WANTED: for the greater good

For you, a thousand times over

"Reopened in the sense?" Virat asked, trying to sit up and being pushed back immediately by Rahul and Jassi.

"It'll be taken to the court this time," said Shikhar. "Australian court, though, so I'm not very hopeful. I don't know--don't you think an Aussie court is bound to be in favour of keeping a child who is an Aussie citizen inside their country itself?"

"Justice is the same everywhere, irrespective of country," said Ash wisely.

"Who are you quoting now?" Jaddu sighed deeply.

"No one," retorted Ash. "I'm just stating a fact. With Zoravar himself saying he wants to go and stay in India with you, Shikh, how can justice be handing him over to Ayesha?"

"That's almost like child trafficking," said Shubman, who'd suddenly turned eager to impress Ash.

"It's not at all like child trafficking," said Rahul, "but we get your point. Where is Zoravar, by the way?"

"With the girls in Aliyah's office." Shikhar smiled, almost unconsciously. "Aliyah is going to complete her training and actually become an officer in a couple of months, d'you know? And Rhea's studying law, too. In her first year now."

"Yeah, we know." Rohit grinned back. "Aliyah dropped in to see Virat and Jaddu."

"Did she? She never mentioned--well, I guess there was too much to catch up on." Shikhar had taken a seat at the foot of Jaddu's bed. "Plus this whole court thing. Till it's settled, the girls can't go and live at Ayesha's place."

"Where are they going to stay, then?" Jaddu even sounded a tiny bit guilty, a rare thing.

"It's not decided yet, but probably at one of Aliyah's seniors' quarters. There were a couple of officers she seemed really close with." Shikhar hesitated. "Aliyah said...she wishes I win the case. Even if that means she can't live in the same country as Zoravar anymore. Do you think Ayesha is--" He hesitated even more. "--a very toxic mother or something?"

"YES," said Rohit and Virat, together, very loud.

Shikhar didn't look much comforted.

"Then it's all the more important I do win the case," he said. "So far I'd been thinking I was being deprived of my son's growth years, but at least he was happy where we was. But now...if he's not happy..."

"You'll win it, Shikki paaji," said Rishabh earnestly, bounding over to give him a bear hug. "No court can possibly make her win when Zora himself is announcing what he wants." 

"But a minor's claims are not always taken very seriously, you know." Bhuvi frowned. "There's a chance of Zora's words being interpreted as his mother being strict, or just a simple fight they've recently had..."

He realized everyone was looking at him most disapprovingly, and fell silent, realizing this was not a time to think facts aloud.

"But if he keeps on saying it, they can't interpret like that anymore," said Shreyas staunchly.

Shikhar nodded reluctantly. A bunch of assurances came instantly.

"None of us do have a degree in law, but going by common sense..."

"A court has to work on some sense of fairness, doesn't it?" 

"Yeah, and what's fair here is very clear...even to untrained eyes."

"Law is not art that it varies from eye to eye."

"I didn't say it was!"

"Stop deviating from the point! It's simple--Shikki pa will win."