SanDhir FF: Espresso Love (Ch.39 P.111 Dec.02) - Page 80

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PART THIRTY SIX - BATCH BREWING II

Saurabh stood up, "While Mr. Mittal may have been financially stable for that long, my client has recently obtained a full-time position at the Shekhawat Corporation with all health and dental benefits included. Paying her bills was an issue only when she was in school, finishing her engineering degree. She is more than capable of providing for herself and Riaan Your Honour."

I looked at Saurabh, confused at his statement. He knew what I was thinking and slid the manila envelope towards me. Taking the papers out, I saw a formal letter from the Shekhawat Corporation offering me a full time position as a Project Assistant dated... today?

Turning myself around, I caught a glance at Randhir who was busy avoiding me. I turned back to face the judge, smiling to myself.

--

It had been an hour into the trial, with both sides of lawyers doing their best to safeguard their client's position. I knew Sanyukta didn't want my tangible help in this case, but how could I let the woman I love deal with all of this without doing everything and anything in my power to protect her?

I had asked Solanki to approve of my decision right after the night I had found out about why Sanyukta was so afraid for the trial. I couldn't afford to lose her again, couldn't afford to lose Riaan. It was almost twisted in a sense - having lashed out at Sanyukta after having found out about her son, yet now being in a position where I felt a paternal sense of protection towards him. He deserved a better childhood. He deserves a better childhood. One I know Sameer would never be able to provide.

But did that mean... Was I even ready?

--

"Your Honour, ever since the birth of Riaan Agarwal, Mr. Sameer Mittal has not attempted to even meet Riaan. Not only did my client move out while she was pregnant, but she has been providing for herself and her son alone all these years - without a demand for child support. It's obvious that this sudden interest in obtaining child custody was a result of the divorce that was just recently finalized," Saurabh spoke clearly.

The defense lawyer received a heated glance from Sameer, an action that didn't go unnoticed by Saurabh and myself. We knew we were gaining the reins in the case.

I gazed at Riaan who was sitting on a bench near me and smiled as he looked at me. Everything's going to be alright, I tried to convey through my eyes. He looked to the other side and found Sameer not even bothering to make eye contact with him, causing him to droop his head.

I wish I could give Riaan a childhood better than this. He deserves better than this.

--

After another 20 minutes where the judge asked Sanyukta and Sameer some questions, the looming fog was starting to clear out. It was evident that Sameer's custody case was about to be thrown out the window considering the current arrangement was serving to be beneficial for Riaan and that Sanyukta was now able to provide for herself, Riaan, and the living expenses.

However, it wasn't until what seemed to be like the end of the trial did Sameer and his lawyer hit the case with a cheap below-the-belt shot.

"My client wanted to protect the dignity of the woman he once loved, but Riaan deserves a caregiver who has a better character than Ms. Agarwal."

My fists curled, and I slammed the railing hard. Vidushi must have known of the rage I felt in the moment, as she pretended to have accidentally kicked the railing to make up for the sound.

"I'm sorry," she whispered looking around as she tightly gripped my hand. "It's not the time to do this right now," she hissed, a serious look crossing her eyes before she released my hand.

I huffed in exasperation. So now I just have to watch them question Sanyukta with such insane and unbelievable accusations?

"The defense is attempting to malign my client with baseless accusations, Your Honour. They're trying to throw mud to the wall at this point to try and find anything that will stick."

"If that's the case, Mr. Saurabh," Preeti Vidnani - Sameer's lawyer - spoke, "then ask your client about who Randhir Shekhawat is and how she got her current job. In fact, the gentleman is present in this very room right now."

I glanced at Sanyukta who had stiffened at the mention of my name and immediately regretted having joined her today. I should have known better.

The judge coughed, "As per my understanding, Ms. Sanyukta had filed for a divorce three months into her pregnancy - am I right Ms. Vidnani?" who nodded in response.

"Then this matter is not to be discussed , if that's all you're arguing. The court would gladly accept a paternity test, but the defense has put forth no qualms regarding that matter - am I right?"

"Yes Your Honour," Ms. Vidnani said quietly.

"The divorce was filed by Ms. Agarwal, and has been issued as of now. So unless there is any proof which leads the court to believe that Ms. Agarwal is not fit to take on the sole custody of Riaan Agarwal, I'm afraid your argument is not acceptable nor will they be tolerated."

I looked at Riaan who was busy looking from one end of the court to the other, a look of boredom mixed with anticipation evident in his tiny eyes. My gaze then shifted to the judge who was preoccupied in the documents that had been submitted to the court. Anger was still coursing through me, but I knew I had to control myself before I made matters worse. And so, I excused myself for a couple of moments to calm down.

I headed outside the courtroom and sat on the empty bench that was adjacent to the room. The judge must have called for a lunch break because I saw Sameer come out of the doors while on his phone. I often prided myself for my self-control, however it was running thin currently. And so, wanting to avoid any altercation, I headed to one of the empty waiting rooms and sat there with my eyes closed.

Until I heard a voice, that was...

"Mr. Shekhawat, fancy seeing you here," a snarky voice echoed itself in the room. "Are you long lost lovers back together now? Even after knowing very well that she has a son? With me?" he enunciated the latter a tad bit more than the rest.

"If I were you Mittal, I wouldn't push my buttons," I hissed vehemently.

"And if I were you Shekhawat, I'd be careful of the woman you're so adamantly in love with. She came back in your life and seduced you again to get that position, didn't she?"

I wanted to punch that grin off his face, but I let my nails dig into the palms of my hands instead as I stood up and exited the room. I wanted to threaten him to leave her alone, to leave Riaan alone. I wanted to beat the living hell out of him for ever putting the two of them in an abusive situation. But I knew I had to be careful. And so, I did the only thing I could think of at the moment.

I looked him in the eye, my voice as menacing as I could make it; "If I see you around any one of them, I swear there is nothing in the world that'll save your ass this time. Back off while you can Mittal."

He shook his head and walked off, trying to hide his cowardice - but I knew him too well, and so I smiled to myself. He wasn't worth thinking about anymore. Not now, not ever.

I headed back to the courtroom and sat beside Vidushi. The judge was just about to announce the decision.

"On the basis of the claims made and the documentation provided, the court decides to reject Mr. Mittal's plea for sole custody and accepts Ms. Agarwal's plea for sole custody instead. Court is dismissed."

Sanyukta was visibly elated as the first thing she did was run to Riaan and hug him. I wanted to go there and hug her; to tell her it was all over; to tell her she could start a new life with her son without the fear of her ex-husband trying to take her son away from her. But I walked out.

I knew I shouldn't have paid any attention to Sameer's words, but I kept thinking back to the one question he asked me; "Even after knowing very well that she has a son? With me?"

Was I okay with it? Or had I compromised my feelings just because being with Sanyukta was easier than dealing with how I really felt?

And so I continued walking and left in search of the space I needed to get some answers.