It was another day of the court hearing. The judge asked the lawyers to begin the proceedings. Aarav said "your honour.. Deep aur unke parivaar waale rishte leke aate hai aur bahut ache se baatein karte hai itna tak kah dete hai hum dahej mein vishwas nahi rakhte hai.. Lekin baraat laane se pehle mere client ke pita ko phone aata hai aur pyaar se dhamkaya jaata hai dahej dijiye warna baarat nahi pahuchegi.."

He plays the footage on the projector "Dekhiye! Iss footage mein kis tarah mere client ke pita phone attend karte hai jiske baad unke chahre pe pareshani aa jaati hai.."

He forwards a few papers and the person passes them to the judge "yeh hai bank statement kis tarah pehle Vineet Singhaniya ke account mein ussi din itna bada amount pehle credit hua aur phir debit hua.. Wo bhi uss phone call ke baad.."

Aarav gives all the proof about the land being sold. He also shows Manvi's bank statement "meri client ne bhi apni savings ek hi din mein withdraw ki.. Itna hi nahi inn logo ki wajah se unki job tak chali gayi itna mental torture kiya inhone meri client ko"

"Ye sab bebuniyad hai!" Mr Singh shouted. 

Aarav smiled "bebuniyad hai? abhi sabit karta hun.. your honour main meri client ke office mein kaam kar rahe unke manager ko bulana chahunga" Aarav asked the permission. 

"permission granted" the judged said

Manvi was surprised, how did he manage to reach her office colleagues. She hadn't shared in details about that incident with him. 

Her manager Mr. Agastya shukla walks into the court and stands at the witness box. Aarav walked closer to him "Thank you very much mere short notice pe aap yahan apni gawahi dene aaye"

He smiled in return. Aarav asked "toh aap bata sakte hai meri client ko aapne job se kab aur kyun nikala?"

"shaadi ke liye usne chutti li thi phir next day usne office join kiya. ek mahina wo regular kaam pe aa jaa rahi thi aur ek bahut bada project bhi hamare haath mein tha jisko lead Manvi kar rahi thi.. she was capable, very hard working isliye yeh responsibility use di thi jis basis pe uska promotion bhi hota. Lekin kuch do teen meetings usne attend nahi ki jisse project hamare haath se nikal gaya and majburan mujhe use job se nikalna pada.." he informed. 

Aarav smiled "thank you aap jaa sakte hai" Agastya left the witness box. 

"bahu ka agar promotion hota toh bete ka ego hurt hota! typical family bardasht hi nahi hua bahu ka kaam karna.. kabhi pair tootne ke bahana toh kabhi ghar mein aaye rishtedaro ka bahana... iss tarah meri client ko apni job gawani padi! yeh hai inka bina kuch kiye mentally torture karna" Aarav stated in front of the judge. 

"yeh Sara sar jhooth hai! Deep ne hamesha support kiya hai kayi baar apne maa se lade bhi hai jab unki patni kaam mei busy hoti thi" Mr Singh argued

"acha? Toh tab kaha tha yeh Deep jab uski maa uski patni ko ghar se bahar dhakka de rhi thi! do hafte tak ek phone tak nahi uthaya apni biwi ka kyun?" Aarav cross-questioned

"kyuki Mrs manvi apni marzi se apne mayke gayi thi kisine unhe nahi nikala tha" Mr. Singh said.

Aarav laughed "acha? agar apni marzi se gayi toh puri raat station pe kyun baithi thi?" 

He looked at Honour and forwarded the pictures to the assistant "Your honour yeh hai station ki CCTV footage ke kuch pictures. koi bhi ladki apne hi ghar jaane se pehle iss tarah station pe puri raat nahi baithi rehti hai.. wo baithi thi kyuki Deep ki maa ne use dhakke maarke ghar se nikala tha dahej laane ke liye kaha tha" 

"iss sabse kuch saabit nahi hota hai mere kaabil dost!" Mr. Singh shouted

Aarav smirked "lekin ab main jise bulaunga na usse bahut kuch saabit hoga" 

"Main bulana chahunga Doctor Priya ko" Aarav said.

