ye case present nahi karogi." "Kyun?" she asks defiantly. He says in a very subdued tone, "Waise toh you are handling this case very well, lekin agar aap sab ki, khaas karke Ashutosh aur Nidhi ki permission ho toh, main ye case ladna chahta hoon"

Everyone turns to look at him in surprise. He says to Ashutosh, "Meri galti itni badi hai ki maafi maangne ke bhi layak…." Ashu stops him and says no need to apologize. Solanki wonders how he can love Nidhi so much as to take such a blame on himself so that Nidhi's PCOS is not discovered by anyone. BB and Armaan too are very surprised, but beam proudly at Ashu, while Nidhi tells he made her swear on him that the reality won't be known to anyone. Ashu rues that now it has been announced in open court. Nidhi says that she won't be dealing alone with it and that if he is with her, there is nothing to worry.

CV too beams proudly on him and chides solanki that he always told him that Ashu is a gem, but he never listened. Solanki admits that he grossly erred in recognizing Ashu and again apologized. Everyone forgives him, except Nidhi. Ashu tries to convince her to forgive but Solanki says, he hopes that he would get her forgiveness after he wins Ashu's case. When they go home, Solanki tells DB about how much Ashu loves Nidhi and to what extent he went for her sake. Even she is stunned and begs forgiveness from AshNi.

That night everyone is gathered after dinner. Ashu wonders aloud how IK knew about the fertility reports. Solanki says, he and IK were together going somewhere for some case when they saw AshNi come out of the fertility clinic. And since they were quite friendly, he had told him about Nidhi being like his daughter. Solanki apologized again and said that he had no idea that it could lead to this.

Finally Solanki clears his throat and says, "Okay, agli hearing 3 din baad hai. Aur frankly akele circumstantial evidence pe hi hamara case kaafi weak hai, aur upar se, I don't why but from what I know about IK, I feel as if the circumstantial evidence is just the tip of the iceberg. From the last statement he made in court today, it seems he has an ace up his sleeve – I really wish I knew what it is. He apparently has a lot of evidence against Ashutosh, and I am afraid, most of it is made up. And don't consider it an exaggeration when I say that IK is unbeatable when it comes to presenting fake evidence. Even if people know it is fake, he covers is tracks so smartly that there is no way in hell to prove that it is fake. So, proving Ashutosh innocent is not going to be easy."

Everyone's spirits dampen after this speech. But after a deep sigh, he continues "There is only one way to save Ashutosh and that is to find the real killer. But, that would require a lot of detective work and we have only 3 days."

Armaan butts in saying, "sir one of my friends is a detective. And currently he is in Kanpur only, so it will take him just 2 hours to reach here. He also has a team and he is so capable that he can even dig out the information from police files."

Solanki is relieved, "Excellent Mr. Armaan, that's the kind of man we want. The first thing we need to do is to call him. If he can get here early in the morning tomorrow, nothing like that."

Armaan gets up and goes out to make the call. He comes back 2 mins later to tell them that his friend Vicky will be here by 8 am the next morning. Solanki sits with Ashu and asks him a lot of questions, especially about Mallika. Then he asks Ashu to ponder if he thinks Mallika had an enemy or may be he himself has an enemy. Ashu ponders for a long time and then says no, he can't think of anyone. Solanki then asks Ashu and Ranga to provide him a list of the families of all patients who had died in surgery performed by Ashu or Mallika. When Ashu stare back at him in disbelief, Solanki said it was better to cover all bases. After a lot of questions, finally everyone went back to their respective houses. But, before that, DB informs them all that she has arranged a puja for Ashu the next day and everyone should come.

That night when AshNI retire to their room, Nidhi says "Main dekh rahi hoon, kaafi time se aap ke dimaag me kuch chal raha hai"
Ashu replies thoughtfully, "Haan Nidhi, pata nahi kyon jab se Solanki uncle ne mujhse ye poochha hai ki mera ya mallika ka koi dushman hai tab se hi kuch ajeeb lag raha hai – I mean I feel ki koi baat hui thi, shayad mere saath shayad Mallika k saath.. .. lekin phir bhi kuch yaad nahi aa raha. Aur main jitna yaad karne I koshish kar raha hoon, utna hi yaad nahi aa raha" he puts his fingers on his forehead to desparately try and remember, but was getting increasingly restless and frustrated instead.

