Bombay Romance ♡ COMPLETED

[ 64 ] Girlfriend. Alibi ■

Amarnath's stomach knots up as he hears the sound of her anklets; his mother's anklets that he had tied around her ankles. He screws his eyes shut. Gauri, please ... you don't have to do this ...

'Your name?' the judge asks.

'Gauri Hegde.'

It is only then that Amarnath opens his eyes to look at her, standing in the opposite witness box, draped in an ink-blue sari. The familiar smell of misty lavender hits him, shaking the innards of his heart.

It is good, he supposes, that she is not looking at him. He is not sure if he would function properly if her bare, non-kohled eyes met his. It would drain the very soul out of his body.

'So, Ms Gauri ... how are you related to Mr. Amarnath?' The prosecutor begins the interrogation.

'I'm his girlfriend.'

'Excuse me? What??'

'I am his girlfriend' Gauri repeats slowly.

The prosecutor stares at her before turning to the judge with an air of victory. 'Your honour, a girl walks in and says she's the girlfriend of someone accused of sexual assault and attempt to rape. With all due respect, we don't even know the integrity of this girl or her character.'

Amarnath clenches his fists so tight that his nails sear into his palm, anger shooting up through his veins. This is exactly what he had done his best to avoid, all these days. And he hates himself for being so helpless right now.

The judge turns to Vidhya Bhushan. 'They are not related by blood, or by marriage. Since this is a delicate issue, the court needs to confirm the credibility of their relationship before considering her statements.'

Vidhya Bhushan nods. 'Their families know about them, your honour. So do a few others.'

'Who's all here now?'

And so, Vishwanath, Dr. Kailash, Murali, and a lady- Amarnath's government-allotted domestic help- are guided into the courtroom.

Amarnath winces inwardly, a sinking feeling of his worst nightmare coming true. But with that, is the relief of seeing Murali safe, walking and breathing, even though the idiot is on an elbow crutch.

'Ji, we know her' Vishwanath says upon questioning. 'She came home with Amar last month. He said he ... wants to marry her.'

The judge notes it down.

'My brother is not such a person, Madamji' He continues. 'All this is not true. Everyone is worried at home ... Pitaji had a heart attack last week ... '

'What?!' Amarnath's voice shakes. 'Ki hui pitaji nu? Why didn't you tell me before?'

'Mr. Vishwanath ... we understand your concern,' The judge says. 'But the court has its own protocols. Personal discussions aren't allowed here.'

Dr. Kailash speaks only one sentence. 'Yes, my daughter and Amarnath like each other'

'I've seen both of them from the first day they met, your honour. They love each other.' Murali says.

'I know Gauri madam' The domestic help lady says. 'She has come to Saab's home a few times. But judge madam, Amarnath Saab is not at all like that. I have a seventeen-year-old daughter. Not even once has he behaved inappropriately with her. I've not even seen Saab talk to any other girl except Gauri madam ... '

'Please answer only what's asked' The judge says as she writes something again. The four of them exit after giving their statements.

'Okay. We can proceed. Before that, did you click this?' The judge asks Gauri, holding the photograph of Suraj and the girl.