Rajveer Malhotra, once a towering figure in the business world, stood in the courtroom, a mere shadow of his former self. The once-imposing man, known for his sharp wit and ironclad resolve, now bore the weight of a world that had turned against him. Today was the day of the final verdict in the rape case against him, a case that had shattered his life into a thousand pieces.

His former secretary, a woman he had once trusted implicitly, had accused him of a heinous crime. The allegations had sent shockwaves through the city, tarnishing his reputation and destroying his relationships. His wife, Naina, had left him long ago, unable to reconcile his infidelity with her love for him. His parents, the pillars of his life, had passed away unexpectedly, leaving him adrift and alone. And to add insult to injury, his closest friends and business partners had turned their backs on him, their loyalty eroded by the scandal.

Overwhelmed by the pain and shame, Rajveer had made a decision. He had refused to hire a lawyer, choosing instead to face the consequences of his actions head-on. He had lost all hope, convinced that death would be a welcome relief from his suffering.

As the judge prepared to deliver the verdict, Rajveer stood motionless, his eyes fixed on the empty courtroom. He awaited his fate with a resigned acceptance, ready to embrace whatever punishment was handed down.

Just as the judge was about to begin, a figure entered the courtroom. It was Naina, his ex-wife, a renowned lawyer with a reputation for her unwavering dedication to her clients. She approached the judge and requested to represent Rajveer. The courtroom fell silent as the judge granted her request.

Naina had learned about Rajveer's predicament and, despite their tumultuous past, felt compelled to help him. She believed that he deserved a fair trial and that the truth would ultimately prevail. Rajveer Was beyond shocked and wanted her to leave, he doesn't want to involve her in it, he doesn't want to die before her! But it seems she had other plans, she wanted to see him suffering with the injuries which she started followed by all that happened in his life.

....

The trial that followed was a grueling ordeal for both Rajveer and Naina. The prosecution presented a compelling case against him, painting him as a ruthless predator who had taken advantage of his position of power. The lead prosecutor, a seasoned attorney known for his aggressive tactics, delivered a powerful opening statement, accusing Rajveer of a calculated act of violence.

"Ladies and gentlemen of the jury," the prosecutor began, his voice booming through the courtroom, "the evidence in this case is overwhelming. The victim has provided a detailed and credible account of the assault. The physical evidence, including the DNA analysis, is irrefutable. The defendant is a man of immense power and influence, a man who believed he was above the law. He used his position to manipulate and control his victim, ultimately violating her trust and dignity."

Naina, undeterred by the prosecutor's fiery rhetoric, rose to her feet to deliver her opening statement. She began by acknowledging the seriousness of the charges against Rajveer but emphasized that the prosecution's case was based on circumstantial evidence and lacked the weight of direct proof.

"The prosecution has presented a compelling narrative," Naina said, her voice calm and measured. "However, I urge you to examine the evidence critically. The victim's testimony is based on her recollection of events that occurred months ago. Human memory is fallible, and it is possible that her recollection may have been influenced by emotions or other factors. Moreover, the DNA evidence presented by the prosecution does not definitively prove that my client committed the crime."

The prosecutor cast a sarcastic look at Naina, "lordship, I guess my friend has not done her homework properly before entering the courtroom, after all her deep and immense love for her ex husband has surely blanked her mind that she can't even see, Mister Malhotra has already accepted his crime." He laid his cards.

It was Naina's turn to chuckle now, "oh yeah! I'm surely blanked out how someone can accuse such a man who sees women with so much respect, who has done God knows what for the women and their rights. And of course, he never confesses his crime. Actually if I remember, he never spoke a word after his arrest. Am I right Mister Public Prosecutor?"

"Only such men often commit such crimes. They show their good side and commit the darkest thing at night! You don't trust such men! Ah, Miss Naina you must be knowing him much better, after all you have divorced him!" He smirked.

"Lordship, I'll request to not pull my personal life here!" She requested the court grant.

Naina then requested to cross examine the girl, the court granted, and the girl was called on in the witness box. Naina stood before her.

"Miss Garima, can you please tell the court what Mr. Rajveer did with you that night?" Naina ordered.

