Chapter 19: Three months after That Day
The tall and wide hall was dully lit in the late afternoon, even though it was bright outside. The dusty windows hadn't been washed in a while, giving the room an air of neglect and disuse.
It completely contrasted with the buzzing of people whispering amongst themselves about the procedures so far, with a lot of eyes focused on three people.
Arnav was tempted to glare at everyone individually, for being so entertained by his family's misery. His hand was loosely placed on his sister's arm, as she was slumped over onto her other arm. Arnav's heart reached out to her; he knew she was on the last vestige of her strength just to be here today for the final time.
He looked over her bowed head and grimaced at the person enjoying the attention and atmosphere. His soon-to-be former brother-in-law was making a show of being "too cool" to sit there. He waved at a few people – he probably thought they were reporters, Arnav thought derisively – and grinned all around, as if in victory.
The bailiff called for silence, as the judge finished making his notes on the case and prepared to finalise the day's decision.
"After hearing all the evidence placed before us and listening to final statements, the judiciary rules that Shyam Manohar Jha is guilty of the accusation of bigamy and guilty of the accusation of assault on a medically incapacitated patient. Based on these verdicts, Anjali Jha, now Anjali Raizada, is granted a no-contest divorce with claim to half of the assets of Shyam Manohar Jha, for mental aggravation and duplicity as acts of disregard for the bond of marriage."
As each damning word rang out, Arnav watched Shyam's chin droop lower and lower, while his shoulders slowly hunched over. With the last sentence, he looked down at his feet in a show of contemplation.
Not realizing that he was being closely watched, he kept his head bowed but flashed a glance at his ex-wife, eyebrows arranged in a show of pitifulness. Arnav wasn't sure what he was expecting to receive in return, but he snorted in derision. At Shyam's nose flare, he realized he had been caught by the Raizada sibling he didn't want the attention of.
"The court will convene with the legal representation of the aforementioned parties to discuss further procedures in asset allocation and collection. Thank you for your attendance."
Arnav breathed a sigh of relief. It was over, finally.
His sister would come out of it a completely broken woman, robbed of her belief in love and happily ever after, but at least she was free of her lousy load of a husband.
Thank goodness they quickly got her important documents and valuables out of their house that day.
Di had been quick to toss aside all the useless and cheap presents Shyam had chosen for her over the years, and as a final taunt, put all their joint photos and memorabilia in a suitcase and burnt them in the living room.
She had wanted to leave the ashes and scorch mark there for him to see on his next visit, but Aman and Arnav had to remind her that they would showing the house to lawyers as part of the divorce proceedings, and they didn't want to give Shyam any advantages.
Thank goodness they hadn't had any children yet for Shyam to manipulate them with.
Arnav shuddered at the thought of his sister and their family overall being shackled to Shyam as part of a custody arrangement. Shyam would probably brainwash the child, threaten them and even harm them, just to extract anything he wanted from the Raizadas.
A movement on his side halted his train of thought.
Shyam had stopped making himself look small, and stood up with shoulders squared and a broad grin on his face. He held out his hands to the bailiff taking him away to jail, as if giving out alms to his followers.
Arnav's eyes narrowed at this 180 spin of Shyam's attitude. What had changed?
Shyam noticed Arnav's eyes on him and smirked before walking in front of the bailiff with a swagger, his trademark bracelet glinting.
The white gold bracelet with blue gemstone that Di had given him on their engagement day, which should have been part of his assets to pay in the divorce settlement. The one which Khushi had described that day and set Arnav off on the path of recognition of his antics.
Shyam had lost everything – his house, his assets, his steady source of income – yet he kept such a valuable piece of jewelry?
And…he smiled?
It must be an act. Arnav would make sure of that.