The doctor who treated Manvi arrives and stands at the witness box. Aarav moved to her and asked "Doctor kya aap unhe jaanti hai?" he pointed towards Manvi.

She looked at her and nodded "jee haan! Kuch ek saal pehle ye meri hospital mein admit hui thi! Inhe shaheer pe bahut hi gehre ghaav they.. Kuch naye kuch purane.."

"Kis tarah ke ghaav?" Aarav asked.

Manvi closed her eyes and Ruhana held her hand tightly. She opened it again and Ruhana signalled her to be strong. Manvi nodded yes. 

"Belt se maarne ke.. Burns.. Another case of dowry!" she said.

Aarav picks up the pictures and forwards them "Your honour ye hai kuch pictures.. Aur aap chahe toh meri clients apne zakhm dikha sakti hai kyuki ye ghav toh nishaan chod hi jaate hai apna chahe hum jitna bhi marham lagale.."

The judge checked all the pictures and stared at the defendant's lawyer "Aap kya kehna chahenge iss baare mein?" 

He walked to the doctor and asked "Doctor aapko yakeen hai wo ghav asli they?" 

"I object your honour" Aarav protested. 

"sustained" 

Mr. Singh smiled and questioned the doctor again "batayie aapko yakeen hai wo ghav asli they? yeh bhi toh ho sakta hai wo ghav unhone khud se banaye toh ye dikhane ke liye unpe torture hua.." 

"main yakeen se kah sakti hun! khudse bane hue ghav aur dusron ke diye hue ghav mein farak karna ache se janti hun main" she replied with confident. 

"Your honour meri client ki medial reports 100% genuine hai aur aapke saamne hai aur ab main bulana chahunga uss insaan ko jisne meri client ke dard ko qareeb se mehsus kiya hai" Aarav said. 

He further called the neighbour who had informed Vineet about the misfortune happening with Manvi. Rishabh came to the witness box and stared at his wife who signalled her in a no as they could face consequences from the society. 

Aarav stared at him "main umeed karta hun aap sach kahenge" 

He gives a statement in their favour "ji.. Bahut baar maine chillana suna hai.. Maine hi Vineet ji ko batane ki koshish ki thi unki beti ke saath galat ho raha hai.. " 

"kis tarah ki cheekh suni aapne? aur aapne unhe saaf saaf kyun nahi bataya?" Aarav questioned him further. 

"maar peet.. chillana aur kaise batata unhe ki unki beti kis dard se guzar rahi hai? maine hi unse jhooth kaha tha ki deep aur uske parivar bahut ache hai.. sab jante hue bhi" Rishabh added as he was guilty about lying. 

Aarav thanked him and then called Manvi's friend Sneha. She fumes in anger "Mam.. Wo din main kabhi nahi bhool sakti! Deep meri dost ko zabardasti le jaa raha tha.. Maine hi chilake uske bhagaya tha.."

Aarav shows the CCTV footage of the mall. He even informs how Deep tried to harm Manvi at the party. Everything was going in his favour, he had built tough pressure on the opponent. 

Yamini whispered in Deep's ear "kuch kar warna aaj sab khatam ho jayega" 

"kuch nahi hoga maa! bharosa rakho mujhpe" he assured his mother. 

"tum kuch bhi bakwaas kar raho.." he shouted interfering with the court proceeding. 

"order order" the judge said looking at him. 

"Your honour mere client ko kehne dijiye please" Mr. Singh requested. 

