Chapter 32

Ria banged the folder on the table the sound resonating within the tiny walls of her room which she shared with another young woman in the working woman’s hostel. It was the best she could get given that she could barely make ends meet let alone paying the rent. Preeti had helped out and paid for two months though she had resisted and then eventually given in as she desperately needed a place to stay. That was a fortnight ago and by now she had worn her heels out trying different hospitals and private clinics in and around the area she now stayed, for jobs. Unfortunately, three months may have passed but the negative publicity the news had brought for the Chopra group of hospitals had reached the other hospital HR before she did and she wasn’t getting in… It was frustrating because she desperately needed work. The little money she had left with her was finishing soon and she had to do something fast. She couldn’t venture far because she couldn’t afford the travel… she was in a fix… It was 6PM and she had spent the whole day scouting four different clinics in her list…none of them had vacancies or needed a counsellor.

As she sat contemplating her next move… desperation sinking her heart, her phone buzzed. She had switched on her old number and had blocked her parents and other members from the housing colony whose numbers she had and she was extremely cautious whose calls she answered if the number wasn’t stored. She had waned a clean break and after ages, in spite of her dire situation she had some sort of mental peace.

“Hey Preeti…” She answered the call

“…Ria… are you close to a TV or something…?”

“…No… why… what is it…? Actually, the wifi here is pathetic too and my data is…well… but what is the matter…?” her heart was thudding rapidly as she awaited Preeti’s response.

“…Ria… just come downstairs…I am getting close… will be there in five…” and she disconnected even before Ria could speak. What the hell had happened? Ria wasn’t sure she could take anymore turbulence… she was tired…in every sense of the word. She kept her stuff in the little rickety cupboard allotted to her and locked it… not that she had anything valuable but still, it gave her a sense of security.

She reached downstairs rushing only to stumble on the last steps and saw Preeti just alighting from her car at the gate. She waved to Ria and watching tension written on her friend’s beautiful face, Ria was getting jittery. Preeti rushed towards her and holding her hands dragged her along outside the gate.  Panting, she opened her Tablet and played a video what Ria realised was a recording of a recent news bulletin.

“…Preeti what…?” She was inquisitive as she saw it was taking a while to stream

“…Shhh… just hear this…”

The video played and Ria was glad Preeti was with her.

‘…In a development of sorts the fresh news coming in is an unfortunate turn of events related to the recent case of State vs Gaurav Chopra. The prime accused Ms. Swara Sawant has been found dead in her cell where she was housed as an under trail…’ Ria gasped and held her chest as her breathing became laboured. Oh God. ‘…today morning, Ms. Sawant was found lying in a pool of blood from a severed vein in her wrist and a sharp object suspected to be a broken piece of a glass bottle was also found lying next to her. The initial investigation conducted by the local police in coordination with the jail authority indicate suicide and there is no evidence of foul play. According to the jailor, Ms. Sawant had been quiet and kept to herself ever since she was brought in. It’s is suspected that Ms. Sawant was suffering from depression. The body has been sent for post-mortem after which it will be cremated by the prison authorities since Ms. Sawant had no living relatives and so far, no one has come forward to claim the body….’ In spite of what Swara had done Ria couldn’t help but cry for the life snuffed out of a young woman. The anchor continued. ‘… To those who are new to this, about three months back the scion of the Chopra Group was charged for rape of Ms. Swara Sawant who was then, an employee of the hospital. The circumstantial evidences were tight and Dr. Gaurav Chopra was almost done in when another employee Ms. Ria Narsimhan testified in his favour about him being present with her the entire night of the alleged rape. That proved to be a major twist in the case and tilted the judgement in the Chopra scion’s favour. In what was touted as the shortest trial in the history of fast track courts, Dr. Chopra was acquitted after Ms. Sawant had admitted to her felony. There have been speculations since… if Dr. Chopra indeed had orchestrated everything to cover up an clandestine affair as Ms. Sawant had claimed and also if Ms. Narsimhan was party to the entourage of suspected lies. However, there has been no proof to corroborate the same and the case was a dead end. Now with Ms. Sawant’s death it remains to be seen if there is any indication of foul play… all our attempts to contact Dr. Gaurav Chopra have been futile and Ms. Narsimhan after whose testimony Ms. Sawant had the outburst convicting herself in, has been incognito since the trail ended… our correspondent had visited her housing colony too but her parents have washed their hands off and the neighbours have no idea about her whereabouts. We will be trying to reach them and shall keep the viewers updated on this case….’

“…Oh…Oh God Preeti what happened…? I mean… what the hell… why did she do that…?”

“…No idea Ria… Swara never was the depressed kind… I don’t understand why she did… everything…I mean… this is so confusing…” Preeti said and then turned to Ria.

“…Ria…I hope these news hounds don’t get to know about your current location… keep a low-profile Ok…? so… got that job yet…?”

“…Nope… no luck as yet but there are still about 4 private clinics left… hopefully something should materialise… otherwise…” Ria spoke distractedly.

“…otherwise … what…?”

“…Nothing… I will change my field… maybe take up a job pf a receptionist or a telephone operator… save up some money to move elsewhere and hopefully by then this situation here, will die a natural death”

“…you will do no such thing Ria… you are great at what you do… Ok now listen to what I have…”

“…Hmmm…Ok…” She was still thinking about what Swara had told her outside the court…

“…the hospital had openings last week… I was wondering if you knew and would be interested… entry levels for all departments…”

That got her attention now! “…Preeti look…”

“…Wait…Ria… just hear me out…” she cut Ria and continued. “…. Ever since… the case happened, there have been few … um… changes in the hospital here… The bossman is conspicuous by his absence… he doesn’t see anyone…. Just NOONE… we don’t know when he arrives or exits…that if he actually does….”

“…But Preeti…”

“…will you please listen…? You don’t have much of a choice and these rumors and stories they do die a natural death but it takes time and that you don’t have… Look Ria… if there is any place you should try… its this hospital… I am not sure about the last dates for application… but just give it a shot…will you…?”

“… I am not sure Preeti… I… its tough…” her eyes welled up as she imagined the uncertainty clouding her psyche… her mind drew a blank.

“…Ria… I understand and if you get through, I am there till you settle… before I actually quit…And remember you didn’t serve your notice period… and didn’t get anything either… I found out from HR today morning, your last work month pay has been deducted but you will still get some amount in form of EPF… They couldn’t contact you since your number was changed and since they didn’t want to indicate that you had quit or they had asked you to leave they didn’t want to keep records like email… So at least come to collect your cheque. If nothing it will help you sail through till you get a job…”

Its not that Ria hadn’t thought of her dues… but she was sceptical to even step back into the hospital premises. However, now she was running out of time and options…

“…o…ok Preeti… I will be there tomorrow morning…”

After returning to her room Ria got busy with gathering her CV…not that the hospital didn’t have it… It was her first and last job so far! but her nerves were running amok and she needed to keep herself busy. She was glad she hadn’t fraternised much with her roommate an accountant by profession form the looks of it and she kept to herself as well and Ria was glad. She hoped the woman didn’t recognise her infamous roommate.

 The next morning Ria walked into the Chopra group of hospital’s rehabilitation wing. She didn’t want to meet any of her ex-colleagues so she was there at about 11 AM, she knew Preeti would hate her for that but she was in no mood to fraternise. She didn’t even know what kind of welcome she would be subjected to and she couldn’t take anymore hostility. She had covered her head with her stole and hoped she could remain inconspicuous amongst the sea of patients.

She directly went to meet Dr. Hema Mishra her old supervisor who she was told was in charge of recruitment. “Oh, hello Ria…” Dr. Mishra called out as she knocked and peeped in…just like the old times “… so nice to see you dear, what’s up…?” Dr. Mishra continued as she juggled with her ever mounting paperwork.

Ria felt like a new intern that she was three years ago. But with Dr. Mishra she also felt at home. “Hello Ma’am… I actually needed a favor”.

Dr. Mishra looked up from above the top ridge of her reading glasses. “What is it dear? Did you collect your check…? I had asked the HR to keep it ready without the date so you could collect it anytime you come. Your paperwork … anything got left out? Any pending dues that we owe you…?”

Ria blinked back tears and replied, ” No Ma’am… er… I um… um… I want my old job back… the one before the promotion…”

Dr. Mishra stopped her work and gestured her to sit, glaring at Ria as she did… After what seemed like hours, she cleared her throat and said, “You know that is not possible dear. You have to re-apply as a fresh candidate… you just missed the last date by 3 days…. And we put out our… next list of openings after six months and that too if there is a vacancy. This is the company policy…” she sighed and continued “I am so sorry… I wish with all my heart to have my best subordinate back here… but… I am bound by rules. But… I promise, you will be my first choice whenever we open up our applications… I will call you personally…”.

Ria felt energy draining out of her body. This job was her last hope… She wondered what else she had left to lose… She had lost her family which was never there for her in the first place but whatever traces of respect they had for her. She had lost her reputation and her career even before it actually began, all… just for daring to speak out the truth.

“It’s alright ma’am …I will apply again… whenever the opportunity arises. Thank you “, she said and left the cabin.

As she was approaching the exit gate her phone rang. The caller ID read private number. It only meant one person and Ria’s heart beat faster.  “Hel… hello?” she answered.

There was a pause and then a gruff voice said, “Come up 9^th floor… last cabin on the right” and the call was abruptly cut.

Gaurav… he had moved his cabin? Why did he call her…? Would it be a correct decision to meet him since their so-called relationship was under scanner? But she had nothing more to lose and she wanted to see him…one last time… She straightened her back. She was no longer an employee here. She had no reason to fear or obey him, not after what had transpired between them… She went to the lobby and took the staff elevator covering her face and was thrilled even Tara mavshi couldn’t recognise her as she passed her. With each floor as the elevator climbed up, her heart raced faster. By the time she reached the 9th floor she was palpitating. She came out of the elevator and stood in the foyer taking deep breaths. The foyer was completely empty and Karuna wasn’t there anywhere. It was good, she thought as Karuna would have asked her a hundred questions. But she would also have been a source of strength for Ria…. today she was all alone.

Ria reached the last cabin and looked around. She had never been to this end of the wing and she didn’t want to think more, least she would start palpitating again…

She knocked at the door. “Come in” he called out gruffly as ever.

She opened the door and … it was dark inside. Curtains were drawn over the huge French windows. This was such a contrast to his earlier cabin which was bigger and of course brighter. She just peeped in wondering what to do.

“You may close the door please”, the voice said and Ria was startled. She closed the door and walked in, trying to keep one foot in front of the other. Suddenly the light was on and she had to raise her hand to cover her eyes. What on earth…

“Please take a seat Ria”, He said with that voice which gave her erotic dreams racing her heart as it did now. Ria looked up and her heart skipped a beat. Gaurav sat on his huge revolving chair like he owned the place… of course he did!!  His formidable stance with the soft light from the false ceiling putting a soft glow on his face bring out the innocently passionate hues… she knew existed right beneath the rough exterior, with the scar totally hidden but…his right eye was bluish, bruised…Oh no… what happened?

Ria couldn’t help but ask, “Are you ok Sir?”

Gaurav stared at her… The same intensity… the grey eyes bored into her. Ria quickly sat down before she could react in anyway or show her feelings overtly.