Nidhi looks at him thoughtfully. The secret was eating her up, but right now was not the right time for her to share it with him. Hopefully after the case is closed and after he is proved innocent, if he is proved innocent, but of course he will be proved innocent.. .. Yes, she will do anything to save him, even admit.. .. God, she never felt so guilty, he loved her so much and she?.. .. Anyways for the time being, she has to take care of him. She takes his hands in hers, leads him to the bed and says, "Ashutosh, abhi hume so jaana chahiye". Ashu is still lost in his thoughts when he closes his eyes so he could not notice Nidhi's change demeanor.

At around 3 am when Nidhi shifted in the bed to move closer to him, she felt the empty bed. She opened her eyes to see sitting on the chair, staring into space. She immediately got up and put her hand on his shoulder, saying "Aap kyon itni chinta karte hain, jab humne apne pyaar ki naiyya paar lagali toh ab ye baazi bhi hum zaroor jeetenge aap dekh lijiyega."

Ashu looks at her passively first and then suddenly something clicks in his mind – "kya kaha tumne, phirse kehna" he says animatedly. The way he said it, had her worried, so she said softly, "Kya hua Sweets? Main to sirf ye keh rahi thi ke aap chinta mat kijiye sab theek ho jaayega" and tries to comfort him by taking his face in her arms and putting it to her chest.

He almost violently pushes her away and shouts "Nidhi just repeat the exact words you said earlier"
"Lekin.." she was totally lost, confused and anxious about his psychological health now.
"I said, NOW and the exact words"

She repeats them as he closes his eyes and tries to concentrate fully, suddenly Jagan's words come to his mind – 'ye baazi tum jeet gaye Ashutosh, lekin ye tumne acha nahi kiya - yaad rakhna main tum dono ko chhodunga nahin……….Bahut pachtaoge Ashutosh, bahut pachtaoge' ring in his ears and he shouts "Jagan"

She is confused, asks, "Jagan? Kaun Jagan?" He relaxes a bit and tells her everything about Jagan. Finally he says, "kaash maine use usi din arrest karwa diya hota."The next morning Ashu shares the Jagan incident with everyone. And Vicky pledges to find him by hook or crook before the next hearing.

The next 3 days pass in a blur with Solanki preparing Ashu for every kind of question. Ashu gets very uncomfortable when Solanki asks him not to totally avoid mentioning the kind of close friendship he shared with Mallika. He says he can't lie and everyone tries to convince him.

Finally the day of the next hearing arrives and Ashu opens his eyes only to be dazed by the sight before him. The entire room is decorated with flowers, balloons and candles. Before he could even comprehend the sight before him, he feels Nidhi's lips on his. "Happy first wedding Anniversary dear hubby" she says and gives him a card. "Arre man toh bhool hi gaya tha Happy anniversary" and he hugs her warmly and closes his eyes for a few seconds. Then says, "Nidhi, is poori duniya me mujhse bura pati koi nahi hoga. Generally wedding anniversary ke din husbands apni wives ko trips pe le jaate hain, shopping karwate hain, restaurants me ya movie pe le jaate hain, aur main tumhe aaj ke din court le jaa raha hoon!"

She says with a pout, "Phir wohi baat, Aap dekhiyega aaj ka din hamare liye kitna lucky saabit hota hai. I am sure, aaj ye case khatam ho jaayega and you will be proved innocent. Aur phir abhi abhi aapne jo bhi kaha na," behaves as if she is trying to recollect, "movie, restaurant me dinner and yes, of course shopping dher saari shopping, ye sab karna padega aapko, main nahi chhodungi aapko"

He was amazed. How could she remain so optimistic in such a situation? He sighed, smiled, and bent forward to kiss her forehead in a silent gesture of thanks.

Outside the court, everyone is tense as neither the police nor Vicky's team has been able to find Jagan. Moreover, Vicky called them an hour back to say that he was on Jagan's trail. But since then, his phone either did not connect or he did not respond. They were all too worried.

