Calming The Storm🌌 (#wattys2019)√

29. Why did you?

Dedicated to meofcourse18 Your message made my day! I can never express in words how much your votes and motivation helped me! You are a gem😇💚

"I am a strong woman.
I don't sit around feeling sorry for myself nor let other people mistreat me.
I don't respond to people who dictate me or try to bring me down. If I fall I will rise up stronger because I am a survivor and not a victim. I am in control of my life and there is nothing that I can't achieve."

-Anonymous

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30th August
Sampurnaa's pov:

Two weeks had gone by in a blink! I have been really busy! With the reccuring problems in Kashmir, the restrictions imposed, the attacks, Pakistan issues and so much that keeps happening in our country... We journalists don't have it easy!

I had been going to work in the morning before 8, skipping breakfast at home and returning home well after 10, after Primetime. I had recently been promoted to the position of Senior Studio Correspondent i.e., I had to do on field reporting and also host a couple of evening news shows. Things were going on well and everyone at home was happy.

I had been keeping myself updated about Mr. Sequira and his health. Indrayan and I had met twice during these two weeks to overview things with Sridha and her parents. I had also persuaded the doctors who had checked on Sridha and me to be present at the court for brief questioning.

The hearing was scheduled to be at noon.

I had to go for on field reporting at 8 to Powai. At the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay or IIT-B. We were doing a small report on this institution which recently completed 60+ years. We interviewed the professors and even the students. The younger guys were playfully flirting with the other girls on my team. We had fun there along with work.

At around 10.30, I left Powai to proceed towards the High Court, Bombay.

I had to change 2 trains and to my bad luck there was a railway block!
I got down midway at Chunabhatti and took a cab to reach the court. I reached at 11.55 am when everyone was already inside the courtroom!

What a close call!

I greeted Sridha and her parents, spoke to the two doctors and then went over to say hello to Indrayan and Zakir. The defendant looked at me in a disapproving way and I threw her a sickly sweet smile in return.

Fortunately, that is when the bailiff announced the Judge's arrival.

We all rose. The Justice came in and took his seat. We were asked to sit down. .

Mr. Sequira was brought in and made to stand in one of the witness boxes.
The judge asked the prosecutor to begin questioning.

Indrayan rose from his seat and stood in front of Mr. Sequira in an intimidating way. He began with his questioning,
"You were telling the court about the incidents that happened at Jannah that prompted you to go away and live in your old home in a chawl in Ghatkopar. I would like you to continue with what you were saying."

The entire courtroom was silent. There was a look of expectancy and anticipation on everyone's face.
Mr. Sequira sighed and began with the story from his point of view,
"I have been facing heavy loss in business. My brothel was also not doing well as several women who worked there had gained weight and some had aged. They became liabilities. My sister and I were planning on transferring a few women or recruiting them on some other job but that did not help. My financial condition deteriorated and I started looking for shareholders and stakeholders who were willing to invest in Sourire. Unfortunately, clothes brands have become so competitive that no one wanted to invest! I wanted to clear my head and begin fresh."