The Elite Bride ( I was enchanted to meet you, princess )

《 23. The Court Hearing 》

दर - दर ठोकरे खाखर,
मैं ऐसे गिरी हूॅ,
की उठने मे मुझे इतना वक्त लगा,
की उठने मे मुझे इतना वक्त लगा,
एक - एक अपमान और मेरे चरित्र पर जो सवाल उठे,
वो सारे सवाल मेरी आँखों के सामने छा गए।

- कावेरी जोशी -

J A N A K I

I was standing at the base of the stairs that led to the court, I wanted to have a word with Raghav before I went all in. Just then I saw him approaching me with the car keys swirling in his fingers.

He stood next to me but before I could talk anything with him, he bent down and attached his lips on my forehead, I closed my eyes to relish the feeling of his soft pillow-like lips comforting me.

He started,"What are you thinking? Worries are dulling your face. Tell me."

I held his palm that was cupping my face and holding it I let out,"I am scared. I have never fought against someone who is immorally powerful like him. What if this goes sidetrack? What if he backfires? Which I am sure, he would, but what if he harms my parents or Chandani, or the worst what if his twisted tendencies make him come after you? I am going to make you stab him in the back? I think you were right I should have listened to you and dropped the case, too much bravery my foot, I guess I took it like a blow to my ego when you underestimated me."

He looked into my eyes adorably and then clicked his tongue,"No,no,no stop your intrusive thoughts. You said I underestimated the only lawyer from India who has been named one of the most influential persons by the Times magazine, like no, I was testing your dedication, that if you truly lived by your fame or not, and if you think that I have underestimated you, then you should fight for me, go head on against him, make him cower and piss in his pants to show me how wrong I was and the woman I am going to marry doesn't require me to fight her battles she alone is enough. Show me Janaki that you don't need me by your side, you are enough for yourself."

I gulped as the sudden surge of fire I felt as his words hit me and the flames of the fire spread on my skin in the form of goosebumps, I closed my eyes to feel my inner child who always wanted everything justified and justice as the reigning queen, the scales always to be balanced, the dreams that I have dreamt, the promises that I have made to myself that I need to makes sure they come true, the oath I have to uphold, I am no damsel in distress that needed a rescue, I am the woman my parents raised to be a fighter. I have to fight. I need to fight.

I opened my eyes to find Raghav still looking at me and I felt intimidated by his intense gaze on me, so I slipped out of his hold and took a deep breath, to reminisce why I was here. He had that effect on me, my head in the clouds and my feet in the air.

My watch stroked 11:28 a.m., the hearing started in two minutes I had to go inside.

I turned to find Raghav clutching on my bag which he handed over to me and said,"Let's go. Pray to Krishna you believe in him, he would give you the power."

I looked up at him with wide eyes,"How do you know that I am a Krishna devotee?"

"To érma mou, I have heard you praying to him, plus your peacock feather tattoo close to your heart, added to my guess." He revealed while holding his hand in mine as walked to the courtroom.