“Ms. Narsimhan…”, so it was Ms. Narsimhan again, “… I am told you are looking for a position here”. The news had gotten to him already and… he was bang on topic. Ria sighed.

“Um… yes actually I came to see if I could join back… I wasn’t getting another job and … at that time… I um… I had to resign” she softly said.

“…Why the hell… did you quit…?” He asked in his lethally calm voice.

“…I had to get away Sir… after everything that happened… at least till things settled…” she didn’t know why she was explaining things to him

“Yes, er … I heard about your problems… Media still outside your home… and you aren’t there… I…I am sorry… but where are you staying these days…?”

Ria was surprised. In all the time that she had known him, she had rarely seen him fumble with words. The sincerity in his voice touched her, of course he had always cared. She smiled a little and said, “Um … it’s alright sir, I am ok now. I live in a working woman’s hostel…”

“…why…? Why not with your parents…?” He enquired and she didn’t know if she had to tell him.

“…Um… I had a fall out…”

“…because of the case…?”

“…Um… yes … among the other things…”

He stood and walked toward the side window, hands in his pant pockets and a confident stance. He turned around and looked at her. Ria was wondering what was happening when he said, “Look Ri.. er Ms. Narsimhan, as Dr. Mishra must have told you already we can’t take you back at this juncture. However, there is something I need to tell you, rather… I have an offer…“

Ria just stared… he continued, “…I am sorry for what you are going through with your folks back home…or your job situation…” of course he knew… is there anything he didn’t…

“…. I have an offer which will work best for both of us in our situations. Somehow, I think… I am responsible majorly for this…er turn of events… in your life…” saying, he turned back towards the window.

Ria waited till what looked like eternity. She softly said, “Sir…”

Gaurav turned around, walked back towards his table and kept his palms on it bending to reach her eye level.

 Then without wasting his breath he said, “Marry me“.

Copyright Disclaimer: All content posted here is a work of fiction and original work based on the author’s imagination. There is no intention to disrespect any person or faith. Any resemblance to any person living or dead or any community is purely coincidental. No part of the content can be copied, reproduced or posted anywhere else either entirely or in parts, without the consent of the author.

Chapter 31

Three months later…

Ria picked up the files from the cabin head of the psychiatry department of Lotus multi-speciality hospital in Warangal. She went back to her cabin close by and kept them on the pile of already existing ones which screamed for her attention. She sat down on her revolving chair with a thud and sighed resting her head on the backrest. The work here was back breaking and they paid peanuts. Besides seeing cases in the psychiatry ward, she had tons of paperwork to do as well as double up as a receptionist or a clerk as they were short staffed. Not to mention the language barrier, it was tough to break the ice with the locals, even the staff who were notorious in showing her who the real bosses were. She didn’t care and just waited for the clock to turn fast so it would be time for her to go home. She stared at the ceiling fan rotating around noiselessly in its own world impervious to the turmoil raging in her heart.

She glanced at the calendar hung on the side wall… three months… It was three months ago, today when she had last seen Gaurav. Not a day had passed since, when she hadn’t thought about him. Every time she closed her eyes the image of his stricken face as she declared her decision to quit the Chopra group… would swim before her eyes. She would dream of him muttering sweet nothings in her ears and immediately her eyes would well up and then she would drown in her misery… She had thought getting away from Pune would be the best solution for everyone and probably it helped others too but for her… she was wallowing in her sorrow. She missed Gaurav… missed him so much it hurt… every damn day. She wiped her tears and looked at the grandfather clock in her cabin. It had been there since ages and was an antic eyesore in that modernised cabin. But she thought it represented her… she was always the misfit everywhere she went… It was time to leave for the day and Ria bundled up the files to carry work home… Home…if she could call the tiny studio apartment, that. She lived as a paying guest in her maternal uncle’s house. They had a bungalow wherein they usually rented out the divided top floor with its own entrance. It had been a win -win situation for everyone.

She still recalled the day Gaurav and Keith had dropped her at the entrance of the lane to her housing colony that morning three months ago. It was the morning after her showdown and Gaurav and she had barely spoken. In fact, she hadn’t even spoken to Keith and that was killing her… but not more than what she was going through for not talking to Gaurav. He didn’t speak a word but she could feel his eyes on her and feel his anguish as well. She only consoled herself she was doing right by him as well. He didn’t need to set things right for her when he had his own worries served on a platter to him. Though Keith and Gaurav never discussed things before her she knew there was a lot more than the case ending in the court and also knew he would have to fight the battles outside. She didn’t have to increase his troubles further…

When she had asked him to stop the car at the lane entrance, Keith had been surprised. “Ria… let me drop you at least till your colony gate… its quite a distance and… and you bag is pretty heavy to drag it all the way…”

“…Its alright Keith… I am used to carrying baggage with me… Thank you…” Then without a backward glance she had walked away huffing and panting and not stopped till she reached her housing colony gate. She didn’t know if it was her being conscious about herself that she felt everyone’s eyes on her. She felt every onlooker wanting to get a byte out of her… some juicy court gossip. A couple of them also approached her with some nasty irrelevant questions while some passed obscene jibes but she just ignored them and kept walking rapidly towards her building. She quickly climbed up the stairs to Mr. Joshi’s house where she knew the additional keys of her house were kept. Though the Joshi’s were brimming with curiosity like the other spectators when she had entered the colony, she didn’t speak a word and left for her house. Her muscles were burning by the time she opened the door and stepped inside. As soon as she kept her bag down her eyes fell on her thatha’s framed photo and she removed it hugging it to her chest as she sobbed away her heart’s grief. She stayed like that till afternoon when her stomach growled. She prepared a quick lunch of khichidi with what little was available and switched on her phone which Gaurav had returned to her. It was pinging with messages for the next few minutes and the maximum were from Preeti… She didn’t even bother to read the rest and deleted all of them. She had immediately called her friend and Preeti after initially reprimanding her for hiding about the 29^th July night, she had told Ria about the ugly gossip at work. She had also mentioned Sudhir being arrested but the major issue was since no one could openly talk about bossman and almost everyone was hating Swara for the lies she had spewed; Ria was the only option to gossip about. Preeti also added about the negative publicity the hospital had received and based on rumors, she doubted if Ria would be transferred to another branch…. Ria had laughed sarcastically and told Preeti about her decision to quit. Preeti had been kind enough to offer her a place to stay at her home till she found another place of work, to fund her stay at the working women’s hostel, but Ria had refused. She wasn’t in the right frame of mind then and wanted a clean break… from everything.

She had then called her appa… who initially cut the calls and on the fifth try he had answered it.

“…Why the hell are you calling…? What do you want…Ria…?” He had screamed into the phone angrily.

“…Appa… where are you all…? I was back home…”

“…That isn’t your home… I had told you when you left, hadn’t I…?”

“…appa… look… I have quit the job… left everything behind now and want to make a fresh start… exactly like the way you want it… where are you all…?”

“…We are at your mama’s place in Warangal… We will be getting Pooja married off in a week… there is no point waiting anyway… she isn’t interested in studying further and I am ok with it… what good did studies do to you… I have seen first-hand. At least let me get one of you settled…”

“…Appa… I am withdrawing my remaining saving totally and will give it to you as well as the couple of jewellery which I have for giving to Pooja… let me come… to Warangal please… I won’t attend the wedding if you don’t want me to…”

Her Appa had paused for a while and then said. “…Ok… come here then… and transfer the money to my account… we are running short…”

With a heavy heart which had become almost numb with grief Ria had booked a ticket, tendered her resignation online and next day she had left for Warangal.

She had landed here three months back and her uncle had helped her get this job at the hospital and as promised she gave whatever was left with her to her father and sister. But she didn’t feel a thing because she realised, she had left her heart behind in Pune… with the handsomely scarred hunk who held it by the strings… which were barely lose and at times she couldn’t breathe as the waves of emotions clogged her throat. As promised, she didn’t attend Pooja’s wedding and the very next week her parents retuned back to Pune. She stayed back resigning herself to her fate… and now three months down the line she had found out the trial news had died an early death since she wasn’t around to rake things up and everything apparently had gone back to normal.  She occasionally had a chat with Preeti who was busy with her wedding preparations and was all set to quit her job to move to another city with her beau next month. Though Preeti often told her to join the hospital back, and also a couple of working women’s hostels around where she could get a room for miniscule amounts, Ria didn’t read much into it. Though she told herself otherwise, she only spoke to Preeti to get details about the hospital… i.e her bossman. She often wondered how he must be doing… would he have moved on… did he remember her? But unfortunately, there was absolutely no mention of the hospital or her bossman… It was good in a way, she thought. She wouldn’t remember him… would she?

But she was so so wrong… she was catapulted back to her memories with Gaurav every time she met her current boss in the hospital who was ruthless with everyone. Every time she saw a horse or a park, she was reminded of Parijath. Parks also reminded her of the last day of the trial when he had taken her on a nostalgic journey down his memory lane. Every time she had curd rice she was now reminded of Keith… Oh God Would she ever get out of this…? Would she ever move on…?

She came back to the house emotionally drained as she always did whenever she thought about Gaurav… which was always, she received an incoming call on her cell phone. She had changed her number and only Preeti, besides her parents had it. It was her appa… what did he want now…? They had barely spoken after her arrival in Warangal.

“…hello Appa…?”

“…Ria… just dress up well and go downstairs to your mama’s house. There is someone I want you to meet…”

“…what… I mean… who…?”

“…can’t you just do as told without questioning me…? It’s your mami’s cousin brother… now listen carefully. He is a businessman but a widower… just turned fifty… and has a son aged ten years… So, he needs a mother for that brat and a companion for himself and who better than you…?”

Had he lost it…?

“…What are you saying Appa…? Marriage…? He is fifty…? Widower…?”

“…So what…? And do you know he is funding the entire wedding and we won’t have to shell out a single penny… See how everything is falling into place…? And he has no problem with you working as well. Now instead of sending half your salary to us you can give the entire amount… you won’t want for anything since he is loaded…and the best part…? He has agreed to pay off the personal loan worth ten lakhs, so I will only be left with the home loan…”

Her father went on and on and Ria blocked him out before she heard him again. “…and good for all of us… so meet him and don’t be a snob…OK… you owe us that at least after everything we had to go through…” and then he disconnected the call.

Of course, everything was good for all of them except Ria… but not that it concerned her appa anyway. Tears filled her eyes… why didn’t he leave her in peace? She knew he had to take an additional loan for Pooja’ wedding and debts had piled up. She had thought staying back here and giving half her salary to him in spite that compared to Mumbai her salary here was a pittance, would have sufficed but no… here he was back again with his vicious ways. What would she do now… they didn’t even bother to ask her before calling the prospective suitor? She had left Pune with the hope of retaining her sanity and while she still had to find her footing in every sense of the word, here was another turbulence… Why God why…? What had she done to deserve this merciless flogging one after the other…? She had fallen from the frying pan to the fire… what could she do now…?

There was only one name she could think of and she dialled the number.

“Hello Preeti… I need a huge favour. Um… you were mentioning that working woman’s hostel close to your place… can you send me the address? I am leaving Warangal right away… It’s almost 6PM now here…”

“…What…? Ria…? Are you insane…? What happened…? Are you alright…?”

