Life is unpredictable. Because if it wasn't, a few months ago, Khusi would have never imagined in her wildest dreams that she would be sitting in a courtroom, filled with hundreds of people. That too for a child, whom she didn't even know existed a few months ago.

Diyasha's palm was sweating profusely as she sat beside Khusi, her nervous eyes jumping from a fuming Nitin to a smirking Abhay from time to time. On her left was sitting the tiny boy David, hunched up in a jacket twice his size. He looked so small and vulnerable that Khusi didn't waste a second before strolling up to him and kissing his cheeks tenderly, when he had stepped inside the courtroom.

Diyasha didn't know where she would be standing at the end of this court hearing, whether she would be alive anymore or not, whether she would have a home to return to or not, or whether she would ever be able to hug David. But she knew she couldn't sit silently anymore.

Jay Agarwall, the lawyer fighting against Nitin, submitted Diyasha's profile to the Judge for examination. When she arrived at the beginning of the hearing, everyone one was surprised except Jay and Khusi. Diyasha had called her up early that morning to inform her about being the witness against Nitin.

Charu Dixit tried a lot to plead to the judge against the new witness which was arriving out of thin air, and that they needed time but Jay played his tactics there. His only words were, 'what does Ms. Charu thinks Diyasha holds, that she is pleading for extra time?' This played exactly how Khusi was hoping and the Judge dismissed Ms. Charu's pleas.

The video tapes were submitted once again in judicial custody along with the audio recording, and when they were played in the courtroom in front of everyone, Khusi was beyond horrified along with every other person inside the courtroom. She quickly darted out, taking David in her arms cause she didn't want him to relive those moments.

A few of the journalists and paparazzi, who had managed to slip inside the premises, tried to enquire about Khusi on the ongoing case, but they were quickly dismissed by the police personnel brought by Abhay for Khusi's protection.

A few minutes later Khusi was summoned to the witness stand where she was thoroughly questioned by Ms. Charu. To play dirty, she even tried to bring up her failed marriage and her living with a man without any legal ties, but they were strongly opposed by Jay, which the Judge sanctioned.

Those moments had been difficult for Khusi but one look at Abhay and his reassuring gaze eased her nerves. She was strong enough to hold her feet and didn't let anyone crumble her resolve.

As Khusi stepped down the witness stand Nitin Joshi and his lawyer, Charu, were glaring at her but she paid them no heed. Sauntering towards the spectators seats she kept her head high and face blank.

After a few moments it was Diyasha's turn. Her eyes were restless and her limbs were shaky. She was scared of the uncertain future. Khusi squeezed her hand in silent support when she stood up and slicked towards the witness stand.

Jay did his part of the job and asked her the required questions. She stood her ground strong and acted as the alibi, confirming the truthfulness of the video footage. People present in the courtroom, a few of Nitin's fellow party members, gasped horrifiedly. They knew he was a cruel man, but weren't aware of how disgusting he was.

When it was turn for Miss Charu to cross question Diyasha, she didn't leave a single chance to turn the fingers on her.

"If you knew for so long that your nephew was getting assaulted, then why didn't you lodge an FIR or complain to the police?"

"Why didn't you try to protect him?"

"Are you getting paid for being here today?"

"What made you change your heart that suddenly today you decided to come out and stand against your own cousin?"

"Why did you stay silent for so long?"

"Tell me Diyasha, why were you hiding your cousin's wicked deeds, if you knew about them for so long? Don't you know that both the criminal and the person who endures the crime, are both sinners?"

Charu Dixit was a mastermind in her profession, and she tactfully tried to turn the case against Diyasha. But both Jay and Diyasha were ready for this. They have had a conversation the earlier night, when Diyasha decided to let the lawyer know first before informing Khusi.

"Because we all know how much of a nefarious man Mr. Nitin Joshi is. It isn't like he hadn't murdered people in cold blood when David's last teachers tried to investigate the reason of his ill health and long absence from school. Hell, they didn't just mysteriously disappear from the face of earth. They were killed or just removed from his path."

Charu wasn't expecting Diyasha to be so strongly resolved and answer her back. When Jay submitted the evidence Abhay had worked so hard for, collecting and building the case against Nitin Joshi, his evil deeds and people he had arranged to vanish in thin air, the Judge's suspicions grew stronger.

Diyasha was dismissed and she returned to her seat. Khusi was beaming at Diyasha's show of vehemence.

