Long Update

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"I am not the one who did it! It was Mrituinjay Roy who had killed Dev!

Rudra shouted while the prosecutor arose from his seat and shouted furiously," Objection my Lord, He is trying to divert the case."

There were a lot of gasps in the court room from the time Rudra proclaimed it. No one expected an allegation like this to be coming.  but did you expect that? Well, Maya didn't expect that coming. She never thought Mrityunjay would do this! The shock written on her face was quite expected by Rudra. The small exchange between their eyes were broken as Honour spoke.

H: Objection denied. You may continue Rudra.

R: Thank you. As I said, MJ is the culprit behind this case and it isn't fabricated by me. You can verify my own 'fabricated stories' using the evidence I am going to submit.

He submitted a pen drive and continued," On the day when Dev had been murdered, MJ was right there. In fact, Dev's second last call was to MJ."

The judge played the video on the small video wall which was present to him. Two voices were distinctly heard over the tape even though the faces weren't clear to the dot. As he watched the video, Rudra recalled what happened between the two ex's of Maya. Yes, he was an ex of Maya right now. 

Leaning against the table with his hands stretched on the table, Rudra asked MJ who was tied, "Why did you kill Dev?"

MJ proclaimed," Your dad is the one who killed him. Go and ask him!"

Ritwik who stood next to him clapped his hands and Rudra looked at him with a smile. As Rudra walked towards him, he asked," How did you know it was my dad? (after a pause) No one ever knew or knows about it. Then, how do you know MJ?"

His voice was seething with anger and a smirk was plastered on his face seeing MJ flared. It was the first time he had seen MJ aloof like this without any explanations. Rudra raised a statement which was not related to this case in his ears.

"I will finish my anger for raping my girlfriend. You mor*n!" As Rudra kept a safe distance again, he asked," You think I will believe that when I was your car escaping through those retrieved visuals?

MJ kept quite for sometime until Rudra was taking his anger out on him. Holding his jaw tightly, MJ winced in pain Rudra was giving him. A monstrous Rudra was a fiery person who knew no limits for anger. Even for Maya, it was the same. Rudra asked him to tell him the reason while gritting his teeth but when he didn't speak, a slap echoed through the microphone. Coughing blood to the opposite side of the force, Rudra was about to push his chair back. Realizing that he needed his life, he said," I will talk. Wait!"

Giving him a few seconds, Rudra was growing impatient second by second. When Rudra was about to repeat the threat, MJ spoke in an exhausted voice as his jaw pained," I hated her and I..."

MJ was taking time either to tell the truth or cook more stories. Rudra threatened him again in a voice layerings anger and disgust," MJ, I have seen and heard you have tortured Maya and I won't leave you for that. I have my whole frustration due to everything that is happening now. If you won't tell, I won't hesitate you kill you and remain in jail with her!"

As the conversation progressed, Rudra looked at Maya to see her gaze fixed on the video wall. Her hands were tightened against the stand and she heard Rudra asking," Tell me MJ!"

Finally MJ spoke in defeat," I hated Maya. I had blackmailed Dev on the day I noticed an attraction between you and her. She wasn't even answering my calls when I had offered her drugs. I had offered Dev money to instigate you against Maya so that you won't marry her. I needed her to come back to me.."

The whole court was shocked and the only fact Rudra knew was that there were more confessions coming on. Rudra asked," How did the incident happen?"

MJ spoke," Dev had called me on the engagement day of Ritwik telling me that he needed some more money. When I told him that I won't give him any more, he blackmailed me that he will confess everything to Maya. I went there but he had already called her asking her to come. When he was about to expose my truth to Rudra too,I killed him using the revolver.

Rudra asked after hitting him," Which revolver? Maya had already thrown the revolver on the Award Night. How did you manage to get it?"

The video ended in silence while Rudra continued from the courtroom," The relation didn't start within a few weeks or anything. It started with a slap from Maya's side for harassing her sexually. She slapped him in front of everyone and to take revenge, he harassed her more. But in between, he had even stole Maya's identity cards to register new cellphones and a new gun."

As the judge noted the points down, Rudra claimed," He even tried to trap Mr. Ashwin into the case by fabricating it and taking use of the opportunities through Rajender. Since Rajender was the friend of Mr.Ashwin, he trapped me but the cellphone calls didn't cheat me."

DL: The objections which are made are purely based on a theory my lord. This shouldn't be accepted. .

The judge reprimanded the lawyer by saying," I will give you time to cross him."

Rudra transferred those files from his desk to the computer analyst,"These are the copies of it.."

He handed over a few papers and waited for a few seconds until the judge asked whether Dev's lawyer had to say anything.

DL: Mrityunjay Roy has been hurt very badly and you can even see the bruises and scars! He would have admitted it due to the thrashes he had received.  What is the surety that it is true?

Rudra took a paper from the table and went to the judge.

