Silent Whispers
-PROLOGUE-
The Indian system of justice was known for it's
soft-heartedness. Or so they said.
Why else would the court not place a death penalty on a
murder? Or a rapist and for that matter a kidnapper? Once a criminal will
surely always be a criminal.
At least that's what a young boy of twelve thought as he
anxiously paced in front of Delhi Supreme Court of Justice. Being tall for his
age, there was nothing about his appearance that made anyone think he was a
child. Whether it was his neatly ironed dress shirt or a serious expression on
his rather handsome face - all of it screamed maturity.
It was as he checked his watch for the umpteenth time in the
past ten minutes that he was finally interrupted.
"Bhaiyya... Why are we here? I want to go home!"
The boy turned to see his little sister - a girl of just
eight - seated on the stairs in front of the court.
"A few more minutes Meeti."
And then he was back to pacing, simply because there was no
other way he could handle the worry creeping through him. No other way to push
the scary thoughts coursing through his mind.
Interestingly, the reason for the boy and his sister to be
at court on a bright Monday morning, instead of attending school was not a case of murder or rape or
kidnapping. It was an ordinary case of divorce. And yet, it meant the world for
the two siblings. One knew it, the other didn't.
"Bhaiyya?"
"Hmm..."
"Why did they tie up that man?"
The boy turned to see his sister point to a middle-aged man
in handcuffs, being escorted into the courtroom by two police officers.
"Because he is a bad guy and needs to be punished."
"Do all bad guys get tied up like that? Because then Pranav
should be tied up too! He makes fun of my ponytails all the time."
For the first time that entire day, the boy cracked a smile.
"Yes, Meeti... all bad guys get tied up
like that, but only when they do really
bad things like stealing or hurting people."
"But making fun of my ponytails is a bad thing too right?"
"Yes, it is. But I have a better solution than tying Pranav
up. Next time he makes fun of you, tell him you have a big brother who knows
how to fight, okay?
The boy smiled at his sister as she began to giggle at his
suggestion. But it was short lived for the court doors suddenly opened and
spectators of the hearing slowly began to file out. The boy watched in anticipation, his heart
thudding in unknown fear, for the one person he knew would have all the
answers.
He let out a small sigh of relief when he finally spotted
him.
"Babuji..."
But it was useless, for his father disregarded him and
swiftly walked to the white Mercedes waiting at the bottom of the stairs. He
turned speechlessly back to the doors to see his mother standing with a pale
face and bloodshot eyes.
It was at that moment, that he knew it was all over.
That people had it all wrong right from the beginning. The
Indian system of justice wasn't softhearted - it was wrong.
And it was as he grasped his mother's hand and pulled her
out of the court along with his sister, that he vowed to make it right. All of it.
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I know it was short, but it was just an introduction to the setting of the story. I will post chapter one very soon!
Please do like/comment! 😊
Archi
Edited by -Archi- - 10 years ago
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