The Courtroom:

Solanki gives his vakalnama and the Judge accepts. Shyama sits down next to Solanki to assist him IK presented a few pictures of the crime scene. There was a general discussion about the pictures. Solanki asked about a particular particular picture which showed a small bit of broken colored glass near the wall in the drawing room where the deadbody was found. IK simply shrugged, saying something may have broken, after all, things do break in a house.

Hearing begins

IK: Dr. Ashutosh, aap please ye bataiye ke r. Mallika aapki kaun lagti thi?

Ashu (a bit uncomfortably, since Solanki has warned him not to use the word 'friend'): Ji, hum KGH me saath me kaam karte the, and so.. .. so, we were colleagues.

IK: I see, colleagues. Toh Dr. Ashutosh aapne apni MD in neurosurgery kahan se ki

Ashu: London ke ABC medical college se.

IK: I see, aur kya aap bata sakte hain ke Dr. Mallika ne apna MBBS ka final year kahan se kiya?

Ashu: ABC medical college London se.

IK (behaves as if very surprised): Oh oh I see! Toh wahan aap dono ki mulaqat toh zaroor hui thi. I mean, you were both Indians and both from Lucknow.

Ashu: ji haan, haari milaqat hui thi London me.

IK: I see, but you are clearly lying Dr. Ashutosh. I can call upon witnesses to prove that you both went to London together and that Dr. Mallika did her final year MBBS in London because you were going there to do your MD.

Ashu (looks defeatedly at Solanki, then calms down a bit): Yes we went to London together, but I don't really know the reason why she did her final year in London. That was her decision.

IK: Okay and can you tell me when and how you first met her.

Ashu: we met during MBBS, when I was in my final year and she was in first year.

IK: How long ago was that?

Ashu: 13 years ago

IK: I see, so she was just a college mate

Ashu just nods rather weakly

IK: So, can you please tell me why did you go to London with someone who was just a college mate?

Ashu (uncomfortably): well, we were going to the same place and from the same place, so, it made sense to go together.

IK: I see (mockingly, as if trying to understand a complicated fact).. .. 13 years, she accompanies you to London, almost stays with you in London for 2 years, then follows you and joins KGH.. .. just a college mate, just a colleage.. .. I m sorry I just can't understand..

Ashu (looks at Solanki with resignation, then shrugs as if saying, 'I can't lie anymore", ignores his warning not to tell the truth): Mallika and I were friends

IK: I see, friends. Just friends

Ashu (without hesitation): In fact, close friends (Solanki breaks his pencil tip in sheer frustration, while Shyama squeezes his hand comforting him)

IK (Whisltling softly but victoriously): I see, colleagues, college mates, friends, (stressing) close friends. Well you might as well go one step further and admit that you were lovers.

(Nidhi sitting in the 2nd pew closes her eyes in agony)

Ashu (shocked): No, I never loved Mallika. In fact, I have loved only one woman in my life and that's my wife, Dr. Nidhi. (he turns to look at Nidhi who hides her pain and gives him a broad reassuring smile)

IK: Dr. Ashutosh, chaliye maanlete hain (mockingly) that you did not love her. Did she love you?

Ashu gets very uncomfortable

KS (Kapil Solanki, Defense Council/Defence Lawyer): Objection your honour. Calls for a conclusion on the part of my client

Judge: Sustained.

IK: Sorry your honour, I will rephrase my question. Dr. Ashutosh, did Dr. Mallika ever propose you for marriage?

Ashu (once again, ignoring the warning and stern eyes of Solanki, very softly): yes

IK: I beg your pardon, I could not hear you?

Ashu (in almost normal voice) yes she proposed me, actually many times.

IK (Guffawing): Dr. Ashutosh, aapki kahani, I m sorry, aapki life kuch ajeeb nahi hai? (mocking) 43, oh I m really sorry, 42 saal ki umar me shaadi, woh bhi apne se aadhi umar ki ek intern se, aur upar se, ek baharwali.. .. oops, 13 saal se close friend jo aapko ek baar nahi, kai baar propose kar chuki hai, aur zyadatar, khaas karke aapki generation me toh hamesha, ladka ladki ko propose karta hai aur yahan toh ek ladki ne..