R: The location of Dev and MJ on the same day has been tracked down. MJ has also transferred large amounts of money to Dev. Who was Dev if he wasn't anyone related to MJ to have been paid such big amounts of cash?

The statements had stopped and finally the judge announced," Based on the statement ts of pros and cons, it's clear that Maya Jaisingh is innocent and Mrityunjay Roy had been behind this. I order the police to arrest MJ with immediate effect. I also order them to find about the drugs which MJ had been mentioning and arrest everyone who has been a part of this Drug Chain. Maya Jaisingh is declared free. "

As Maya thanked the honour, Rudra gathered a few papers from his table. As he was keeping the papers, Shenuga reached there running into the court room in her normal clothes. He just gave her a smile and she smiled congratulating him," Congrats and sorry!"

"It's okay. I know what you are going through and even now, I am going through the same thing." Rudra gave away a stiffened smile and as he was packing his bag and messaging Rishi, he knew someone stood behind him. She was waiting to strike a conversation and he was avoiding her. Why? Wasn't she a friend? Seeing her stand through his peripheral vision, he thanked Shenuga and chatted with Shenuga. As Shenuga acknowledged Maya, Rudra stood the same with a difference of him standing flat. Maya thanked Shenuga too and she gave the final credits to Rudra before she left, leaving them both. Shenuga knew why he understood her and right now, they needed to solve theirs. 

As Rudra turned towards her, she said in an emotional voice, "Thank you." Nodding his head, he wanted to add something which would be cringe worthy now and added a simple statement," Trust should never be broken right?"

As they walked away, Maya was surrounded by the media who had been aware of the media trail as she was on the news 24/7. She was thrown a lot of questions and right now, she needed to go home, get a relaxing bath but before that, talk to Rudra and sort them out.

"Did you expect this coming?"
"How do you feel right now?"

Many question were thrown and she was trying her best to get out of the crowd. With a hold on her hand, Rudra acted as a protective shield and helped her to get inside the car, dodging the reporters. As he also got in with the protection of Ritwik, she looked at the media that had surrounded them while he assured her.

Changing the gear, he drove through the crowd while she crossed her arms across her chest and leaned her head against the window. Silence is the best music and it was being played here. She wanted it to play until she was ready for a conversation that wasn't rehearsed but from her heart.

As he stopped the car in front of her house, he looked aside to find her asleep. Maybe, she was too tired after 14 days of being in jail. Checking her out, he finally noticed that the bandage on her leg was removed through her flats. She had worn thin and her neck had marks which made him want to run his fingers. Restricting himself from the emotion he had been doing for days, he touched her softly, making her wake up in a convulse.

"Maya, we have reached." He said softly and she looked around. She just hummed without any other word and looked down at her fingers. One of her fingers were ringed and Rudra knew she wanted to speak. Taking an initiative he asked," Is there anything else you want to say?" 

"I need to go out." Maya spoke while he retorted," You are too tired for that. Freshen yourselves and we will meet some other day.."

"No. I want to talk to you.." She stated with a dead-serious look on her face while he shrugged his shoulders and offered a solution, "Your wish. I will come for dinner." Nodding to that half-happy promise, she left the car. Something was better than nothing

_________

As Rudra entered the house at their usual dinner time, he was welcomed by the lovely atmosphere mixed with spices and essence. As a reflex, he smiled and felt happy in the last few days. After days of contemplation, fight and thoughts which troubled him, he loved being welcomed by this smell. As he walked towards the kitchen, he saw that she had set an oven timer.

As he heard the timer beep in time, he looked for the knob that had to be turned off. But by that time, he heard footsteps descending down. He saw that Maya had freshened up with twigs of her brownish black tresses slipped through her shoulder.

As she noticed him, she gave him a small smile and proceeded towards the kitchen without any other word. As she took the chicken out of the oven, she touched the skins to notice that it was up to perfection of a middle cooked one.

As the timer of the coffee machine went off, Rudra was surprised by the coffee but then, it was her. She knew he needed coffee as much as she did. Thanking her formally, he asked her sternly giving a pause," What do you want to speak?" 

"I.. Thank you.." She mumbled while he nodded. He knew that the Maya speaking to him was guilty but she wasn't sorry. Things would be okay and he had cancelled everything. Cancelled everything including his (her) customized jacket which he had stuffed in a bag and threw it in a corner.

"Anything else?" He asked sipping his coffee and went to the table as he heard no response. Placing himself on a chair, his other hand which wasn't on the mug was held by her cold fingers..

"Rudra, let's forget whatever happened. I really understand your point but I too had a few things which couldn't be avoided! And now. ." 

"Your film offers have gone and you are free throughout. Other directors have fixed other heroines and you haven't committed anything. So you are free. So we can have our wedding right?" He asked sweetly layered with a touch of anger and sarcasm while she lowered her head and reaffirmed her grip on her forearm.

