A Cursed Up Love T4 Complete (Extra 1/2) pg 37 14/02 - Page 18

Chapter 69: Of trials, tribulations and love

Adeel guided Sameera out of the busy Airport, his hands secured around her waist with heavy duty guards standing close by. Only after they entered the protection of his car had he sighed in relief, she looked at his composed face before sinking down and relaxing her head on his shoulder, a smile gazing as he immediately pulled her closer.

'Drive' he instructed with her playing with his fingers, 'Adeel will we be going back after the case?' she asked in a small voice and he looked at her a half a second before looking ahead and hummed in agreement. Their life was very much the same, he talked minimal however his care showed her his love. True to his word, her baby was now his. There wasn't a gynaecologist she hadn't seen, not one; yet all assumed her baby would be born abnormal however he never lost hope and nor did he let her.

'We'd stay at a hotel until the case ends' he informed when they drove into a luxury hotel, his staff immediately opening his side door, after which he walked around and pulled her door open, she smiled gently taking the hand he offered and then they as a couple walked to the front desk, key feeling as a couple. With Maan, though she was with him, he never provided her that protection or the security but with Adeel, everything fit into place and she couldn't have asked for more.

'Mr and Mrs Rana' he called insignificantly at the receptionist, face straight and emotionless but her insides melted and her hand tightened around his. He looked at her with a smile in his eyes, although his lips didn't twitch any higher than the firm line. It was indeed true, they were married; a small affair however that was all she needed, that and the name that came with it, Mrs, she formally belonged to someone and the feeling felt absolutely heavenly.

'Mrs Sameera Rana' the staff called her back just when he prepared to steer towards the elevator

'Would you like you use the hotel salon?' the receptionist asked and when she nodded, a few brochures were forwarded, 'Either fill in the form or just give this number a call' the receptionist informed circle around a number at the bottom of the pamphlet. To the world, Adeel seemed impatient however only she knew that he waited until she absorbed the information, when she finally turned towards him with a smile had he continued walking. 'Make sure to give the diet plan!' he ordered his assistant who followed behind, when suddenly he turned and hurried towards the reception with a sheet called 'Sameera Rana's diet'. It was so the foetus and she would receive the greatest benefits, another one of the treatments Adeel obtained and stuck by.

'Don't worry dadima, he'll be in for a lifetime' Maan encouraged over the breakfast table, Meera too sat worried not wanting to see the man that almost killed her and Vicky. Seema ate unresponsive to the surrounding, with Raj's warm hand on her back.

'Hmm but what if?' Dadima started but Maan's gentle touch startled her, he then got up and cuddled her into his warm arms surprising her. She had seen changes in him, but the last few weeks brought about quite a lot differences, the man who stayed away was now a firm family member but what she loved the most was how approachable and loving he was. This was all credited to Geet.

'Geet come have breakfast' Meera called Geet who just woke up and stood at the top of the stairs, she was still dressed in the poker dot pyjamas looking very much like the kid she was. Once at the table, Maan helped serve and eat, she only rested against him opening when instructed, with most of the occupants smiling fondly at the caring husband and the abiding wife. When Maan was away, she had transformed into a young adult but now that he was back, she returned to being lazy and childish.

'Maan can you help me choose an outfit' she asked sipping the orange juice he forwarded, with his confirming smile she got up and walked ahead with him following.

Once in the bedroom, she sat up folding her legs and resting her chin on her hands as Maan walked to the cupboard and rummaged through. He then brought out two outfits. One with colour and the other in black

'I don't like that one' she immediately rejected, seeing the bland dark outfit

'Geet' he said stepping closer to the edge of the bed where she sat

'But I don't what to wear that' she moaned in a sullen mood

'Geet it's a court case' Maan wanted to reprimand but instead opened the closet and fetched out a white kameez, and she instantly smiled getting off the bed and ran towards him kissing his cheeks, 'We'll be matching' she said running to the bathroom, only then did he realise that indeed he picked a outfit that matched his outfit making him smile.