KS: Your honour, I think my esteemed colleague is wasting the court's valuable time with his antics and irrelevant talks which have no bearing on the case.

Judge: Agreed. The PP will stick to the relevant facts.

IK: I'm so sorry your honour. (To Ashu) So, what was your answer to her proposal, I am sorry proposals (stressing on the last 's')?

Ashu: I refused every time.

IK: Oh, but why?

KS: Objection. Not relevant. It was my client's prerogative, his choice.

Judge: Sustained

IK (Sighing heavily): Okay, Dr. Ashutosh, what happened on the day of the murder?

Ashu explains briefly and precisely.

IK: (Mocking) Really Dr. Ashutosh! You want this court to believe that an educated person like you saw a woman with a knife struck in her stomach and the first thing you do to take it out.

Ashu (angrily): And what would you have done if you had seen your friend in such a state?

IK: Friend, oh friend yes, (stressing) a close friend, I'm so sorry I had forgotten entirely. And by the way, I am here to ask and not answer questions. Anyways, I present Dr. Mallika's portmortem report and call my next witness – Dr. Dayal who conducted the postmortem.

(Dr. Dayal takes the oath and bows down to the judge)

IK: Dr. Dayal, could you please us the cause of death?

Dr. D.: Yes, the victim died to severe damage of her internal organs due to stabbing by knife.

IK: Single stabbing or was she stabbed multiple times?

Dr. D.: She was stabbed just once.

IK: Okay, since you have already identified the knife in the preliminary hearing, I would bypass that.

(Looking at the judge) I would like to bring it to the court's notice that it has been established that the

knife in question is a regular kitchen knife from the victim's house. I hope the defence does not have any

objection to this aspect.

KS (Gruffly): None whatsoever

IK (Turning to Dr. D): Dr. Dayal, did you find anything else that is worth a mention

Dr. D: Yes, the victim was pregnant.

There are shocked exclamations all around the courtroom followed by murmurs. Even Ashu excklaimed, "What!" After the Judge had silenced everyone,

IK (Mocking): Oops Doctor sahib kya hua? Why are you so astonished? I understand you both were careful, but still, ho jaata hai kabhi kabhi, contraceptives do fail sometimes you know (and gives him a mock understanding smile)

Ashu (still in shock, doesn't even comprehend what he says): Ji.. aap.. kya keh rahe hain.. meri toh kuch samajh hi nahi aa raha.

IK: Lekin meri samajh me ab sab kuch aa gaya, Dr. Mallika aapse pregnant hui, aur phhir unhone aap se shaadi ki zidd ki hogi, tab aapne..

KS (shouting): Aap mere client pe bebuniyad aarop lagaye jaa rahe hain. I would first like to cross examine the witness

Judge: Go ahead

KS: Can you tell me from the direction of the direction of the wound, whether it is even remotely possible that the victim herself inflicted the fatal wound.

Dr. D. (Thinks for a while): No. there is no such possibility.

KS: Could the wound have been inflicted by a woman. I mean, considering that women have less physical strength.

IK: What exactly are you trying to prove?

KS (shrugging casually) Nothing as yet. I am just trying to gather info. So, Dr. Dayal, please?

Dr. D.: From the wound, it is not possible to guess the gender of the murderer. A woman is just as llikely to have committed this murder as a man.

KS: Dr. Dayal, did you take a DNA of the foetus.

Dr. D.: No, it was not possible given the early stage of the pregenancy and the wound suffered by the victim.

KS: Did you say, early stage? How advanced was the pregnancy.

Dr. D.: Between two week and 4 weeks as at the time of death, is about as nearly as I can place it.

KS is relieved, calls Aditya Suhasini to the witness box and gets them to admit that Mallika was in Mussorie at that time.

IK: Oh now, I see the matter. Dr. Ashutosh, Dr. Mallika proposed you repeatedly, you refused her, finally you got married to a woman half your age. Is tarah, you got a very young and beautiful wife and you could continue your affair with Dr. Mallika/ Aur, phir jab aapko pata chala ke Dr. Mallika ka kisi aur ke saath affair hai toh aapse ye bardaasht nahi hua aur gusse me aake aapne unhe unhi ke kitchen knofe se maar daala. (by the end he is roaring like a lion)

Ashu (screaming indignantly): Nahi, ye sab jhooth hai.. ..