The girl suddenly felt uneasy and looked to the public prosecutor for help but the court dismissed him. And asks the girl to speak up.

"That day, Rajveer sir was in a bad mood and so he wanted me to complete the work before I leave. It was around 11 in the night, he was drunk, lately he had taken up drinking even in the office during the night stay. When I went to him to submit the file he grab my hand and push me to the couch and..and rape me!!" She cried as the statement ended.

Naina offered her handkerchief to her, and the girl took it.

"So, he was drunk?" Naina asks, the girl nodded.

"Have you ever felt uneasy around him before? Or was it the first time that he suddenly attacked you?" Another question from Naina.

"I had caught him staring at me inappropriately a few times and he had even tried to touch me a few times." She spoke, trembling, her tears rolling down her cheek.

"Still you choose to stay and work with him, why?" The question felt like a sharp razor on Garima's neck, she hesitated.

"Answer me Garima! Why did you choose to stay when you could have easily resigned sensing your boss's intention, why?" Naina repeated while Garima stood grounded, her head hung low.

“I belong to a poor family. I'm the only bread owner for my family of 5 including my sick parents. Had I left the job it would have been hard to find another in short notice.” She replied, her voice barely a whisper.

“So you chose to risk yourself instead of finding another job. Garima, how hard is it to find a job? You could have tried to find a job but as per my investigation, you never tried to look for another job, why is it Garima?” Naina put up the question only to terrify Garima who hesitated to even look up now.

The public prosecutor objected but Naina shut him down.

“Your lordship, Miss Garima, despite knowing her boss holds the wrong intention against her, happily chose to be with him, why? Because she wanted to win him. She knew Mr. Malhotra was in deep grief after the divorce and his parents demise, he was devastated and it can be seen in his business downfall. Miss Garima, his secretary for past ten years, always wanted to marry a rich guy to overcome her poor lifestyle but unfortunately Rajveer Chooses me over her and she never liked it but after the divorce she took it as an opportunity to win Rajveer which she failed terribly and so she chose to stoop this low. To accuse him of rape and marry him as compensation as she had proposed to her lawyer, ain't I right Mr. Prosecutor? Wasn't you going to ask for it? A marriage for the crime! It would have fulfilled her desire to be rich and be called as the wife of Mr. Malhotra!” Naina exclaims as she lays her point, her pitch loud.

“Lordship we have the medical report!” The prosecutor tried to intervene, and Naina cut him through.

“Garima's brother - in - law works as a compounder in the same hospital. After a little pressure from the cops, he blurted out everything, how he changed the reports on Garima's command to trap Mr. Malhotra. Your Lordship, Miss Garima accusation is totally false, she did everything on purpose to marry Mr. Malhotra who has nothing to do with her. That night, Garima was late and so was Mr. Malhotra not because he was in a bad mood and was busy drinking but he was working on a project to overcome the recent loss and because of some health issues he fainted there. It was at the time when Garima entered his cabin to drop a file when she found him unconscious, a plan erupted in her mind and she weaved a trap of lies. The CCTV footage of Mr. Malhotra's office and cabin is on your desk, Lordship!!” Naina let out a deep breath and cast a look at Rajveer, he was still standing like a statue, numb and emotionless!

But it was not the end, the prosecutor was tough but he wasn't going to accept the defeat that easily.

As the trial progressed, the courtroom became a battleground of words and arguments. The prosecutor and Naina clashed repeatedly, their voices raised in heated exchanges. The prosecutor challenged Naina's credibility as a defense attorney, suggesting that her personal relationship with Rajveer was clouding her judgment. Naina, in turn, accused the prosecutor of using emotional appeals to manipulate the jury.

One of the most dramatic moments in the trial came when Naina introduced a new witness, a former employee of Rajveer's company who had overheard a conversation between the accuser and her friends. The witness testified that the accuser had boasted about her desire to marry Rajveer, who had overlooked her and married Naina but now that he's divorced, she can get a chance.

The prosecutor immediately objected to the witness's testimony, arguing that it was hearsay and should be excluded from evidence. Naina countered that the testimony was admissible under a recognized exception to the hearsay rule. After a lengthy sidebar conference, the judge ruled in favor of Anamika, allowing the witness to testify. After all she not just had an attestor but also the CCTV footage that proves Rajveer innocent.

