✔️The single housewife (Completed)

The days of verdicts and shocks (4)

Era's POV

"Let the ceremony begin!" Neel announced as the whole crowd hung on a deafening silence.

Neel handed me the microphone and sat on the empty chair adjacent to the chair formation meant for the Councils. Then I read the nameplates on the dais. Did that mean? Did that mean? Neel was the part of the Council?

Before I could ask him, I saw a young lady standing up from the dias of Council members, taking over the microphone from Neel and handing another to me as she stood by my side when she announced.

"Hello, Cerulean city! Welcome to our Carnival! Before we begin, I would like to thank Miss Era! The carnival was her brainchild!"

I heard the crowd roaring with applause. Then the chantings of my name began!

"Era Era Era!!!"

And my heart felt frozen and I felt weird sensations on the pit of my stomach.

"Today is the day of the verdict!" we are gathered to assess the improvements or changes that Era has brought into her life as well as of others! You all are requested to participate. As we all know, Era is the only person in the history of our Cerulean city to have an opportunity to stay in our land and prove herself. Therefore it imperative that we access her merits and demerits before the decision is announced by our esteemed Council. Let me mention that the head of our Council, Mr. Neel has decided to stay neutral because Era is his special friend. He doesn't want his opinion to be biased"

What the hell? Neel was the head of the Council? why the hell no one told me about it? I looked at Neel but he didn't give me any eye-contact and his face remained poker as ever.

"First of all, I would like to invite people who can vouch that Era is going to be the great fit for our land. Who wants to come first?" Asked the host.

"Me." said Nisha in her ever effortless style as she hopped to then stage and basked under the limelight.

"Era is a solid and dependable friend who has gone through hell in her life. Yet, she chose to let go her past and stay brave. Any woman in her place would have broken down completely but she held her head high and struggled to prove her mettle. I agree that her ideas are unconventional but most of them have worked beautifully to bring our community closer than ever! I would love to have a soul who has the maturity of a saint and yet, loves to explore and get out of her comfort zone like a toddler! I am sure she can improve more in professional front too!" She said proudly as the crowd cheered her.

"I would like to go next." Said Mihir as he climbed up to the stage, giving a cheeky smile to Nisha as she climbed down the stage, giving me a thumbs up.

"I fully agree with Nisha. As her co-worker, I can tell she is the most hard-working individual I have ever met in my whole life. She joined later than all the interns and worked days and nights to catch up. She coordinated with the photographers, animation team, editing team and many others even though it wasn't required on her part. She makes our office a HOME. Even though our Editor In Chief, i.e. my father has other plans for her, I am sure she would rock wherever she goes." Said Mihir as he handed over the microphone to the anchor and gave me a heart-warming smile as he exited the stage.

"All is sweet and nice, but its time we hear the opinions of people who believe that Era is incapable to deal with our higher intelligent crowd. It would be one-on-one with Era vs the other Council members." Said the host and the whole crowd went silent. I sensed it was the calm before the approaching storm.

Nisha seemed to sense my thoughts and stood by my side to hold my hand.

"Sometimes you need hailstorm to clear out the path filled with thorns and obstacles. Don't worry. Things will calm down after this battle." Whispered Mihir as he stood by my side.

Tears fell from my eyes and panic settled into the pit of my stomach. Meanwhile my mobile phone ranged with the message from my so-called husband Deep.

"Era, I am so sorry. I do not want to divorce you. Please meet me. I promise I will make everything right. Deepa is no match against you. I won't sign the divorce papers. Please come home soon."

Sweat beads fell from my forehead and I looked at Neel as he too sensed something wrong as I held my cell phone. He simply gulped, as I fear he couldn't display his emotions in public.

"We do not have time for all this. Its the time for the debate." Said Nisha as she pushed me towards the stage. I remembered my parents and God. And prayed for their blessings.

No. Its not time to go home. THIS is my home. I am not going to give up this soon!

Heya people! how are you? sorry I was busy with some personal issues. I hope you liked this chapter. We are moving towards fast, strong yet positive narrative. I hope you will enjoy this rollercoaster ride!