“…Preeti nothing is right… but no time to explain… can you talk to those people and reserve a room for me… I have a little money to tide over for a month…”

“…Ria don’t worry about that… I am here to help. You call me once you reach Pune and I will arrange the room for you…. Just take care…Ok…?”

“…thanks … Preeti… got to go now…” Ria disconnected the call and immediately packed her stuff… whatever little she had with her.

As she left the house from the back entrance and rushed towards the auto stand that would take her to the bus depot, she saw a high-end car parked at her mama’s doorstep… Looks like her appa’s Mr. Moneybags was here. Anger surged up within her, strengthening her determination to run away removing even an iota of self-doubt. The bus was to depart late at night and she waited at the depot canteen after shutting down her phone. The bus journey was the cheapest mode she could find and

Later as the bus cruised across the sleepy Nampally, Ria stared out at the black night outside… the darkness no less than the one that had engulfed her life… for a long time now. She had seen a silver lining for a while… with him… but now… she didn’t know what life had in wait when the grueling 25-hour journey was done with…. And a long journey it definitely was that was to continue even after she reached Pune…

Copyright Disclaimer: All content posted here is a work of fiction and original work based on the author’s imagination. There is no intention to disrespect any person or faith. Any resemblance to any person living or dead or any community is purely coincidental. No part of the content can be copied, reproduced or posted anywhere else either entirely or in parts, without the consent of the author.

Chapter 30

Ria entered the safe house and walked straight into her room… It was the last night here and tomorrow she was to go back… but where…? Appa had told her he didn’t want to see her again… He must be definitely watching the news channels… not to mention the talking going on. Actually she had thought, like in typical such cases the trial would get dragged for weeks or maybe months and that would give him time to cool down. But thanks to Swara’s outburst it was the shortest rape trial in the history of fast -track courts… Khatiyal must be laughing his way to the bank. Speaking of Swara, the woman seemed relieved to be going to jail… really? She didn’t even put up a fight…something was amiss here.  Ria freshened up and got back to the drawing room where Keith served hot filter coffee. Gaurav was still in his room… he must have been relieved… the double edged sword hanging over his head was finally taken off… or… was it…?

Gaurav emerged out of his room on the phone. “…yes Manek… wait… I am on it right now…” He disconnected the call as he switched on the TV. The news channel… Oh God what did they want now… the trial was over for heaven’s sake. Ria was suddenly worried all over again… as she held her mug between her palms, the aroma of the coffee beans and the warmth calming her racing heart.

‘…in the history of the country’s rape trials, here was a record created with the fastest court trial where the case stands dismissed in two days.  As per report available to the media, the complainant and the apparent rape survivor by the name of Swara Sawant made up a false claim against the Chopra scion Dr. Gaurav Chopra. However, in a drastic turn of events an employee of the hospital, a counsellor, Ms. Ria Narsimhan’s testimony nailed it. According to the witness she had spent the night of 29^th July with Dr. Chopra in the old hospital building where in he apparently saved her life. To those uninitiated, the Chopra group completed twenty-five years of being in the industry and there was a party at the old hospital building thrown for the employees. There is talk whether the ‘prime’ witness was someone pre-arranged by the Chopras to save their hide…? We have with us in the studio, Mr. Vikram Iyer the ex-fiancée of the key witness in the case. So Mr. Vikram what do you have to say about the verdict…?’

That sleazeball was sitting with a smug face and Ria banged her half-drunk coffee and stood up even as Gaurav and Keith watched her, she walked close to the TV. She wanted to see how much lower could her father’s golden eyed boy stoop to.

Vikram gave a side smile and spoke. ‘well I was one of the testifiers from the prosecution. I had agreed to get engaged to Ria because she was this docile, sweet, innocent young woman and her innocence had appealed to me… but she always had a problem with everything about me… I had a doubt if she was involved with someone… you see, we barely had any dates in the months that we were in a so-called relationship… she always had this excuse of being caught up in the hospital… well… now you all know why… that Chopra was turning his charm on my fiancé… while I waited for her… He was preparing for his rainy days… and that helped him clinch the biggest fight of his life… he got away with a heinous crime…’

‘So Mr. Iyer, the court has dismissed the case… Swara the complainant herself admitted to wrong doings…’

‘…oh the rich and the powerful… who knows how much Swara was paid to take the blame on herself…? Its just two years now for her if she doesn’t make it out before that after which she will be compensated heavily I am sure. Small price to pay for saving ones reputation… The Chopra group played a big game here. They first washed their hands off the case and then paid off the complainant itself… how very convineant…’

‘…But Mr. Iyer, what do you think happened on that night… did the rape happen or not…? Were you in touch with your fiancé…that night…?’

Bloody asshole was partying when she lay injured…

‘…Uh… I don’t know about the rape… like I said she never shared her life details, schedules anything at all with me… I was away at work… by the way let me share this fact… Ria never ever partied…so what the hell was she doing at that office party where the booze flowed and then suddenly, she lands up in the third floor washroom where she falls and no one knows…? Isn’t all this strange…? History is witness to these tactics used by the rich to bury their black deeds… they use gullible, poor or middle-class women like Swara, or Ria and they in turn walk in with eyes wide open but with the blinders of dollar signs… and then fall into their trap. Swara is done with and I am now worried about Ria… she may not be my fiancé but she belongs to a good family… I wonder what her parents must be going through…’

“…BASTARD… HE IS A LYING BASTARD… HOW DARE HE…” Ria screamed, as tears blurred her vision of the asshole who once was engaged to her. Her head reeled and she would have collapsed on the floor if not for the strong pair of hands which held her. Gaurav supported her and made he lie down on the couch. She held her head which refused to stop spinning… as Vikrams words haunted her… Gaurav had switched off the TV and she felt something cool on her head.

“…Keith get my kit…” He barked the order and she heard Keith go somewhere. She was feeling better but she wasn’t able to control the surge of emotions bursting through the seams… she felt she was drowning… actually in quick sand… just like Swara had told her… Oh God was it true…? No… No… and darkness claimed her.

Someone sprinkled water on her face… God she hated to play in the water…except if t was rain and she didn’t have to go to work next day… Pune rains and the traffic snarls had ruined her experience… wait… water again… it isn’t raining…

“…Ria… Ria… open your eyes dear… Ria…”

Who was calling her… Appa…? No. He never woke her up. Oh… Gaurav… and then it all came back as she slowly opened her eyes to a worried looking Gaurav. She sat up even as the bile rose from her stomach but she stood on wobbly legs and swayed. Gaurav held her… “… Ria… don’t… be careful…”

“…WHY… WHY SHOULD I BE CAREFUL… and how can you say that…? Didn’t you hear my ex-fiancé who knows everything about me…?”

“…Ria he is just a dog… barking on the road… don’t pay attention…”

“..No Sir… there is indeed NO SMOKE WITHOUT FIRE… and today if that slime has the audacity to malign my character after what he did to me…? Then you are also to blame… you have… had  made my life  a living hell… especially in the last month… I never could reach home before 9 PM or so and again leave for work next day by 8AM…”

“…Ria… I…”

She held up her palm and stopped him, still swaying as she held the table for support.

“…Let me finish Sir… You… never understood what I had to go through… first that goddamn promotion which alienated me from my frinds and then that month long torture of waiting outside your cabin as my… anxiety increased with every second flowing away because i would miss my bus… But you… you never understood that, Did you…? You knew Tara mavshi’s troubles even before she gave you an application… but me…? Just to point out some stupid errors in my report…? You made me wait after hours… and that me the fodder for gossip… I have become the talk of the town…the …the star topic of discussion in such two-bit news channels… NOT because I spoke the truth but because… you had your stupid misplaced notions about correcting me… by troubling me… But… sir… enough… I… had enough…”

“…Ria please listen… your BP has…”

“…I DON’T CARE IF MY ARTERIES BURST OUT… anyways what more damage is left to happen… do you know sir…? I had bid adieu to my folks…literally… they asked me to choose between giving my testimony or staying back and I chose the former… I… I have been through hell the last few months always caught between the devil and the deep blue sea…” She held her head and bent forwards as a huge wave of nausea claimed her and she had to struggle to control it.

“…Ria for God’s sake please… take care… just feel better and then you can continue to accuse me… but first… take care…” Gaurav’s voice was leveled but she knew his control was at the end of it’s tethers. But her emotional outrage had already crossed its boundaries as she relived the days she had to struggle balancing the job demands, face her narcissist fiancé and then at home the ire of her folks … all for no fault of hers… The real Ria was lost somewhere and she didn’t know if she would ever find her.

Ria wiped her eyes and took in deep breaths to try to regain her sanity amidst the conflicting emotions brewing in her heart threatening to destroy everything she believed in. “…I am sorry Sir… I know I have overstepped my boundaries… as an employee…”

“…Ria…”

“…Please… sir… the reality of… a situation… doesn’t change…does it? I don’t know how many more interviews Vikram may give away or how many news channels will make me the topic of discussion and debate on…what happened that night…I don’t know …maybe up next for interview will be another staff who supposedly knows me like Vikram… and everybody will now have a freehand to twist reality which is eons away from their versions and then malign my character… I don’t deserve this sir… do I…? And my only fault…?”

“…Ria…” He looked at her frowning…

“…My only fault Sir…” She didn’t bother to let him talk. “…Is that I had given my everything to a job which I thought I loved…I thought i was making a difference in the lives of those people i treaed. I thought I deserved the promotion eventually, though I never expected to get it… I didn’t aim for the skies…sir… I am… I am…” Her voice broke. “…I am a simple girl with little regular dreams. I belong to a typical middle-class family where my reputation is my only wealth… I have been brought up with that conviction in place… and today… its in shreds…I…and the reason isn’t the night of 29^th July… but the days and months prior to that… I don’t know sir what was your problem with me… but now… I am in murky waters because of you…” She wiped her eyes. “… I am leaving for my home right now, because I can’t let my folks face the world and the crap been spewed because of me… I will face everything… they don’t need that…”

“…RIA WILL YOU PLEASE STOP…?” Gaurav bellowed in a voice she had never heard before and she was startled and stunned into silence. “… Just halt your tirade and listen to me…will you…?”

Ria folded her hands at her chest and looked away blinking tears as she dreaded even the anticipation of what was in store for her later.