The judge agreed and Deep walked to the witness box. "kahiye aapko jo kehna hai" 

"mujhe aur mere parivar ko kuch nahi chahiye your honour. Chota mota jhagda kis pati patni mein nahi hota hai? main aur mera parivar kitna girgiraye they ki aa jao ghar wapas lekin nahi aayi.. meri behen ki shaadi toot gayi aur jaane kya kya sunna pada humhe.. aaj bhi main apni biwi se bahut pyaar karta hun sirf chahta hun wo ghar aa jaye" he said in his manipulative tone and shaded fake tears. 

Vineet was disgusted seeing his drama. Manvi stared at him with teary eyes. 

"Ab main meri client ko witness mein bulana chahta hun" Aarav asked permission.

"Granted"

Ruhana kept her hand on Manvi's shoulder and she got up from the bench. She walked towards the witness box and Deep got down of it. He gave her his angry gaze and wiped the fake tears from his eyes. He sat down at his place and smiled. Aarav noticed this and understood the reason for his intervention. He walked closer to Manvi. 

"Ye saboot gawah itne mayne nahi rakhte hai jitni tumhari sachai mayne rakhti hai Manvi.. Aaj mauka hai sab kehne ka warna main bhi tumhe divorcee nahi dilwa paunga.. " Aarav said softly. 

Manvi eyed Deep and recalled everything. She then rolled her eyes towards her parents who stood by her side every second.

"Miss Manvi aap bina dare sach kah sakti hai" the judge said as she understood her state of mind. 

She said in a stammered tone "wo.. D..dee..p" She remembered the incident. She shuts her ears as his voice again begins to echo in her ears.

Aarav gets worried as she starts to get an anxiety attack. Ruhana gets up and runs to her. She takes Manvi out of the courtroom.

Aarav sighed deeply, if she had spoken the judge would have given the verdict today itself. Now, there will be a new date.

"Your honour meri client ko har pal unke pati se khatra hai! Wo apne ghar se bahar tak nahi nikal paati hai iss darr se kab Deep aake unhe pareshan karega! Main aapse request karta hun jald se jald unhe divorce dilwaya jaaye aur dowry ke liye Deep aur uske parivaar ko saza di jaaye.." Aarav concludes. He tries his best so that the judge can give a verdict but she wants to hear Manvi's statement.

"aapki client ko statement dena hoga.." 

As expected the judge gives another date for the case and adjourns the court. Aarav picks up the files and moves out of the courtroom.

He hears a Deep laughing sound, he turns and glares at him. Deep smiled "har baar tum usse sawal karoge yahi hoga Aarav! Kyun apna waqt barbaad kar rahe ho tum.."

Aarav smiled and said "tum uski chinta mat karo Deep.. apna socho agli hearing me faisla hoga aur tum jail mein honge ye mera wada hai"

Deep challenged him "Aur agli hearing mein bhi wahi hoga jo aaj hua! Manvi sabke saamne kuch nahi kah paayegi..." he walks away with his lawyer.

Aarav sat on his bike and headed towards Singhania's house. Within half an hour he arrived, parked his bike and rushed to the main door. He rang the bell and Ruhana opened the door. She glanced at him "Sorry Aarav.. Manvi panic kar gayi aur kuch kah nahi paayi.."

He eyed her and said "Sorry mam.. Main ye case aage nahi ladh paunga"

Ruhana was shocked hearing his words, she asked him to enter inside so that they could speak but he denied it.

Vineet comes out and looks at Aarav "Aarav please.. Hum bahut qareeb hai na jeetne ke aise mat kaho"

"Aapki beti chahti hi nahi Sir use divorce mile" Aarav nearly shouted as he was annoyed with Manvi's silence in the court.

Manvi glanced at him and got up from the couch. "Maine koshish thi par.." she tried to justify.

Aarav walked inside and glanced at her in anger "kya koshish ki thi tumne?" he nearly yelled at her.

"Aarav tum iss tarah meri beti pe chilla nahi sakte ho" Vineet stopped him.

