Always Only You

Part 18

Ishita had strictly forbidden her children to enter the courtroom, too big was the risk that her rape would be discussed and their children learned about it.
Before the trial, Ishita had asked the judge not to mention her past while Abjali was in the room. She was afraid that Subu"s lawyer would mention it, to invalidate her credibility, because Subu was acquitted.

Ishita knew that her past would be discussed, how else should she explain to the court why Subu did not know about Anjali. Raman and Ishita had told Anjali that she needed to testify and need not be afraid. She should answer the questions and be honest.

Ishita was scared of the court date, she knew what a liar Subu was and he had support from his mother and Param that rat! She worried about Anjali. Her daughter was afraid that she had to live with this strange man. She hated Subu for what he did to her daughter. Once again she wished he would just drop dead.

Raman worried about Ishita, his wife was pregnant and had so much stress, physically and mentally. He also worried about Anjali. When he thought about seeing Subu in court, he was furious. He did not know if he would control himself. Raman hated to be so helpless.

Adi and Rudi want to support their parents and sister, but Ishita forbid them even to come near the court. They did not know exactly why their IshiMaa so insisted, but they respected it. Aaliya and Shravu were also forbidden to enter the court. Only Anjali would make her testimony and then leave the court again.

All pray together in the morning that everything would be fine. Adi, Ruhi, Aaliya and Shravu stayed with the small children at Bhalla House. Anjali would wait with Papaji and Appa in front of the courtroom until she had to stand in the witness box,after that, her grandfathers would take her home. The press and the TV were forbidden to enter the court. Finally, it was about a child. Raman's lawyer had taken care of that.

IshRa and the family hoped that nothing would go outside. It would be a disaster if the children were learn about the rape.It was not about whether Ishita would be portrayed as a liar,but only to their children. Anjali was under no circumstances to learn that she was the result of a rape. Because that would hurt her little girl even more.

~ Court ~

When IshRa, her lawyer, and the family entered the court, Ishita, immediately spotted Subbu and she had the feeling she could not breathe. She had beads of sweat on her forehead and started shaking.

"Ishita, is everything alright"?  Raman put his arm around her shoulder and looked in the direction in which Ishita stared...."I am with you, you need not be afraid." He helped her sit down.  Raman was tense, he have to control himself, not to go to  this dog  and beat him down.  

Subu watched IshRa, he saw her pregnant belly and thought he did not know she was expecting a baby again. He looked at her from a distance and thought that she was still the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. He envied her husband that she was his wife. This Raman Bhalla had what he wanted. He had Ishita and that voluntarily, he did not have to get it by force, she gave it to him voluntarily.

He looked over at his wife, who had already taken his place with his mother. Lakshmi was a pretty woman, but not nearly as beautiful as Ishita. He liked her, but he did not love her. He loved his son, but this girl made him feel connected to Ishita. Anjali was a part of him and Ishita. He wanted that custody so he would have to deal with Ishita forever.

After all,  she would want to see her daughter and he would allow her, but only in his presence. He would not allow Raman Bhalla and the rest of the family.. that was his plan. He had told his wife that he felt betrayed by Ishita, she had withheld his child from him. That he had never raped Ishita and he only had interest in his Child. His wife believed and trusted him. 🙄