“…Ria… I apologise for being an asshole of the greatest order and yes… you are right…you don’t deserve this bullshit. As for your parents they have left for somewhere yesterday morning itself all packed up… our man was on duty and had followed them till the railway station. There was no paparazzi then nor anyone now outside your home or the locality for that matter. Our man is still keeping watch… Look… let me handle this OK…I promise your reputation will not be tarnished… Tomorrow I am holding a press meet myself where I am going to give the clarity…”

“…NO…SIR…NO MORE… ENOUGH… enough is enough…” she said in an anguished voice. “…its going to be futile benevolence… my parents had to leave town because of me and now your press meet, well…you throw stones in the sewage its your dress which will be ruined… and here its my dress metaphorically…”

“…Ria this will all die down on its own… I promise…”

“…Sir… please for God’s sake do not promise something you cant keep… this…” she said waving at the TV…isn’t in our hands now… I don’t think you understand… in our archaic society it’s the girl or the woman who had to bear the brunt of these events… I know I got into this with my eyes wide open… but…but I didn’t know it would take this turn… you sir… have always been a recluse… but me…? I was a goody two shoes and now speculations are on about the skeletons in my closet… I don’t care anymore what people say about me… that’s water under the bridge… but my parents… my sister… No… I have to go home NOW…”

 Saying she turned and ran to her room to pack her bag… even if she rushed now she would be at her home by night time and then she would call her parents… they would forgive her eventually she was sure and then she would lie low for a while before going on a job hunt again… Well…it was easier said than done but now she had no other option…

As she packed her bag tears flew freely and blurred her vision. She had to keep wiping her cheeks frequently… she realised it wasn’t the hurt of what was transpiring that broke her heart but the very fact that she was going away from Gaurav and probably never going to see him again…since she was quitting her job. Her heart sank further as fresh tears gushed out of her swollen eyes and she plonked down on the floor crying her heart out… She felt her life falling down like a pack of cards…

There was a knock on her door and the knob clicked open. She didn’t know how long she lay on the floor… She saw his long feet from below the cot and more tears followed.

“…Ri…Ria…” he called out in his soft voice which always made her heart flutter… all the million pieces of it… “…Ria…” He came on her side and sat next to her. She didn’t bother to get up but curled on her side in a foetal position… hugging herself. “…Ria… please have something… your health will be ruined… I am so sorry… tell me what I can do to make things right…anything… anything at all… And I just got off the phone with Khatiyal… And we will send a notice to the news channel which did Vikram’s interview… They will tender an apology…” He paused probably to see her reaction but she just lay there. Tears had stopped but she didn’t have the strength to sit up straight. She felt his hands supporting her and she made an effort to get up. “…Ria…? Are you… Ok…Lets get you to eat something… come on…” He helped her stand and held her close to him and she leaned on him gathering his strength as she smelt her favourite scent… She was feeling much better when he brought her outside and helped her sit on the couch. She saw a kit on the table which he got to her and removed the Sphygmo to check her BP. “…Ria… your BP is down…lets get something into you… Keith…? Get her dinner…”

Dinner…? It was then she realised it was dark outside and a loot at the wall clock suggested 9PM… but what the hell was Gaurav still doing in the safe house… He could have dropped her home and returned back to his house. “…Sir… why are we still here…?”

“…I didn’t want you to be moving out when you were…uh…we will leave tomorrow morning… earliest…OK…?”

He helped her reach the dining table and he joined her as Keith served them a simple dinner of Aalu parathas, chana masala and curd. She felt better after the little meal they had in silence.

As they sat on the couch watching the TV, Ria realised she was right to be anxious… every news channel carried details on the fastest trial in the history of the country and all spoke about the trial reeking of influence right from the complainant to the key witness and how the Chopra scion may have influenced the complete case from the go… But where other channels only had mentions, the channel which had interviewed Vikram was pretty harsh and critical of Gaurav and slandering involved Ria as well… they spoke about her job at the hospital and the pre mature promotion. Ria was now even determined to go ahead with her decision.

“Sir…” As Gaurav muted the TV and looked at her she said. “…I quit… the hospital…I will tender my resignation tomorrow morning via email… will put you in CC….” As she began to stand, a visibly shocked Gaurav spoke. “ …Ria… don’t do that… this will pass and no one will speak anything in the hospital… please trust me on this…”

“…Sir… my decision stands and it wont change… I am sorry…”  her voice broke on the last work even as she struggled to stay strong…

Copyright Disclaimer: All content posted here is a work of fiction and original work based on the author’s imagination. There is no intention to disrespect any person or faith. Any resemblance to any person living or dead or any community is purely coincidental. No part of the content can be copied, reproduced or posted anywhere else either entirely or in parts, without the consent of the author.

Chapter 29

The judge banged her grovel and was visibly angry, as she signaled both the lawyers to the bench while Ria walked back to her seat… tears still flowing down her cheeks. She could feel Gaurav’s eyes on her but she continued to stare at the floor, her hands clasped in her lap. Keith sat next to her saying nothing but she was grateful he was there… The judge spoke. “We break for a half an hour of recess and Mr. Khandagale, by the time we are back I hope the complainant will have composed herself to continue the proceedings and do I have to remind you that this kind of outburst wont be allowed in my court…?”

“…I am sorry your honour, that was absolutely uncalled for…I will see to it that the decorum is maintained…”

The judge left the court room through a door at the side and Keith turned towards her. “… Ria … come on lets go out for some air…” She nodded and wiping her cheeks she stood up and started to follow him.

“Ms. Narsimhan….” Khatiyal came upto her followed by Gaurav and Manek. She looked up to see Gaurav looking into her eyes with intense emotion and she looked away as tears threatened once again. “…Uh…Ms. Narsimhan, you did well there… we have this under control now… amazing poise and…”

“…That’s enough Khatiyal… lets resume in a while…” Gaurav spoke in a soft but stern voice and Khatiyal walked away without giving her another glance.

“Manek have brought the vehicle…?”

“…Yeah but…”

“…Give me the keys… its parked at the same place…?” Gaurav asked without bothering to wait for Manek’s answer as the later handed over the keys. “…we will be right back…” He came forwarded and took Ria’s hand in his and walked out of the court room. Ria didn’t speak anything but reveled in the comforting warmth of his hand engulfing hers as she wondered why nothing else gave her the kind of solace, he did… and where was he taking her…?

Gaurav dragged her behind him through a cul-de-sac of corridors and finally they emerged out from a little gate where there was no reporter laying in wait to pounce. They walked towards a Wagon R parked in the corner and Gaurav opened the passenger seat for her and shut the door once she got in before he moved towards the driver’s seat. Soon they hit the main road which was relatively empty. He drove for about a couple of minutes till they reached a park…near what she felt was Viman Nagar park…? Parking the car under a large peepal tree he got out and Ria followed him. He walked towards the park entrance, which barely had people at this hour and stood looking at a statue planted right in the center.  Ria looked at him with questioning eyes, but knew he would tell her what he wanted to in due course of time…  He held her hand again and they walked towards the statue and it was then she read the name on the plank: “Late… Tribhuvandas Ahuja…” Oh was he Gaurav’s grandfather…? Gaurav touched the plank and looked up at the statue and Ria had to squint at the bright light inspite of it being cloudy.

“…Ria… meet my maternal grandfather… and Nanu…?” He looked at the statue again. “…Nanu meet Ria… she saved my ass just like you always did…You would be good friends with her you see…” Gaurav chuckled. And it was then she saw moisture in his eyes. She placed her other hand on his hand in her palm and he looked at her. At that moment in that park surrounded by the sounds of breeze, chirping of the impatient birds and a mild cacophony of the people talking, the world came to a halt and all Ria could see was Gaurav standing before her with an innocence of a child written all over his face as he wished to talk his heart out… but would he…?

“…Sir…? Are you…alright…?” She asked softly and Gaurav looked away as if woken up from a daze.

Gaurav nodded still holding her hand. “…Ria, my Nanu built this park… this was a concrete jungle and their home was a little away from that lane over there…he wanted the children in this neighborhood to enjoy outdoors… to have fun in open non polluted air…” He pointed towards the direction of bungalows. “… Actually he and Nani were separated for a long time even before I was born. Nani had moved to Kolkata where she had her ancestral home but then guess what…? She came back and they lived together only for my sake because… my parents dumped me on them and they didn’t want to leave me alone… Ria… they… they stayed with each other for almost eighteen years only so that I could get some sort of permanence in my life… and what did I do…? I… I just threw it all away… All their sacrifices… everything… down the drain…I wonder what they must be thinking from up there…” She saw his throat bobbed as he looked at the statue blinking rapidly.

“..Sir… I don’t know about your past… but what what happened to Swara… if it really happened… it wasn’t your fault… so why are you berating yourself…? Your Nana and Nani … I am sure they loved you enough to stay together in spite of their differences and they must be seeing what work you have done at the hospital and Parijath… how you have helped people actually live by giving them hope and dignity… I am sure they must be proud of you… Do not put yourself down sir… its very unbecoming of you…”

He looked down at her face and she saw his face going through a varied change of emotions as he opened and shut his mouth twice wanting to say something but only tightened his hold on her hand. “…Ria… thank you… thank you for everything you did…” He spoke candidly.

“…Don’t have to thank me Sir… I only sided with the truth…” Ria spoke with confidence in her voice but deep within she was breaking down. Right now, she had to be strong for Gaurav, because he was just a little while away from knowing his fate…She had all the time in the world later to mope over her feelings.

They walked towards a man selling Ice creams and he got them two cones. “…My Nanu used to buy me an ice cream every day much to Nani’s chagrin and she would immediately give me hot water to drink once I got home…”  Gaurav smiled reminiscing his past as he looked away in oblivion.

“Sir…um… we have to go… its time…” She said after she had finished her cone. He nodded and they walked towards the car. The return journey was in silence and she kept looking at him only to find him more relaxed and looking back at her every now and then. Something fluttered in her belly and she couldn’t help but smile but the very next moment she saw the court approaching and her smile fell…  They walked via the same route and reached the court room just in time for the hearing. As they walked in he squeezed her hand once before he let it go and moved ahead to take his seat. Ria sat with Keith waiting in bated breath as the Judge walked in. Swara had come too but her head was bowed and back hunched as it she had given up the battle.

Ria had been stunned at her outburst earlier in the day, wondering why the woman had to stoop so low… But somehow it reeked of a deeper foul play. She knew Swara didn’t have the IQ needed to plot something so sinister… was there someone above her…? The ringmaster who ran the show…? She shuddered at the thought. Who would go to such lengths and planning to incriminate Gaurav? And most importantly… why? Did it have anything to do with his past…? The judge’s clearing of her throat brought her back to the present.

“Ms. Sawant come over to the stand…” Khatiyal spoke out as a defeated Swara walked to the stand and gripped the handles tightly. “…So Ms. Sawant… as you said earlier… you had a tough life and all that… I am not interested… just tell the court did my client Dr. Gaurav Chopra do the heinous deed that you accused him of…? And… tell the truth this time…”

Swara shook her head. “… No… he… he didn’t do it… nothing… we never had any affair… I am sorry…” She started to sob and suddenly looked up at Gaurav. “…I am sorry Gaurav sir… please forgive me…” She started to weep and for a moment Ria’s heart went out for her.

“Point to be noted Your honour… and with this I appeal to the court to squash the FIR… but there are a few facts which need to be clarified and I would like to question Ms. Sawant if you permit…” The judge nodded and Khatiyal continued. “…Ms. Sawant the medical reports claimed you were raped. So why don’t you tell the court how did you make up the circumstantial evidences…?”