He smiled sarcastically as he held her hand which was on his forearm and asked," Is the food ready?"

She looked utterly surprised at that and asked," Huh?"

" I can smell it burning.." She rushed to the kitchen at that statement and switched it off. Opening the lid, she coughed a bit and sighed in relief as it was not entirely burnt.

As she turned back, she had to stop since he was behind her. If she had moved an inch forward, she would have fell on him.

"I am actually starving. Is the dinner ready?" He asked impatiently which was partially true while she said," Rudra. I .."

"Wait.  Let me check!" He said and opened the lid. Wafting the smell into his nose, he moaned. Taking a wooden ladle, he scooped curry while she was literally angry on avoiding her. He opened the roti basket and saw that his favourite garlic nan was already ready. Seeing his enthusiastic nature, she would have been happy. But not now. He was not talking and she literally didn't want to become his chef 'only'.

Observing Maya who was doing something in her phone, she turned back and he concentrated on having his food. He heard a deep sigh before she left upstairs.

Keeping the plate aside, he washed his hands after enjoying the delicious meal he had got after so many days. Even though she was tired, she had cooked for him whatever he liked out of her hands. That was something he loved about her but there were more negatives when he wanted to end the relationship.

...

As Maya sat on the ledge, it was cloudy. Hugging herself with her knees, she had her spine supported by the wall. As he came in front of her, she averted her gaze towards him. Cupping her face, he allowed his thumb to caress her.

"Maya, We have shared many things in life. We were never compatible. I am not comparing any materialistic things but we aren't meant to be. Fights are common but I can't let anything go. We are from two different worlds.  Your world is big with your industry and profession but mine is small with my family and some colleagues. You have been an amazing friend and let it remain like that."

" The fact that we break up won't change anything in between us except this living together or a few additional things. We have grown through our fights and we know what we are now. Let's leave it now. "

He stopped as she nodded. She expected this coming by all of his rejections and his avoided circumstances. He asked," Do you remember what I said when you had asked me if we won't go together as a couple?"

Her eyes had turned teary as he remembered those words which were an answer to her question. She answered the question just like she remembered it, trying to control her overwhelming senses.

"If we aren't compatible as a couple, let's live as the best friends a woman and a man can become.  I will always be there for you as a 3 am friend whenever you need me.."

Her trance was broken as he spoke," Let's live like that. If we marry, we might end in divorce which might be more painful than your past. Forget the past and move on.."

He finished while she nodded and mumbled with a layer of pain," Forget it and move on.."

Nodding her head, her tears were heading out and he tried to wipe it using her thumb pad only to be retorted by her. She moved a bit backward and his hands stood in the same place for two seconds until he took out. They stayed there for a few minutes until he spoke," I will leave now."

"Yes sure!" She said confidently and walked him out. As she closed the door, the tears were streaming but she looked at the surroundings and ruffled her hair in an attempt to prove she was carefree again. But who was she fooling. It was going to be tough in the beginning but it was going to be okay.

Arranging the living room which was scattered with books, she occupied herself for a few minutes. Tears stood still as she mumbled incoherently under her breath and tried to control her emotions.

Her fingers came to a stop when she heard her phone ringing. Turning towards the source, she picked the phone. After a few minutes, she said," I am safe and I will come soon."

.....

A few days had passed since their last conversation and Rudra and Maya had never got in contact again. But he received a call of thanks from her parents. They both talked to him and he felt happy. They too were happy and when he asked when they were arriving, he recieved a grim reply saying that there was no need for them to visit Mumbai again. He got the clue that maybe her parents got to know about their separation through her cryptic post. 

As usual, their life began to move on. Rudra was too busy in a project that he couldn't take time to call her or enquire anything as her promised 3 a.m. friend. Her shooting schedule continued and within a few days, the director had announced a pack up.

Shivin tried to encourage a moody Maya who didn't speak to anyone unless she was talked to. She had isolated herself but it didn't affect her acting career because it was just acting. She was doing her scenes much better than before which made him feel so good. Even  though Shivin knew their seperation, he kept quite and tried to cheer her up. She didn't attend any function in the pretense of saying that she was tired and she needed some rest. 

But 'rest' turned out to be true when Rudra woke up to a feeling that he needed to visit Maya. With the hope of getting a chance for a casual talk with Maya at the press conference of the team, his hopes were shattered as nothing happened. She wasn't there and when they were quizzed about it, they just informed that she was on a few functions she couldn't avoid. Those were lies and Rudra knew her perfectly!

As he rang the calling bell, he waited for 5 minutes but no one opened. Using the extra key, he entered the hall to cough. It was quite dusty and Maya wasn't a person to leave it dusty.

Feeling that something bad had happened, he rushed to her room to find it empty. The room was clean. Opening the cupboards, he saw that she had emptied half of her cupboard and bags except for a few things that he had bought her on various occasions. 

He found a sticky note on the mirror with a single word..

"Bye"