Rishbala OS- Justice...

"Sir, one lady has come to meet you." His assistant informed him. "Has she taken any appointment earlier?" He asked lazily, burying himself in his file. "Ammm... No Sir! Actually, the thing is, she is coming here since so many days and pleads to me to meet you!" "Ajay, this is a usual thing, you know very well... Every day, so many people come here crying and pleading to meet me for their cases, but that doesn't mean that I will fulfil everybody's wish!!" He spoke in rage, throwing his spectacles on the table. "Just tell that lady to take an appointment and then come...! Tell her to don't waste my time!! GO!" Ajay nodded and was about to leave when that lady barged inside his room. Her appearance was completely dishevelled. Her hair were all ruffled as if she hadn't taken bath since many days, her eyes were puffed, red, dark circled and her sari was torn from many places, thankfully enough to cover her assets completely. "Saab... Please Saab, Listen to me Saab... Please, listen to me for once and I'll leave!! I beg you Saab...!" She was crying and begging in front of him, joining her hands. Seeing her, Ajay immediately caught her tightly, preventing her to not go near his boss. "Leave me..." She struggled, "I said leave me!! Saab, listen to me Saab!! Please!!" Seeing her behaviour and her condition, RK was deeply outraged. For once, he was taken aback on his seat. "Security!! Guard!!" He shouted. Till then, a guard too came inside. "Just take her away right now!!" He instructed aloud. "Saab... Please Saab... A helpless mother is begging you for her daughter!! Please Saab... Just listen to me for once!!" And she got herself free and ran into his feet, "Please, help me Saab... Please get justice to my daughter!! Please!! I beg you!!" RK watched her bewilderedly for a while and then spoke, "All of you may leave!! Let her be here!!" Everybody left from there.

RK aka Rishabh Kundra, was one of the famous and successful criminal lawyers of Mumbai. He has been in this field for just 5 years for which his reputation was too early to be gained. His skills and his track record were enough to know, how excellent he was as a lawyer. It was difficult to believe but the fact was that he never lost any of his case and the main reason was his determination to fight for truth, for justice and for the innocent. His name had become so big and a brand among the fraternity that only his name was enough to decide the fate of the case in his favour.

"Ma'am, you please! Get up! Don't do this! Sit here!" He made her stand and sit on the nearby chair and he himself rested on the table's edge. He offered her some water to calm her down. After few moments, "First, you please be relaxed! Calm yourself and then tell me your problem." She drank the water in one go, wiped her wet face from her torn Sari's corner and then spoke weakly, "I need your help Saab! Please help me!" She again started crying. "Ma'am, first don't call me Saab! I am of your son's age. My name is RK... I mean Rishabh Kundra! Now tell me the exact problem and please, don't cry!" She composed herself, "I had come to know your name few days back that you are a very big lawyer... An excellent one! You had never lost any of your case! And now I believe too, only you can get justice to my daughter!" She pleaded. "Ahh... I..." He didn't know how to reply. "What has happened to her?" He asked. His question spell bounded her- horrifying looks came over her face and suddenly she buried her face in her Sari and started weeping. Her crying made RK restless, "Ma'am, if you won't tell me then how would I help you? C'mon, tell me, what has happened to your daughter?" After few moments of silence, she blurted out; "RAPE!!" and she started crying profusely. RK was taken aback. He gently caressed her shoulder and consoled her till she stopped. This word had always disturbed him severely. It was not that he didn't want to fight for such cases but he always felt himself helpless to put a stoppage at such heinous crime. "I know only you can help me! Please! I... I have nothing to give you Beta except a mother's blessings... not a single penny!! But I know you are a good human being; you'll definitely understand a mother's helplessness for her poor daughter who has gone through such a felony. A mother is begging you Beta!" And she again joined her hands in front of him. RK immediately held her hands in concern, "Please, don't do this! You've called me Beta and mothers never do this in front of their sons." And he gave her an assuring smile. "Will you handle my case?" She asked hopefully. RK thought for a while and then spoke, "YES! And without any fees... I'll do it!" His words gave her immense strength and courage to fight for her daughter. "Now tell me, who are you? What actually happened and when?" She took a pause and started, "My name is Padmini Choudhary and my daughter's name is Madhubala Choudhary!! We have come here from Motihari... a small village in Bihar. Madhu was the one of the few girls in our village who is well educated. Her paternal Uncle Balraj Choudhary lives here in Mumbai, in Andheri. One day, I requested him to look for a job for Madhu as she wanted to work and become independent, but she wasn't getting any job there in Motihari. After few days, he informed about a job of a receptionist in a textile firm, here in Mumbai. We both immediately came here in a hope to get that job. Madhu was very confident for it. Balraj already assured us of this job. On the interview day, Balraj himself came to take her to the firm. But..." Her voice started getting horrified and so her cry, "The entire day passes but she didn't return. I tried to call Balraj but he too didn't pick up. In the evening, Madhu came and her condition..." She cried out. RK held her firmly and consoled her, "She was like a lifeless body, her clothes all torn, dishevelled!! She fell in my arms and the only thing she could tell me was the name "BALRAJ AND MANAGER DID THIS TO ME!!" And she got unconscious!! My world shattered into pieces all of a sudden Beta... I lost my only possession!! But I want to get justice to my innocent Madhu... I don't want to hide her from this world. I want those monsters to be punished Beta!!" And Padmini broke down. Her words shook him severely from inside. How can a man be so cruel... and that too a relative!! His eyes automatically filled with unshed tears. He quickly composed himself and turned to Padmini, "When it happened?" "A week back!" "Did you lodge any complaint?" "I tried Beta, but no one was listening to me there!!" She again wept. He sighed disappointedly. "How... How is she now?" "In the city hospital... My entire savings went in her treatment. Doctors say she is out of danger but she is still unconscious!" After few moments of silence, he spoke, "I want to see her!!"