“…actually I was in need of money… I hated my life  and I wanted luxuries… I barely made ends meet with my salary… My mother used to take me with her to those rich homes she frequented to offer her services and the luxuries I saw money could get you… I wanted them… at least some of them… I made up stories about our affair in office so I could attract men… but inspite of trying so hard all I got was losers… And one day… about 10 months back…I got a letter… telling me of a lifetime opportunity to earn a lot of money… I was salivating… i just had to implicate Gaurav sir… I was told he would just get some punishment which he would pay up and escape but I would get to earn a lot of… money…” She looked up towards the ceiling and continued. “…I don’t know who sent that letter but a bundle of cash was regularly kept at the mentioned location…I… I hadn’t seen that kind of money in my life before… so… so … I gave in. I.. I roped in Sudhir from the NICU… He had a bone to pick with Dr. Gaurav who had reprimanded him multiple times for misbehaviour…”  That Ria was shocked was an understatement. Sudhir was such a bastard… “… And Sudhir agreed immediately. He helped me spread further the rumours about an alleged break up and last Tuesday he was with me in the bar. We knew Gaurav sir would be alone that evening… Sudhir had already stolen the phone on Friday evening when Dr. Gaurav had left earlier than usual and Karuna was on a tea break…. We had Ram Singh… the waiter already involved who gave us insider information and he roofied the drink… When Dr. Gaurav went into a trance I… I…  seduced… him… He didn’t even know what happened…” At that moment Swara glanced at Ria with a strange look.  “…He just thought… I was someone else… I don’t know who… but Govind did the rest using the condom… I then marked him with my nails and clicked pictures. We had disabled the CCTV  so our footage was missing… I waited till Thursday to make the official complaint and to file an FIR…” Swara sobbed into her dupatta and looked at Gaurav. “…I am so sorry…”

Khatiyal looked back at Swara and spoke in a tone dripping malice. “… But the medical examination revealed rape… How on earth did you manage the feat…?”

“…It was my boyfriend… he likes it rough… I made him do me hard, and then went for a medical knowing very well that the results officially would be out only on the following Monday and then on Tuesday we got the other evidence… so. We told the doctor that the condom was missing and then on Tuesday we gave the sample. All that was needed was a drop for the DNA match and it was done…. Easily… but that was arranged by Sudhir… he had some contacts in a lab and they helped us get a pre-dated report….” Ria’s chest clenched and she hated Swara and Sudhir with a rage she didn’t know existed.

“One last question Ms. Sawant… why 29^th of July…? Why not any other day…?”

“…Actually, there was this party and I knew Gaurav Sir never attended one… so I could have evidence to indicate he wasn’t there…and it was raining… to go ahead with our facade…” She looked at Gaurav again and said. “…I am so… so …sorry Sir… I didn’t intend for you to suffer like this…”

“…That’s all your honour… in addition to the case dismissal I demand stringent punishment for Ms. Sawant, Sudhir and her boyfriend… all of who have played with legalities which itself is a crime…” Khatiyal bowed to the judge and got back to his seat.

“Mr. Khandagale… anything else that you wish to say…?” the judge looked above her reading glasses.

“No, your honour… there is nothing left…” Khandagale sat down with a thud on his seat totally surrendering.

The judge rubbed her eyes and said. “…I have to say this is the fastest fast -track trial I have ever seen in my life… strange are the ways of life and every case gives me a lesson or two. I applaud the tenacity of your material witness Dr. Chopra, not everybody has the guts to stand up there and answer pathetic cross examinations… at the same time I am appalled at the lengths people stoop to for materialistic gratifications….” She spoke, looking at Ria and Swara in successions. “… Nonetheless, considering all evidences presented and also considering Ms. Sawant’s revelations, I hereby dismiss this case and instruct the police to arrest Ms. Sawant and her accomplices and file charges under IPC 209… for false charges and claims. If Dr. Gaurav wishes to he can file a defamation case against Ms. Sawant as well as others involved for mental agony. The court is dismissed…” She banged the gravel and walked out. The lady constables came forward to arrest Swara who made an exit hiding her face in her dupatta. Khandagale shook hands with Khatiyal and made his exit as quickly as possible.

Keith came upto her and held her hand as they followed Gaurav and Manek outside the court towards the exit. She saw the swollen ocean of reporters each trying to get a byte of the case. Apparently they had already heard about the judgement… news traveled much faster in their circles indeed.

‘Dr. Gaurav… would you press charges…?’

‘… do you think there is anyone else involved…?’

‘…What is your next step Dr. Gaurav…?’

‘…Ms. Ria… what you said… was it true…?’

‘…Ms. Ria… why did your ex-fiance speak out like that…?’

‘….Ms. Ria… tell us about your rendezvous with Dr. Gaurav that night…’

The questions inundated her senses and she would have collapsed with giddiness if Keith hadn’t held her hand tightly. Somehow the police managed to get them to the exit safely and she saw the police van with Swara in it… as it waited for the area to be cleared. Ria was very close to the van as she waited for Gaurav and Manek to get the car. Suddenly someone patted her shoulder. Keith stood talking to a constable whom she identified as Paranjape sipping a cutting chai and she turned around. It was a lady constable who asked her to accompany her to the van… Ria looked at Keith who was busy in conversation and went along with the constable to the van where Swara waited with tear stained eyes.

“You have only two minutes… speak up all you want…” The lady constable moved towards the other side while Swara whose other hand was held by another constable sniffed tears and said. “…I am sorry Ria… I didn’t mean to do any of this… and in my wildest of dreams I didn’t know you would be involved… except well…last Tuesday…” Ria was confused. What was Swara indicating…?  Swara continued. “…Be careful Ria… that bossman is quick sand… he will pull you down slowly and surely… and there would be no way back… stay away Ria… its dangerous… he is dangerous…”

“…Wait… Swara… do you even hear yourself…? After all that happened…?”

“…I am only telling you because you were the one person genuinely good to me…at work…Now, I am doomed… save yourself when there is still time…”

“…why are you telling me all this Swara…?”

“…that’s because I know you are in love with him…and last Tuesday do you know whose name he uttered when I…? It was you Ria… it was you…”

That was the last she heard before the constable returned and shut the door and the van pulled away. Soon Gaurav came in with the vehicle and Keith and Ria got into the back seat. Throughout the drive to the safe house, while the others discussed the ramifications of today’s judgement, the only sentence that echoed in her ears was, ‘…it was you…’

Copyright Disclaimer: All content posted here is a work of fiction and original work based on the author’s imagination. There is no intention to disrespect any person or faith. Any resemblance to any person living or dead or any community is purely coincidental. No part of the content can be copied, reproduced or posted anywhere else either entirely or in parts, without the consent of the author.

Chapter 27

Ria held her hair back as she threw up the remains of her hurriedly eaten breakfast from morning. Her stomach didn’t sit well with her rising anxiety and she kept dry heaving till her eyes watered. She splashed the cold water on her face and as she looked into the mirror, she saw her tear stained eyes even as the tears flew freely mingling with the water on her face. She wiped her face with the tissues kept there and emerged from the washroom only to almost collide with Keith who held her arm to stabilize her.

“What is it Ria…? Are… you …Ok…?” He asked softly with concern filled voice and that only made her breakdown further. He pulled her towards him as she cried into his chest and he patted her head. “…Shhh… Its alright Ria… you have all the right to vent out…”

After a minute she stood apart with folded hands still sniffling. “…Keith…I… I am so confused… and No… I don’t believe Swara because I know she is lying through her teeth…”

“…then what is t Ria…?”

“…Keith are you serious…? What was all that…? I mean …I know nothing about that man…” Ria said in an exasperated tone.

“…Ria… look I get it from your perspective… but I have known Gaurav sir for years and trust me… he isn’t what he is portrayed to be… I wont tell you to believe me but just go with your gut instinct OK…?”

“…Keith I don’t know what to believe and what not to believe anymore….”

“…Just… Just… don’t hate him Ria… I know he hasn’t been open with you as yet…”

“…Why should he open up to me Keith…? I am just an employee…” Her voice cracked on the last word.

“…You are a lot more than that Ria… and you know that as well… nonetheless… I only have to say… Think with a cool mind…its going to be tough out there. That prosecutor has dug deep… he is caught everything with his tight claws… Just… remember when I say, Gaurav sir may not admit it… but he needs us more than anything…for being there for him…he needs you Ria… he needs you to trust him… Its far-fetched to expect that now, but I can only try…” saying that he left and entered the courtroom.

Ria stood right there taking in deep breaths and going towards the railing glanced down at the ever- swelling sea of reporters. Gaurav was kind of haunted by them… they had already pronounced him guilty via media trial in two days. Her heart went out for him and she remembered the times she had spent with him after the accident. He had been nothing but honest with her… He was a closed- up man never revealing his emotions… she had expected too much. She wiped her cheeks and decided, come what may she was going to see this trial through and… stepped into the court room with the new found determination. She walked in to see the despicable Swara still shedding tears which made her angrier. The prosecutor must have just finished leading Swara on completing some sob story she had built up. Ria wondered how the woman could so blatantly lie about something so important and put her own reputation at stake not to mention.

As she sat on her seat, Gaurav turned back and looked at her frowning his face full of tight concern enhanced further by the light beard… and she nodded to him. His shoulders suddenly drooped as the expressions on his handsome face changed from the concern to confusion–anger combination to relief. She understood what Keith meant and was now firm in her resolve. She didn’t know about his past but she would stick to the truth about the present.

The prosecutor continued his tirade with Swara. “…So Ms. Sawant, what do you have to say about your so-called affair with the defendant…?”

“…OBJECTION …your honour…” Khatiyal sprang up from his seat.

“…Overruled… Ms. Sawant, please continue…” the judge sternly looked at Khatiyal and then softened her expressions at Swara.

Swara sniffed into her dupatta covering her head and spoke with a heavy voice. “… Actually, it began about three years ago and went on for two long years… you can’t call it an affair though… He would always use me… I had to be at his disposal whenever he needed me… In the hospital, it was impossible before a lot of people but he would… he would… barge into my home late hours which is close to Karma… and have his way with me… and then leave immediately… I couldn’t help it…” Swara cried into the cloth and said, “…I…just couldn’t do anything because I needed the job… and the extra money he often paid me… and then one day about a year ago…I…I drew courage and ended…everything… threatening him to leave my job… and he relented thankfully….I thought… he was done and I was free… but I was wrong… He once called me to his cabin on my birthday recently when Karuna wasn’t there… and tried…to have his way with me again… and when I pushed him away, he threatened to throw me out… I just ran out of the cabin…and just a few days later, was the party night… and I told you what happened…”

The prosecutor spoke to the judge. “Your honour, as you see the rich and the powerful always take undue advantage of the situation. Our Dr. Chopra here is not new to offenses… right from adolescence he has got away with everything… rather got bailed out by his powerful parents and probably the same happened in Dubai as well… of which we have no details… Nonetheless this time he went too far and even the board of directors and close relatives have washed their hands off… probably they had enough of his antics as well. It is an open and a shut case actually your honour and I demand the strictest punishment for Dr. Chopra under section 375 and 376A and also to add on sexual harassment of women at workplace act 2013. It will be a deterrent for those privileged who think they are above the law and can do as they please…”

He gave a snicker and went back to his seat as Khatiyal stood rubbing his reading glasses. Ria could sense the man had something up his sleeve. She waited with bated breath as Katiyal took the floor before Swara. “…well…well…looks like the prosecutor is in a hurry to finish the proceedings…Anyways, so are we. Your honour with your permission I would like to cross question the complainant…”

The judge nodded and Khatiyal began. “…So, Ms Sawant, you just said you were forced by Dr. Garav and still you continued with your job at the hospital for over two years… isn’t that too much…? You are qualified enough to get a job as a receptionist in any organisation with pay at par with this, so why didn’t you complain then? or why didn’t you leave the job…?”

