This Trial

1

Read, vote and comment.

React to any section or part you like. Based on our discussion, I have decided where to go with the story. There were two votes for Rajiv and one vote and a maybe for a third man. I have agreed to go with the third-man option. Note that it will take a long time before that character is introduced. I can't promise that updates will be regular, but I decided tonight to at least publish one and not keep you waiting.

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Ananya and Anaira sat on the couch, showing their Baba the pictures. They showed him the mishti that Noyonika had just made for them. "The mishti was amazing. Mind-blowing," Ananya says. "I ate three rolls," Rajiv says.

"Hey, look at this," Anaira says, catching her father and older sister's attention. Both of them turned to look into her phone. She had also taken pictures. "Come on, girls, time for bed," Noyonika says. "Five minutes more, please," Anaira says. Noyonika was packing her books from the dining table.

"Tomorrow," Noyonika says. She walked out of the living room into the hallway to put her books away. "But Mom," Ananya says. "Come on, listen to Mom. Okay," Rajiv says. "God to sleep. I'm back now; we'll spend the whole day looking at photos tomorrow," Rajiv says.

The girls said good night and were walking to their room. Ananya looked back and realised her father had been sleeping in the living room. She went into her mother's room to help her set her bed. "Why are you punishing Dad?" Ananyaa asks.

"What do you mean?" Noyonika asks. "By making him sleep outside the room. Wasn't the punishment of jail enough?" Amanda asks. "It's not a punishment. It's just a change," Noyonika says.

"Our relationship has changed, and that's okay," Noyonika says. "Doesn't divorce start like this? I have read a lot about it. You don't understand. Some people want both of you split," Ananya says. "Who wants that?" Noyonika asks.

Ananya kept quiet and walked out of the room. Noyonika looked worried for her daughter.

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The girls had left home for school. Rajiv walked into Noyonika's bedroom to find her zipping her suitcase. "Where are you going?" Rajiv asks. "Kochi," Noyonika says. "Do you have a case?" Rajiv asks. "Yes. Vishal and mine," Noyonika says.

She got the suitcase off the bed and put it on the floor. "Only both of you?" Rajiv asks. "Yes," She held her briefcase and grabbed her bag. She was walking out of the room. "So, you both must be staying in the same hotel?" He asked, following her into the hallway.

"No, we will stay in different hotels," Noyonika says sarcastically. "I'm just asking. Relax," Rajiv says. "I am relaxed," Noyonika says. "Since I have come, you haven't talked to me properly," Rajiv says, facing her.

"Have you won an award? You went to jail facing a sex and corruption scandal. And you expect me to be normal upon your return? Don't be ridiculous," Noyonika says. She walks out of the door for the airport.

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Vishal and Noyonika were sitting at the dining table in his suite. They had converted that table into their office. Vishal was on the phone with Anisha, the lawyer to whom they had just lost a case.

Noyonika was dressed in a dark green shirt and jeans. She watched as he talked to the lawyer. She had never seen him have such a hard time over a case.

"You really don't have a heart, do you?" Noyonika asks. She remembered asking him this question a few months ago. Looking at how this case affected him, she was sure he cared. He didn't show it often.