IK (Roaring): Yehi sach hai (Going very near to Ashu and intimidating him): ADMIT THAT YOU KILLED HER – THAT YOU KILLED BECAUSE YOU COUD NOT BEAR ANY OTHER MAN IN HER LIFE- JUST ADMIT THE TRUTH

KS: I strongly object your honour. My esteemed colleague is simply flinging vile accusations on my client without any base in terms of proof.

IK: Well, I am sorry Mr. Defence Council but, I can get n no. of witnesses who would testify to the fact that the accused had an affair with the victim - her family members for one, the entire medical fraternity for another.

KS: Her family might be lying, and you very well know gossips about such things can spread in any fraternity, why only medical. And esp. since my client is a reputed personality. Gossip can not be admitted as proof (Solanki looks at Armaan who is just reentering the court, as if asking him if there is any news of Vicky who is trying hard to locate Jagan, who was last seen in Kanpur. Armaan signals that Vicky is still not picking up him phone)

IK: Fine, I can provide 100s of pictures of them together, attending medical functions, going to musical concerts together. And, actually the circumstantial evidence is enough to HANG THE ACCUSED.

This is too much for Nidhi, who gets up from her seat and shouts "Dr. Ashutosh did not kill Dr. Mallika, I KILLED HER"

Everyone is stunned for a moment. Ashu tries to rush to her, only to be stopped by the policemen.BB and CV try to hug her, comfort her that Ashu won't be proved guilty and Shyama too rushes to her saying "Nidhi, apne uncle pe bharosa rakh, vo Ashutosh ko kuch nahi hone denge" Armaan too says, "Ye tum kya keh rahi ho Nidhi"
Nidhi says in a firm voice, "Wohi jo sach hai"
"Main jaanta hoon Nidhi ke tum kisi ka khoon nahi kar sakti. Tum sirf mujhe bachane ke liye hi.. .." Ashu cries from the dock.

"Nahi Ashutosh, I killed her and that's the truth" She shouts back.

Ashu pleads again, "Nidhi please.. .."

Judge: Order Order! (To Nidhi) aap ko jo bhi kehna hai witness box me aake kahiye.

Nidhi (standing in the witness and after taking the oath): Your honor, Dr. Mallika na hamesha mere aur mere pati ke beech me aane ki koshish ki, shaadi se pahle kya aur shaadi ke baad kya. Hala ke Dr. Ashutosh ne unse kai baar kaha ke vo sirf inki dost hain, lekin phir bhi woh unka peechha hi nahi chhod rahi thi, unhone kya kya ochhi harkaten nahi ki, .. (she reveals all the antics of Mallika including the suicide attempt, the problems she created for her at KGH and the recent gas leak) Your honour, after all, I am a woman, a wife, main aur kitna bardasht karti. Yes, I did not go to her with the intent of murder, but one thing led to another and in a moment of anger, I killed her."

At the end of her speech Ashu chuckled sarcastically and said: Wow, Nidhi that was a fabulous performance, I never knew you were such a fine actress.

Nidhi: Please Ashutosh, yehi sach hai.

Ashu: Tum to kya, khud bhagwan bhi aake kahe toh bhi main nahi maan sakta. Mujhse behtar ye kaun jaan sakta hai ke YOU ARE LYING DAMMIT.

IK: Of course, Dr. Ashutosh, aapse behtar ye kaun jaan sakta hai ke she is lying, because you killed her. Admit now that you killed her.

Ashu: Yes I KILLED HER

Nidhi: No, I KILLED HER.

Ashu: I DID Nidhi

Nidhi: No, I.

Meanwhile Solanki and Shyama were trying their best to signal both of them to keep quiet, but in vain.

Judge: Order Order, this is court not your home.

Ashu: I am sorry your honour, but this court has enough proof against me and I admit my guilt.

Nidhi: Even I have proof against myself and I too admit.

Ashu (Very angrily): Kya bak rahi ho Nidhi hosh me aao

Judge: What proof?