“Objection your honour…” this time it was Khandagale. “…The complainant has already informed the court that she was in dire need of the job for the money it offered… how many times does she have to answer the same question…?”

“…your honour, all that I am trying to say that it seems far fetched that she would bear the so-called atrocities for such a long period… I have some evidences to prove otherwise, which I would like some clarifications from Ms. Sawant…”

“…Objection overruled… Proceed Mr. Khatiyal.” Rias thumping heart slowed in ace as she heard the judge.

“Ok…Ms. Sawant, you said you were in the job for the money, but I have proof of some of the purchases you have made in the last few months…er.. about last 8 months to be precise and I have not only receipts but also CCTV footage from the stores and they are mind you… very clear. The shop owners too can be brought here for identification if need be… so here is the list of the purchases…” Khatiyal took three sheets of paper and gave one to the judge and another one to Khandagale. Holding his copy up he added, “…As the list suggests your honour, Ms. Sawant is fond of diamond jewellery and especially visits the Joyalukas store at the Tiara mall from where she has purchased tiny pieces of diamond jewellery worth lakhs… uh… to be precise about 8 lakhs… all paid in cash…. And don’t you deny it Ms. Sawant, we have the receipts with the dates…. All paper trial can’t be hidden Ms. Sawant…” Khatiyal looked at Swara who appeared stunned, as he continued. “… your honour, She has also purchased High end electronic music system for her home having awesome features like …Multi Channels and sound output, with 1000w power output and a Subwoofer with two tall boy rear speakers… amazing taste Ms. Sawant… and the total cost for this purchase was about forty-five thousand… the list doesn’t end here your honour… Ms. Sawant has very recently invested in a plot in partnership with her boyfriend who goes by the name Monty… on the outskirts of Talegaon, which they got for a throw away price, yet the cost was 25lakhs. There was a loan taken for fifteen… so that means she arranged for the remaining ten lakhs. Monty as we have found is an unemployed youth who takes up contracts for the banks as a recovery agent…and heaviky into betting…so he has zero saving… ” Looking back at Swara he said. “…and Monty thought you were a sales executive…working for a corporate firm and doing well… Surprising he didn’t know anything about the alleged affair or the rape… isn’t it…Ms. Sawant…?”

“Your honour where does the boyfriend feature in all this… for all you know the defence has made him up…” Khandagale was hanging by a thin thread…

“…your honour, we have the coffee shop’s and a Phoenix mall footage for the last month where the lovey -dovely couple can be seen walking hand in hand and setting couple goals… I can arrange for the witnesses as well… frequent customers aren’t forgotten… though I have to say she was careful enough not to use her phone… but then we have records of Monty receiving calls from public booths and given the paucity of such booths in today’s times it wasn’t difficult to find them… So anything else… you need Mr. Khandagale…?”

Khandagale sat with an angry thud and Ria didn’t realise she was holding her breath till then as she straightened on her seat.

 Khatiyal paused as the judge skimmed through the list and then he continued. “… Well Ms. Sawant, if you continued to bear the torture meted out at the hands of Dr, Gaurav which you said you did for the money… but your salary was barely twenty-five thousand in hand… so where did you get this kind of money to splurge on diamonds and plots…?”

Swara stood in stoic silence wringing her fingers in the dupatta…

Khandagale who was staring daggers at Swara stood up and spoke. “…your honour a lot of the purchases mentioned by Mr. Khatiyal were in cash… so the money could be what she received… from Dr, Gaurav for the favours…”

Khatiyal struck again. “… I wonder if you are even listening to yourself Mr. Khandagale… your honour, if she was in dire need of money to continue working inspite of the injustice meted out to her then why would she spend on luxuries…? Ms. Sawant… do you have anything to say…?” Swara didn’t say anything.

“…your honour…” Khatiyal continued. “… Mr. Khandagale spoke about the statements given to the local police by the hospital staff about the rumoured affair… but he probably didn’t read the details of all the transcripts submitted…. There were few who spoke how Ms. Sawant boasted about Dr. Gaurav’s prowess in bed… her explicit innuendos where she spoke about how he pleasured her and even on an occasion compared him to Eros and at times mentioned he was Sex on legs…”

“…OBJECTION YOUR HONOUR… Mr, Khatiyal has outraged the modesty of the complainant…” Khandagale was panting hard.

“…No, your honour…these were the words apparently spoken by the complainant herself…as per the transcripts submitted by the local police… None of it is my creation…” Khatiyal replied coolly and Ria now knew why he charged such a high retainer. Her eyes had widened out of their sockets when she had heard about the amount but realised, he was worth every penny. He had changed the course of the case. She shot a look at Gaurav who was still expressionless….

Khatiyal continued and this time his body language was different. He stood tall with an expanded chest as he spoke. “…If Ms. Sawant was “oppressed” why did she appreciate Dr. Gaurav’s sexual attributes…publicly…? Why did she use the money for luxuries…assuming the money came from Dr. Gaurav…or… were there others Ms.Sawant…?”

“OBJESCTION YOUR HONOUR…” Khandagake bellowed startling Ria.

“… Sustained…Mr. Khatiyal… language… stick to the point…” the judge warned

“…Sorry your honour, but this is what the prosecutor did to my client by raking up his past which had nothing to do with this case… and tarnished his image. As you see… Ms. Sawant here has blatantly lied to the court about the so-called affair… haven’t you Ms. Sawant…”

“…N..n..no… I have not… he had forced himself on me many times…” Swara spoke meekly.

“…Well did he have sex with you on all those occasions…?”

“OBJECTION…your honour…” Khandagale screamed.

“…Just give me a minute your honour…I promise you this is very relevant…” Khatiyal pleaded.

“…Overruled… Mr. Khatiyal this better be good…” The judge looked annoyed as well.

“So, answer the question Ms. Sawant, did Dr. Gaurav have sex with you every time he apparently visited you and forced himself on you…?” Khatiyal asked again.

Swara nodded… her fingers tightly entangled in the cloth she was holding and Ria could sense the tension and right then she felt eyes on her and looked to see Gaurav was staring at her unmoving… Why was he looking at her…? He should focus on the proceedings shouldn’t he…? It felt as if he was trying to convey something to Ria… but his expression was somber… somehow, she knew he was aware of what was coming up next and wanted to see her reaction… God help her… what else was there…?

“…two last questions Ms. Sawant. First one, did he penetrate the very first time you had sex…?”

Swara looked pleadingly at the judge who was now waiting for the answer, so was Ria… Khatiyal spoke again. “…please answer the question Ms. Sawant… did he penetrate the first time you had sex…? Yes or no…?”

Swara nodded and looked at her hands. “Yes…”

“…And now the last question…When was the first time you had sex…was it three years ago as you said…?” Silence…  “…ANSWER the question Ms. Sawant…” Khatiyal turned up his intensity…

“…YES… YES HE DID… EVERY SINGLE TIME HE FORCED HIMSELF ON ME IN THE TWO YEARS THAT HE FUCKED ME….ARE YOU HAPPY NOW…?” Swara screamed and gripped the bars of the witness box and started to sob.

“What the hell was all this your honour…?” Khandagale stood and spoke spreading his hands.

“…Mr. Khatiyal… we are waiting…” the judge adjusted her glasses as she stared at him.

“…for that I hereby submit Dr. Gaurav’s medical report your honour, this is from the renowned sexologist Dr. Sriram Tyagi from whom Dr. Gaurav has been taking treatment for five years now….” He placed the folder before the judge. “… Actually, your honour Dr. Gaurav had an… accident over five years ago after which he developed severe erectile dysfunction as a result of his heavy medications for anxiety disorder. The reports have all been attached. The doctor has issued a signed report stating Dr. Gaurav’s condition had shown considerable…er… sustainable improvement only in the last one year after he was weaned off the drugs… then in such a case how could he have penetrative sex your honour…?” The judge reverted back to the reports as Khatiyal spoke. “… So, as you see in this case your honour, the allegations of the affair as told by Ms. Sawant are baseless and just a means to unduly frame my client who is innocent. He has always been respectful towards all the womenfolk in the hospital as mentioned in the very same transcripts… and just because he has a certain past it shouldn’t prejudiced against him for what he is today…”

The judge went through the reports in silence and looked at Khandagale.

“Your honour… even if we assume that the affair allegations are baseless what about the strong circumstantial evidence of rape that happened on 29^th July…? Medical evidence does prove rape and we have evidence of Dr. Chopra in Ms. Sawant’s flat…” Khandagale appeared to make one last ditch attempt to save his face.

“…Your honour, while I do not deny the occurrence of rape, it was not committed by Dr. Chopra…” Khatiyal spoke calmly. “…to prove that I will present my last set of evidence and the material witness whose testimony will change the tide of this case.”

The judge lifted up her eyes from the documents before her. “…We are done for today. The next hearing will be tomorrow and I hope we can come to a conclusion and finish this trial. Mr. Khatiyal, you may present the evidences and your witness tomorrow at 9.30AM sharp…And Mr. Khandagale you will have a chance to counter question and present your side of the story if any…” The judge banged the grovel once and stood up before turning around and leaving the court room.

Immediately the lady constables and the lady accompanying Swara came over and took Swara out of the court room followed by Khandagale and his assistant. Ria heaved a sigh of relief as she looked at Gaurav who was in deep conversation with Manek and Khatiyal. Keith came up to her, “…are you OK…? We will leave from the back door and Manek will come with Gaurav sir later… we have to escape that storm downstairs…. Come on… lets go…” Ria nodded and covered her head and Keith held her hand as they left the courtroom. While steeping outside she turned around only to see Gaurav pause in his conversation and look up to stare deep into her eyes… those beautiful blacks were tormented but something told her it was not just this case…

Ria reached the safe house and went straight to her bedroom. Keith had struggled and brought her out of the back gates safely to an auto stand from where they had hired an auto to reach home. She was exhausted both physically and mentally and after having a hot cup of coffee offered by Keith, she settled on the couch to check the news.

‘…In the fresh updates coming in, there has been a major turn of events in the rape case involving the important element of the Chopra group of hospitals, Dr. Gaurav Chopra, where in it was proved that the case of alleged affair was all made up… the medical details which nailed the apparent lie of the survivor has been thoroughly classified… the trial continues tomorrow as the defense is all set to prove Dr. Chopra’s innocence in the rape case as well…’ The reporter blabbered on the different IPCs and how they would matter to the case if the balance tilted on either side.

The bottom line was, her testimony mattered the most to swing it in their favour and she knew she had to remain strong…considering the way Khandagale acted with the other witnesses today, she was sure she was stepping in to the tiger’s lair… and Khandagale was indeed a hungry tiger.

Copyright Disclaimer: All content posted here is a work of fiction and original work based on the author’s imagination. There is no intention to disrespect any person or faith. Any resemblance to any person living or dead or any community is purely coincidental. No part of the content can be copied, reproduced or posted anywhere else either entirely or in parts, without the consent of the author.

Chapter 26

Squashing the evidence…? oh God…yet another step backwards and now Ria was scared… She felt her confidence faltering as the Judge dismissed the CCTV evidence which was extremely grainy and proved nothing. As she kept looking at Gaurav, she couldn’t help but feel for him. He had been still all this while with absolutely no reaction but from his muscle tightness which she could feel even few metres away… she knew he was suffering.

