I shudder when we reach the court. Ruhi clasps both of our hands tightly. We sit on the first row and wait for the courtroom to fill. I see Akshat get in the courtroom followed by his lawyer. He looks disheveled but today, he does not carry his usual evil grin on his face. He looks down as he marches towards the benches next to us.

We stand up as the Judge enters and he proceeds to ask Mr. Dev Kumar to start the case proceedings.

"Good morning Your Honour. As I mentioned the last time, the case is neat and clear, my client by all means is rightful to gain the possession of his child and start a new life with Ms. Purvi. But, Ms. Purvi is against this and clearly she does not have any concrete proof that will advance that my client is not suitable of being a good father or a husband. I urge the court to take in consideration the plight of my client before reaching a final conclusion. Thank you."

Akshara then stands up and states, "First of all, I'd like to apologize to the Court for presenting this official paper to you after some delay. But I'll want you to have a look at this before you make any final decision."

I see Akshara hand over the paper to the clerk which then transfers it to the Judge. The whole court including Mr. Dev Kumar and Akshat are still wondering what this paper might be.

"Very well", the Judge utters after reading the paper and then transfers it to Mr. Dev Kumar. He goes through it and stands up immediately.

"I object Your Honour! This is not possible! Can the defendant provide the court with a reason for providing these papers after so long?!"

The Judge awaits an answer from Akshara and I begin to sweat.

"Your Honour, I sincerely apologize. My client had misplaced these papers and we wanted to make sure we are able to provide the court with all the legal proof before proving our claim. I'd like to also present the court with a letter from the Registrar's Office which mentions that Mrs. Purvi actually misplaced the paper and had requested for another set of these papers."

"Your Honour", Mr. Dev Kumar Interrupts, "Think about it, don't you think there is something wrong here? Such important information is being presented so late in court and how come such an important paper was misplaced?! And one last thing, Ms. Akshara, could you please explain to the court how one person can be legally married to two people at the same time? How can Mrs. Purvi be married to my client and Mr. Rajat Kumar at the same time? How?!"

"Mr. Dev Kumar", Akshara adds, "I think you can answer this question better. How come there is no entry of the marriage of Mr. Akshat Singhal and Mrs. Purvi anywhere in the Registrar's Office? How would you explain this to me? I'd be pleased to present the court with a statement from the Registrar clearly mentioning that no such entry has ever been made, rather there has been an entry for Mr. and Mrs. Rajat Kumar from 9 years ago.

Mr. Dev Kumar, if you are not convinced yet, Your Honour, I'd like to call upon one last witness from my side. I assure you it will change the face of the case completely."

"Objection Your Honour!", Mr. Dev Kumar exclaims, "the defense is wasting the precious time of the court. There should be no one left to testify!"

"Objection overruled. Ms. Akshara, I grant you the permission to proceed under your affirmation that this witness has a prime link to this case."

"Thank you. I will not disappoint you", she says before gesturing to someone to bring the witness in.

Everyone in the courtroom including me and Rajat turn around when we hear a wheelchair being pushed into the courtroom and inside the witness box. Everyone is still wondering who this witness can be, but Akshat is the only one who is shaking and who starts to sweat profusely while his lawyer looks at him and awaits an answer.

Akshara smiles at her, "Your Honour, this is Ms. Tania Shergill, or as many of you may know, the current owner of the Shergill group of industries. Ma'am, do you mind telling us what is your link with this case?"

"Surely. I am Tania Shergill and I am the wife of Mr. Akshat Singhal!"

A gasp leaves my throat. I am not the only one surprised. Everyone in the courtroom gasps and murmurs erupt in the courtroom but silence is restored once the Judge pounds his gavel. He then looks at Mr. Dev Kumar and disappointingly exhales.

Mrs. Tania continues, "Some nine years ago, Mr. Akshat Singhal came into my office to find a job. I saw his qualifications and appointed him as an accountant in the company. I was impressed by his hard work and passion and we started spending more time together. Not some months later, he proposed to me. I was hesitant to say yes at first but I was obliged to because I found out that I was pregnant with his child. But once we got married, I realized it was all a farce. He did all this for my money and his fame!

Once I signed the wedding papers, he started to treat himself as the owner of the Shergill industries. He started signing contracts without even informing me. I found records of his numerous cases of money laundering and illegal gambling within the company. By the fifth year, the company was completely bankrupt.

2 years earlier, I got diagnosed with cancer. But instead of supporting me, he started to hit me and my son and started blackmailing me that he would do something to my son if I told the police about his actions. He refused to sign the divorce papers.

But, then I found out that he is staging this whole custody drama just to gain access to the wealth of Mrs. Purvi, I couldn't hold myself any longer. I cannot bear to see him ruin another life. I am fully cured today Your Honour, and I just want to tell you that he is not worthy of being a husband or a father. He is a terrible person and I have brought enough proof with me that should definitely get him jailed for all the frauds he's done in my business. That is all. Thank you."

"Thank you Mrs. Tania. That is all Your Honour. Thank you. The defense rests the case", Akshara says.

"Do you have any questions?", the Judge asks Mr. Dev Kumar, but he simply shakes his head.

After a short break, the Judge resumes the proceedings. "Under the light of all the proceedings, the witnesses and the evidence produced, the court refutes the custody claim by Mr. Akshat Singhal. To add, Mr. Akshat Singhal is declared guilty under the Section 477 of the Companies Act, The Prevention of Money Laundering act and the manipulation of evidence under the Section 193 of the Indian Penal Code. Hence, Mr. Akshat Singhal shall be sentenced for 11 years of imprisonment. That is all. The court is adjourned."

I sense Rajat clasp my hands tightly when we hear the final verdict. I close my eyes and hear the courtroom get emptied. When I hear no more voices, I take Ruhi in my lap and start to cry before finally smiling at both of them. With my hands still entangled with his fingers, I whisper, "thank you husband."

Hey readers, Here is the next part !

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