Nidhi (complety ignoring Ashu): Your honour, can I see that picture showing the bit of broken colored glass near the wall in the drawing room, that has been given in court?

Judge nods and the clerk gives her the picture.

She takes out her broken glass bangle and says: This is the proof Your honour. This picture shows a piece of my bangle which broke when I stabbed Dr. Mallika.

Everyone is stunned again, but before anyone can react, there is commotion as Vicky entered the court with her men dragging Jagan.

KS: Your honour, I would request the court to ask Dr. Nidhi to step down and let Jagan Mehta take her place on the witness stand. As the court can see, we have a very hostile witness in him.

The judge agrees and KS presents all the evidence against Jagan, how he is a wanted criminal, how he tried to Mallika, how he threatened Ashutosh and Mallika.

Jagan weighed down admits to everything said by KS, but says he did not murder Mallika. He said, that he was not even in Lucknow that day. Ashu does not believe this.

Ashu: Mujhe achhi tarah yaad hai Jagan ke tumne dhamki di thi hum dono ko

Jagan (gloating): Haan, to maine apni dhamki poori bhi. Main police se bachne ke liye Mussoori bhaag gaya tha, us din ke baad. Aur phir ek din kismet khud mera saath de gayi. Shikaar khud hi shikaari ke paas aa jaaye toh isme shikaari ki kya galti? Ek din maine use akele walk karte hue dekha, vo apni cottage ki taraf jaa rahi thi. Woh chai kharid rahi thi tab maine chupke se uski chai me GHB milaya. Then I followed her to her room and r**ed her. (Laughing) Main uske baad use kyun maaroonga Ashutosh, main toh ye chahta tha ke woh saari zindagi ye ginnat uthaye. Mujhe thappad mara than a usne! Aur mujhe lagta tha ki woh tumhe ye baat zaroor bataayegi aur tum bhi tadpoge ye soch ke kisne kiya ye sab – aakhir tum uske aashiq jo thehre.

Everyone is totally shocked hearing this. Ashu had his fists clenched all the time and

Ashu (Furiously): Jagan tum is hadd tak gir gaye tum ne Mallika ke saath ye sab.. .. I WILL KILL YOU JAGAN, I WILL KILL YOU.

(IK smiles triumphantly)

Judge: Order order. (To Jagan) Aapke paas kya proof hai ke aap us din Lucknow me nahi the?

Jagan: Sir, us din main apne ek dost ke shaadi ke liye Delhi gaya tha. Aur mere paas video recording bhi hain phone me. Aur kaafi saare logon ka number bhi de sakta hoon main, who have seen me at that time in the wedding.

Jagan indeed has the perfect alibi and is proved innocent of the murder. But the judge orders him to be arrested and tried separately for the other crimes.

Meanwhile one of Vicky men comes running to the court and hurriedly converses with Vicky and Armaan. Both of their faces light up after hearing what he has to say.

They both hurry to the Solankis and talk to them.

KS: Your honour, I would like to call upon my next witness.. ..

IK: What's the point when your client has already admitted to his guilt, and after seeing his anger just now, I am sure the court doesn't need any other proof of his guilt.

KS: Your honour please just one more witness.

IK: But..

Judge: Mr. Public prosecutor, the defense has every right to give any evidence. (To KS): Proceed.

KS: Your honour, my next and last witness is Mrs. Suhasini Trehaan.

Suhasini enters the witness box, dabbing at her tears.

KS (offering her a hanky with exaggerated politeness): I am so sorry Mrs. Trehan, ek toh pahle hi aap shok mana rahi hain, aur upar se main aap ko baar baar taqleef de raha hoon. Lekin kya karoon? I need to ask you a very important question.

Suhasini (Refusing the hanky and in a subdued tone): Ji poochhiye

KS: Aap ka aur aapke pati ka bayan tha ke us raat aap dono kisi party me gaye the.

Suhasini: Ji haan, mere husband ki ek bank ki party thi aur hum dono apne bte ko lekar wahi gaye the.

KS: Aapka beta kitne saal ka hai?