As the trial drew to a close, the jury deliberated for hours before returning a verdict. When the judge announced that Rajveer was not guilty, the courtroom erupted in cheers. Rajveer, who had been preparing himself for the worst, was overwhelmed with relief and gratitude. But happiness was not seen on his face, he was just relieved.

Naina had not only saved Rajveer from imprisonment, but she had also given him a new lease on life. But he wasn't sure what to do with it though at the moment he needed to head home.

As he walked out the courtroom, Naina called him out. Rajveer turned to find her approaching him.

“Shall I drop you?” She asks out of concern, finding him off track.

He let out a small laugh,”I don't think you ever want to be there. I mean you hate that place na. Don't bother, I'll manage a way!” He replied gently in a sarcastic tone and turned down her offer.

Naina let out a sigh, “I need to talk to you Raj! And at the moment  your place would be the best choice!” She clarifies.

Rajveer stared at her for a moment and nodded. Naina smiles and leads his way to her car. They took their respective seats and drove to his home, which was once THEIR home!

“Raj, what's going on? Why didn't you hire a lawyer for yourself? Do you even know what circumstances you could have fallen into had I not come today? I mean why would you do that? Don't you know how serious the allegation was? Or are you unaware that in such cases the victim's statement is all that is needed, still you chose to do that to yourself, why?” Naina questioned him because to her knowledge he's not someone who doesn't know such things or who'd stand the wrong but then, he's all silent.

“I.. I don't want to talk about it!” Rajveer tried to dismiss the conversation or better say the topic.

“You have to!” Naina exclaims, “Raj you almost slipped in jail, you spend eight nights in lock up, take all the insults and humiliation and you still don't want to talk about it, wow!! Are you out of your mind? If not others,  you could have at least called me or you just don't trust me anymore?” Her words slip like a sharp blade on him but his tongue still refuses to roll about the case.

“You've blocked me!” He reasoned, quickly stealing a glance of her.

She exhales, silent for the moment, not knowing what to say. She did block him, even before the divorce. Well, the divorce was harsh, it shattered their life but it was for the best interest of all, at least she felt that. How could she have survived with him in that house where he never showed up? He's always into his business and that was something that attracted her towards him. When she joined his company as the legal adviser, she was charmed by his dedication, his passion for his work, and his perfection about his job. She worked with him for four years in which he never took any leave, was never late, never bored of his surroundings, never rude towards his fellow colleagues. She was totally drawn towards him like most of the girls in the office while his eyes lay on her, who had the same passion and dedication for her work.

Love happened, they started to spend most of their time together. Naina realizes he's more of a person, a loving and caring person. They spend three years together, discovering their feelings before getting married. But then, everything started to fade. His dedication to his work, started to kill her with loneliness, she tried to fight with her and decided to keep herself busy which soon happened when she got the chance to step in bar council. A few days goes fine but when he started to spend even half of his nights in the office she lost it. They had arguments - one sided, from his side came an apology and promise to give her the time she needed, which did happen, he kept his promise. Soon after they were blessed with the news of their pregnancy and a big assignment alongside, which meant the division of his attention but he assured her to be present before her whenever she needed and this time he failed.

They lost the child! She was eight months pregnant, when one night in his absence, she felt sharp pain in her stomach while taking a quick shower before getting on the bed but as soon as she stepped out of the washroom, the pain troubled her. She called the servants but none turned up, she called him and he didn't pick. Disappointed, she chose to walk out of her room and shout for help when she still didn't get any answer. She proceeded to descend the stairs, calling Rajveer all the while and in that unfortunate moment she slipped, leading to her miscarriage and their divorce.

Naina almost jumped and bumped into him when the car jerked. She looks up and realizes they've reached his place, the car has halted, the driver had left his place and she was in his arms - in his protection. Their gaze locked, she can clearly see the pain in his eyes.

Her heart shouted to hold him, hold him tight and kiss him, take all his pain but her brain screamed to not trust him again, he had broken her once, he can do that again. The fight she had been going through ages, the fight to either forgive him or forget him. Seeing him in such a condition her heart aches. He needs her!

