The Two Kingdoms (Completed)

28.

"Hurry up Hania." Kanika snapped at the petit 17 year old as she was drying Meera's hair.

"Relax Kanika." Meera smiles at her best friend through the mirror. "I still have an hour before the hearing starts." Meera placed the bindi on her forehead and then with Hania's help secured her mathapatti.

"I know but you don't want to be late, in fact shouldn't you be present fifteen minutes before the hearing."

"Yes, I'm all done, I'm just going to take Ammi's blessing and then I'm off the court." Meera pinned her dupatta on her head and took off.

Her first stop was Ammi Be's room, Inayat had just finished her prayer, she closed her eyes and prayed a little and blew all over Meera, caressing her cheek.

"We'll celebrate tonight." She said and patter Meera's shoulder lovingly.
"I'll be watching you my daughter from the gallery, know that I'm with you in every step of the way."

Meera swallowed the lump in her throat and nodded before bending down to touch Inayat's feet.
Ammi be pulled her close and kissed her forehead before shooing her off to the court to prevent her from being late to her own hearing.

To say that Meera was composed and controlled and in check of her emotions would be a false statement. She was worried, for if she didn't somehow manage to prove that her actions were justified she would be disappointing not only herself but Avantika and her husband too and her entire family here.

She was pacing outside the courtroom where she had been asked to wait till it was her turn.

"Stop pacing and panicking, watching you so disoriented is going to make me sick." Jamila said supporting her head on her palm.

"Jamila not now." Hania hissed.

"Malika e alam, you've got this. You know you are right and you have the facts and arguments to prove the same, don't let the nerves get better if you, we all are counting on you, all of us." Hania said offering a small smile at the end.

"Yes Hania thank you I jus-."

"Malika e Hindustan, you have been summoned." The guard announced cutting Meera mid way.
Her heart thudded, her palms were clammy and cold. Adrenaline was pumping through her veins.

"You've got this." She felt a warm body latched to hers, she looked down to see Hania had wrapped her small frame around hers. Meera smiled and returned the gesture.

It was time to get done with this .

When Meera entered the court, voices echoed from every corner of the court. Meera was nervous but kept a strong facade. She was gonna win this for Avantika, for herself and for her husband's reputation.

"Last hearing, the defendant was given time to prepare a defence and argument against the accusations on her, are you prepared ?" Ali Baksh asked.

"Yes Wazir e azam." Meera replied.

"Then please proceed."

Meera narrated the incident which took place five days ago, again, being interrupted by Bilal Ashraf.
"So mr Ashraf has accused me of kidnapping his wife, we all know what kidnapping means, so will I still be punished if his wife willingly came with me, because she wanted to escape his-."

"How convenient of you to say that my wife willingly walked away from me with you."

"Avantika is right outside the court, why don't we call her in and she can testify for herself." Meera said looking at Haider who just gave a nod of approval.