Suhasini: ji 5 saal ka

KS: Generally toh log apne bachchon, khaas karke itne chhote bachchon ko aisi parties me nahi le jaate. Aur phir Dr. Mallika bhi toh ghar pe hi thin na, woh aapke bachche ko sambhal letin na?

IK: Objection. Irrelevant

Judge. overruled.

Suhasini (sweating a bit): Ji maine socha Bobby khamakha didi ko pareshan karega. (with hesitation) Aur.. Aur phir Bobby bhi party me jaane ki zidd kar raha tha. (smiles uneasily).

KS (with mock understanding): Ji haan, aajkal ke bachche kaafi ziddi hote hain. I can understand. Anyways, toh party kitne baje se kitne baje tak chali? Or rather you were there from what time to what time?

Suhasini: Ji, hum kareeb 8 baje pahunche honge aur kareeb 11.30 ko nikle.

KS: I see. Now, listen to my question very carefully Mrs. Trehan and think before you answer – were you in the party the whole time, between 8, okay fine I will narrow the timeline since you are not really sure of the exact time you entered or left the party hall the entire time between 8.15 pm to 11.15 pm? Aaram se sochke jawab dijiye.

IK: Objection. Irrelevant

Judge. overruled. Don't waste the court's time in useless objections, this is your last warning.

Suhasini (After thinking for sometime): Ji haan main us poora time party me hi thi.

(KS puts a cd on the LCD in the courtroom. The timings are clearly displayed on the screen)

KS: Kya ye usi party ki recording hai?

Suhasini (Gets shocked but then swiftly contains herself): Ji haan

KS: (Fast forwards a bit) ye rahe aap teeno (she nods a bit smilingly) (KS fastforwards a bit again) ye rahe aapke husband aur beta, lekin aap kahan thin?

Suhasini (uncomfortably): ji main wahin kahin houngi .. .. mera matlab, main kisi ke saath baat kar rahi houngi.

KS: Ji ji, bilkul parties me toh aisa hota hi hai, log mil jaate hain aur hum gappe marne baith jaate hain unke saath.

Suhasini(nods in relief): ji, aur waise hum auraton ki aadat hoti hai gossiping ki

KS: Ji. Lekin aap poora time hall me hi thin?

Suhasini: Of course. Aap baar baar kyon pooch rahe hai?

KS: Abhi pata chal jaayega. One last time, aap poora time hall me hi thin?

Suhasini (angrily): Ji haan. I was in that damn hall all the time.

KS: Arre aap to gussa ho gayi. Lekin ye dekhiye aur bataiye (fast forwards the CD to 11.21, which shows her entering the hall and that too in a slightly different colored saree. The earlier was plain shifon orange color and this was peach. But, except the saree, the other attire was the same)

Suhasini: (sweating heavily and smiling very uncomfortably): ji.. .. ji.. haan yaad aaya. Bobby achanak chocolate ki zidd karne laga to main wohi lene gayi thi.

KS: (motioning to the paused screen) Lekin aapke haath me toh koi chocolate nahi

Suhasini: Ji haan, woh mujhe chocolate nahi mila, saari shops band thin.

KS: I see, toh aap kitne baje bahar nikli

Suhasini: ji exact time toh nahi bata sakti lekin, kareeb 11 baje honge.

KS: Chaliye aap kehti hain to maan lete hain. Lekin aapne saree kab kyun aur kahan change ki?

Suhasini (Acting surprised): Ji, maine saari change ki? Nahi toh, same hi toh hai

KS: (taking the remote again in his hands) toh ab ye bhi main sabit karoonga tab aap ko yaad ayega

Suhasini(getting scared): yaad aaya, darasal hua yun ki meri saari pe keechad lag gaya tha aur car me by chance extra saree thi toh maine change kar li

KS (Menacingly) Keechad lag gaya tha? Or was it blood Mrs. Trehan? The victim's blood. (Taking the plastic bag from Shyama) Your honour this is the saree in question – as you can, there is a very huge blot of blood on it. (To Suhasini ferociously) Admit your crime Mrs. Trehan and save everyone's time. I can have the forensic expert analyse the blood and confirm that it is the victim's. Uske baad chahe aap ko kuch bhi yaad aaye, you will never be able to explain this blood on your saree.