“…I object your honour… Just because there is no eye witness, it doesn’t mean it didn’t happen… Dr. Chopra treated himself…those marks in the photographs presented as evidence were from Tuesday and not 29^th July, Friday…and the CCTV footage was an attempt to show just that… I am sure its Ms. Sawant in the footage…” Khatiyal looked fatigued as he spoke. It appeared the man hadn’t slept for days.

“..thats exactly what I want to say about what happened to the complainant. There is compelling circumstantial evidence including a nearby shop owner’s CCTV capture of the accused walking into the complainant’s building in an inebriated state on the night of 29^th July, wading through the ankle-deep water. Though it isn’t a clear vision because of the heavy rain. We couldn’t get the exit time because the camera conked off…. “ Khandagale spewed the words ina single breath and stared at Khatiyal panting and if there was a start=ing match between the two it was equally poised.

The judge cleared her throat. “I do not allow this evidence. Its grainy anyways and it can’t be concluded that it’s the complainant. Besides Mr. Sequiera’s testimony doesn’t prove anything accept that he found the accused in a drunk stupor… Proceed please…”

Khandagale smiled wickedly and spoke. “I would now call upon the accused Dr. Gaurav Chopra on the stand for questioning.”

As if out of a trance Gaurav stood and started to move towards the witness box. “…excuse me Dr. Chopra, you are the accused… your place is here…” Khandagale snickered as he spoke and Ria’s heart fell watching Gaurav walk towards the stand for the accused. He showed no emotion on his face whatsoever and nodded at the judge slightly before Khandagale walked upto him.

“…So Dr. Chopra, lets get to the start. Those rumors about your alleged affair with the complainant… what do you have to say about that…?” His tone dripped of sarcasm and disparagement.

“…Those are just rumors that’s all… there isn’t an iota of truth in them…” Gaurav spoke in a calm voice. Ria realised she was holding her breath as she released it.

“…Come on Dr. Chopra, if there was a talk for two years… there has to be something…isn’t it…?”

“…OBJECTION YOUR HONOUR… the prosecutor is beating around the bushes. There is no proof whatsoever pointing towards any affair…”

The judge straightened her glasses. “…Sustained…Mr. Khandagale, please stick to the facts…”

Khandagale raised his hands in mock surrender. “..OK..OK… well… Dr. Chopra, getting back to the Tuesday that you are so particularly talking about… I have a few questions because your story. doesn’t make sense at all… Why did you relieve the other waiters except one who is now reportedly missing…?”

“… There was no crowd baring a couple and I thought if the waiters get adequate rest during the week days they could be fresh for the weekend crowd…”

“…Why did you drink so much… I am told by witnesses that drinking heavily was a regular part of your regime in that bar of yours… You even had a brawl sometime back with your customers… Is that right…?”

“…OBJECTION YOUR HONOUR…”

“…Overruled… please continue Mr Khandagale…” The judge calmly retorted and Khandagale gave Khatiyal a victory smile chilling Ria to the bone.

“…Thank you, your honour… I have a couple of witnesses whom I would like to call upon with your permission who can vindicate my current stand…”

The judge nodded and Khandagale called upon two young men one after the other. It was all a blank for her as Ria only looked at Gaurav who was pensive as he heard the witnesses. She got to know they were the waiters at Karma and gave the statements about Gaurav drinking heavily quite a few of the days when he visited and also confirmed his fight with the customer…As for the absconding waiter Ram Singh they only had good things to tell… about how sincere and an ardent worker he was and no one had any clue about his whereabouts. They looked at Gaurav and Manek apologetically as they were led out by the constables.

Khatiyal stood up and spoke. “…What is the point behind making the waiters testify…? So what if Dr. Gaurav drank… it’s a bar for God’s sake…”

“…Your honour, the point is Dr. Chopra is a hopeless drunk. Probably drank right out of his senses on Tuesday night and used that as an excuse to escape the clutches of the law…. It was easy to erase the CCTV footage. Sending the other waiters early was itself very convenient…. What do you have to say Dr. Chopra…?”

Gaurav looked at her, his eyes filled with the same unfathomable emotion that clenched her heart. “No… your honour… I don’t deny that I have been drinking off late… last couple of years to be precise… but I had abstained from alcohol… for a long time and even this was under control…” he didn’t let go the eye contact as if he was talking to her and not the prosecutor.

“…that’s enough Dr. Chopra… But there is something else your honour… We have in our possession a little something from Dr. Chopra’s past…” Khandagale was at his ruthless best but Ria was only held her chest tightly to calm her thumping heart as Gaurav looked away back to the wall.

Khandagale submitted a folder to the judge. “Why don’t you summarize this for me Mr. Khandagale…?” the judge said. Ria saw Gaurav’s grip on the stand had tightened his knuckles turning white as he stared straight ahead…

That was probably what Khandagale wanted. “…Okay… so, Dr. Chopra here isn’t a stranger to the bottle. The first few sheets are a testimony to his antics with the bottle as a young adult… he had almost run over a coupe of pedestrians as he drank and drove and bashed up his vehicle… Fortunately no one was dead and the complaint withdrawn after they were well compensated… following which our Dr. Chopra here spent a year in rehab, with a hope to clean up his act … but it looks like old habits die hard… do they Dr. Chopra…?”

Ria watched in stunned silence tears welling up blurring Gaurav’s stone like image as he merely stood silent. She was now worried… really worried…this wasn’t going as she had thought…in fact it was only getting murkier.

Khandagale continued. “…well the next few pages are what we could retrieve given the jurisdiction constraints. Dr. Chopra’s frolicking romps don’t end here your honour… he had a very colourful past in Dubai five years ago…”

What? Dubai…? What else was there in his closet…? Ria was in a complete emotional mess and didn’t know what to do then.

“…Our Dr. Chopra was charged with double murder five years ago by the Dubai court and eventually was acquitted for want of evidence… and of course his familial clout in the country… the details of the deceased and other trial details however are highly classified and we were bound by legalities to obtain them…”

“…OBJECTION your honour…. My client’s past has no connection whatsoever with the ongoing case… this is just a way to malign him and his family…” Khatiyal objected. But by now Ria had shut her eyes tightly to prevent the flow of tears and block whatever else was been said. But she couldn’t hold it anymore… she opened her eyelids and as the dam broke clearing her vision, she looked straight into the black orbs which were looking at her with a penetrating fury. She was torn inside, not knowing what to believe and whom to trust anymore. Her life was a mess… she sniffed back tears and looked away. This was a huge revelation… Drunk she understood… but murder…? Goddamn double murder…? It was difficult for her to believe he was the same guy who took cared for her more than anyone else in her life. She… couldn’t sit there anymore. She walked out of the court and stood in the permissible area of the heavily guarded corridor outside and as she glanced below, she saw the sea of reporters had swelled.

Did Gaurav really do all the good work at Parijath as a cover up or to put a band-aid over his feeling of guilt…? No… her heart wasn’t willing to accept it. But her brain said a different story and she was caught between the devil and the deep blue sea. She took in a deep breath and decided she would definitely give the testimony but only to side with the truth. Then she would tender her resignation at the hospital, first thing after the verdict, whatever it was and get away from this place… from all the toxic relationships she was surrounded with… She had enough. And this was the last straw…

She wiped her eyes and felt calmer at her resolve though her heart had broken into a million pieces. She was just another charity case for the bossman… like the other women in Parijath… and would be nothing more than that for him, however caring he was towards her. She didn’t even know if she felt wounded or relieved. She had to be strong through this trial… she could pick up the broken fragments of her heart later. There would be lot of time for her after that to wallow in self-pity… She walked back inside only to see the court had broken for a recess. They had half an hour before the trial resumed and they were not allowed to leave the premises or contact anyone. She got back into her seat looking down at the floor as Keith came to sit next to her.

“You…Ok…?” He asked her as she sniffed back tears not lifting up her eyes.

“…Keith… if you are worried about my testimony… don’t… I am definitely going to side with the truth… I am not … going anywhere before I do…”

“…So… you believe all that crap that Khandagale just said…?”

“…What does it matter Keith…? Its not my concern… who…who am I…? Just an employee whom he cared for… that’s it… So, I am going to do my duty… don’t worry… I am right here…”

“…Ria…”

“…Let it go Keith… I don’t want to talk to anyone…please leave me alone…”

Keith stood-up and walked ahead while she kept looking down tears blurring her vision, folding her arms even as she felt the pair of eyes on her. The eyes which held an ocean of secrets and she feared she would drown in them… with no shore in sight.

The court resumed on time and Khandagale stood up. “Your honour I call upon the complainant Swara Sawant in the witness box…”

Ria watched as Swara clad in a crisp cotton salwar kameez a far cry from the clothes she wore after changing from the hospital uniform. Her head was covered completely as she stood on the witness box. Swara looked around her eyes lingering for a while on Gaurav who showed no emotion as usual and then she looked up making eye contact with Ria. Swara frowned in surprise and looked away…

“…Ms. Sawant, I know this is difficult but could you please give an account of the events that transpired on the night of 29^th of July…?”

“Swara looked down at her clasped hands and spoke. “…uh… actually that night there was a party for the office folks… but I didn’t go… I was unwell… I have the doctor’s prescription to prove… And … I left early from work as well… I was sleeping at home around 9PM or so when Gaurav sir rang the doorbell… It was pouring heavily and I wondered who it was… But when I opened the door he barged inside and demanded a drink… saying he was stranded in the flood… I was unwell… feeling very week and didn’t know what to do…I had a bottle at home which I gave him and retired to bed telling him to shut the door on his way out… I slept in my room and the next thing I know he had broken open the lock and he was all over me… I… I fought and almost lost consciousness… as … as he did the deed and collapsed on me… I pushed him aside and decided to teach him a lesson… So…I..I clicked his pictures and saved the condom he had used… Its been terrible for me to go back to work after that and …I waited for a few days to recover physically and then filed the complaint…” Swara was sobbing by now…

All Ria wanted to do was rush to the nearest washroom and throw up as a heavy bout of nausea claimed her…

Copyright Disclaimer: All content posted here is a work of fiction and original work based on the author’s imagination. There is no intention to disrespect any person or faith. Any resemblance to any person living or dead or any community is purely coincidental. No part of the content can be copied, reproduced or posted anywhere else either entirely or in parts, without the consent of the author.

Chapter 25

The first day of the Trial involved opening statements of both, the prosecutor and Khatiyal. Fortunately, it was a closed-door trial considering the sensitivity of the case. Swara was seated in the front row with another young woman and she had covered her face. Ria tried to catch a glance of the woman responsible for the entire ordeal but couldn’t. Their judge was a stern looking woman in her fifties and just by looking at her Ria wasn’t able to guess whose side she favoured prima facie. From their side they had Khatiyal and his assistant, Guarav, Keith, Manek and Ria.

