VEILED VOWS ( On Hold )

CHAPTER 2

TARA PATEL

Tara Patel watched as the elderly couple left the courtroom, their faces etched with a mix of relief and sorrow. The court had ruled in their favor, bringing justice for their son, who had died in a tragic construction accident that could have been prevented.

Their son, a diligent construction worker, had been a victim of corporate negligence. Faulty equipment provided by the contractor led to a scaffold collapse, crushing him beneath tons of steel. The contractor, driven by greed, had chosen to cut corners, using substandard materials despite knowing the risks.

As the couple stepped out, the old woman turned back to Tara, her eyes brimming with tears. "Thank you, beta. Because of you, our son's soul can finally rest in peace."

Tara reached out, gently clasping the old woman's hands. "Aunty, please don't thank me. This was my duty. I only did what was right. And remember, you don't need to see me as anything less than your daughter."

The old woman's lips trembled into a smile. "May God bless you with all the happiness in the world. May you find a loving husband and a family who cherishes you."

Tara's smile faltered for just a moment, a flicker of something unreadable passing through her eyes. "Aunty, if you want to bless me, wish for me to become an even more successful lawyer, so I can continue to help people like you. And pray for my mother's happiness. That's all I need."

The elderly couple nodded, their admiration and respect evident. "You will go far, beta. You will."

"Thank you, Uncle, Aunty. I've already booked a cab for you to get home safely. If you need anything, please don't hesitate to call me. I'll always be here to help. Namaste." Tara touched their feet, seeking their blessings. The couple gave her a final grateful smile before heading towards the cab she had arranged.

As the cab drove away, Tara watched it disappear into the busy street. The satisfaction of having helped them was palpable, but her moment of peace was short-lived. Her phone buzzed in her pocket, jolting her back to reality. It was Bhavya, her closest friend and fellow lawyer.

On the Call:

Bhavya: "Tara, you need to get back to the office. Some crazy bastard is making a scene !"

Tara: "I'm on my way. Be safe ."
Tara ended the call and quickened her pace towards her car, her mind already racing with thoughts of how to handle the latest disruption. She knew who it was-Mr. Singh. He had been a constant thorn in her side ever since his son was sentenced.

Arriving at her office, Tara was greeted by Bhavya, who stood outside with an exasperated expression. Bhavya, a commercial lawyer, handled the firm's corporate clients, but she was always ready to back Tara up when things got intense.

"Thank God you're here. He's been ranting and raving for the last half hour. He even threatened to sue us! Can you imagine?" Bhavya rolled her eyes, clearly irritated by his audacity.

Tara's eyes narrowed, her anger barely contained. "Where is he?"

"In your cabin, making himself right at home," Bhavya said with a sarcastic smirk.

Tara's lips curled into a determined smile as she approached her office. But as soon as she opened the door, her smile vanished, replaced by a cold fury. Her cabin was a complete mess. Papers were scattered everywhere, chairs were overturned, and personal items were thrown about as if in a fit of rage.

Tara's eyes flickered with anger, but she remained calm. Mr. Singh stood in the middle of the chaos, glaring at her with contempt. "So, you finally decided to show up," he sneered, his voice dripping with contempt.