Neil waited for Avni to come home that night. His glance shifted to he door as he heard it open. Avni entered, still on a phone call. She ended the call and headed inside, Neil caught her hand just then. Avni tender up. "What do you think you are doing?" He rages out. "What do you mean?" Avni asked. "I didn't know you could stoop so low, that now you plan to frame Jia and her family, so that she would walk out of my life?" "Excuse me?!" Avni was really made. "No! You excuse me!" Neil Exclaimed! "Because I was at the Singhania's a while ago, and I saw everything. I saw from my own eyes, on how you lashed out at Jia, without even interrogating why she was there! She went there t apologize for any losses incurred on them. She humbly requested to work together and solve the matter. And she is also a shareholder of the company for your kind information." Avni's blood boiled up! "Oh you don't have to give me any details, cuz I am the Claimant's lawyer for YOUR information. And I never leave anything on pending or an injustice unsettled!" With that, she turned to walk away, but faced Neil again. "And, I have no interest in whatever is going on in your life Mr.Khanna. There's no concern between us anymore. But," she held a finger towards Neil. "At the end of this matter, I'll make sure you are at debt of me! If you have enough guts, do show up with your lawyer to resolve the disputes!" With that Avni left. She was sure Jia had brainwashed Neil, but she would make sure to bring up the truth behind everything!
"Are you sure you want to do this?" "That's the sixteenth time you are asking me the question, Noy!" Avni Said, checking in her file again. Noya sighed. "If that's what you wish for.." Avni smiled and replied, "you just enjoy your mehendi. And make sure the designer waits until my return!" She gave a quick hug to Noya and left.
"Ready, Ms. Mehta?" The Khanna's Lawyer Rishab, told Avni, as they entered the courtroom. Avni just crooked a smile. Neil, Jia, Shweta, Bebe, Prakash And Jia's parent's with her sibling was present. Avni took a deep breath trying to prepare herself.
"Your claim, Ms. Mehta?" The judge questioned starting off the trial. Avni started off with her charge, accusing the SK investments for forgery. Their lawyer equally presented defenses, but Avni proved them all wrong. She presented the court with evidences. Evidences on how Jia forged Neil and Prakash's signature and proceeded transactions! All the payments issued to the Singhania's had forged signatures, she presented the court with reports of experts. The other point Avni highlighted was how Jia, snatched a plot from the Singhania's with false accusations, which was projected to build an old age home. The documentations submitted to the Tender was with false figures, and its verification was halted by Jia, who bribed the committee later on.
Prakash was losing his temper by now! He looked at the Sinha's with daggers in his eyes.. and He now accused Shweta, for not looking into the background of the whole family, before even merging their business, and before asking their daughter's hand for Neil!
Right then..Neil was suffering with mixed emotions. He felt betrayed. Feels like a fool himself, for trusting in Jia with all the business related work.. and.. with his life too.! Even if he didn't love her, Neil did give her the right to make equal decisions. He had planned to live a peaceful life, for the sake of his parents. And now..
"That's all, my lord." Neil's as brought back to present, as their lawyer concluded the defenses. Not really a defense. But he tried justifying, but there wasn't any objections they could raise. "Anything else to add, from the claimant?" The judge asked Avni, who shook her head. He again asked, "what does the Claimant want the verdict to be?" Avni then stood up. "My client doesn't wish to acquire all the money they've lost. They do not want to ruin the business of another person, and let them suffer the same. Because obviously the JV is not gonna get separated, hence they would have a lot to recover from each other. So we will just leave it to them to sort it up. For now, my client wish to the court to gain their land back. They want the plot, to resume the project of construction, and open the home to the old age citizens. My lord, they wishes to provide the benefit of their wealth to the others, for which they will not be so greedy for the wealth, that they will forget the poverty in this country. That's all, your honor."
Prakash And even Mr. Sinha's heart melted with the downto earth response by the Singhania's. They were sure it was because of the loyal lawyer they had, who advised them to take the stand and not to claim for the money.
"The Court rules, the plot that was taken illegally from the Singhania's to be awarded back to the party. Any paperwork's relating, shall be done within 15 working days. As about the forgery of the signatures, Mrs.Jia Khanna has committed an offense under section 14 of the penal code. The court thus orders the police to conduct a thorough investigation and file criminal suit against the accused within one month. And to take her under custody, from this instant, until the trial concludes." Jia was frozen in her posture. So was the others. But her crime was a serious one, and incurred a lot of loss to them. They trusted in her blindly, and.. Everyone walked out as the hearing concluded.
Neil dragged himself, with the energy left in him. "Mr. Khanna?" He turned to look over to the lawyer who was talking to Prakash. "This is not what I expected at all. Didn't assume that your internal auditors could be so irresponsible. I'm sorry, but I can't further represent your company.." Prakash's eyes widened. "But did.." "No, but I have made a decision-.." he started. "Losing a case does not mean it's your client's fault always." They all turned around, to see Avni behind. Her lawyer gown was off, her suit was neatly folded and rested on her arm, which held her bag and the case files. "Avni Mehta, sir." She shook hands with Prakash. "Rishab, I did not expect this from you.. when we lose a case means there are areas that needs improvement. Not that to back off. Your client might be at the wrong side. Your job should be to ensure him a fair trial. Not necessarily a win..." She then turned to Prakash. "I've arranged a meeting with your company and the Singhania's. Perhaps we could sit down and talk, after you solve your Joint Venture issues with the Sinha's." Neil's breath was hitched, seeing her so close. Acting so wise. The love for her in him, knew no extent. "Of course, beta! Thank you for everything! World needs more humble people like you." Prakash caressed on Avni's head. Neil couldn't help a smile. Avni also gave a weak smile and walked away, handing her contact card to the Khanna's. "Such a well mannered, yet an incredibly intelligent girl." Muttered Bebe. Shweta smiled, in agreement.