The Prosecutor in his opening statement gave a gist of Swara’s impoverished background for which she had to struggle to make ends meet and her job at the hospital was extremely important. She tolerated Gaurav’s advances towards her whenever he called her to his cabin on pretext of work but couldn’t retaliate as she needed to keep up her job. Finally, he dropped a bomb. “Your honour, here is something which will throw light on the accusations a little more.  The complainant was in a physical relationship with the accused for about two years before she broke-up with him. In spite of that, the accused harassed her at work for months before forcing himself on her on the night of 29^th July. The evidences have been produced. We hereby demand the harshest of punishment for the heinous crime. That’s all your honour…”

Ria was stunned the topic had come up in this manner but Preeti had told her about it on Swara’s birthday celebration at work and Swara had looked upset too… Oh God… But still, it was difficult to believe. She herself spent most evenings the last month before her accident, waiting for his summons to his cabin but she had never seen Swara at all… Ria then focussed on what Khatiyal spoke.

“…Your honour, there is no proof of the said harassment or any kind of relationship between my client and the complainant. My client is an upright law-abiding citizen. I here have signed statements of the staff from the Chopra group of hospitals, Pune branch, regarding his character… which is being unduly shredded. He had been nothing but a reasonable boss. I also have as witness his secretary Karuna who kept tabs on everyone visiting him in the cabin… As presented earlier we have a witnesses to corroborate our stand. Hence the very accusation is baseless and we hereby plead not guilty….”

Ria couldn’t help but look at Gaurav whose forlorn expressions gave away his turmoil. Khatiyal was good but so was the prosecutor… It was scary.

The judge granted permission to call in Karuna and she was brought in by another woman. When did she come? Ria wondered…

Karuna stood in the witness box as she was asked to give a general detail about the people coming into Gaurav’s cabin and in case of women if she noticed any changes in their demeanours.  Karuna luckily only had positive to speak about Gaurav and that was calming enough for Ria’s nerves. Till now it was Khatiyal who was questioning Karuna and all seemed fine. Soon it was the turn of the prosecutor for cross questioning.

“So… Mrs. Karuna Sobti… since when have you been working for Dr. Chopra… or rather Chopra Group of hospitals…?” The stern looking prosecutor she now knew as Jagadish Khandagale, asked Karuna in a very casual tone.  And as Karuna spoke about her journey of fifteen years with the Chopra Group and Mr. Khandagale just smiled and kept urging her to continue, Ria somehow felt it was the lull before the storm… and she was right. Once Karuna finished talking about her journey, the judge appeared bored as well.

“So… Mrs. Karuna, you have been a witness to all that happened outside Dr. Gaurav’s cabin… is it right?”

“…Yes… that’s correct. I handle his appointments and meetings and chat up with whoever has to wait before he summons them inside. At times I even walk-in during meetings to get a file or important signature… uh… Gaurav sir has given me complete liberty to do so…” Karuna spoke with an air of pride and Ria couldn’t help but smile.

“…Ok. Then Mrs. Sobti, have you seen Ms. Sawant… Swara Sawant visit Dr. Gaurav’s cabin in the last three years…?”

“…Yes, the receptionists are also in charge of sorting the mail and categorising them before getting them upstairs. Same with couriers. At times we have deliveries which come up and in the supervisor’s absence the receptionist brings the receipts for the signatures. So just like the other two, Swara would also visit the cabin…” Karuna looked a little shaken as she glanced at Gaurav. Gaurav held a stoic expression all throughout staring at the floor.

“Well… is there a possibility that he met Swara after work hours…?”

“OBJECTION YOUR HONOUR… the prosecutor is leading the witness…” Khatiyal stood startling Ria.

The judge spoke in a stern voice. “Mr. Khandagale kindly do not stray from the course of the topic…Objection sustained…”

Mr. Khandagale shook his head as a grey lock fell over his forehead, smiling as he continued. “…ok Mrs. Sobti. How many phones does Dr. Gaurav keep…?”

“Two… One for personal use which is a private number and the other is for office use…” Ria could see Karuna clasp her palms.

“Does he keep the office phone with him or does he keep it back… before he leaves the hospital…?”

“He takes the phone with him because at time there are work related calls which he has to take…especially regarding supplies or some medical emergency in the hospital…”

“What about on 29^th July… did he take the phone with him…?”

Karuna looked at Gaurav.

“Look here Mrs. Sobti…” Mr. Khandagale’s voice was stern. “…It’s a question of laying down the facts… Just tell the court if he took the phone with him on 29^th of July… the day of the party…?”

“…I…I am not sure… he should have actually…”

“Did he… or did he not…?”

“…I don’t think so… he was looking for it when he got back to work on Tuesday… I couldn’t reach him as well…” Karuna’s voice cracked and she looked nervous.

“…Your Honour…” Mr. Khandagale looked at the judge. “… I doubt Mrs. Sobti here is telling the facts… she is just saying what was fed to her by the accused…”

“OBJECTION…” Khatiyal screamed

“…overruled…. Mr. Khandagale, please proceed…” the judge gave a stern look to Khatiyal who sat down like a meek puppy. Ria’s heart skipped a beat. What the hell was happening…?

Mr. Khandagale smiled a cunning one and said. “…the truth is in the phone records submitted your honour. The phone was found on the crime scene. The accused was stone drunk and didn’t realise his phone was missing till he was back in office… As for meeting the complainant, the accused visited his bar which he handles in partnership with his friend… the complainant lives close to the venue so it was easy for him to pay her a visit…”

“Objection your honour, these are baseless allegations with no proof whatsoever. The phone could have been placed… by vested interests…” Khatiyal stood and spoke.

“…Oh, is that so Mr. Khatiyal…?” Mr. Khandagale turned to Khatiyal. “…What about the other evidences…presented to the court… and as for signed statements from employees…I have some signed statements too…”

Khandagale presented a sheet of paper to the judge. “…Your honour this is the result of the questioning done by the local police in the hospital. More than fifty percent of the employees said they had a doubt about the complainant’s affair with their bossman. Two years to be precise…” He looked at Gaurav with a lopsided grin and Ria couldn’t hate him more. She saw a pensive Gaurav continue to drill holes on the floor and not move. “…Your honour… there is no smoke without fire… isn’t there…?”

“…Your honour, Ms Swara Sawant has had a dubious reputation where she has been linked with every second man at work… even in her previous workplaces… so linking is common knowledge here…. There is no evidence of any kind of harassment at work. No evidence at all… either from Ms. Sawant or anyone else….” Khatiyal looked to be in form.

“…your honour, the defense lawyer is outraging the modesty of the complainant…”

“…So is he your honour… all set to humiliate my client for no fault of his…”

The judge ordered. “APPROACH the bench…” Both the lawyers went close but Ria could hear everything that was happening since it was a small room. She saw the proceedings were being recorded as well.

The judge removed her reading glasses and spoke. “Mr. Khatiyal, and Mr. Khandagale we have very pressing circumstantial evidences against the accused and also the data gathered by the local police. I am not here to do a character analysis… Medical evidence indicates rape… so cut to the chase. I don’t care how many boyfriends the survivor had or whatever… I want to know if the accused had committed the crime or not…I need to know if he was at that place at that time…so stop bickering like amateur lawyers and strap it up… I hope you know the seriousness of this case…”

Both the lawyers nodded and went back to their positions. And Kahtiyal returned with a pendrive.

“Your honour I would like to present to the court, the cleared CCTV footage of the bar for last Tuesday… the footage is extremely grainy yet and we have reasons to believe the woman in the footage is Ms. Swara Sawant… once you view it, I would call upon Mr. Keith Sequiera…” Khatiyal handed over the pen drive to the judge and both the lawyers and the judge viewed the footage. Following this Keith was ordered to come forward.

“Mr. Sequiera… What happened on the night of last Tuesday in that bar…?” Khatiyal asked him.

“… Your honour, I was waiting for Gaurav sir in the vehicle like always and that particular night it was extremely late which looked a little unusual, considering he had to get back to work next morning at the hospital. So, I went to check in and found the place completely dark and him lying on the floor… I sprinkled water to bring him up and helped his get to the washroom and in that light, I saw marks on his neck …some on the face… exactly like the pictures submitted. His pant… his fly was open and it looked like… he was… I mean…” Keith looked away and rubbed his face. Oh God what had happened…? Gaurav was framed and Ria was more and more confident now.

“Well Mr. Sequiera, why don’t you tell the court what you think happened…?” Khatiyal asked him.

“…From the looks of it, Gaurav sir was drugged and he had collapsed… not knowing what had transpired… it was like he was in a fudge state… One of our waiters Ram Singh who as the only one on duty has been missing… and we are trying to locate him. His phone is switched off too… The only CCTV footage we could extract was grainy and our technical guy worked and tried to clear it… this was the best we could have…”

Khatiyal gestured to Khandagale and sat back in his place. Ria looked at Gaurav but he was still staring daggers at the floor. Absolutely no reaction… she wanted to shake him up… rattle him…

“So… Mr. Sequiera, or is it Bablu Bhai…?” Khandaglale snickered. Ria was stunned to even react… Keith looked stone faced but she knew he was angry. What was this alais… anything to do with his past?

“OBJECTION your honour…” Khatiyal stood up again.

“…Mr. Khandagale, no name calling. Stick to the facts…” The judge reprimanded him and he chuckled holding his hands up.

“…Sorry your honour… sometimes the past doesn’t leave the person… ok… so Mr. Sequiera, pray tell me when all this happened last Tuesday… why was a police complaint not filed…?”

“…Uh… Your honour… Gaurav Sir didn’t want to involve the police…. the reputation of the bar would have been at stake…”

“…Oh Come one Mr. Sequiera, here his life and reputation are on line and all that you thought was the bar’s reputation…? Are we kids here…? The CCTV recordings which you finally managed to retrieve are exactly the part where you find the complainant…nothing before or after that… that too not clear…. Do you expect us to believe the crap you just spoke…? As for the marks… now your honour…” Kandagale looked at the judge even as Ria’s anxiety spiked through the roof. What was going on? “…Your honour I would once again like to call upon Mrs. Sobti on the witness stand…”

Keith left and Karuna came up again… this time she was visibly disturbed. “So Mrs. Sobti, we have signed statements from everyone who attended the party that night that Dr. Chopra was not present at the venue… However, I want to know if you saw the marks on his neck and arms when he came back to work on Monday…”

“…Uh… I am not sure…” Karuna looked pleadingly at Gaurav but he didn’t look up… as though he had turned into a statue.

“…Mrs. Sobti… is it a yes or no…” Khandagale’s voice was stern.

“…I don’t know…OK? He was… dressed completely… like he always does… arms are covered… his suit extends to the neck completely… so…I don’t really…know…anything…” Karuna was almost in tears. Ria’s heart went out for her. She then also realised Gaurav always dressed completely covering his arms and neck… She had only seen him a couple of times without that cover and both times it had been dark… What did that have anything to do with the case…?

“that’s all your honour… Mrs. Sobti you may go… So, as you see your honour, Dr. Chopra knew to hide his scars too well and attended work on Monday and Tuesday in a way that apart from his secretary no one saw him at work… how very convenient… and then this fabricated story of the bar night for which there are no witnesses for the exact events. Your honour, the other waiters were sent away early that evening… again indicating towards a deeper sinister planning by the accused. Then, he didn’t attend the hospital at all till he was arrested on Friday… so that his story would be corroborated. For all we know Dr. Chopra had got drunk and fell asleep in the same stupor….” He then looked at Gaurav with a side smile and walked towards him as he said,

“… Your honour I request you to squash the evidence…”

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