"To kya karun main? Pyaar se toh aapki beti ko ek baat samajh mein aati nahi hai na.. Din raat mehnat karke maine sabko convince kiya court mein aage aake statement dene ke liye.. Yahan bhaga waha bhaga sirf isliye ki aaj ye case khatam ho jaata aur unhe saza mil jaati par nahi aapki beti ne meri mehnat pe paani pher diya" Aarav confronts him.

"Jaanbujhke nahi kiya hai usne Aarav.. Tum jante ho.. Aaj bhi deep.." Ruhana said.

"Ji ache se janta hun.. Lekin ye sirf ek bahana hai sach yeh hai ye nahi aana chahti hai bahar iss shaadi se.." Aarav said glaring at her and tears slipped down Manvi's eyes hearing his words.

"Hum sab paagal nahi hai Manvi jo tumhari madad karna chahte hai.. Iss case bhi bade bade case mujhe offer hue they lekin maine mana kiya.. Par ab mujhse nahi hoga! Har baar tumhe waha kuch kehne ko kahunga tum kuch nahi kahogi! Tum aage badhna nahi chahti ho.. Tumhe toh usss aadmi ke darr ke saath puri zindagi guzarni hai.. Aur use jeetne dena hai.. Next hearing meri last hogi! Uske baad aap log dusra lawyer dundh lena.." Aarav declared 

"Aarav please" Vineet said

"kya please Sir? sirf kuch pal door tha main yeh case jeetne ke liye lekin aapki beti ki chupi ne sab barbaad kar diya.. pura ek saal diya hai maine iss case ko raat bhar jaag jaagke mehnat ki hai maine! I am sorry but isse aage main aapki koi madad nahi kar sakta.." 

He walked out from there with a smile on his face.

"Vineet roko use please.. Wahi hamari aakhiri umeed hai" Ruhana requests him.

"Usne kuch galat toh kaha nahi hai Ruu.. iski chupi Deep ki jeet hai! Hum bas iske saath khade rah sakte hai.. Sach toh ise hi bolna hai.." Vineet replied eyeing Manvi.

"Lekin tum jaante ho na.. Aasan nahi hai itna" Ruhana said.

"Aasan toh hamare liye bhi nahi hai na Ruu.. agar ye kuch bhula nahi paayi hai toh main bhi wo nazara nahi bhula paaya hun.." Vineet said recalling the horrifying site which still shivers him sometimes and reminds him of the mistake he had committed. 

"Vineet uss Deep ne bhi toh jaanbujhke waha court mein wo drama kiya" Ruhana said

"haan janta hun usne kiya.. aur kab nahi karta hai wo ya uske parivar waale Ruu? yeh khud ladna nahi chahti hai apne liye sahi kaha Aarav ne iski chupi aur khauf unki takaat hai.." Vineet replied

"Vineet tum kya kah rahe ho? janti hun aaj hum case jeet jaate lekin iski haalat toh dekho" she said in concern. 

"mujhe bhi fikar hai Ruu isliye chahta hun yeh sab khatam ho jaaye.. are saath khade hai na hum iske toh kyun nahi tod rahi hai apni chupi? yeh meri mannu nahi hai Ruu.. meri mannu sehti nahi thi sehti nahi thi" Vineet asked in frustration. 

Ruhana argued with him.

She walked to her room and Aarav's and her father's words echoed in her ears. She glanced at herself in the mirror and her reflection showed the girl she was before the marriage.

"Papa.. wo ek aadmi na meri dost ko pareshan kar raha tha maine police ko bulake use andar karwa diya"

"Aap aur mumma ho na mere saath toh kis baat ka darr mujhe?"

"Deep nahi..."

"Kuch nahi kahungi main marna mat please.."

"Nahi..."

She closed her eyes and shut her ears. She heard a laughing sound, she eyed the direction and Deep was standing there with a victory smile on his face "pati hun tumhara.. Mujhe hara nahi paogi samjhi!"

She picks up the vase and breaks the mirror. Ruhana moved in a bit but Vineet stopped her "nahi.."