Calming The Storm🌌 (#wattys2019)√

22. First Hearing

"Justice that love gives is surrender, justice that law gives is punishment. "

-Mahatma Gandhi

Sampurnaa's pov :

Maa woke me up in the morning today. She reminded me of the court proceedings and the time for the trial.
Since it was a Saturday, Dada and Boudi were at home with Maa and Baba.
I was the only one who had work.
I was planning on going to the office once to catch up on what I had missed during my stay at the brothel.
Dada wanted to drive me there by one firm glare from me and he shut himself up.
The hearing was scheduled to begin at 5 pm in the evening. We had opted for a private trial as the matter was sensitive.
I was about to leave home when Dada stopped me. He said, "Be careful. Don't lose your cool in the court or you might even be taken in police custody for misconduct in the judge's presence. "

I retorted gritting my teeth, "Dada!!! "

He laughed and then said finally while giving me a small hug, "All the best baby sis! I hope justice prevails! And yes, Indrayan and his parents are coming to dinner at home today. His parents are coming separately so once the hearing is over, please come home with him only. Your destination is the same after all."
I nodded and then after bidding a goodbye to everyone, processed towards my office.
I took a train from Chembur, changed at Kurla and then reached Bandra.

Everyone at the office welcomed me back. The girls who had been on my team presented me with a basket of chocolates.
Sigh! I don't even eat chocolate. I decided to take all of them for Sridha.

After a few hours of news reading, catching up and shooting a small footage for the weather forecast, I was done for the day.
It was 4.00pm when I stepped out of the office. I took a train from Bandra to reach Churchgate.
Sridha, her parents, her brother and a few of her friends and teachers were waiting outside. Indrayan had arrived too with his assistant, Zakir. I greeted them all, presented the chocolates to Sridha and then waited with them.
At around 4.45 we were allowed inside the courtroom. My heart was beating at a real quick rate. This was the first time I had entered the courtroom as a victim and a witness rather than a journalist.
This was an important case. It had so much in store. I occupied one of the front seats with Sridha's family members. Her mother was in an emotional state and her father seemed to be pretty nervous. I tried comforting them both and then waited with bated breath for the judge to arrive.
At exactly 5, the bailiff announced the Judge's arrival, "All rise! Honourable Justice Peter Cardiff is entering the court. He is presiding over the case State Vs. Mr. Victor Sequira + 2 others and State Vs. Mr. Victor Sequira+1"

We all rose as the judge entered. My heart was thumping against my ribcage as he entered and took his seat. Heaven knew what was awaiting us.
...........................

Indrayan's pov :

I woke up early in the morning. The first hearing of the case was today. I had been up till 1 at night altering files and going over the details while cross checking facts. The minister's son's death case was going to be merged with the case against the Sequiras since the victim was the same. Sampurnaa had lodged a complaint against the men who had tried to molest her and the other women at the brothel had filed rape cases too. Mr. Sequira's wives who had been forced into prostitution had filed a case against him and his sister.
The police had their hands full with the number of cases that were being lodged with them.

After waking up, I freshened up and wore the black suit which I wore only at the court.
I had breakfast with Maa and Dad. Maa was talking about Abhimanyu and Adrija and how happy they have been after marriage, indirectly sending me signals but I had practice enough to totally ignore them.
I decided to go to the office before I went to the court. I had to check all the evidence and even check the case files once again.
I was about to leave when Maa and Dad came and wished me luck for the case hearing. I took their blessings and then Maa told me, "Control your temper at court! I don't want you to sit at home with a suspension letter at home due to misconduct!"