Suhasini (breaks down completely): Haan Haan, maine maara didi ko. Toh aur main karti bhi kya. Jab se maine shaadi ki, main kya dekhti hoon ki aditya ke father ka woh itna bada flat didi ke naam pe hai, paise waise sab didi ke kabze me. Tabhi toh main jald se jald unki shaadi karwana chahti thi – lekin ye Dr. Ashutosh – na khud ki shaadi didi se nahi jagan se hone di. Aur upar se didi mussoori akeli jaake pata nahi kahan muh kaala karwake aayi, aur jab unhone mujhe ye bataya ke shayad who pregnant hain..toh mere dimaag me ek perfect plan aaya jisse ke main is problem ko bhi khatam kar doon aur Dr. Ashutosh ko bhi fasa doon. Hume ek party me jaana tha, toh maine didi se kaha ki woh apni pregnancy ka fayda uthayen – aur didi aisi bewakooof ke meri baaton me aa hi jaati thin. Maine unse kaha ki woh Dr. Ashutosh ko bula len, aur unhe kisi tarah behoshi ki dawa pila de aur apne bed me lita den, taaki subah jab vo uthe to yehi lage ki raat ko.. .. anyways toh didi ne yehi kiya aur maine Dr. Ashutosh ke aane se just pahle didi ke pet me chaaku maar diya. Haan, ek unexpected cheez ho gayi thi, Dr. Nidhi ka wahan aana, lekin fortunately vo toh 2-3 minute me didi se jhagda karke chali gayi.

Everyone was outside the court. Anji said, "Aaj toh double party hogi Jijaji, ek aapki wedding anniversary ki aur ek is case se chhutne ki khushi me."

Before Ashu could reply, Nidhi said, "Party warty raat ko dinner time pe. Filhaal toh mssin apne husband ko hijack kar rahi hoon for some private celebrations!" and dragged a blushing Ashu to the car.

Once they were in the car, Ashu chides her playfully "Nidhi tum bhi na. sab kya sochenge hamare baareme?"
She replies, "Sweets, don't worry they all know ke hum dono pyaar me bilkul paagal ho chuke hai, aur hamara kuch nahi ho sakta"
He shakes his head and chuckles. Then, he turns serious and says, "Nidhi, I don't know how to thank you for supporting me thru this hell, and tum jaanti ho ke tumne aaj mujhe kitna bada shock diya. You were hellbent on proving yourself guilty.. .."

She puts her hands on his lips and says rather firmly "Please Ashutosh, lets not talk about all those painful things now. I want to forget that phase"
He nods silently. Then after a while he says, "Toh kahan chale?"
She chides him, "Aap bhool gaye, subah hi toh list batayi thi aapko. Restaurant me lunch, phir movie, phir dher saari shopping"
His mouth falls open, "Nidhi ye kuch zyaada nahi ho gaya?"
She doesn't reply and pouts. He says, "Actually, nahi ye bhi kam hai, ek kaam karte hai is list me adrakwali chai bhi add kar dete hain!"

She excitedly hugs him and kisses him right there in the car in the midst of the traffic.

oh! wow.. now i can sit back at leisure and read ur chapters at one go.. like i said.. like a novel.. and will give a review and PM u as soon as i do..

The contest winners are Turags and Aardhan. So, chapter 10 dedicated to you gals

Originally posted by: achiever

oh! wow.. now i can sit back at leisure and read ur chapters at one go.. like i said.. like a novel.. and will give a review and PM u as soon as i do..

i m really stuck up with my work so didnt really find time to go thru ur FF as i wud've liked.. so i will not hurry bt read it at my leisure ..

me too going on a mini-vacation from tomorrow.. so lots of things to take care of b4 tht..

njoy ur vacation.. :))

Goodnite everyone m off to bed,

Read it. Will comment later.

wow...just perfect...

it was a wonderful read.

good chap shirley..courtroom trial was excellent...enjoyed it thruout...chalo ashni innocent hai baki ka baad mein socha jayega and KS and DB"s u-turn was noteworthy...waise was this the last chap ya fir epilogue hai??waise epilogue to banta ha boss...