The Judge needed some time before he could declare the final verdict. A gap of 2 hours was decided.

As Nitin and his lawyer stepped out of the court room along with some of his felons and party members, all of them bored daggers at Abhay, Khusi, Diyasha and their lawyer, Jay. Nitin even took a threatening step towards Diyadha to give her a piece of his mind, but Charu stepped in.

"I have an idea. Come with me," Charu whispered and dragged Nitin Joshi away.

Khusi was too ecstatic to notice Charu or Nitin. Her excitement was at its peak when she pulled Diyasha in a hug and exclaimed, "You were so resilient out there. I am so proud of you Diyasha and so is David, aren't you dear?"

David wasn't a very outspoken boy, so he nodded his head gingerly, his little button eyes staring up at Diyasha in awe.

"I hope you were my mother," he mumbled, grasping Diyasha's index finger. The sight brought tears to Khusi's eyes, but she pressed her lips in a thin line to stop it from escaping her eyes.

Even Abhay, who was standing silently and watching the conversation playing with an emotionless face, smiled at the sight. He was a bit cautious, because he knew Nitin Joshi wasn't a man who accepted his defeat that easily.

• • •

When people started filling out the courtroom after 2 hours again, Charu Dixit and Nitin Joshi were smiling triumphantly. As if they had a card up their sleeve which could bring down anyone in the world.

The Judge took his seat of honor, and was about to say something when Charu stood up.

"Your Honor, extremely sorry for the interruption. But this needed to be addressed. Before you declare the final verdict, there's a small problem in case you have decided that Mr. Nitin is guilty as he has been charged."

Irritation was quite evident on the Judge's face but he wanted to hear what Nitin's lawyer had to say. So he approved.

"Thank you My Lord. As we are all aware of how important Mr. Nitin Joshi's position is in the state Legislative Assembly. He had done countless good things for the people of this town and had helped a lot of people all throughout his years of service."

A series of scoffs and mocking whispers arose in the courtroom. People present there knew how much of a con Nitin Joshi was. He was only concerned about his personal gains and not for a single soul of the town. He maintained his power in the town by instilling fear in everyone's heart.

"Order! Order. Ms. Charu, continue."

"Yes, your honor. As I was saying, he is a prominent and powerful man of high potential. But if, by any chance, he gets proven guilty today, he will also lose custody of his child David. And David will get into the system or foster care. Now, My Honor, can we take the risk of letting an MLA's child simply get adopted by anyone. Who knows, what if someone from the opposition party tries to adopt him and then uses David as a leverage against our ruling party in the state? That could lead to a lot of problems, my Lord. That child could be in a lot of danger because of the important position his father holds."

Jay Agarwall was not ready for this twist. His eyes widened a bit as it darted towards Abhay and Diyasha. If the Judge even decides to consider Charu's pleas, Nitin Joshi will not be imprisoned. Rather he would be under house arrest for as long as the time demanded.

The Judge nodded his head gingerly, his eyebrows furrowing in concern at the new dilemma he was thrown into.

Khusi, who was sitting beside Diyasha grasped her palm as Diyasha's nervous gaze landed on her. Khusi blinked and tilted her head as if reminding her of their last day's conversation.

"I can't. They will never agree," Diyasha mouthed, shaking her head, her eyes anxious.

"You have to try atleast once. Let them know that someone is there to at least take charge of David. Don't let your fears subdue you, Diyasha."

She looked back at the Judge swallowing audibly. Khusi could literally imagine the wheels turning in her head.

"Is there any family member present here today, who is ready to fight for David's custody, in case if Mr. Nitin Joshi is proven guilty today?" The Judge asked, a pin drop silence echoing in the whole courtroom.

"Go," Khusi whispered, nudging Diyasha's shoulder.

"Yeah ... yes, My Lord. I ... I am ready to take charge of David's custody."

Everyone's eyes flinged towards Diyasha who was the only one standing in the middle of the spectators' seats.

Ms. Charu hid her smile behind her fist but it was evident she was taunting her. "I am glad to see your efforts Mrs. Diyasha. But you don't have any source of earning money. Though you're his aunt, but you temporarily work as an employee for Mr. Nitin Joshi as David's nanny. And if he loses the case today, who will pay you for being a caretaker? So you see, you can't be David's guardian because you don't even have a source of income. How will you take care of the child and his needs?"

