Raat Akeli Hai | 𝒂𝒏𝒖𝒓𝒂𝒋

LVIII. lag jaa gale

vanraj :

I stood, staring.
My mind was numb.
I could barely function anymore.
Apparently Mehta had severe injury, he was admitted in the hospital.
The news had made me regretful -
He should have been killed.

Had this been the old tormentor Vanraj, even he would have reacted this way.
I stood in silence, staring at my wife.
I did not need anyone to tell me her state.
The dark circles under her eyes, fatigued, sleep deprived.
The bruise on her forehead remained.
I knew she needed me.
She wanted to hold on to me, clutch me and cry her heart out.
I had told Samar to make sure Anupamaa was going for her therapy sessions.

She was doing them online apparently.
The therapist's review had been quite simple - Anupamaa was still in a state of disbelief.
I stared at her as she spoke to the young lawyer.
Abhira Sharma.
She had spoken to me as well regarding everything, and assured me that nothing would go wrong.
This was her first case, but her confidence was impressive.

Our whole family was in the court, but somehow I did not have the will to look at others.
I knew they would do fine even if I was in jail permanently, Anupamaa wouldn't.

Mehta's son in law, Ritesh Gupta, arrived.
He casted me a loathful look.
I didn't care to look at him.

Anupamaa finally looked away from Abhira, towards me.
Our eyes locked again.
I suddenly felt helpless.
I knew this was the time she needed me the most.
My arms yearned to hold her.
Somewhere I had come to realise, although she loved everyone and supported everyone - when it came to needing support, she needed me now.
She wouldn't open up to anyone else properly. She would carry all the pent up ache and trauma in silence.

I mouthed "I love you" to her.
Her lips cracked into a painful smile.
She looked like she was on the edge of a breakdown.

Just then the judge arrived.
Everyone straightened up.

The case would finally start it's hearing.
This was high profile, I knew.
The media would be covering this.
Anything said in the court would be reported.

The lady judge ordered the proceedings to start.

Ritesh started,

"Your Honor, Mister Vanraj Shah here has been arrested for attempted murder on my father in law, the reputed business tycoon Sanjay Mehta. Vanraj Shah has worked in his company for five years at the post of CEO. Sanjay Mehta had been known for being a kind gentleman who has always helped those in need. But the man is now fighting for his life in the hospital.", He said.

"Objection, my Lord.", Abhira said.
The judge raised a brow.
"Sustained.", She said.

"Your Honor, firstly my respected opponent lawyer is not mentioning the full story.
A case against Sanjay Mehta has been filed which states he has..", She paused, gulping.
"He has raped my client's wife.
He is no poor victim. What my client did was a reaction to Mehta's actions. And.."

She looked at Ritesh.
"All big tycoons like to maintain their image as kind gentlemen, doesn't mean they are."
She said sharply.

Atleast I have a good lawyer.

Ritesh looked at her amused.
"I apologise for my incomplete statement, Your Honor. Regarding the same allegations put on Sanjay Mehta, I would like to question Mr. Shah.", He said.
The judge allowed.