"Here she is." The nurse signalled. And there she was lying on the hospital bed- an innocent face but hidden behind so many bandages. RK silently looked at her, he unknowingly got lost in her. Padmini sat beside her, took her hand in hers and started sobbing. RK consoled her and went to meet the doctor. "When will she get discharged doctor?" "We are hoping that she'll regain consciousness within 5 hours. After complete analysis, you can take her back in the evening." He thanked her and went to Padmini. She was standing in the corridor. "She'll be discharged by evening. By the way aunty, where do you live?" Padmini was silent. "What happen Aunty? Where do you stay?" "The day it all happened, I ran away from there and got Madhu admitted here. I am staying at the railway station." She whispered. "WHAT??" He exclaimed in shock. "You are not going to stay there any longer... Come with me!!" "NO NO Beta!! I'll mange!! You have already obliged me and this..." "I am not going to listen anything. You are coming with me... That's it!!" Padmini nodded defeated. "First, let's go to the Police station to file an FIR." And they left. Because of the stature and reputation of RK, FIR was filed easily and within few hours, Balraj and the firm manager were arrested in the accusation of rape. In the evening, thankfully Madhu gained consciousness but she wasn't responding to anybody. She was in a great shock. Both Padmini and RK carefully brought her to his apartment. They settled her in one of his rooms. It was not a big flat but was enough for him. "Your family won't allow us here Rishabh." Padmini said. "I have no family aunty!" He spoke casually. Padmini looked at him shocked. "My parents died in a plane crash 7 years back. I was there only son. And now, I have only my Maasi as the relative and she lives in Delhi." He signalled Padmini to his room, "This is my room and both of you can stay in that." Padmini blessed him and they went for sleep.

Next day, RK filed the case in the fast track court as the public prosecutor for Madhu. And the hearing was finalised for the next day. In the evening, he went to Madhu's room to inform them about it. He had already decided to fight for Madhu to get her justice. He knocked the room but nobody replied. He slowly opened it and entered when a pillow hit his head hard. "Don't you dare come near to me!! I'll kill you!!" Madhu was shouting to the top. She picked up a glass vase and threw it at Rishabh but he promptly jumped aside. "Madhu, listen to me!! I am not the one you are thinking!" He was convincing her while saving himself from her targets. "Shut up!! I'll kill you ba****d!! Don't you dare touch me!!" She was shouting stubbornly. Till then Padmini came running and held her tight to control her. "Leave me Maa... I'll not spare this demon!! I'll kill him!" "Madhu... Calm down Beta!!" And she managed to make her sit on the bed. She took her face in her palm, "Madhu... Listen to me! He is not a demon Beta! He is RK... Rishabh Kundra- a lawyer. He is handling your case Madhu." Soon, her words calmed her down. She looked at him blankly. "He is a very big lawyer Madhu and he has promised to fight for your justice!" Padmini explained. "He is a big lawyer... That means you begged him for me... Right Maa??" She fumed. Padmini lowered her eyes. "How could you Maa? Again?? How can you believe a man?? That time too, you asked that ba****d for my job and see... what did he give me!!" Her eyes were blood red in rage and disgust. "Earlier, I was only jobless but today, I am..." "Please Madhu..." "All men are the same Maa... How can you trust him? Your one fault brought my life to this point and now you..." Padmini got shocked to hear that. "You think, I am responsible for it... Just because I asked helped from Balraj??" "YES!!" She spoke aloud furiously. "NO!" RK interrupted with a shout. "No one is responsible for this mishap... You got it Madhubala? Only those cheap monsters are the culprits! Don't blame your mother for it! In fact she is the one because of whom you are still alive... She is fighting for you, for your honour, for your justice unlike those mothers who try to hide their daughters in shame!! She is not ashamed of you! And I am just helping her because it's my wish and nobody has swayed me!! Your mother is not coward, Madhu!" His furious words calmed her down. Seeing everything getting settled, he turned to Padmini, "Tomorrow is the first hearing in the court. Both of you have to be ready, I'll pick you up! But before this, I need to talk to Madhu for the details. Hope you'll cooperate with me!" Padmini soon left the room and RK discussed the entire incident with Madhu. In the end, she completely lost her control and broke down.