'All stand' the bench clerk shouted as the judge walked through the doors and settled on his chair nodding towards the panel of jury beside. The Khuranna's along with Seema and Raj sat by the front taking the first row, there were others around too which they presumed would be law students, Adeel and his staff sat by the door, very much keeping his distant even Dadima's greetings were meted with a nod. Geet saw him however made conscious attempts to ignore and as did Maan. Both the sisters however smiled and thanked him personally, maybe the only people who tried to hold a conversation with him during the entire time they waited for the judge to appear.

'The accused, Sameer Gupta, is sanctioned under attempt to murder, grievous bodily harm, kidnap and treason against his own daughter Seema and Meera, and son-in-law Vicky' the clerk informed the judge who put on his specs and looked down at the file before directing a look towards the defendant, Sameer who stared back gravely, bruises new and old covering his face.

'Have you been mistreated?' the old judge questioned knowing though it was against the law however police members and even inmates mistreated occupants, either for monetary benefits or personal grudges, to this both Adeel and Maan smirked darkly. However when Sameer nodded in negative, the judge had no option but to say We may start the proceedings' in an authoritative voice. Vicky was the first to be called to the witness box, with him being in a wheelchair naturally the audience members chose the side they preferred to believe however when he recounted the incident, even the members of the jury frowned looking at Sameer who callously smiled, as if unbothered.

'We may take a break' the clerk shouted as he read the judges instruction, the defence and the defendant lawyer were counter arguing for almost 3 hours when the 1^st break was summoned forcing everyone out of the courtroom, the police collected Sameer who briefly looked at Meera and Seema, both stared back at him; one hurt and the other feared. Meera hadn't known some of the facts, although Seema remembered some very roughly, however both the girls where equally shocked when reality was exposed: Sameer Gupta was their step father, a man their mother married after courting briefly. He had only married their widowed mother in greed, he admitted. So he was never their father, nor by blood or by heart.

During break, Raj directed Seema towards the caf where he could support and hold onto his wife, while Vicky supported his wife in the seating area in the hall, clutching onto her hand. 'At least now we know why he's so cruel?' he attempted in half a smile looking at a crying Meera being held by Dadima, Maan stood beside holding onto Geet's shoulder who was equally broken, 'Geet why are you crying?' Vicky teased next and she broke into a sob, so Maan was forced to groan 'Vicky' loud and angry, Meera had smiled when he made a sad face looking at her. 'Meera he isn't even worth the tears, please smile' he asked raising his hand and she immediately stood beside shouting 'Don't lift your hand' in anger, 'What can I do when my beautiful wife doesn't listen and cries hurting my heart?' he complained, gently and slowly his hand wiped away her tears as she crouched in front of him, he then pulled her forward, placing a soft kiss to her forehead. From where they sat they could see Adeel on the phone, his men stood beside in wait but he seemed to be preoccupied on the phone, as if he only cared for the person on the phone, even though they hardly saw his lips move however he was listening, with all heart and mind.

The case took 3 long tiring days, each more intrusive than the last. Every member apart from Geet and Raj where called to the witness box, since most were involved one way or the other. However Adeel delivered the hard throws, almost guaranteeing a death sentence. For he knew the dirty secrets no one knew like how Sameer drugged his wife who then suffered from a heart attack, or how he continued to further deteriorate her health through illegal mediations. Of course then there was the unethical marriage of Seema's, followed by physical and emotional torture. What started off as an accident and attempt to murder case turned vile very soon, very quickly. So in the end when the judge heard all the stories and held some explosive evidence, had he then made a judgement; although he had promised to purely sentence in accordance to law suits however he couldn't help feeling chilled and disgusted by the unbothered man; Sameer Gupta stood there without emotions, without a care, he hadn't even made an attempt to apologise or grieve over his mistake nor had he refuted or admitted to his crime. The Sameer Gupta in the witness box was detached and insensitive.

Adeel had only made it through the hotel room door when he saw Sameera in the bedroom crunched to the sofa reading a magazine, her hair different to what he remembers. Just then like she could feel his eyes, she looked up and smiled, immediately getting up and walking to the living room.

