FF : Heart wants what heart wants.. note - pg 16

Chapter 1 -

Siddhi - an idealist fresh graduate of Bombay Law College. She was one of the top students who received offers from big law firms but she did not feel comfortable there. For few months she did work at a big law firm but there she had no liberties at all. Sure the pay was god but for that she may even have to fight for the wrong side. Before she gets trapped into a contract, she decided to leave. Now she had taken job at a small law firm where she had little more liberties. It has only been a week since she had joined this law firm and she had already come across a case.

Bandra court -

Siddhi came out of court room, looking very exhausted. She was followed by her opponent, her class-mate and colleague for short period Anand Chopra. Anand Chopra had graduated with Gold Medal so of course he was working for top law firm - Thakral & Sons. Anand was fighting for a corporation while Siddhi was fighting for "mango man", an ex-employee of the corporation for bonded labor. Today was tough day for Siddhi as her witness was brutally slammed. Anand Chopra was second chair with Richa Thakral who was famous for mean demeanor towards her opponent. But today Richa Thakral did not feel need to come as just first hearing, so Anand Chopra had chance to show his jalwa and he felt proud how well he did. He said a word or two to Siddhi and walked out proudly.

Siddhi although very cheerful individual was rather upset due to failed first hearing. She went straight to her law firm. News of what took place at court had already reached the office so people were gossiping as how can this fresh graduate think she can go against Thakral. Siddhi too overheard the talks but what is she going to do. She went to her desk that was in corner. There was only one other desk in that corner, but she had not seen anyone sitting there so far. The desk sure had basic stationary and was very simple.

Siddhi being full of life individual was not very much happy to have a desk all alone but today she needed this solitary. Her good friend had given her hard time in the court. Whenever she felt down, she would just put everything down and try to capture nature. Given the window was next to the other desk, she just went to that desk and started staring outside. She wasn't looking for anything specific, just looking outside trying to free her mind from the recent stress. She remained on the desk till it was time to go home.

Next day was 2nd Saturday. Usually it is a day off at the office but if anyone wants to come and work on any of their cases, they were more than welcomed. Siddhi thought it would be perfect place for her to work in peace and she obviously needs to be better prepared for next hearing.

So Siddhi gets ready for office. She wore her usual jeans and long top like college days. She got to office at 10:00 am. As expected, no one was present in the office. Siddhi went to her desk and started working on the case. After some time she was interrupted by the door. Siddhi had not realized she actually had locked the office door from inside. Someone was knocking on the door real hard. Siddhi yelled, "coming, stop hitting the door so hard."

She opened the door, "who is it? What do you want?"

A man in his early 30's was there. He was wearing blue jeans and light green shirt with sleeves up. His face wasn't shaved well and there was some irritation on his face. He looked at Siddhi with his piercing eyes. He took a moment to take a good look and tried to step in office. But he couldn't take any more than two steps as someone was holding him back. He looked back to see this tiny woman had hard grip on his right arm, so he took a step back raising his hand high parreral to their faces.

Siddhi, "Who are you and how dare you walk in the office?"

Guy looked at her with questions on his face, "Who the hell are you to stop me?"

Siddhi, "That is not answer to my question. Who are you and why are you walking in?"

The guy got more irritated and was about to say something just then peon walk-in and saw these two about to start a war so he interrupted, "Sab aap aa gaye." breaking the intense moment between the two. Siddhi released her grip from guy's arm and peon continued, "sab ye Siddhi memdam he. Wo kya he abhi hafte se hi aayi he isliye aapko janti nahi."

Guy shook his head and went inside office.

Siddhi sated at him and peon said, "memsab wo hamare bade sab he, wo kya bolte he, legal consultent he. Jayada baat nahi karte, thode akdoo he. Wo jo aapke bagal wala desk he na waha pe bethte he. Sab log unse darte he, kya gusewale he, to bina kaam ke koi jata nahi unke pas. to aap bhi zara sambhal ke.."

Siddhi, "Ha thik he. Tum ab jao mujhe bhi kam karna he."

Siddhi went to her desk and saw this legal consultant lost in his file. She thought what kind of man is he? Peon said I am new here so at least say welcome but no he's buried himself in his files. Oh well why bother, what do I care?

For the remainder of the work day, both kept their selves busy in their work without much interaction. Only interaction they had was when guy asked Siddhi to keep her pencil tapping down. Around 3 pm both stood up form the chair wihtout realizing their actions was in complete synchronization with each other. Both looked at each other with expression what? But none of them paid much attention and just went for the door. On their way their shoulders almost collided a bit and both right away distanced their selves and tried to run out of the office.

On her way home Siddhi kept thinking about this legal consultant. She did not even hear one word out of his mouth in normal tone. there was attitude and irritation there. He was dressed very simple, did not look like some high court lawyer as she was told by her boss. She even touched her shoulder as she felt something there. Not aware why, but this legal consultant did leave an impact on her.

Coming week her work involved usual going through legal references, filing paper work and trying to procure better evidences for her case. She noticed that there was less noise in the office and it was said due to presence of this legal consultant who was back. Even the boss Rathod seem bit sacred of him. Siddhi just didn't understand why? She saw few people coming there to give him file and he hardly spoke to anyone or gave strong advice. She wasn't sure if this guy really had enough substance that people were so much scared of him. Everyone kept thier distance but she was "bindas" regardless if he was there or not and would even go stand by the window next to his desk.

Things were going usual. Siddhi's boss has advised her to resolve the matter outside court if possible as Thakrals sure can go on for as long as they want and not care about the outcome as much. But being a small law firm they have to work with-in their limited resources. So Siddhi had arranged for a meeting with Thakral and their clients. Of course the meeting was held at Thakral office. Siddhi had asked her boss and even a senior member to accompany her as she felt it would help, but conveniently everyone was busy so she had to go there alone. Siddhi has worked at the office for few months so she had an idea what to expect.

When Siddhi walked in the conference room, she was bit shocked and scared at the same time. She knew Richa Thakral, Anand Chopra and some executive members of the corporation would be there. But DK Thakral himself was present with the president of the corporation. Siddhi felt she was facing a strong front all alone. She is not the kind of person who would get bullied easily but today she did feel intimidated by all of them as combined force.

D K Thakral, "Come Siddhi. I am very happy to see you. One of my former employee fighting case against me, it shows you learned from me. But why did you come alone?😈

Siddhi did not know what to do or say just then she saw everyone standing up looking towards the door. Siddhi looked back and saw legal consultant of their firm was there, again wearing simple blue jeans and black shirt, with unshaven face.

She did not understand why her opponent who are big shot lawyer just stood up looking at him?😕 Just then Richa said, "Kunal Chopra, you?"

Siddhi was shocked to hear the name Kunal Chopra. 😲

Part 1 - Pg 1

Part 2 - Pg 4

Part 3 - Pg 6

Part 4 - Pg 8

Part 5 - Pg 12

thanks SIndhu,

glad you liked my style...

loved the entry of kunal chopra at the thakrals conference room

Thanks, unlike CVs we remember Kunal Chopra is the hero.

Will continue.

Thanks, will continue for sure.