"I will manage to ..., " Diyasha tried to defend but she was interrupted by Charu again.

"Again, so brave of you to try but this isn't a job interview. Thank you Ms. Charu but you can take your seat now."

Diyasha shook her head and was about to argue when another voice filled the courtroom. It was the first time that day when his voice had rung in the courtroom, but it wasn't an unfamiliar one for Khusi.

"My Lord, if I have the permission, I would like to say something in this matter." Khusi's eyes widened in the shape of saucers and her face spinned backwards in a flash.

"And by what name, can I address you, Mister?" The Judge asked. Ms. Charu, who was also unaware of the man's identity, eyed him cautiously.

"Harsh. Harsh Agartala."

Abhay and Khusi were bewildered at Mr. Agartala's intrusion in the case. They didn't even know he was present in the courtroom until then.

Diyasha's eyes were shining with unshed tears as she regarded the man with a mixture of agony, vehemence and adoration. He stepped out of the seats and sauntered up to the Judge's throne.

"Diyasha can most definitely take up the role of David's legal guardian because she isn't single or broke. I, as her husband, can most definitely provide for her and our adopted child, because I do have a permanent source of income."

Khusi, Abhay"s as well as several other people's jaws hung in the air as they let Mr. Agartala words get registered in their brains. Even the Judge was a bit stunned for a second to react.

"What the fuck ... He's your husband?" Khusi murmured, astounded at the turn of events. Her eyebrows were almost touching her hairline.

"Unfortunately, he is," Diyasha gritted, not happy at all that it needed his interference in the case for her to gain David's custody.

"Oh. My. God!" Khusi covered her slacked mouth with her palm, her eyes still widened as she basked in the piece of the information. Abhay was also too shocked to react. Charu Dixit was flabbergasted at Mr. Agartala's interruption. She wasn't ready for him at all.

"Do you have any evidence to prove your words?" The Judge asked, still wary of a new man showing up.

"Unfortunately I don't carry my marriage certificate in my pocket, your honor. But I do have a photo in my phone that can prove that Me and Diyasha are indeed married."

His voice was tight and cold, but they did soften a little when he uttered Diyasha's name. He submitted his phone to the jury's tray and turned back to gaze at Diyasha. She plopped down on her seat, rage glimmering in her eyes at the man.

"What is the matter with you two? And you're married to him? Like, I am gonna need a lot of time to come to terms with that," Khusi ranted, shaking her head.

"I hate him with every fiber in my body. He is the reason I miscarried my baby and I am never going to forgive him for that," Diyasha hissed, curling her fingers in a fist. Khusi was stunned once again at the change in Diyasha's tone. From the very first day, she had always seen Diysaha as the timid, docile and soft spoken woman. She had never expected her to be this venomous towards any human.

The Judge took his time going through the evidence before the final verdict was declared. Charu sat helplessly in the seat, her limbs tight with tension as Nitin got proven guilty as charged.

He was declared a 11 years of imprisonment for child molestation, harassment, rape attempt, and his involvement in the murder of two citizens.

As Nitin stepped down the witness stand, he was handcuffed and dragged out of the courtroom, his poisonous words bellowing in the corridors.

"I will take this case to the High court, even the Supreme Court if the need arrives! You can't put me behind the bars! Let go of me."

The journalists and paparazzi who were standing outside the court, recorded everything live on their camera and it was aired nationally on every news channel. By the time Nitin was put in the police van, his reputation as an MLA was already in dust. The buzz that a man occupying such an important seat, was involved in such malicious criminal activities didn't sit well with any party members.

The Judge gave them a period of two weeks for Harsh Agartala and Diyasha to solve their internal conflict for the sake of the child, before they could legally adopt him. For now, David could stay with Diyasha.

As Khusi stood in Abhay's embrace outside the courtroom, her eyes welled up with tears of joy.

"Abhay, we did it. We managed to save the little angel," she mumbled, her throat clogged with emotions as she lovingly gazed at David and Diyasha. She was peppering kisses on his face as Harsh Agartala stood behind them, his eyes soft. As if on cue his eyes darted up and halted on Khusi.

Khusi gasped as she saw the rudest principal ever, passing her a genuine smile for the first time in his life.

"Yeah, we did win." Khusi was now overjoyed to see the trio. Abhay chuckled softly as he laid a small kiss on Khusi's crown.

"Only for you, Khusi."

~ • • • • • ~

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