As her heart made the statement, before she could even realize her hand reached to his cheek, cupping his face with her one hand while the other held his hand.

“I'm always there to hear you out, Raj! You can share your heart, no need to hold on!!” She assured him, her voice soft.

The close proximity, her warm touch and breath broke all the walls he had created around him. Five years, he survived without her but died every day whenever he entered his house, his office or wherever he went. The place holds her fragrance, her aura and he stands tall like a motionless fellow. She asked divorce right after the mishap, he gave in without argument because she was already in grief - because of him, and he doesn't want her to suffer anymore so he just did what she wanted. But life never was what it was with her. Everything was just a live shade of gray, went where the rainbows, his life had turned dull.

Today, after a whole five years her presence around him is melting the ice and he couldn't hold on. He crashed in her arms, crying like a child for forgiveness and her love.

“Naina, please forgive me Naina!! Please!!” He cried, and all she did was hold him firm, gently, consoling him, that was all he needed at the moment.

…..

That night, Naina made sure he took a proper meal and opened up about some deep feelings he had held back. Though by night he was calm, but had cried the whole evening, telling her his suffering after she left him, how guilty he was for the loss and how badly he misses her. While all Naina did was listen to him patiently.

After dinner, they made their way to the library where Naina asked him to sign a few papers related to the case which he did without even reading them. Naina was stunned, he never signed any papers without reading and he should not but he did.

“Why didn't you read the papers?” She questions, stuffing the papers back in an envelope.

“I don't need to! I trust you Naina!” He exclaims, gazing at her while resting his back on the back post of his chair.

A moment of silence follows before she questions again.

“Why didn't you hire a lawyer Raj?” She questioned, she so badly needed to know the reason.

“Because I don't want to! Even before the judgment or knowing the truth everybody had held me guilty. My staff, the NGO which is run by my money, my close friend, everybody. They trusted her. They thought living alone for years had made me do that, but I would rather die before replacing you with any person. I can never imagine being close with any lady other than you!” He exclaims, his voice both firm and soft at the same time.

Naina just stares at him, spellbound!

“Who told you about this?” This time he asked.

Naina let out a deep breath,”Sania! Your legal advisor, she's my friend's younger sister and had probably seen my picture with you somewhere and her research led her to know our relationship. When all this happened and you refused to hire a lawyer, she called me!” Naina disclosed.

Silence hung in the air again!

Naina clears her throat, “can I ask you for something?” She asks a little hesitantly.

“You can ask for my life, I promise I won't hesitate to give up for you!” He replied, she couldn't help but chuckle and shook her head.

The other moment she was holding his hand and leading him to the temple area. He was confused, why would she take him there? But once there she made him stand and stood before him, she picked up something from the temple and opened her palm to show him the material - Vermillion box.

He gazes at her, assuring her step.

“Marry me Raj!” She demanded.

He was totally blank, but he needed to make a step, safely.

“Wouldn't you regret it? Doing it all over again when I already failed you once?” He asks, tears forming in his eyes.

She shook her head, “No! I won't! I regret divorcing you. Five years!! I suffered with guilt. Back then I didn't realize you too had the loss, we both had the same pain but I blamed you. I was drawn by the pain of losing my child, that I didn't even realize that to come over the one pain I left behind my healer, one who could have held me back, but I was blind with anger, I didn't want to think of all that. Now that I have realized, I want to mend my mistake. I want you to give us a chance to heal our soul. I want to hold you tight and take all your pain and you to take me in your protection and heal my broken soul. I want you Raj! I want to be yours!” She ululates, tears rolling down her cheek and his as well.

He took a step closer, rubbed off her tears, and the next moment filled her head with the red vermillion. Tears roll their eyes, their hearts filled with emotions.

He cupped her face and pecked her head, “I was always yours!” He exclaims and with that she crashed in his arms, feeling their unison after five long years.

Love! No matter the amount of time passed, no matter how distant one is, when there is love, it surely finds a way to their loved one! No age, century, distance, pain, hate can fade love. It might get dusted sometimes and all you need is to clean your hearts, to love again, to hold them again, forever!!

...

To end!!!