Part 53 The judgment

The case was taken to the course and the main witness was baby Khushi. She didn't care about Sheetal who was standing in front of her in the Witness box. She recited the same in the court what she said to the police.

Sheetal didn't get a lawyer to argue for herself. After the video leaked in the media, no lawyers dared to take her case, not just because she insulted Mr Ayurvedi. It was because of her statement about money. It would spoil the reputation of the lawyer who took over the case. So, no one showed interest in the money that Sheetal was ready to throw on their faces.

"Mrs. Sheetal Kapoor, do you have anyone to argue for yourself?" The magistrate asked.

"No, your honor," Sheetal said.

"As you get no one to argue, this court permits you to argue for yourself. You can defend yourself, Mrs. Sheetal"

Sheetal's face brightened.

"Thank you, my lord," she said delightedly as if she would win the case using the chance.

"Mr. Roy, you can start your interrogation," the judge said.

Roy stood up and said,

"Thank you, my lord"

He went to Baby Khushi.

"Who kidnapped you, beta?"

"Sheetal's friend," Baby Khushi said.

"She is not my friend. Have you ever seen her with me?" Sheetal sneered.

"You will be given a chance Mrs Sheetal. You can question baby Khushi but you have to wait" the judge said.

Sheetal glared at baby Khushi.

"How did the woman look like beta?" Roy asked.

"She was wearing burqa"

"What did she say?"

"She said Sheetal is my mother and she will give me loads of chocolates and toys if I leave my daddy. I said I don't want anything. I don't like to go to Sheetal but I want my Daddy"

"Then what else did she say?"

"She said Sheetal will take care of me and make me happy. She will take me to the theme park too. So that I can be happy with Sheetal"

"Then?"

"She took me to the theme park and bought me toys and ice cream. I ran away from her when she went to the washroom. I saw a police uncle and told him everything. He brought me to my daddy"

"That's all my lord" Roy sat down.

"Mrs Sheetal you can interrogate baby Khushi now"

"How do you know she is my friend, have you ever seen her with me?" Sheetal questioned Baby Khushi.

"How could I see her with you when you yourself never stayed at home?" Baby Khushi cornered Sheetal.

A laughing wave spread on the court campus.

"Order order" the judge controlled the crowd.

Sheetal gritted her teeth.

"The woman is not my friend. She is a liar. Don't trust her words" Sheetal said.

"I know she is a liar because she said you are a good woman and will take care of me. How could she be a good woman if she says you are good"

Sheetal was stunned. The loud laughter raised in the court hall. The judge again controlled them.

"Why do you say she is not a good woman beta?" The judge asked baby Khushi.

"She always comes home swaying and stinking. She vomits a lot... Chi chi..." Baby Khushi said making a weird face cutely.

"What else did she do?"

"She always fought with my daddy. She scolds him, and shouts at him"

"Did she ever talk to you lovingly?"

"No, she doesn't like me. She glares at me... see, now also she glares at me" She pointed at Sheetal.

The judge looked at Sheetal who was glaring at baby Khushi. She averted her gaze, seeing the judge looking at her.

"My lord, she is my daughter. I can prove it through a DNA test. Only I have right on her" Sheetal said.

"Just because you gave birth to her, she could not be your daughter. A child needs care and love. It doesn't seem she got it from you but from Mr Raizada. So, it's Mr. Raizada who has all the rights to baby Khushi" The judge said.

Arnav and Khushi huffed in relief.

"Mrs. Sheetal is proven guilty in the attempted murder case of Mr. Suman Mathur and Mrs. Khushi. She had killed Mr. Sarath on the court campus. She was arrested red-handed with drugs in the car. It was clear she was involved in drug dealing. And as per Baby Khushi's statement, she was the one who kidnapped Baby Khushi. So, the person, Sheetal has been sentenced to two lifetimes for the crime she committed. The details of the judgment will be followed"

"Noooo, this is injustice" Sheetal shouted at the magistrate.

Two women constables came and dragged her from the court.

Arnav came to Roy and shook hands with him.

"Thanks, Mr. Roy..."

"It's your idea that worked..." Roy smiled.

"If you had not recorded the video, it would not have been easier for us," Arnav said.

"Everything is fine now, Mr. Raizada. Go ahead with your wedding preparations"

Arnav smiled, looking at Khushi.

They left the court with Baby Khushi. When Arnav came home with Khushi and baby Khushi, they saw Suman there.

"Sumi uncle..." Baby Khushi run to him and hopped on him.

"How are you, Baby?"

"I'm fine..."

"Good girl"

Suman removed a bar of chocolate from his pocket and gave it to Baby Khushi.

"Thank you, uncle" she kissed his cheek.

"When did you come?" Arnav asked.

"Just half an ago"

"You would have called me"

"I know you would be in the hearing. That's why I didn't disturb you"

"Yes, have you finished your visa process?"

"Yes, I will get it soon"

"That's nice"

"What about the judgment?"

"Sheetal got a double sentence," Arnav said.

"is it?"

"Yes, she was proven guilty..."

"She deserves it"

"How is NK?"

"He is super fine and getting ready to go to Canada" Suman smiled.

"It's because you are going to Canada with him..." Khushi said.

"No doubt... by the way, when is the marriage?"

Arnav looked at Khushi.

"I would like to get married before Sumi leaves India," Khushi said to Arnav.

"Yes, I too want the same. Please arrange it soon. I will go to Canada with satisfaction then" Suman said.

"We can go for the court marriage then," Arnav said.

"Won't you have reception?" Suman asked.

"No need... We will declare our wedding in the school assembly. It will spread all over Lucknow in a day like a forest fire" Khushi laughed.

"I will file the application in the court tomorrow," Arnav said.

Khushi nodded ok.

"Wow... it seems like a dream to me. Khushi is going to get her man in real. I can hear the wedding bells" Suman said.

Khushi smiled with a slight blush.

"Khushi... please don't blush... Let Arnav be stable until your wedding" Suman teased.

Khushi's blush deepened and she rushed inside, making Suman laugh. Arnav clutched Suman's hand and said,

"Thank you for everything, Suman"

"We do not owe to thank one another, Arnav. She is OUR Khushi. Just keep her happy. That's all I want from you"

Arnav nodded yes. He didn't promise him. It was not a matter to make a promise with a few words but a lifetime commitment to prove by living with her.

To be continued...