FF Dejected part 10

Kunal was lost in his thought sitting by the lake. Suddenly his phone rang and disturbed him. He saw it was Siddhi calling him. In a second he picked up the phone but didn't say anything. Simple fact that he picked up was enough for Siddhi and she was once again able to understand his silence. Kunal heard everything Siddhi said and literary jumped out of his seat and ran towards home. He didn't bother wait for an auto or bus, rather ran on his feet to reach home as soon as possible. He reached home in 15 minutes and went straight to bedroom to Siddhi.

Siddhi to was waiting for Kunal with her eyes set at door. As soon as she saw Kunal she too ran to Kunal and cling to his chest as Kunal took her into embrace. For a minute or two none of them moved. Finally Kunal let go Siddhi but still held her by both shoulder and questioned, "now tell me exactly where did you see this person? Do you know how long he was following you? Tell me everything."

Siddhi in timid voice, "Kunal, I went to market in the evening. When I was returning just half an hour ago I felt someone is following me. As I walk pass Raghu's shop I noticed man in yellow t-shirt was walking behind me. First I thought it is nothing but then saw him again after 2 shops. As I started thinking more, I think I have seen him few days ago as well. Who knows how long he's been following me."

Hearing this Kunal completely released Siddhi, took a deep breath and walked towards table. He turned his face away from Siddhi, "was that man about 5' 8'', built and of dark complexion?"

Siddhi was very much surprised to hear this. She went to Kunal turned him around, "how do you know that? Do you know him, or has he been following you as well?" Siddhi's voice started breaking.

Kunal keeping his head down, "I know him. He is my friend Surya. I have asked him to follow you whenever you leave house. He's been following you since few days now."

This added more to Siddhi's confusion that was visible on her face. She was about to say something more but Seema called Kunal to come to living room. Kunal came out followed by Siddhi. A man in black coat, looked like a lawyer had come to visit Kunal. He handed Kunal a file. Kunal read the documents carefully and asked Siddhi to sign it. Siddhi was more perplexed than before and so was Seema. As Kunal asked Siddhi to sign, that too some legal documents, she got extremely scared. She didn't even want to think what can it be? She was already disturbed by learning of Kunal's friend following her and now these legal documents? Siddhi felt so numb to think, feel or do anything at this point. Kunal saw Siddhi's condition and understood what might be going on. He took the file himself to Siddhi, took out his pen and showed Siddhi where to sign. Siddhi looked at Kunal with complete blank face, didn't really read anything and simply singed wherever Kunal showed her. Once done, Kunal gave that file back to lawyer, said something to him but Siddhi was in no condition to hear anything at all.

Once lawyer left, Kunal went into his room. Siddhi and Seema both followed him there. Siddhi was still in state of uncertainty so she couldn't say anything but Seema, "Kunal bhaiya what is going on? Who was that man and what were those papers where Siddhi signed? I am getting extremely nervous bhaiya, please tell us" ended with worrisome tone.

Kunal was sitting on half-berth, looking out the window while Siddhi was sitting on bed like a stone and Seema standing beside her. For a minute, no one said anything. Finally Kunal spoke in soft informative tone, "Seema can you please leave right now? I shall tell you everything later, right now need to talk to Siddhi alone." Hearing this, Seema reluctantly left the room. Once Seema was out, Kunal looking straight at Siddhi, "that man was Khurana's assistant. Vinod Khurana, well-known criminal attorney. I retained him last week to fight your case. The paper you signed, they were for re-opening Rohit's murder case. Tomorrow morning these papers will be submitted in court for re-appeal, along with 12 charges against Richa for violation of parole, attempted murder, conspiracy, actual murder and many more."

Siddhi couldn't help but look at Kunal as he finished his sentence. Again there was silence in the room for minute or two. Kunal looked away from Siddhi, "the man who has been following you is my friend. Ever since I talked to Khurana, I asked him to follow you whenever you go out of home, for your protection. I am sure as soon as Thakral and Richa receive legal notice, they will try to do something. Knowing Richa's history, she will sure try to harm you and that is why I him to follow you."

Siddhi was about to say something but Kunal continued, "given Khurana is the best criminal attorney, his fees too are according to his status. That is the reason I need to work as much as possible to gather enough money so we can retain him. He has also hired a private investigator who is digging up whatever information possible about Rohit and Richa 9 years ago. I also spoke to Vikram and Raveena; they were eye-witness to whole incident. I don't know if we can depend on them as for all these years both didn't open their mouth. But still trying to get as much information and data possible for this case. Once I have rest of the payment amount, we shall go meet Khurana. In the mean time you too try to remember everything that happened so you can tell him everything."

Once again pin-drop silence in the room. Siddhi needed few minutes to absorb all the information. Once she was able to get everything in, "but Kunal why? Why do you want to reopen the case and start all of it again? Whatever happened, it was past. Let's just forget about it. Right now we all are together so we should simply focus on our family and forget about Richa. She is…"

"Forget about it?" Kunal couldn't help but raise his voice, "you are saying this? Just forget about everything that happened? Forget that Richa framed you for murder, blackmailed you to go to jail, you suffered in isolation for 9 long years surrounded by darkness. No, Richa must pay for her crime and your name must be cleared from such stain. Because of me you endured through so much. If not for my incompetence, you would have never faced all the misery. But now that I know everything, I must at least do this much" ended with ache in his voice.

Siddhi wiped of tears from her eyes, took step towards Kunal, "but Kunal why are you hiring Khurana for it. You too can fight re-open the case and prove Richa guilty. Afterall you are the best.."

Kunal started laughing at Siddhi's words, "why insult lawyers in general by calling me a lawyer and that too best, huh why do you do this Siddhi. If there is one thing I know for sure in life is I am not capable of doing anything substantial, be it professional or personal life. I sure have a Gold medal from law college, but I too wonder how I got it. They sure made huge mistake there.

you want me to fight the case. Let me refresh your memory about what happened 9 years ago. That time too I fought your case. I proudly stood up there in your defense and what happened? You were charged and punished for crime you didn't commit. I was supposed to save you from a false charge, but then to save my pathetic life you took the blame on yourself; accepted the crime you didn't commit and punishment for it as well. All because of me. I wish we had real lawyer back then who knew what to do. I shall not repeat that mistake again. To ensure everything goes correctly, I shall stay far far away from case proceedings."

Saying this, Kunal left the room, leaving Siddhi astonished by his words. Siddhi couldn't control her emotions and tears again started making their way out again. Thinking to herself, "I thought may be slowly Kunal is leaving his guilt behind. May be he has started to forget past and ready to move on. I was hoping that soon I will urge him to start his legal career but he still doubts himself. Oh lords help me. I don't care if Richa gets her punishment or not, I simply want my Kunal back. I am willing to do anything to get him back, I just want him back…..