'How did it go?' she asked eagerly helping him take off his blazer

'He's got lifetime' he informed sitting down to take off his shoes, she had then called the hotel staff to bring in the food

'Sam I told you, don't wait for me when it comes to eating' he was angry and moody, but she knew it was because he truly cared for her and the baby

'I've already eaten but since you're eating anyway I thought to nit-pick from you, I think baby's hungry again' she smiled dissipating his irritation, this morning when he demanded she stay inside and not attend the court case for the third time, she was slightly annoyed especially when he seemed ok the previous night about her attending on the final day but now everything was ok. His care was enough to silence all tensions and thoughts.

'We're going back tomorrow' he said while plating up the food that were brought up and she nodded in acceptance, he had then forwarded a chip and she ate silently watching over him like she had done countless of time before. This was the life she wanted, and this is the life she would cherish.

'This calls for celebration' Raj called the minute they walked through the Khuranna mansion door, Nakul was forwarding glasses of water when he brought out his phone and ordered a cake and several take-outs, taking in everyone's opinion into consideration.

'It feels good to be finally home' Vicky smiled as Maan helped him shift on the sofa from the wheelchair, however once he was deposited Maan then sat beside with an arm around his shoulders, a glimmer of a smile hearing Vicky and Raj discuss how to celebrate. Geet, Meera, Seema and Dadima had walked sprightly to their bedroom wanting to take off their make-up and change clothes.

It was a good 45minutes before the food arrived, the atmosphere within the hall was pleasant, everyone smiled even in silence slowly eating away their take-outs. 'We have decided to permanently shift to America' Raj informed out the blue looking at Seema who nodded. There was a prolonged silence several minutes long, finally broken by Maan who got up and hugged his dear friend, though they weren't as close as they were as childhood friends however still fondly friendly even after Maan realised he was used for almost all his youth by the exact friend, however when relationship could be counted on fingers, one didn't want to break lifelong ties that easily. Next, Geet followed congratulating the couple, as did Dadima and Vicky however Meera remained quiet, 'Are you sure?' she asked in a small voice taking her sister's hand in hers and when Seema nodded she smiled, 'I'm so happy for you' she cried hugging tightly.

'Goodbye' wished Raj and Seema, the couple left close to midnight but the Khuranna's remained in the hall, even Dadima stayed sitting between her two grandson's, a childish dream which seemed impossible was now fulfilled, Geet sat beside Maan and Meera beside Vicky, all laughing and joking until Maan finally asked a question that bothered him for over a week now.

'So what are you planning to study?' he asked turning to Geet, who a second ago was playing with his fingers and stopped looking at everyone else.

'Please tell me that Vicky doesn't know' he begged seeing his younger brother smile bigger

'No bro I don't know' he attempted, 'if that makes you happy' he continued breaking into a loud laugh and the rest followed. Of course Maan found none of it funny, instead he got up but before he could walk away he heard Vicky say 'Bhai thank you for everything and I'm really happy to have you back' sincerely with the brightest and wettest eyes. Maan stilled with heavy emotions, Dadima had then got up and hugged him saying 'Thank you beta and stay like this forever' in his ears. He hadn't said a word, however he pushed Dadima with him and then sat down and picked Vicky up, in the end the three hugged like it was the first time. Simply put it, neither of the three remembered when they were last this affectionate towards each other. However right now it felt like this was their little piece of heaven; soft, warm and calm.

'Bhai I'll start work tomorrow' Vicky held onto Maan's hand after he had deposited him on his soft bed, it was possible to say he wanted to spend much more time with his elder brother hence looking for any feasible reason to stall Maan.

'No just take care of yourself first' Maan uttered with a frown but he smiled slightly seeing Meera's anger

'But I'm fine now' Vicky complained like a child

'Say's the man who needs support to walk' Meera mocked walking into the bathroom and Maan shuck his head in a gentle giggle making Vicky fret. 'I'll come home early. Maybe we can play something or watch a movie per say' Maan promised instead tapping Vicky's head. 'Promise' came the innocent childish hand immediately and Maan placed his on top saying 'Promise'.

'Good night bhai' Vicky wished from the bed with a dear smile

'Good night chote' Maan replied from the door with soft encouraging smile, he then slowly closed the door behind him satisfied with the way his life was turning. He now had a loving wife, a caring dadima, an adoring younger brother and even a complaining sister. Wasn't life just perfect!