Next morning, all of them went to the court. During the proceedings, the defence lawyer and the culprits tried to put allegations on Madhu of wooing on them, seducing them. Seeing everything going in wrong direction, RK succeeded in getting next week's date of hearing and also the permission for the potency test of the guilty. At home, Madhu was crying badly in her room. She couldn't take this insult more. RK came there and consoled her, "Don't cry Madhu! Everything will be in our favour. No matter how much they try, I'll not let them go away this easily..." She looked at him hopefully. He gently took her hand in his and said, "I promise you, I'll not let them win at any cost... I'LL GET YOUR HONOUR BACK MADHU!!" His assuring smile somewhere sooth her heart and that day, something changed between them.

From next day onwards, Madhu too got changed a little. She started helping him and Padmini in household works. Initially, RK tried to stop Padmini in doing so but her insistence finally defeated him and he stepped back. But now, his house was turning into a home. Within one or two days, both of them opened up to each other. On the other hand, RK had started his own investigation and thankfully, found of an eye witness of the incident. She was the PA of the firm manager. Initially, she was reluctant to get into this case but on his humble request and explanations, she agreed. Also, the test turned out positive, proving Balraj and the manager as the culprits. They tried to change the reports but fatefully, caught red handed and this mischief also went against them and strengthened Madhu's case all the more. Now, RK was assured of his win. But during all this, he didn't realised how much he involved himself in it. He didn't take any other case besides it. He was fully concentrating on this case, day and night. And his involvement was bringing him more close to Madhu slowly. In these few days, he got to know the real Madhu- she had started smiling, talking, and laughing. Her new side was surprising for him, soothing at the same time.

Tomorrow was the hearing date and for RK, it was going to be the date of justice... He was so much sure of it. In the evening, Padmini went to the temple to pray for the decision to be in their favour. RK thought to talk to Madhu so he went to her room. She was standing in the balcony, looking down the busy road, people busy in their own selves. "Madhu!" She turned to look at him. He walked towards her, "What are you thinking?" She sighed and then replied, "That am I going to get honour back in actual tomorrow?" He looked at her confused, "Why are you saying so Madhu? Tomorrow, I am sure we are going to win... You will surely get justice!" "But in papers... not in actual!!" She blurted out. RK was shocked to hear that. "Tomorrow, we may surely win... I may get justice but would I actually get my honour back? NO! I won't RK... Those monsters snatched everything from me!! I am empty handed now!!" Tears started to shed down profusely. "I'll not be the same now... never! Every day I look in the mirror, that incident would come in front of my eyes... I won't be able to look into my eyes anymore..." And her voice choked. RK slowly pulled her towards him and hid her in his embrace. The moment she got his arms around her, she clutched him tightly, cried her heart out. RK hugged her as tight as he could- not wanting to leave her alone anymore from now. "Shhh... Don't cry Madhu!" He whispered. "If you couldn't look in your eyes, you can look into my eyes... And you'll see the real you... forever!!" She broke the hug and looked up at him. RK gently wiped her cheeks through his thumb and cupped her face. He slowly bent down to own her lips. Madhu closed her eyes showing her agreement. They were inches apart when Padmini's voice broke their trance. They immediately pulled apart and RK barged out of the room.

Next day, RK and Madhu didn't talk to each other in embarrassment and left for the court. And as expected, Balraj and his partner in crime were proven guilty. They were sentenced life time imprisonment. Padmini's eyes were filled with happy tears, finally her struggle for her daughter paid off. RK congratulated them and they left for their home. On RK's insistence to celebrate the success, he cooked dinner for everyone as he had an expertise in it after living lonely for so many years. At night, Padmini talked to Madhu in their room, "Madhu. It's all over now. I am happy that they got punished for their sin. Now, it's time to go back!" Her words stunned Madhu. "Go back! Where Maa?" Madhu asked deliberately though she knew what was she talking about. "Where? Of course, Motihari Beta!" She continued, "Rishabh is indeed a man of golden heart. He did so much for us and see... he is still doing a lot for us! And in return, he didn't want anything. But now, it won't be morally good that we stay here any longer. We are no one to him no! Not strangers by now, but still... We can't stay here!" Madhu's breath caught in her throat, a sudden fear gripped her heart. This was not what she wanted. But she didn't show her turmoil to her mother and asked calmly, "Did you talk to him?" "No. I didn't and I won't till tomorrow... We will leave in the morning. I know, if I had told him earlier, he won't allow us to leave! SO, it's final now, we will leave for Motihari tomorrow!" Padmini declared and switched off the lamp and slept. But sleep was far away from Madhu, she was still thinking the reasons to console her restless sole. What right I have to love him. I am no one to him... Just a stranger whom he helped, whom he fought for... that too in humanity! Not love! He is an angel in the disguise of man. He has a complete right to have peace in his life. He will definitely get a girl much better than me... I stand nowhere in front of him... Yes! I have to go away from him... forever. A silent tear rolled down through the side line of her eyes. She consoled her helpless heart and closed her eyes for a sleepless night and same was with RK.

Next morning, RK was coming out of his room when he saw packed bags lying outside Madhu's room. Till then Padmini came out too. "Aunty! What is this? Where are you going?" He asked confused. "Ammm... Rishabh... We... We are going back Beta." Her words skipped his heartbeat. "What? But aunty..." "No Beta... We can't live here now! You have already done so much for us... You gave us shelter, food and above all... a justice to my Madhu! I can't pay you back in my whole life! But still... you have your own life. We can't be a burden on you Rishabh. We have to go!" Till then, Madhu came out of the room too. The moment he saw her, they couldn't take their eyes off from each other. Madhu can see the pain in his eyes; how much hurt he was! She quickly took her eyes away, "Maa, let's go! We are getting late." And she quickly moved towards the door and so did Padmini. "One minute Madhu." His voice caught her heart. She turned towards him but trying to hold her tears. "We are not yet done!" RK walked towards her, "Aunty, you said that whatever I did is an obligation upon you!" He spoke to Padmini, but keeping his eyes on Madhu. "You said, I have indebted you for your entire life... But I say, YOU have indebted me... Your daughter has indebted me for my whole life..." Madhu was looking up at him with wide eyes. "Within few days, I came to know what a family means! The word which I had forgotten the meaning of, you taught me! For the first time in life, my heart started beating... beating for you, Madhu! I learnt, what love means! I learnt why it pains when you see tears in someone's eyes that you love like a mad!! You taught me everything Madhu!!" His words compelled her to finally free her tears to flow down. "In these few days, I have dreamt to be with you, to live for you... till my last breath! And you are leaving me! Didn't you feel that love in your heart, for a second all these days Madhu?" "I am not capable for you RK!" Her voice choked. "I know, you would say this only! Do you remember Madhu, what I had promised to you! You will see the real you in my eyes throughout your life!! I'll not let you lose yourself! Didn't you believe me Madhu?" He asked hurtfully. She nodded helplessly, still crying. RK bent down on his knees and forwarded his hand towards her, "If you believe me, if you believe my love then marry me!" Her eyes got shot opened. "Give me one chance to fulfil my promise to you Madhu!" Madhu stepped back. RK stood up again and moved towards her, "Your eyes speak volumes Madhu, I can read them... You love me too just the way I do... Maybe even more than that! I want that love to be mine Madhu... so that I can give you back the same! Please marry me, Madhu!" and he opened his arms. Padmini's eyes were filled with happy tears, for her daughter. His words finally worked and she ran... ran into his arms... to be his, forever!! He held her tightly in his embrace, promising himself to not to let her go away from him ever... Today, she was happy with the JUSTICE her fate did to her...!!!